Clin Mol Hepatol.
2014 Dec;20(4):361-367. 10.3350/cmh.2014.20.4.361.
Geographic differences in the epidemiological features of HCV infection in Korea
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. jsh@snubh.org
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
- 4Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
- 5Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea.
- 6Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea.
- 7Division of AIDS, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
- KMID: 2070254
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2014.20.4.361
Abstract
- BACKGROUND/AIMS
The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Korea exhibits significant geographic variation, with it being higher in Busan and Jeonam than in other areas. The reason for this intranational geographic difference was investigated in this study by conducting a comparative analysis of the risk factors related to HCV infection among three geographic areas: the capital (Seoul), Busan, and the province of Jeolla.
METHODS
In total, 990 patients with chronic HCV infection were prospectively enrolled at 5 university hospitals located in Seoul (n=374), Busan (n=264), and Jeolla (n=352). A standardized questionnaire survey on the risk factors for HCV infection was administered to these three groups of patients, and a comparative analysis of the findings was performed.
RESULTS
The analysis revealed significant regional differences in exposure to the risk factors of HCV infection. By comparison with patients in Seoul as a control group in the multivariate analysis, patients in Busan had significantly more experience of invasive medical procedures, acupuncture, cosmetic procedures, and multiple sex partners. In contrast, patients in Jeolla were significantly older, and they had a higher prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma, a lower prevalence of multiple sex partners, and had experienced fewer invasive procedures.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a significant geographic difference in the exposure to potential risk factors of HCV infection between patients from the three studied regions. This may explain the regional variation of the prevalence of HCV infection in Korea, and should be taken into account when planning strategies for the prevention and management of HCV infection.
Keyword
- Full Text Links
-
- Actions
-
Cited
- CITED
-
- Close
- Share
-
- Similar articles
-
- Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Korea
- Prevalence, Awareness, and Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in South Korea: Evidence from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
- Geographic Characteristics of Positivity of Anti - HCV and Chonnam Province: Survey Data of 6, 790Health Screenees
- Genotypes of Hepatitis C Virus and Short Term Efficacy of alpha-nterferon Therapy in Patients with HCV Infection in Taegu
- Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Jeju Island
