Hepatitis C Virus Seroprevalence in Persons Who Inject Drugs in Korea, 2012-2022: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Limited data are available on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in persons who inject drugs (PWID) in South Korea. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of HCV antibodies, risk factors for HCV seropositivity, and HCV treatment status in PWID between January 2012 and May 2022.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 418 drug users who underwent HCV antibody testing in three hospitals caring for 90% of known PWID in South Korea, of whom 373 were PWID.

Results

The HCV seroprevalence was 39.7% (148/373) in PWID vs. 6.7% (3/45) in non-injection drug users (P < 0.001). Age ≥ 40 years, hospital type (58.2% in the prison hospital vs. 34.0% in the private hospital), and enrollment year (68.2% in 2012-2014 vs. 30.0% in 20

SUBMITTER: Kim J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10713443 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature