A nationwide seroepidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in South Korea

作者：Kim Do Young; Kim In Hee; Jeong Sook Hyang^*; Cho Yong Kyun; Lee Joon Hyoek; Jin Young Joo; Lee Don; Suh Dong Jin; Han Kwang Hyub; Park Neung Hwa; Kang Ha Yan; Jung Young Kul; Kim Young Seok; Kim Kyung Ah; Lee Youn Jae; Lee Byung Seok; Yim Hyung Joon; Lee Heon Ju; Baik Soon Koo; Tak Won Young; Lee Sun Jae; Chung Woo Jin; Choi Sung Kyu; Cho Eun Young; Heo Jeong; Kim Dong Joon; Song Byung Cheol; Kim Man Woo; Lee Jun; Chae Hee Bok; Choi Dae Hee; Choi Hwa Young

来源：Liver International, 2013, 33(4): 586-594.

DOI：10.1111/liv.12108

• hepatitis C virus
• infection
• Korea
• prevalence

Background %26 Aims The aim of this study was to reveal nationwide seroprevalence of HCV infection in South Korea by a large-scale survey. Methods From January to December 2009, a total of 291314 adults underwent health check-up in 29 centres nationwide. The data concerning anti-HCV antibody and biochemical tests were obtained from all participants. Among subjects with positive anti-HCV, such data as HCV RNA, genotypes and treatment detail were additionally analysed. Results Using an estimated 2009 population of Korea, the age, sex and area-adjusted anti-HCV positive rate was 0.78%. Anti-HCV prevalence in female patients (0.83%) was higher than that in male patients (0.75%). Gradual increase in anti-HCV positivity was observed, from 0.34% in those aged 2029years to 2.31% in those %26gt;70years. The age- and sex-adjusted anti-HCV prevalence varied in different areas, being higher in Busan and Jeonnam (1.532.07%), mid-level in Seoul and surrounding districts (0.500.61%) and lower in Jeju (0.23%). The comparative analysis of laboratory variables between anti-HCV (+) and anti-HCV () group revealed significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase and lower levels of serum lipids in anti-HCV (+) group. Among 1 718 anti-HCV positive subjects, serum HCV RNA was measured only in 478 people, of whom 268 (56.1%) patients had detectable HCV RNA in serum. Among 50 patients for whom assessment of response to antiviral therapy was feasible, overall sustained virological response was achieved in 84% of patients. Conclusion The prevalence of HCV infection is low in South Korea. Studies to analyse risk factors are warranted to reduce HCV infection.

• 出版日期2013-4