title: Hepatitis C in Poland in 2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Poland, an estimated 2 000 HCV infections are reported annually, of which chronic stage of infections predominates (>95%). It is estimated that seroprevalence of anti-HCV and prevalence of active infections in the general population amount to ca 0.95% (more than 320 000 persons) and 0.6% (230 000 persons), respectively. The alarming finding is that approximately 90% of persons diagnosed with HCV infection are unaware of the condition and consequently hepatitis C virus may be transmitted to their contacts.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present article is to determine the epidemiology of HCV infections in Poland in 2012 comparing to the preceding years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The assessment of epidemiological situation of HCV infections in Poland was based on the analysis of aggregated data from the State Sanitary Inspection, published in "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2012" (Czarkowski MP et al. "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2012" Warsaw, NIPH-NIH and CSI). The data on mortality due to hepatitis C, which was obtained from the Demographic Surveys and Labour Market Department of Central Statistical Office, were also employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2012, Poland reported 2 292 HCV infections, meeting 2005 definition (incidence 5.95), of which 1.4% were co-infections with HCV and HBV (33 cases). Compared to the data of 2011, the incidence was slightly lower (2 338; 6.07). Given 2009 definition, a total of 2 265 cases were reported (5.88), which constituted an increase of 3.5% compared to the data from the previous year (2 241; 5.82). Overall, 217 fatal cases due to hepatitis C were reported in 2012, of whom only 9 (4%) were due to acute stage of infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to the data from 2011, the epidemiological situation of hepatitis C in Poland has not changed significantly. The alarming fact is the increasing number of deaths due to hepatitis C. Probably, it suggests delayed diagnosis of HCV infections. Thus, it is a necessity to promote early diagnosis of HCV infections which can prevent life and health-threatening sequelae of hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene (NIZP-PZH) in Warsaw.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Parda
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene (NIZP-PZH) in Warsaw.
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Henszel
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene (NIZP-PZH) in Warsaw.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stępień
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 2012; Poland; epidemiology; hepatitis C; infectious diseases; public health