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Mathematical modeling has suggested that the annual number of deaths in the U.S. related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection would more than double from the 1990s to 2010 and beyond (Am J Public Health 2000; 90:1562). However, few population-based studies have been performed to determine whether such an increase actually has been occurring.
To evaluate current trends and demographic differences in HCV-related mortality, researchers assessed HCV-related deaths from 1995 to 2004, using U.S. multiple-cause-of-death data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Deaths were considered HCV-related if the main causes — derived from death-certificate records — were HCV infection, chronic liver disease with HCV infection as a contributing fac…