OBJECTIVES

Viral hepatitis B and C are considered serious public health issues that affect 325 million people globally and has led to approximately 1.34 million deaths annually worldwide. Most of these deaths are caused by untreated chronic hepatitis infections, resulting in cirrhosis and liver cancer.

METHODS

The data presented evaluates the Internet-based health questionnaire National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) from five countries: 2018 EU and US, 2019 Japan, Korea and Taiwan. A total of 9055 patients (aged 18 or older) were evaluated, including patients diagnosed with hepatitis B and C that received treatment as well as patients diagnosed and not receiving treatment. The proportion of patients diagnosed with hepatitis B and C that receive treatment versus patients diagnosed that do not receive treatment were descriptively analysed for each country. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) were evaluated.

RESULTS

3473 patients were diagnosed with hepatitis B and C and were untreated (22% EU, 24% US, 8% JP, 12% KR, 34% TW) while 611 patients were diagnosed and treated (13% EU, 17% US, 6% JP, 26% KR, 38% TW). Total work impairment was significantly higher in patients diagnosed and receiving treatment in EU (57.5%, 28.9%), US (55.7%, 29.7%) and JP (51.2%, 23.6%). Number of ER visits were higher in patients receiving treatment in EU (0.8, 0.4) and US (1.3, 0.5). There were significantly more hospitalizations in patients receiving treatment in EU (1.3, 0.2) and in US (1.1, 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients generally showed a lack of knowledge about hepatitis B and C. Delays in treatment were attributed to social discrimination and stigma surrounding the disease and limited medical staff from community health service centers with knowledge of the disease. This data revealed an unmet need for more comprehensive health services including screening, diagnosis, standardized treatment, and follow-up.