Characteristics of patients with hepatitis C and distribution of viral genotypes in Lithuania

Abstract

Background. In 2016, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. Effective drugs are now available; however, most patients remain unaware of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which may be recognized only in the late stages when the complications have occurred. Different virus genotypes may affect the pathobiology of disease. Thus, identifying patients at high risk of HCV infection and ensure proper treatment is a health care challenge. Aim. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients with hepatitis C and HCV genotype distribution in Lithuania. Methods. The study was carried out in three hospitals, which are the inpatient and outpatient centres consulting and treating the patients with HCV infection. All patients who attended a routine visit at each hospital within 6 months and fulfilled the selection criteria (diagnosis of chronic HCV infection confirmed with a positive HCV-RNA test, defined HCV genotype and age ≥18 years) were selected. Altogether, 201 patients (51.7% men and 48.3% women) were involved in the study. Information was collected from patient’s medical documentation and include demographic data, alcohol consumption and substance use, suspected mode of infection, duration of HCV infection, genotype, liver fibrosis stage, and hepatocellular carcinoma status. Results. One (0,5%) patient was an active drug user and 10 (5%) were former drug users. Alcohol was consumed by 30 (14.9%) patients. The main suspected route of HCV transmission was blood transfusion (26.4%). Injection drug use was recorded by 5% of patients. The highest proportion (38.8%) of patients was with a disease duration of 3 years or less. Almost every fifth patient (19.4%) had diseases duration of 10 years or more. Fibrosis grade 4 (liver cirrhosis) was diagnosed in 30.1% of patients and fibrosis grade 3 – in 24.9%. Hepatocellular carcinoma was fo[...].