DETROIT - The number of hepatitis C patients suffering from advanced liver damage may be grossly underestimated and underdiagnosed, according to a study led by researchers at Henry Ford Health System and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The findings were the result of a study of nearly 10,000 patients suffering from hepatitis C, and could have a significant effect on patient care and healthcare policy regarding the chronic disease.
"Knowledge of the prevalence of liver damage will help decision making regarding screening for the effects of hepatitis C, when to start anti-viral therapy, and the need for follow-up counseling," says Stuart Gordon, M.D., lead researcher and Director of Hepatology at Henry Ford Hospital.
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Showing posts with label statistics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label statistics. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Thursday, June 4, 2015
New Viral Hepatitis Numbers from the CDC, by Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new estimates on the acute and chronic cases of hepatitis A, B and C:
Hepatitis A (HAV):
2013: Estimated acute cases and deaths from hepatitis A
2013: Estimated acute cases and deaths from hepatitis A
- Acute: 3,500–range: 2,500 to 3,900
- Deaths: 80 (underlying contributing cause of death in most recent year available (2013))
2013: Estimated acute, chronic and deaths from hepatitis B
- Acute: 19,800—range: 11,300 to 48,500
- Chronic: 700,000 to 1.4 million
- Deaths: 1,873
2013: Estimated acute, chronic and deaths from hepatitis C
- Acute: 29,700—range: 23,500 to 101,400
- Chronic: 2.7 to 3.9 million
- Deaths: 19,368*
NOTE: Current information indicates these represent a fraction of deaths attributable in whole or in part to chronic hepatitis C.”
Editorial Comments: The good news is that vaccination against hepatitis A and B and education efforts are working to keep new infections, chronic infections and deaths consistent with previous years. Hepatitis A and B are in line with what have been previously reported and rates of new infections have leveled off. I personally believe that hepatitis B may be under reported especially in some larger populations of immigrants who may be infected with hepatitis B. Furthermore, we may not know the extent of chronic hepatitis B in the undocumented immigrant population.
HCV however, seems be getting worse. The range of acute HCV population is much likely higher since we really don’t have an effective surveillance system in our country. We have had large outbreaks of acute HCV in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Indiana and elsewhere. I also believe the number of people with chronic hepatitis C is much higher and the deaths caused by hepatitis C is certainly higher. The CDC has a * (see note) that captures the deaths which are most likely under reported. Many times a death reported on a death certificate is listed as another cause when HCV or cirrhosis, liver cancer or a consequence of HCV may be listed instead.
On a sad note, the age group that had the highest rate of death was the 55 to 64 year old group with 51% of the total number of deaths—this is very young age for such a high death rate.
http://hcvadvocate.org/news/newsLetter/2015/advocate0615.html#4
Monday, May 18, 2015
Health Department reminds Vermonters to get tested
May 19 is National Hepatitis Testing Day
BURLINGTON -- May 19 is National Hepatitis Testing Day. The Health Department reminds Vermonters at risk to get tested for Hepatitis C, a form of viral hepatitis that is spread through blood to blood contact.
Based on national estimates, as many as 18,000 Vermont residents have chronic Hepatitis C, also known as Hep C. About three-quarters of them are unaware of their infection, because it can be years or decades before symptoms develop.
There are two groups of people who are of particular concern when it comes to Hep C. National data indicates that a significant number of baby boomers (people born between 1945 through 1965) have the virus and are unaware of it. People in this age group may have been exposed through blood transfusions or other blood products received before widespread screening of the blood supply began in 1992.
Others may have become infected from sharing injection drug equipment in the past.
The sharing of drug syringes is associated with most new cases of Hep C infection. It is such an efficient route of transmission that injection drug users are at the highest risk of acquiring the virus today.
"Evidence of this behavior-to-virus connection is playing out in rural Indiana in an HIV and Hep C outbreak that's been in the news of late," says Patsy Kelso, state epidemiologist for infectious disease.
According to the CDC, as of April 21, 135 people were diagnosed with HIV in an Indiana community of 4,200 people.
Of these, 114 cases were found to be co-infected with Hep C. Injection drug using behavior was reported by 108 of the cases, with four reporting no injection drug use, and another 23 people not yet interviewed.
"Vermonters who inject drugs can be hard to reach with programs designed to help keep them healthy," said Kelso. "There is a high level of stigma directed toward them."
Yet, according to the Health Department, Vermont has some resources in place that might help to decrease the potential for an outbreak of the magnitude that it is occurring in Indiana.
"The Health Department funds four syringe exchange programs throughout the state intended to help people stop sharing injection equipment — the route of transmission for Hep C and HIV," said Kelso. Syringe exchange programs had to be set up on an emergency provisional basis in Indiana. "We provide support for Hep C and HIV testing that is specifically designed to be accessed by injection drug users at syringe exchanges and other support programs in place to help this population," said Kelso.
For more information about Hepatitis C go to healthvermont.gov or visit your local Health Department district office.
Press Release Source:
"Vermonters who inject drugs can be hard to reach with programs designed to help keep them healthy," said Kelso. "There is a high level of stigma directed toward them."
Yet, according to the Health Department, Vermont has some resources in place that might help to decrease the potential for an outbreak of the magnitude that it is occurring in Indiana.
"The Health Department funds four syringe exchange programs throughout the state intended to help people stop sharing injection equipment — the route of transmission for Hep C and HIV," said Kelso. Syringe exchange programs had to be set up on an emergency provisional basis in Indiana. "We provide support for Hep C and HIV testing that is specifically designed to be accessed by injection drug users at syringe exchanges and other support programs in place to help this population," said Kelso.
For more information about Hepatitis C go to healthvermont.gov or visit your local Health Department district office.
Press Release Source:
Monday, May 4, 2015
Pakistan: Every 10th Pakistani suffering from hepatitis
LAHORE - Every 10th person in the country is suffering from one type of hepatitis or the other and the viral infection varies in severity from a self-limited condition with total recovery to a life-threatening or lifelong disease.
Over 20 million people in Pakistan are infected with hepatitis B and C virus including around 15 million with C and five million with B and the disease is swelling at an alarming rate, medical experts say.
“Owing to lack of preventive measures and treatment facilities, hepatitis prevalence in Pakistan is the highest on the globe.
Over 20 million people in Pakistan are infected with hepatitis B and C virus including around 15 million with C and five million with B and the disease is swelling at an alarming rate, medical experts say.
“Owing to lack of preventive measures and treatment facilities, hepatitis prevalence in Pakistan is the highest on the globe.
- Every 10th person is infected with hepatitis.
- Over 1.
- 5 lakh hepatitis patients die annually.
- As such over 400 people are losing life to hepatitis every day.
- Every year, over 1.
- 5 lakh Hepatitis patients are added to the existing patient load,” said senior consultant and Principal Gujranwala Medical College Prof Aftab Mohsan.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Hepatitis C, HIV hits American Indians at high rate in Minnesota
DULUTH, Minn. — The rate of hepatitis C among American Indians in Minnesota is “terrifyingly higher” than for other racial and ethnic groups, a state epidemiologist said on Thursday. The occasion was the Health Department’s annual release of data for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis A, B and C in Minnesota.
The chronic liver disease — a virus that’s often abbreviated as HCV — also is seen at a relatively high rate outside of the Twin Cities metro area, said Kristin Sweet of the Minnesota Department of Health.
“A lot of people think hepatitis C is an urban issue,” Sweet said. “Our data do not hold to that.”
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Friday, January 2, 2015
Canada: B.C. medical researchers offer treatment by prevention for hepatitis C
Innovation: While stressing there is still work to be done when it comes to fighting HIV/AIDS – other provinces have not seen the same progress as B.C., and rates remain high in some First Nations communities – Dr. Montaner said one area he is watching is treatment of hepatitis C.
“I think one of the most exciting developments that is happening is the emergence of new treatment – highly effective, very simple, extremely well tolerated, but unfortunately very expensive – for hepatitis C.” - Julio Montaner, director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
Mel Krajden, medical head of hepatitis – clinical prevention services at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, said between 70,000 and 80,000 British Columbians have hepatitis C, a chronic liver disease.
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