Core indicators related to the elimination of hepatitis B and C virus infection in South Korea: A nationwide study
- Author:
Chang Hun LEE
1
;
Gwang Hyeon CHOI
;
Hwa Young CHOI
;
Sojung HAN
;
Eun Sun JANG
;
Young Eun CHON
;
Young CHANG
;
Kyung-Ah KIM
;
Do Young KIM
;
Hyung Joon YIM
;
Hye-Lin KIM
;
Sook-Hyang JEONG
;
In Hee KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2023;29(3):779-793
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background/Aims:To eliminate hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria in 2021, this study investigated the national core indicators representing the current status of viral hepatitis B and C in South Korea.
Methods:We analyzed the incidence, linkage-to-care, treatment, and mortality rates of HBV and HCV infection using the integrated nationwide big data of South Korea.
Results:According to data from 2018–2020, the incidence of acute HBV infection in South Korea was 0.71 cases per 100,000 population; tthe linkage-to-care rate was only 39.4%. Among those who need hepatitis B treatment, the treatment rate was 67.3%, which was less than 80% reported in the WHO program index. The annual liver-related mortality due to HBV was 18.85 cases per 100,000 population, exceeding the WHO target of four; the most frequent cause of death was liver cancer (54.1%). The annual incidence of newly diagnosed HCV infection was 11.9 cases per 100,000 population, which was higher than the WHO impact target of five. Among HCV-infected patients, the linkage-to-care rate was 65.5% while the treatment rate was 56.8%, which were below the targets of 90% and 80%, respectively. The liver-related annual mortality rate due to HCV infection was 2.02 cases per 100,000 population.
Conclusions:Many of the current indicators identified in the Korean population did not satisfy the WHO criteria for validation of viral hepatitis elimination. Hence, a comprehensive national strategy should be urgently developed with continuous monitoring of the targets in South Korea.
