Deaths Among People With Hepatitis C in New York City, 2000-2011

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Abstract
Background. Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases the risk of death from liver and nonliver-related diseases. Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) further increases this risk. Methods. Surveillance data (2000–2010) and mortality data (2000–2011) maintained by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) were deterministically cross-matched. Factors associated with and causes of death among HCV-infected adult decedents were analyzed. Results. Between 2000 and 2011, 13 307 HCV-monoinfected adults died, and 5475 adults coinfected with HCV/HIV died. Decedents with HCV monoinfection were more likely to have died of liver cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 9.2), drug-related causes (OR = 4.3), and cirrhosis (OR = 3.7), compared with persons with neither infection. HCV/HIV-coinfected decedents were more likely to have died of liver cancer (OR = 2.2) and drug-related causes (OR = 3.1), compared with persons with neither infection. Among coinfected decedents, 53.6% of deaths were attributed to HIV/AIDS, and 94% of deaths occurred prematurely (before age 65). Among persons with HCV who died, more than half died within 3 years of an HCV report to DOHMH. Conclusions. HCV-infected adults were at increased risk of dying and of dying prematurely, particularly from conditions associated with HCV, such as HIV/AIDS or drug use. The short interval between HCV report and death suggests a need for earlier testing and improved treatment.