A 2 percent prevalence of hepatitis C virus emerged recently in the U.S. adult population and this prevalence translates to an estimated 4.1 million persons in the U.S. Fifty percent of the cases arise in the Baby Boomers age group born between 1945 and 1964. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention portrays hepatitis C viral infection as causing more deaths than HIV in the United States. Hepatitis C caused about 13,000 deaths in 2005 and the CDC projects the number of deaths to rise to 35,000 by 2030.
A blood test for antibodies to hepatitis C virus uncovers new cases of the disease. Since 20 to 30 years can elapse before symptoms arise, “silent killer” describes the disease. The HCV infection represents a principal cause of liver disease, cirrhosis and death. Many individuals remain unaware of the infection and the burden of the disease will continue to rise unless emphasis switches to detection, education and treatment for the Baby Boomer age group.
Rein and colleagues from the University of Chicago published in the Feb. 21 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine results of a study using a computer model to estimate how screening the Baby Boomer age group would reduce deaths significantly. The projected estimated cost shrinks to 50 percent less with utilization of this new method for screening and early treatment.
The Chronic Liver Disease Foundation supports expansion of the HCV screening for individuals in the Baby Boomer age group. The Foundation issued a position paper in support of the research results. The CDC at present recommends screening for high-risk groups only such as individuals with a history of injecting drugs, requiring blood transfusion before 1992 or receiving chronic kidney hemodialysis.
The Peer Review Committee at CDC is currently reviewing the research to determine a decision about this new concept. As required by federal law, the public can access review information at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006) The Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the United States. Annals of Internal Medicine, 144(10):705-714.
Rein, D.B. et al. (2012) The Cost-Effectiveness of Birth-Cohort Screening for Hepatitis C Antibody in U.S. Primary Care Settings. Annals of Internal Medicine, 156(4):263-270.