Abstract
Knowledge on the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has implicit significance for the diagnosis, duration and treatment response of infected patients, as some genotypes are more responsive to therapy than others. In this paper, an examination of the possible association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes with demographic and risk factors for transmission was described. The study utilized routinely collected data of all persons diagnosed with HCV in Scotland and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze genetic variability. The genotype variation was roughly distributed among genotypes 1 (45.6%) and 3 (47.9%), though genotype 2 (5.6%) and ‘other’ genotypes (0.89%) were also present. Furthermore, age less than 34 years, year of diagnosis between 2004 and 2008, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Grampian, Lanarkshire and Lothian Health boards were sufficient to predict HCV status in Scotland, with Injecting Drug Use (IDU) behaviour being the most prevalent risk factor. These results will assist in the management of HCV infection in Scotland. Key words: Epidemiology, genotypes, hepatitis C virus, risk factor, Scotland.
Highlights
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a notable public health challenge
A total of 24419 records were held on the National Hepatitis C Diagnoses Database as at June 30, 2008
Of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosed population held on the National Hepatitis C Diagnoses Database, 73.6% had no information on genotype and were excluded from all the analyses performed
Summary
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a notable public health challenge. Globally, the prevalence rate is reported to be 2 to 3%, with 3-4 million newly infected cases worldwide, and an estimated 130 - 150 million individuals are infected with chronic HCV (Averhoff et al, 2012; Perz et al, 2006; WHO, 2015). Individuals infected with HCV virus at the acute phase have no obvious symptoms and 15 to 20% spontaneously recover. Nearly 65 to 80% of infected individuals become chronically infected with the possibility of developing acute liver diseases like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Davis and Lau, 1997; Lauer and Walker 2001; Seeff, 2002; Jauncey et al, 2004).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
