Trends in Hepatitis C Virus Infection Prevalence Among People With HIV in Spain Over 2 Decades (2002-2023)

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has significantly impacted people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Harm reduction programs, changing transmission patterns, and direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have profoundly altered HIV/HCV coinfection trends. This study evaluates HCV prevalence among people with HIV in Spain over 2 decades.

Methods: We conducted 9 cross-sectional studies (2002-2023) in 39-43 centers. Sampled individuals were randomly sampled from people with HIV actively followed up at these centers, with proportional allocation. Main outcomes included the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody and active HCV infection (HCV RNA--positive result).

Results: The reference population ranged from 31 800 to 47 006, with sample sizes of 1260-1867. HIV transmission patterns shifted from 2002 to 2023, with injection drug use decreasing from 55% to 21% and the proportion of men who have sex with men increasing from 17% to 46%. HCV seroprevalence fell from 60.8% to 27.4%, and active infection from 46.3% to 0.9%. In the DAA era (2015-2023), active HCV infection dropped by 100% in heterosexuals, 94% in people who inject drugs, and 71% in men who have sex with men. Treatment uptake increased from 23% in 2002 to 99% by 2023 with all-oral DAAs. The prevalence of cirrhosis among active HCV cases peaked at 23.1% in 2015 but fell to 0% by 2021. Among those achieving sustained virologic response, cirrhosis prevalence was 20.4% in 2023.

Conclusions: HIV/HCV coinfection has drastically declined in Spain, with active HCV infection prevalence <1% since 2021. DAAs were pivotal in this achievement. However, cirrhosis remains a concern among those with sustained virologic response. Ongoing surveillance and prevention efforts are essential to sustain these gains and address residual risks.

Keywords: HIV/HCV coinfection; cirrhosis; direct-acting antivirals; injection drug use; men who have sex with men.