Introduction: Limited information is available on trends in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, particularly in Central Europe. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed HCV epidemiology in Poland, considering socio-demographic characteristics, changing patterns over time, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Material and methods: We examined HCV cases (diagnosis and deaths) reported by national registries and used joinpoint analysis to estimate time trajectories.
Results: Between 2009 and 2021, there were changes in the trends of HCV, shifting from positive to negative in Poland. Among men, there was a significant increase initially in diagnosis rate of HCV in rural areas (annual percent change, APC2009-2016 +11.50%) and urban areas (APC2009-2016 +11.44%) by 2016. In subsequent years until 2019, the trend changed direction, but the reduction was weak (Ptrend > 0.05) in rural areas (-8.66%) and urban areas (-13.63%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the diagnosis rate of HCV dramatically decreased in rural areas (APC2019-2021 -41.47%) and urban areas (APC2019-2021 -40.88%). Among women, changes in the diagnosis rate of HCV were less pronounced. In rural areas, there was a significant increase (APC2009-2015 +20.53%) followed by no significant change, whereas changes occurred later in urban areas (APC2017-2021 -33.58%). Trend changes in total mortality due to HCV were mainly among men, with a significant decrease in rural (-17.17%) and urban (-21.55%) areas from 2014/2015.
Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic reduced HCV diagnosis rates in Poland, especially for diagnosed cases. However, further monitoring of HCV trends is necessary, along with national screening programs and improved linkage to care.
Keywords: COVID-19 impact; HCV; age; diagnosis; gender; hepatitis; mortality; rural; trend; urban.