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. 2014 Jan;58(1):40-9.
doi: 10.1093/cid/cit642. Epub 2013 Sep 24.

Causes of death and characteristics of decedents with viral hepatitis, United States, 2010

Kathleen N Ly  1 , Jian Xing, R Monina Klevens, Ruth B Jiles, Scott D Holmberg
Affiliations

Causes of death and characteristics of decedents with viral hepatitis, United States, 2010

Kathleen N Ly et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Previous research indicates that the mortality burden from viral hepatitis is growing, particularly among middle-aged persons. To monitor progress toward prevention goals, it is important to continue to document characteristics and comortalities of these deaths. This study sought to examine demographic characteristics and the most frequent causes of death among decedents with a viral hepatitis-related death.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on approximately 2.4 million death records from 2010. We calculated mortality rates for decedents with and without hepatitis A, B, and C virus (HAV, HBV, and HCV) and relative risks for the most frequently cited conditions in decedents with and without HBV and HCV.

Results: In 2010, there were 18 473 (0.7%) deaths with HAV, HBV, and HCV listed among causes of death, disproportionately in those aged 45-64 years. Among the 10 frequent causes of death, decedents listing HBV or HCV died, on average, 22-23 years earlier than decedents not listing these infections. HBV- and HCV-infected decedents aged 45-64 years had an increased risk of having the following conditions reported than decedents without these infections: cancer of liver and intrahepatic bile duct; fibrosis, cirrhosis, and other liver diseases; alcohol-related liver disease; gastrointestinal hemorrhage; human immunodeficiency infection; acute and unspecified renal failure; and septicemia (HCV only).

Conclusions: Decedents with other causes of death that include HBV or HCV died 22-23 years earlier than decedents not listing these infections. These data suggest and support the need for prevention, early identification, and treatment of HBV and HCV.

Keywords: causes of death; death certificates; mortality; viral hepatitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest. The authors disclose no conflicts relevant to this study. All authors: No reported conflicts.

All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Number of deaths reported with hepatitis A, B, and C in the United States, 2010, N = 18 473.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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