Introduction
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection continues to pose a significant public health challenge, with demographic trends shaped by migration patterns and shifting risk profiles. Gaining insight into these dynamics is essential for optimising treatment approaches and informing effective resource allocation.
Aims & Methods
This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze demographic patterns, HCV genotype distribution, and cirrhosis prevalence among patients treated for hepatitis C at St. Luke’s Hospital, Ireland, between 2016 and 2024. Statistical analyses included descriptive metrics, Chi-Square tests, one-way ANOVA, and multinomial logistic regression, performed using SPSS.
Results
A total of 202 patients received treatment during the study period, with 67% identifying as male and a median age of 46 years. The majority were born in Ireland (45.5%), Eastern Europe (16.8%), or other European countries (15.3%). No significant differences were observed in age at presentation across years (p = 0.449) or by country of birth (p = 0.367). Gender distribution remained stable over time (p = 0.373) and across birth countries (p = 0.107). Genotype distribution, however, varied significantly by country of birth (p < 0.001): Genotype 1b was more prevalent among patients from Eastern and other European countries, while Genotypes 1a and 3 were more common among Irish-born individuals. Genotypes 3 and 4 were seen more frequently in patients from non-European regions. Cirrhosis prevalence showed no significant association with genotype (p = 0.071) or country of birth (p = 0.064). Although country of origin did not change significantly over time (p = 0.224), descriptive trends indicated an increase in non-Irish-born patients.
Conclusion
This study highlights consistent demographic trends in HCV presentations over time, alongside distinct regional variations in genotype distribution. Continued monitoring of these patterns is essential for guiding service planning and delivering targeted, patient-centered care in a changing population landscape.