Resumo

ANJO, J et al. The burden of hepatitis C in Portugal. J Port Gastrenterol. [online]. 2014, vol.21, n.2, pp.44-54. ISSN 0872-8178.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpg.2014.03.001.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection constitutes a major public health problem orldwide due to the high rate of progression to chronicity and potential evolution to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Objectives: To characterize the natural history of HCV infection, the current clinical practice and to estimate the annual consumption of health resources associated to the treatment and follow-up of patients in the different progression stages of the disease in Portugal. Methods: Review of the literature published between 1989 and 2013 in MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases, using keywords; data search in websites of relevant national and international organizations; collection of national estimates through a Delbecq panel conducted with Portuguese experts; cost estimation. Results: It is estimated that the lower limit for the incidence of HCV infection in Portugal is at least 1 new case/100,000 persons per year and that the prevalence ranges between 1 and 1.5% (100,000-150,000 subjects). Only 30% of the patients are currently diagnosed. From the total number of deaths by liver cirrhosis and HCC, it is estimated that 20% and 50% are due to HCV, respectively. Decompensated liver cirrhosis and HCC are the stages with the highest annual costs, D 11,000 and D 17,000/patient, respectively. Conclusions: In Portugal, the annual costs associated to hepatitis C are about 71 million euros of which approximately 83% (60 million euros) being due to complications of disease and liver transplant, often required in the treatment of these complications. The results of this study support that, from a society’s perspective, VHC infection is a disease with a considerable economic urden, which therefore justifies the conduction of a national screening and prevention program directed to hepatitis C, which would reinforce the relevance of its treatment.

Palavras-chave : Hepatitis C; Cirrhosis; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Portugal; Burden of disease.

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