HCV RNA positivity among hepatitis C patients in Chongqing, China from 2004 to 2021: a cross-sectional study

A substantial number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have been diagnosed and reported, yet not all reported patients have received treatment, leading to uncertainties in the progression of the virus within these cases. This study aimed to assess the rate of HCV RNA positivity in the reported cases in Chongqing, China and identify key groups. An investigation was conducted on 6,333 hepatitis C cases who were reported in the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention in 17 districts of Chongqing, China from 2004 to 2021. The process involved collecting venous blood for HCV RNA and genotype testing, as well as gathering case information through a questionnaire. The analysis focused on comparing the HCV RNA positive rates among patients with different characteristics to identify key groups. The HCV RNA positive rate was 37.7% among 6,333 cases. Patients who had never received treatment (47.6%) and those treated with interferon (25.6%) showed higher positive rates than those treated with DAAs (8.1%). HCV RNA positive rates were generally higher in the following groups: males, aged 40-49 years and 50-59 years, farmers or manual laborers and the unemployed or job-seeking. Patients with higher income exhibited lower HCV RNA positive rate. A considerable portion of reported hepatitis C cases in Chongqing remained HCV RNA positive. Multiple factors contributed to HCV RNA positivity among these patients, necessitating comprehensive interventions to promote adherence to treatment.