[Hepatitis C in lodzkie voivodeship in 2003-2008].

HCV infection may result in serious health consequences such as chronic hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis and hepatocelulare carcinoma. In lodzkie voivodeship, the data from 2003- 2008 demonstrate a slight upward trend. In 2003 there were 280 registered cases (incidence 10.76 per 100 000). In the year 2008, a number of cases (199) and an incidence (7.8 per 100 000) of hepatitis C was lower than in prodecting years. Hepatitis C cases aged 15-19 constituted the most predominant group. As observed previously the incidence in the urban areas was two times higher than the incidence in rural areas and the incidence in men was twice higher than in women. In men the highest incidence was noted in the age group 15-19 and 20-24 years and in women in the age group 15-19 and 60-64 years in the urban areas and 15-19 and 20-24 in the rural areas. The increasing trend in incidence over the last six years may be explained by continuous improvement of diagnosis and notification.