Prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common in dialysis patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We used the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS, 1996–2015) to assess trends in the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for HCV infection as defined by a documented diagnosis or antibody positivity. Among prevalent hemodialysis patients, HCV prevalence was nearly 10% in 2012–2015. Prevalence ranged from 4% in Belgium to as high as 20% in the Middle East, with intermediate prevalence in China, Japan, Italy, Spain, and Russia. HCV prevalence decreased over time in most countries participating in more than one phase of DOPPS, and prevalence was around 5% among patients who had recently (