Facts about Hepatitis C and Latinos
- Hepatitis C virus infection (HVC) is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of six viruses (A, B, C, D, E, and G) that account for the majority of viral hepatitis cases.
- About one in every 50 Latinos in the United States has hepatitis C, which means that about 2 percent of the Latino community is infected.
- Latinos have more than a 40 percent greater chance of being infected with HCV than the general population in the United States, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
- Hepatitis C, which causes inflammation of the liver, can result in cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer and/or death, and is the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States.
- Currently, the death toll from complications associated with hepatitis C, is between 8,000-10,000 per year, is expected to triple within the next 10 to 20 years, according to the NIH (National Institute of Health).
- U.S. Census statistics show that by the year 2025 the Latino population in the United States is projected to double. As this population grows, hepatitis C threatens to affect more and more Latinos.
- The hepatitis C virus is spread primarily by direct contact with contaminated blood. Anyone who received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July, 1992 should be routinely tested for hepatitis C based on their risk for infection.
- Other people at high risk include those who have injected illegal drugs, including one-time drug users, and those who would not consider themselves as having been "drug users"
- Other at-risk groups for hepatitis C include:
- Hemophiliacs who received blood clotting factor concentrates produced before 1997.
- Long-term hemodialysis patients.
- People whose blood tests show persistent (at least two occasions) abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.
In 2002 the New York City Dept. of Health conducted a small study on Hepatitis C Advanced Stage Liver Disease (ASLD), which showed that more Latinos die than any other minority group. This also holds true for the Latino co-infected (HCV/HIV) population.
- HCV is the third leading cause of death among Latinos over the age of 45.
- A study conducted at the LA County Hepatitis Clinic in Los Angeles, CA from 1994-2004, confirmed that Hispanic ethnicity is associated with a more aggressive course of HCY, with more than 1 third having cirrhosis. The study also showed that Hispanics have more advanced hepatic fibrosis than Non-Hispanic Whites. This is related to older age, higher Nacroinflamation and greater prevalence of hepatic steatosis (fat on liver).
- The largest study conducted on Hispanic Hepatitis C patients in the U.S. at the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the VA Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA found that Hispanics had a lower End of Treatment Response (ETR) and Sustained Viral Response (SVR) compared to Caucasians. Also, the SVR rate was similar in genotype 1, but lower in Hispanics than Caucasians in genotype non-I.
- Early results of the first study examining the efficacy of HCV treatment in Latinos, which was conducted with Peginterferon Alfa-2a plus Ribavirin in Latinos not previously treated vs. non-Latino Caucasians with HCV Genotype 1, showed that non-Latino ethnicity had a higher Early Viral Response when compared to Latinos. Complete report can be found: http://www. natap.org/2006/AASLD/AASLD_40.htm
Ramsey Cheung, MD -VA Health Care System, Palo Alto CA, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology stated: "Since Hispanics are the most rapidly increasing minority group in the US, further studies should be performed to determine barriers to initiating antiviral therapy, reasons for early treatment discontinuation, low response rates in non-genotype 1, and to investigate, as well, any potential differences between various Hispanic population".
HCV Genotypes & Treatment
Genotype refers to the genetic make-up of a virus. In the United States genotype 1 is the most common among those infected with HCY, with a rate of 75-80%. Genotype 1 is also the most resistant to therapy with approximately 50% rate of success. On the other hand closed to 85% of people with genotypes 2 & 3 can successfully eradicate HCV with treatment. Identifying the genotype of a person who is considering treatment is very helpful in making recommendations for therapy since the duration and success of combination therapy depend largely on their genotype. It also serves as a guide in helping doctors choose the most cost-effective course of treatment. In addition, if treatment is not successful, studies have proven that the person can still benefit from it as the liver improves and/or rejuvenates (if not cirrhotic) while on treatment.
© Copyright 2008 - The Latino Organization for Liver Awareness
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