Epidemiologic trends in infection, mortality, and transplants related to hepatitis C in Wisconsin.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States. An estimated 3.9 million persons nationally and 85,000 persons in Wisconsin are currently infected. The disease is responsible for approximately 8000 to 10,000 deaths nationally each year. This article summarizes epidemiologic trends in infection, mortality and transplants related to HCV in Wisconsin. It presents surveillance data collected during 1997-2004; HCV-related deaths during 1995-2002, with HCV as an underlying or contributing cause of death; and data for liver transplants related to HCV between 1993 and 2004. During the time periods reviewed, there were 16,668 cases of HCV infection reported, 1186 HCV-related deaths, and 356 HCV-related liver transplants involving HCV in Wisconsin. Infection rates and related adverse health outcomes related to HCV are highest in males, persons ages 35-64, Milwaukee residents, and inmates in the state correctional system. African Americans have high rates of morbidity (24% of cases) and mortality (16% of decedents), but are under-represented among recipients of HCV-related transplants (6% of recipients).