Published online Mar 25, 2024. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v13.i1.89469
Peer-review started: November 2, 2023
First decision: December 19, 2023
Revised: December 19, 2023
Accepted: January 18, 2024
Article in press: January 18, 2024
Published online: March 25, 2024
This research delves into the evolving global landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality, specifically focusing on its correlation with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Historically, HCV has significantly influenced the etiology of chronic liver disease and liver-related malignancies, notably HCC. The study highlights the increasing global burden of HCV-related HCC, a concerning trend noted across various regions worldwide. It emphasizes the need to understand these trends in the context of recent advancements in HCV treatment and changing demographic patterns, particularly given the significant public health implications and the challenges in meeting World Health Organization's goals for viral hepatitis elimination.
There is an urgent need to address the rising global burden of HCC secondary to HCV infection. Despite advancements in treatment, HCV remains a leading cause of HCC, with varying impacts across different regions and demographics. This study aims to identify and understand these disparities to inform targeted healthcare interventions. Addressing this issue is crucial for future research and public health policy, as it directly contributes to the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat. Understanding the regional and demographic variations in HCC mortality rates due to HCV is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies, ultimately reducing the global HCC burden.
This study's principal objective is to comprehensively analyze the trends in HCC mortality associated with HCV infection across various World Bank regions. The study aims to dissect these trends by gender and geographic location, offering insights into regional and demographic disparities. A critical goal is to identify areas with rising or declining mortality rates, which could signify the effectiveness of current interventions or indicate areas needing more focused attention. Realizing these objectives is significant for future research as it provides a detailed understanding of the global landscape of HCV-related HCC. This knowledge is crucial for guiding public health policies, designing targeted interventions for at-risk populations, and shaping future studies to reduce the global burden of HCC.
Our study utilized the Global Burden of Disease database to examine HCC mortality due to HCV, focusing on different World Bank regions. We employed age-standardized mortality rates for precise demographic comparisons, analyzing these rates with Joinpoint regression software to detect trends and changes. Additionally, we used the Empirical Quantile Confidence Interval method for reliable results, despite uncertain data distributions. Our approach stands out for its regional focus and advanced statistical techniques, offering a detailed understanding of HCC mortality trends linked to HCV.
The study identified distinct regional and gender-specific trends in HCC mortality due to HCV. Key findings include a global decline in HCC mortality, with notable regional variations and gender disparities. The impact of advanced treatments like Direct-acting Antivirals (DAAs) coincided with mortality rate declines. However, North America showed an increasing trend, highlighting the need for region-specific strategies. The study underscores the importance of targeted interventions and further research to address unresolved issues in HCC mortality trends.
This study introduces a theory that regional and demographic factors significantly impact HCC mortality rates from HCV infection. It postulates that global mortality decline in some regions is due to effective DAAs use, while increases in other areas might result from varying healthcare access, public health policies, and socio-economic conditions.
Future research from this study should focus on: (1) Investigating the causes behind regional and gender disparities in HCC mortality from HCV, considering healthcare access and socio-economic factors; (2) Assessing the long-term efficacy of DAAs in preventing HCC in chronic HCV patients; (3) Evaluating and enhancing public health strategies in regions with increasing HCC mortality; (4) Continuing comprehensive data analysis for identifying new trends; and (5) Studying the socioeconomic impact of HCV and HCC, including treatment cost-effectiveness.