Epidemiological characteristics and treatment challenges of chronic hepatitis C in the kashi region of xinjiang china: A retrospective investigation from 2018 to 2022.

Due to the emergence of direct-acting antiviral (DAA), more attention has been devoted to the prevalence and antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C in the Kashi region of Xinjiang, China, over the past decade. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology, genotype (GT) distribution, diagnosis, and antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in this region from 2018 to 2022 and to highlight the challenges in achieving effective management. This retrospective study included individuals with HCV antibody (HCV-Ab) positivity at the First People's Hospital of Kashi from January 1, 2018, to August 31, 2022. Clinical data, including HCV RNA data, GT distribution, and DAA treatment history, were collected. Patients were followed up via telephone to assess treatment adherence and reasons for refusal. The HCV-Ab positivity rate increased from 1.7% in 2018 to 2.9% in 2022. Among the 4,928 HCV-Ab-positive individuals, 2174 (44%) underwent HCV RNA testing, with 1,088 (22%) confirmed positive. Of these patients, 707 were genotyped, with GT1b (70.7%) being the most prevalent GT. Due to limited access to DAA, only 327 (30%) RNA-positive patients received antiviral treatment, 243 (74%) of whom completed the course. Barriers to receiving DAA included high costs, low disease awareness, and limited healthcare access. These findings underscore the severity of the chronic HCV epidemic in Kashi, where healthcare access is inadequate, including limited HCV RNA testing and DAA treatment coverage. Tailored public health interventions and improvements in healthcare infrastructure are essential for better managing chronic HCV infection in this high-burden region.