Scope of worldwide hepatitis C problem.
1. Hepatitis C is a global health problem affecting over 170 million people worldwide. 2. There is wide geographic variation in both prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus on a global level. 3. Most hepatitis C virus is spread parenterally, either through intravenous drug use or, in lesser-developed countries, through blood contamination during medical procedures. 4. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. 5. Despite a declining incidence of new infections, the burden of disease, both in terms of mortality and in terms of cost, is expected to increase over the next decade.
Brown
Robert S
RS
Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, and Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA. rb464@columbia.edu
Gaglio
Paul J
PJ
D018450:Disease Progression; D014943:Global Health; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology