Management of HCV Infection in the Elderly

Abstract

Among younger people HCV infection declines [1]. HCV infections are common worldwide. It is estimated that about 3% of the world's population have HCV. There are about 4 million carriers in Europe alone. The prevalence of HCV in the general population varies widely across European countries, with ranges from 0.4% in Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands to over 20% in one region of Italy. According to an American National Health survey, the prevalence of HCV infection in elderly population varies from 0,9 % to 1.0% in subjects who were, respectively, in the age groups of 60-69 years and 70 years and more [2]. In general, countries in the southern part of Europe have a higher HCV prevalence compared to countries in the north or west of the EU. Italy in particular has a high general population prevalence of HCV, much higher than the country's estimated HBV prevalence [3]. In a large Italian study conducted among 1646 subjects, seroprevalence of HCV antibodies were found between 5% and 2% in patient ranging respectively, 58 to 67 years and 68 to 77 years [4].