Estimating future hepatitis C morbidity, mortality, and costs in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
This study estimated future morbidity, mortality, and costs resulting from hepatitis C virus (HCV).


METHODS
We used a computer cohort simulation of the natural history of HCV in the US population.


RESULTS
From the year 2010 through 2019, our model projected 165,900 deaths from chronic liver disease, 27,200 deaths from hepatocellular carcinoma, and $10.7 billion in direct medical expenditures for HCV. During this period, HCV may lead to 720,700 years of decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and to the loss of 1.83 million years of life in those younger than 65 at a societal cost of $21.3 and $54.2 billion, respectively. In sensitivity analysis, these estimates depended on (1) whether patients with HCV and normal transaminase levels develop progressive liver disease, (2) the extent of alcohol ingestion, and (3) the likelihood of dying from other causes related to the route of HCV acquisition.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results confirm prior Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projections and suggest that HCV may lead to a substantial health and economic burden over the next 10 to 20 years.
Wong
J B
JB
Department of Medicine, New England Medical Center, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass., USA. jwong@lifespan.org
McQuillan
G M
GM
McHutchison
J G
JG
Poynard
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008390:Markov Chains; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology