Background/Aims

To eliminate hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria in 2021, this study investigated the national core indicators representing the current status of viral hepatitis B and C in South Korea.

Methods

We analyzed the incidence, linkage-to-care, treatment, and mortality rates of HBV and HCV infection using the integrated nationwide big data of South Korea.

Results

According to data from 2018-2020, in South Korea, the incidence of acute HBV infection was 0.71 cases per 100,000 population; the linkage-to-care rate, defined as the number of patients who receive medical care out of the estimated HBV-infected patients, was only 39.4%. Among those who need hepatitis B treatment, the treatment rate was 67.3%, which was less than 80%, the WHO program index. The annual liver-related mortality due to HBV was 18.85 cases per 100,000 population, exceeding the WHO target of four; the most frequent cause of death was liver cancer (54.1%). The annual incidence of newly diagnosed HCV infection was 11.9 cases per 100,000 population, which is higher than the WHO impact target of five. Among HCV-infected patients, the linkage-to-care rate was 65.5%, while the treatment rate was 56.8%, below the targets of 90% and 80%, respectively. The liver-related annual mortality rate due to HCV infection was 2.02 cases per 100,000 population.

Conclusions

Many of the current indicators identified in the Korean population did not satisfy the criteria for validation of viral hepatitis elimination. Hence, a comprehensive national strategy should be developed urgently with continuous monitoring of the targets in South Korea.

PMID 37188331