title: Hepatitis C in Poland in 2014
abstract: . Currently, hepatitis C (HCV infection) is one of the public health priorities worldwide.
  It is associated with a considerable improvement of methods undertaken to eliminate this disease. Due to the
  predominance of chronic infections of long asymptomatic course, the number of cases detected in successive
  years does not reflect the actual dynamics of the epidemiological situation of hepatitis C. To a large extent, it
  depends on current testing practices. The modifications in the provisions on the notification of diagnosed cases
  may also have an effect on the number of HCV infections registered in successive years.
  
  
  
  This article aims at evaluating the epidemiological situation of HCV infections in Poland in 2014 in reference to the data from previous years.
  
  
  
  Analysis of epidemiological situation of hepatitis C in Poland was carried out on a basis of aggregated data from routine surveillance system published in annual bulletin “Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland”. Data on hepatitis C mortality from the Demographic Surveys and Labour Market Department of the Central Statistical Office
  were also employed.
  
  
  
  In 2014, a total of 3 076 HCV infections (incidence – 7.99 per 100,000) meeting 2005 definition were registered. Compared to 2013 and median as of 2008-2012, there was an increase of the incidence by 14% (2 705; 6.03) and 34% (2 294; 5.85), respectively. In 2014, a total of 3 551 (9.23) HCV infections meeting 2009 definition were reported (the definition was modified in 2014). Compared to 2013 (2 268; 6.86), it was an increase by 35%. In 2014, 241 deaths due to hepatitis C were registered which is the highest mortality noted so far.
  
  
  
  In recent years, a burden resulting from undiagnosed or untreated HCV infections is on the increase. It is demonstrated by increasing hepatitis C mortality and increasing trend of incidence according to 2005 definition (presence of symptoms). Increase of incidence according to 2009/2014 definition may be associated with the fact that laboratories were obliged to report positive test results for HCV since 2014.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw, Department of Epidemiology
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosińska
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw, Department of Epidemiology
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Parda
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw, Department of Epidemiology
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stępień
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D012424:Rural Population; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult