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. 2017 Jun 1;64(11):1573-1581.
doi: 10.1093/cid/cix202.

Estimation of State-Level Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection, US States and District of Columbia, 2010

Eli S Rosenberg  1 , Eric W Hall  1 , Patrick S Sullivan  1 , Travis H Sanchez  1 , Kimberly A Workowski  2 , John W Ward  3 , Deborah Holtzman  3
Affiliations

Estimation of State-Level Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection, US States and District of Columbia, 2010

Eli S Rosenberg et al. Clin Infect Dis. .

Erratum in

  • Erratum.
    [No authors listed] [No authors listed] Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Oct 15;65(8):1431-1433. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix563. Clin Infect Dis. 2017. PMID: 29017252 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Abstract

Background.: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Previous analyses of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicated approximately 3.6 million noninstitutionalized persons with antibody to HCV (anti-HCV). However, state-level prevalence remains less understood and cannot be estimated reliably from NHANES alone.

Methods.: We used 3 publicly available government data sources to estimate anti-HCV prevalence in each US state among noninstitutionalized persons aged ≥18 years. A small-area estimation model combined indirect standardization of NHANES-based prevalence with logistic regression modeling of mortality data, listing acute or chronic HCV infection as a cause of death, from the National Vital Statistics System during 1999-2012. Model results were combined with US Census population sizes to estimate total number and prevalence of persons with antibody to HCV in 2010.

Results.: National anti-HCV prevalence was 1.67% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-1.90), or 3 911 800 (95% CI, 3 589 400- 4 447 500) adults in 2010. State-specific prevalence ranged from 0.71% (Illinois) to 3.34% (Oklahoma). The West census region had the highest region-specific prevalence (2.14% [95% CI, 1.96-2.48]); 10 of 13 states had rates above the national average. The South had the highest number of persons with anti-HCV (n = 1561600 [95% CI, 1 427 700-1 768 900]). The Midwest had the lowest region-specific prevalence (1.14% [95% CI, 1.04%-1.30%]).

Conclusions.: States in the US West and South have been most impacted by hepatitis C. Estimates of HCV infection burden are essential to guide policy and programs to optimally prevent, detect, and cure infection.

Keywords: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; National Vital Statistics System.; hepatitis C; prevalence; surveillance.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Modeling equations. Abbreviations: anti-HCV, hepatitis C virus antibody; NVSS, National Vital Statistics System.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Estimated total persons with hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV; indicating past or current HCV infection) (A) and anti-HCV prevalence rates (B), United States and District of Columbia, 2010.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Estimated hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) prevalence rates from sensitivity analyses using additional HCV-related mortality International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. Abbreviations: anti-HCV, hepatitis C virus antibody; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; HCV, hepatitis C virus; PAF, population attributable fraction.
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