ABSTRACT
The burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related morbidity and mortality continues to
rise. Progression to advanced liver disease among HCV-infected individuals generally
requires decades, but we are entering an era where those infected with HCV in the
1970s and 1980s are at significant risk of mortality. Liver disease has overtaken
drug-related harm as the major cause of mortality in HCV-infected individuals in many
settings. Direct-acting antiviral therapies have provided renewed optimism, but HCV
treatment uptake will need to increase markedly to reduce liver disease mortality.
This review provides updated information on the natural history of HCV, disease-specific
causes of mortality among people with HCV, estimates and projections of HCV-related
disease burden and mortality and individual and population-level strategies to reduce
mortality. The considerable variability in mortality rates within subpopulations of
people with HCV will be outlined, such as in people who inject drugs and those with
HIV co-infection.
KEYWORDS
Hepatitis C virus - assessment - treatment - care - barriers
REFERENCES
gdore@kirby.unsw.edu.au
