Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are usually asymptomatic for decades, thus targeted screening can prevent liver disease by timely diagnosis and linkage to care. More robust estimates of chronic HBV and HCV infections in the general population and risk groups are needed. Using a modified workbook method, the total number of ever chronically infected individuals in the Netherlands in 2016 was determined using population size and prevalence estimates from studies in the general and high-risk population. The estimated 2016 chronic HBV infection prevalence is 0.34% (low 0.22%, high 0.47%), corresponding to approximately 49 000 (low 31 000, high 66 000) HBV-infected individuals aged 15 years and older. The estimated ever-chronic HCV infection prevalence is 0.16% (low 0.06%, high 0.27%), corresponding to approximately 23 000 (low 8000, high 38 000) ever-chronic HCV-infected individuals. The prevalence of chronic HBV and HCV infections in the Netherlands is low. First-generation migrants account for most infections with 81% and 60% of chronic HBV and HCV infections, respectively. However, about one-fifth of HCV infections is found in the general population at low risk. This method can serve as an example for countries in need of more accurate prevalence estimates, to help the design and evaluation of prevention and control policies.
Highlights
Worldwide, it is estimated that 248 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) [1] and that 71 million are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) [2]
It was estimated that in the Netherlands approximately 500 people died annually between 2002 and 2015 due to the consequences of chronic HBV or HCV infection [8]. This end-stage disease and mortality is to a large extent avoidable as safe and effective antiviral treatment became available for chronic active HBV infections and direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are accessible for all patients with chronic HCV infection in the Netherlands in recent years
The chronic HBV prevalence of 0.34% in the Netherlands is among the lowest prevalences in Europe [1] and the chronic HCV prevalence of 0.16% is among the lowest in the world [2]
Summary
It is estimated that 248 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) [1] and that 71 million are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) [2]. In Europe (Global Burden of Disease region), this was 74 500 and 114 600 for HBV and HCV, respectively [4]. 20% of people with untreated chronic HBV and 15–30% of people with chronic HCV infection are estimated to develop cirrhosis within 20 years [6, 7]. It was estimated that in the Netherlands approximately 500 people died annually between 2002 and 2015 due to the consequences of chronic HBV or HCV infection [8]. This end-stage disease and mortality is to a large extent avoidable as safe and effective antiviral treatment became available for chronic active HBV infections and direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are accessible for all patients with chronic HCV infection in the Netherlands in recent years
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