Burden of cirrhosis due to hepatitis C in China based on a global perspective and changing trends

Objective To analyze the disease burden of hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis and its changing trend in China from 1990 to 2019, and to provide a basis for rational allocation of health resources and formulation of targeted prevention and treatment strategies for hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis.

Methods The relevant data of hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis in China from 1990 to 2019 in the global burden of disease(GBD2019)were collected, and the R-software ggplot2 package was used to compare with the national and regional averages of the socio-demographic index (SDI) at all levels of the world by using the incidence, prevalence and mortality, so as to visualize the results and analyze the changes of risk factors for hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis.

Results Between 1990 and 2019, the incidence of hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis in China showed an increasing trend, the prevalence showed a decreasing trend followed by an increasing trend, and the mortality rate showed a decreasing trend, and the mortality rate and prevalence rate gradually increased with increasing age. Chinese men and people in the age group above 50 years face a more serious disease burden. Compared with global regions with different SDI classes, China has the lowest disability adjusted life years (DALY) rate, years lived with disability (YLD) rate, and years of life lost (YLL) rate since 1996. Alcohol consumption and drug use were the main behavioral risk factors for hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis in China.

Conclusion The burden of disability due to hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis has increased and remains a major source of disease burden despite the effective control of premature death due to it. Strengthening the prevention and control of hepatitis C and reducing both behavioral risk factors of alcohol and drug use are priority measures for prevention and control.