Objective: To estimate the prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection and explore the influence factors and their interaction on HIV/HCV co-infection of patient's access to methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Methods: A face to face interviews were conducted among 750 patients at two MMT clinics in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The questionnaires information included demographic characteristics, HIV and HCV infection status, history of drug abuse, urine test for morphine, high risk sex behaviors, needle sharing, dropped out etc. Methods of χ(2) test one-way, multivariate logistic regression and interactions were used to analyze the related factors of HIV/HCV co-infection. Results: The study subjects included 750 participants, 18.31% (127/691) of patients were co-infected with HIV and HCV. The HIV/HCV co-infection rate in patients who shared needles with others or dropped out of treatment was 35.84% (81/226) and 19.88% (64/322) respectively, which were higher than those who have never shared needles or dropped out (9.89%, 46/465 and 17.07%, 63/369). Logistic regression analysis results showed that after adjusted for confounding factors, patients who shared needles (OR=4.50, 95%CI: 2.72-7.43) and dropped out of treatment (OR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.04-2.80) were more likely to be infected with HIV/HCV. Interaction analysis showed that sharing needles and dropping out of treatment exist additive effect on co-infection of HIV and HCV (RERI=4.21, AP=0.44, SI=1.95). Conclusions: Needle sharing and dropping out of treatment are associated with HIV/HCV co-infection. Health education, psychological counseling and other measures should be taken to reduce needle sharing and dropping out of MMT.
China/epidemiology* ; Coinfection/epidemiology* ; Female ; HIV Infections/epidemiology* ; Hepatitis C/diagnosis* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Methadone/therapeutic use* ; Morphine ; Needle Sharing ; Opiate Substitution Treatment ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous/drug therapy* ; Substance-Related Disorders

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant primary liver cancer in many countries and is the third most common cause of cancer-related death in the Asia-Pacific region. The incidence of HCC is higher in men and in those over 40 years old. In the Asia-Pacific region, chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections are the main etiological agents; in particular, chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) is still the major cause in all Asia-Pacific countries except for Japan. Over the past two decades, the incidence of HCC has remained stable in countries in the region except for Singapore and Hong Kong, where the incidence for both sexes is currently decreasing. Chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC) is an important cause of HCC in Japan, representing 70% of HCCs. Over the past several decades, the prevalence of CHC has been increasing in many Asia-Pacific countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and India. Despite advancements in treatment, HCC is still an important health problem because of the associated substantial mortality. An effective surveillance program could offer early diagnosis and hence better treatment options. Antiviral treatment for both CHB and CHC is effective in reducing the incidence of HCC.
Australia ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Early Diagnosis ; Epidemiology* ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Incidence ; India ; Japan ; Liver Neoplasms ; Male ; Mortality ; New Zealand ; Prevalence ; Singapore

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study compared the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the Republic of Korea and estimated the high-risk regions and towns. METHODS: National Health Insurance Service data for 8 years from 2005 to 2012 were used. The subjects of the study had visited medical facilities and been diagnosed with or received treatment for acute or chronic HCV as a primary or secondary disease according to ICD-10 codes of B17.1 or B18.2, respectively. Any patient who received treatment for the same disease multiple times during 1 year was counted as one patient in that year. To correct for the effect of the age structure of the population by year and region, the age-adjusted prevalence was calculated using the direct method based on the registered population in 2010. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HCV infection among Korean adults (>20 years old) increased from 0.14% in 2005 to 0.18% in 2012. The sex-, age-, and region-adjusted prevalence in 2012 was 0.18%. The prevalence was highest in Busan, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam, and there were towns with noticeably higher prevalences within these regions: Jindo (0.97%) in Jeonnam, Namhae (0.90%) in Gyeongnam, and Seo-gu (0.86%) in Busan. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HCV infection differs by regions as well as towns in the Republic of Korea, and is highest in Busan, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam. The reasons for the high prevalence in these specific regions should be identified, since this could help prevent HCV infections in the future. In addition, active surveillance and treatment policies should be introduced to stop any further spread of infection in these high-prevalence regions.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Databases, Factual ; Female ; Hepatitis C/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Thyroid dysfunction (TD) is more likely to occur in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and is particularly associated with interferon (IFN) treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, outcomes, and risk factors for TD during pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) combined therapy in patients with CHC. METHODS: A total of 242 euthyroid patients with CHC treated with PEG-IFN/RBV were included. Thyroid function and autoantibodies were measured at baseline, and virologic response and thyroid function were assessed every 3 months during therapy. RESULTS: TD developed in 67 patients (27.7%) during the PEG-IFN/RBV treatment. The types of TD were subclinical hypothyroidism (50.7%), hypothyroidism (14.9%), thyroiditis (11.9%), subclinical hyperthyroidism (10.4%), and hyperthyroidism (10.4%). Most of the patients with TD recovered spontaneously; however, seven patients (10.4%) needed thyroid treatment. The sustained virological response rate was higher in patients with TD than those without (65.7% vs. 49.1%, p = 0.02). Baseline thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations (odds ratio [OR], 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96 to 8.77; p < 0.001), presence of the thyroid peroxidase antibody (OR, 8.81; 95% CI, 1.74 to 44.6; p = 0.009), and PEG-IFNalpha-2b (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.43 to 6.39; p = 0.004) were independent risk factors for the development of TD. CONCLUSIONS: TD developed in 27.7% of patients with CHC during PEG-IFN/RBV treatment, and 10.4% of these patients needed thyroid treatment. TD is associated with a favorable virologic response to PEG-IFN/RBV. Assessment of TSH and thyroid autoantibodies at baseline and close monitoring of thyroid function during PEG-IFN/RBV therapy are necessary for early detection and management of IFN-induced TD.
Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents/*adverse effects ; Autoantibodies/blood ; Biomarkers/blood ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/diagnosis/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Interferon-alpha/*adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols/*adverse effects ; Recombinant Proteins/adverse effects ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribavirin/*adverse effects ; Thyroid Diseases/*chemically induced/diagnosis/epidemiology/immunology/physiopathology ; Thyroid Gland/*drug effects/immunology/physiopathology ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis C genotypes 1 and 2 are widely distributed globally. In contrast, genotype 6 is found mainly in Southeast Asia, while genotype 6 is rare in Korea. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and clinical characteristics of patients with genotype 6 chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 133 HCV-infected patients who underwent HCV genotype analysis between January 2012 and December 2012, and analyzed the prevalence, risk factors and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with genotype 6 chronic hepatitis C. RESULTS: Among 133 patients, 53 patients (39.8%) were infected with genotype 1, 62 patients (46.6%) with genotype 2, 2 patients (1.5%) with genotype 3, 14 patients (10.5%) with genotype 6, and 2 patients (1.5%) with mixed genotypes (genotype 1 and 6). The risk factors associated with genotype 6 were acupuncture (n=4, 28.6%), intravenous drug use (n=3, 21.4%), tattoo (n=2, 14.3%), and transfusion (n=2, 14.3%). Of the 14 patients with genotype 6, 6 patients were treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Five patients had reached the end of treatment. All patients reaching end of treatment for genotype 6 showed early virological response and sustained virological response. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of genotype 6 is 10.5% and mixed infections of genotype 1 and 6 are 1.5% in patients with chronic hepatitis C. A major potential risk factor is intravenous drug use and the treatment response rate to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin is high in patients with genotype 6 chronic hepatitis C. Large scale multicenter studies are needed.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; Blood Transfusion ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/*diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols/therapeutic use ; Prevalence ; RNA, Viral/genetics ; Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribavirin/therapeutic use ; Risk Factors ; Tattooing

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Asia is 0.5% to 4.7%, with three different genotypes predominating, depending on the geographic region: genotype 1b in East Asia, genotype 3 in South and Southeast Asia, and genotype 6 in Indochina. Official approval for direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) in Asia lags significantly behind that in the West, such that in most countries the mainstay of therapy is still pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PR). Because the interleukin-28B genetic variant, associated with a high sustained virologic response (SVR), is common in Asians, this treatment is still acceptable in Asian patients with HCV infections. A roadmap for HCV therapy that starts with PR and takes into account those DAAs already approved in some Asian countries can provide guidance as to the best strategies for management, particularly of genotype 1 and 3 infections, based on SVR rates. Sofosbuvir and PR are likely to be the initial therapies for genotype 1 and 3 disease, although in the former these drugs may be suboptimal in patients with cirrhosis (62% SVR) and the extension of treatment to 24 weeks may be required. For difficult to treat genotype 3 infections in treatment-experienced patients with cirrhosis, a combination of sofosbuvir and PR result in an 83% SVR and is, therefore, currently the optimal treatment regimen. Treatment failure is best avoided since data on rescue therapies for DAA failure are still incomplete.
Antiviral Agents/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Asia/epidemiology ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus/*drug effects/genetics ; Hepatitis C/diagnosis/*drug therapy/epidemiology/genetics ; Humans ; Interleukins/genetics ; National Health Programs ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Prevalence ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody measurement as a clinical approach to determine the infection status and potential for spontaneous-resolution among patients with HCV mono-infection and HCV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection.

METHODSA total of 340 individuals who tested positive for serum anti-HCV antibodies and/or serum anti-HW antibodies were enrolled for study in 2009 from a single village in central China. Markers of liver function (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) and infection (anti-HCV antibodies, CD4⁺ T cell counts, HCV genotype, and HCV viral load) were measured at baseline and follow-up (in July 2012). At follow-up,the subjects were grouped according to ongoing HCV mono-infection (n=129), ongoing HCV/HIV co-infection (n=98), spontaneously resolved (SR)-HCV in mono-infection (n=65), and SR-HCV in HCV/HIV co-infection (n=48) for statistical analysis.

RESULTSAlmost all of the subjects in the ongoing HCV mono-infection group showed high levels of HCV antibodies (S/CO more than or equal to 10), but the majority of the subjects in the SR-HCV in mono-infection group and in the ongoing HCV/HIV co-infection group. The SR-HCV mono-infection group showed a remarkable decrease in HCV antibodies from 2009 (HIV:7.75 ± 3.8; HIV+:7.61 ± 3.47) to 2012 (HIV:5.51 ± 3.67; HIW:4.93 ± 3.35) (HIV:t =10.67, P less than 0.01; HIV+:t =9.52, P less than 0.01). The ongoing HCV/HIV co-infection group showed a positive correlation between HCV antibodies S/CO ratio and CD4⁺ T cell count (r=028, P=0.008). In the ongoing HCV mono-infection group,the levels of HCV antibodies were significantly higher in individuals infected with HCV-1b than in those with HCV-2a (14.74 ± 1.68 vs.14.08 ± 1.44, t=2.20, P=0.03). In the ongoing HCV/HIV co-infection group, the numbers of subjects with elevated (more than 40 U/L) liver function markers were significantly different according to the HCV genotype infection:HCV-1b:ALT, 25/42 vs.16/56 (x²=9.45, P=0.002); HCV2a:AST, 28/42 vs.18/56 (x²=11.49, P=0.001). The HCV RNA positive rate was significantly higher in subjects with high HCV antibody cutoff values (S/CO more than or equal to 10) than in those with low HCV antibody (S/CO less than 10) (HIV:128/151 vs.1/43, x²=102.11, P less than 0.01; HIV+:88/98 vs.10/48, x²=69.44, P less than 0.01), regardless of HIV co-infection. Significantly more subjects in the ongoing HCV mono-infection group had elevated (more than 40 U/L) ALT or AST than the subjects in the SR-HCV mono-infection group with high levels of HCV antibody (S/CO more than or equal to 10) (ALT:57/128 vs.2/23, x²=10.52, P=0.001; AST:57/128 vs.0/23, x²=16.45, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSerum HCV antibody levels, in combination with other clinical information such as liver function and HIV infection status, may aid in the preliminarily evaluation of an individual's HCV infection status and likelihood for spontaneous resolution. Low levels of HCV antibody (S/CO less than 10) may indicate a better chance of SR-HCV, after ruling out the possibility of suffering from immunosuppressive diseases such as HIV infection.

Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; China ; epidemiology ; Coinfection ; immunology ; virology ; Female ; Genotype ; HIV Infections ; immunology ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Serologic Tests ; Viral Load

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Korea exhibits significant geographic variation, with it being higher in Busan and Jeonam than in other areas. The reason for this intranational geographic difference was investigated in this study by conducting a comparative analysis of the risk factors related to HCV infection among three geographic areas: the capital (Seoul), Busan, and the province of Jeolla. METHODS: In total, 990 patients with chronic HCV infection were prospectively enrolled at 5 university hospitals located in Seoul (n=374), Busan (n=264), and Jeolla (n=352). A standardized questionnaire survey on the risk factors for HCV infection was administered to these three groups of patients, and a comparative analysis of the findings was performed. RESULTS: The analysis revealed significant regional differences in exposure to the risk factors of HCV infection. By comparison with patients in Seoul as a control group in the multivariate analysis, patients in Busan had significantly more experience of invasive medical procedures, acupuncture, cosmetic procedures, and multiple sex partners. In contrast, patients in Jeolla were significantly older, and they had a higher prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma, a lower prevalence of multiple sex partners, and had experienced fewer invasive procedures. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant geographic difference in the exposure to potential risk factors of HCV infection between patients from the three studied regions. This may explain the regional variation of the prevalence of HCV infection in Korea, and should be taken into account when planning strategies for the prevention and management of HCV infection.
Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Hepatitis C/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes varies geographically. In Korea, genotypes 1 and 2 comprise more than 90% of HCV infections, while genotype 6 is very rare. This study compared the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with genotype 6 HCV infection with those infected with HCV genotypes 1 and 2. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter HCV cohort study that enrolled 1,173 adult patients, of which 930 underwent HCV genotype analysis, and only 9 (1.0%) were found to be infected with genotype 6 HCV. The clinical and epidemiological parameters of the genotypes were compared. RESULTS: The patients with genotype 6 HCV had a mean age of 41.5 years, 77.8% were male, and they had no distinct laboratory features. A sustained virologic response (SVR) was observed in four (67%) of six patients who received antiviral therapy. Risk factors such as the presence of a tattoo (n=6, 66.7%), more than three sexual partners (n=3, 33.3%), and injection drug use (n=3, 33.3%) were more common among genotype 6 patients than among genotypes 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology and treatment response of patients infected with genotype 6 HCV differed significantly from those with genotypes 1 or 2, warranting continuous monitoring.
Adult ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus/*genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/*diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Humans ; Liver/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; RNA, Viral/blood ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior ; Substance-Related Disorders/complications ; Tattooing

This study aimed to investigate the status of primary liver cancers found through a routine health check-up. The data of subjects who were diagnosed with primary liver cancer for the first time through a routine health check-up during a period of 8-yr were analyzed. Primary liver cancers were detected for the first time in 34 subjects among 91,219 routine health check-up subjects. Only 11.8% of primary liver cancer subjects had been under previous surveillance. Of them, 55.8% were positive for HBsAg, 17.7% were positive for anti-HCV, and 8.8% were heavy alcohol comsumers. However, 17.7% of the subjects were neither heavy alcohol consumers nor positive for both HBsAg and anti-HCV. Of the subjects, 50.0% had a single nodular tumor, 23.5% had multi-nodular tumors, and 26.5% had an infiltrative tumor. A routine health check-up may provide beneficial opportunities to detect a liver cancer in a very early stage. It is beneficial to start surveillance in high-risk subjects for liver cancer or to detect any liver cancer in subjects without risk factors of chronic viral hepatitis or heavy alcohol consumption.
Age Factors ; Alcohol Drinking ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/epidemiology/ultrasonography ; Questionnaires ; Sex Factors ; Smoking ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed