A nationwide seroepidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in South Korea.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to reveal nationwide seroprevalence of HCV infection in South Korea by a large-scale survey.


METHODS
From January to December 2009, a total of 291 314 adults underwent health check-up in 29 centres nationwide. The data concerning anti-HCV antibody and biochemical tests were obtained from all participants. Among subjects with positive anti-HCV, such data as HCV RNA, genotypes and treatment detail were additionally analysed.


RESULTS
Using an estimated 2009 population of Korea, the age, sex and area-adjusted anti-HCV positive rate was 0.78%. Anti-HCV prevalence in female patients (0.83%) was higher than that in male patients (0.75%). Gradual increase in anti-HCV positivity was observed, from 0.34% in those aged 20-29 years to 2.31% in those >70 years. The age- and sex-adjusted anti-HCV prevalence varied in different areas, being higher in Busan and Jeonnam (1.53-2.07%), mid-level in Seoul and surrounding districts (0.50-0.61%) and lower in Jeju (0.23%). The comparative analysis of laboratory variables between anti-HCV (+) and anti-HCV (-) group revealed significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase and lower levels of serum lipids in anti-HCV (+) group. Among 1 718 anti-HCV positive subjects, serum HCV RNA was measured only in 478 people, of whom 268 (56.1%) patients had detectable HCV RNA in serum. Among 50 patients for whom assessment of response to antiviral therapy was feasible, overall sustained virological response was achieved in 84% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HCV infection is low in South Korea. Studies to analyse risk factors are warranted to reduce HCV infection.
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Do Young
DY
Kim
In Hee
IH
Kim
Sook-Hyang
SH
Jeong
Yong Kyun
YK
Cho
Joon Hyoek
JH
Lee
Young-Joo
YJ
Jin
Don
D
Lee
Dong Jin
DJ
Suh
Kwang-Hyub
KH
Han
Neung Hwa
NH
Park
Ha Yan
HY
Kang
Young Kul
YK
Jung
Young Seok
YS
Kim
Kyung-Ah
KA
Kim
Youn Jae
YJ
Lee
Byung Seok
BS
Lee
Hyung Joon
HJ
Yim
Heon Ju
HJ
Lee
Soon Koo
SK
Baik
Won Young
WY
Tak
Sun Jae
SJ
Lee
Woo Jin
WJ
Chung
Sung-Kyu
SK
Choi
Eun-Young
EY
Cho
Jeong
J
Heo
Dong Joon
DJ
Kim
Byung-Cheol
BC
Song
Man Woo
MW
Kim
Jun
J
Lee
Hee Bok
HB
Chae
Dae Hee
DH
Choi
Hwa Young
HY
Choi
Moran
M
Ki
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral