Enhancing Hepatitis C Management: Mortality Trends and Disparities in the US by Sex, Age Group, Race/Ethnicity and Region (1999–2020)

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects approximately 3.9 million people in the United States (U.S.), leading to 8000 to 10,000 deaths annually. Despite advancements in curative treatments since 2014, effective strategies targeting high-risk groups are crucial. This study examines HCV-related mortality trends from 1999 to 2020, focusing on demographic and regional disparities using the CDC WONDER database. A retrospective analysis was conducted using the CDC WONDER database. HCV-related deaths were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes B17.1 and B18.2. Mortality data were categorised by gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, place of death and urbanisation status. We calculated crude mortality rates (CRs) and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 population. Joinpoint regression analysis identified significant changes in mortality trends. A total of 324,008 HCV-related deaths were reported. The overall AAMR was 4.27 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 4.25 to 4.28). Mortality increased from 1999 to 2014 (1999 to 2007 Annual Percent Change [APC]: 5.00; 2007 to 2014 APC: 1.95) and declined sharply from 2014 to 2020 (APC: −7.11). Males exhibited higher mortality (AAMR: 6.28) than females (AAMR: 2.42). The 55–64 years age group had the highest CR (16.38), while non-Hispanic (NH) American Indians had the highest rate (AAMR: 8.72) among racial groups. Regionally, the South had the highest AAMR (5.80), nearly double that of the West (2.23) and Midwest (2.62). HCV-related mortality trends show significant demographic disparities and regional variations. Targeted interventions are essential to reduce HCV burden, particularly among vulnerable groups.