RT Eurosurveillance
Our new issue marking #WorldHepatitisDay2023 is out with data on #HCV and #HBV in 🇬🇪 and updated #hepatitis B prevalence estimates for the 🇪🇺🇳🇴🇮🇸 🇱🇮 🇬🇧
👉🏽https://bit.ly/EUS2830
#WHD #HepatitisDay23 #NoHep #OneLifeOneLiver #publichealth #epidemiology #SDG3
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/Eurosurveillanc/status/1684582287776555009
RT Eurosurveillance
Re This #WorldHepatitisDay, researchers from @HPRU_BSE @BristolUni & @ECDC_EU provide new estimates on #HepB prevalence in #Europe
Who are the key populations affected by #HBV?
🌐 https://bit.ly/EUS2830HepB
#WorldHepatitisDay2023 #HepatitisDay23 #OneLifeOneLiver #HepatitisDay23
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/Eurosurveillanc/status/1684841493532409856
Background The burden of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) varies across the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). Aim We aimed to update the 2017 HBV prevalence estimates in EU/EEA countries and the United Kingdom for 2018 to 2021. Methods We undertook a systematic review, adding to HBV prevalence estimates from an existing (2005–2017) database. Databases were searched for original English-language research articles including HBV surface antigen prevalence estimates among the general population, pregnant women, first-time blood donors (FTB), men who have sex with men (MSM), migrants and people in prison. Country experts contributed grey literature data. Risk of bias was assessed using a quality assessment framework. Findings The update provided 147 new prevalence estimates across the region (updated total n = 579). Median HBV prevalence in the general population was 0.5% and the highest was 3.8% (Greece). Among FTB, the highest prevalence was 0.8% (Lithuania). Estimates among pregnant women were highest in Romania and Italy (5.1%). Among migrants, the highest estimate was 31.7% (Spain). Relative to 2017 estimates, median prevalence among pregnant women decreased by 0.5% (to 0.3%) and increased by 0.9% (to 5.8%) among migrants. Among MSM, the highest estimate was 3.4% (Croatia). Prevalence among people in prison was highest in Greece (8.3%) and the median prevalence increased by 0.6% (to 2.1%). Conclusions The HBV prevalence is low in the general population and confined to risk populations in most European countries with some exceptions. Screening and treatment should be targeted to people in prison and migrants.
RT Eurosurveillance
Re @ECDC_EU @eHealth_EU @EU_Health @emcdda @Hep_Alliance Research from 🇬🇪
a 📈 in #Hepatitis C #prevalence 2015-2021 indicates that the elimination programme has effectively tackled the country's #hepC #epidemic
Walker et al. validate & update projections of #HCV prevalence & incidence
➡️https://bit.ly/EUS2830HCV
#HepatitisDay23
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/Eurosurveillanc/status/1684843887280754688
Background Between May 2015 and February 2022, 77,168 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected people in Georgia have been treated through an HCV elimination programme. To project the programme’s long-term impacts, an HCV infection model was initially developed, based on data from surveys among people who inject drugs and a national serosurvey in 2015. Aim Accounting for follow-up surveys in 2021, we validate and update projections of HCV infection prevalence and incidence. Method We assessed the initial model projections’ accuracy for overall prevalence, by age, sex, and among people who ever injected drugs, compared with 2021 serosurvey data. We used 2021 results to weight model fits and to recalculate the national programme’s impact leading up to March 2022 on HCV infection incidence rates. Cases and deaths averted were estimated. The impact of reduced treatment rates during the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed. Results The original model overpredicted adult (≥ 18 years old) chronic HCV infection prevalence for 2021 (2.7%; 95% credible interval (CrI): 1.9–3.5%) compared with a 2021 serosurvey (1.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–2.4%). Weighted model projections estimated a 60% decrease in HCV infection incidence by March 2022, with an absolute incidence of 66 (95% CrI: 34–131) per 100,000 person-years (overall population). Between May 2015 and March 2022, 9,186 (95% CrI: 5,396–16,720) infections and 842 (95% CrI: 489–1,324) deaths were averted. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 13,344 (95% CrI: 13,236–13,437) fewer treatments and 438 (95% CrI: 223-744) fewer averted infections by March 2022. Conclusion Results support the programme’s high effectiveness. At current treatment rate (406/month), 90% reductions in prevalence and incidence in Georgia are achievable by 2030.
ECDC