Quiz on Hepatitis C: By the Numbers

There are dozens of numbers associated with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Some of the more familiar, these from the CDC, include:

• There were ~ 30,500 cases of acute HCV infections reported in the US in 2014
• ~ 2.7 to 3.9 million people in the United States have chronic HCV
• ~ 75% to 85% of people who become infected with HCV develop chronic infection
• For those with chronic HCV infection, the chance of developing cirrhosis of the liver is 15% to 20% within 20 years.
• Antiviral treatment works for 50% to 90% of people treated
• 350,000 to 500,000 people die from HCV-related complications each year
• ~ 6 of every 100 infants born to mothers with hep C become infected with the virus

And, there are more. Which of the numbers in the 8-question quiz that follows are correct? 

1. The number of cases of HCV infection worldwide increased dramatically after:

A. World War I

B. World War II

C. The Korean War

D. The Vietnam War

The correct answer is B. World War II

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2. The most common genotype of HCV in the United States is:

A. Genotype 1

B. Genotype 2

C. Genotype 3

D. Genotype 4

The correct answer is A. Genotype 1

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3. In the absence of treatment, what percentage of HCV-viremic patients progress to cirrhosis within 20 years of infection?

A. 5% to 10%

B. 10% to 15%

C. 15% to 20%

D. 25% to 30%

The correct answer is C. 15% to 20%

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4. Before the advent of directly acting antiviral agents, which HCV genotype was historically considered the most difficult to treat?

A. Genotype 1

B. Genotype 2

C. Genotype 3

D. Genotype 4

The correct answer is A. Genotype 1

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5. According to the CDC, roughly what percentage of injection drug users aged 18 to 30 years are infected with HCV?

A. 5%

B. 10%

C. 25%

D. 33%

The correct answer is D. 33%

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6. How long does it take from the time of infection for HCV antibodies to develop?

A. 1 to 3 weeks

B. 4 to 6 weeks

C. 7 to 9 weeks

D. 10 to 12 weeks

The correct answer is B. 4 to 6 weeks

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7. Which of the following classes of FDA-approved HCV drugs has a high intrinsic barrier to the development of resistance?

A. NS5B non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitors

B. NS5A inhibitors

C. NS3/4A protease inhibitors

D. NS5B nucleot(s)ide polymerase inhibitors

The correct answer is D. NS5B nucleot(s)ide polymerase inhibitors

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8. What percentage of NS5A-naive patients with genotype 1 HCV infection have detectable resistance-associated variants (RAVs) at baseline?

A. 5% to 10%

B. 10% to 15%

C. 15% to 20%

D. 20% to 25%

The correct answer is B. 10% to 15%

For more information on all questions and answers, please see the following links to articles from the Patient Care SPECIAL REPORT: Hepatitis C and Primary Care:

Questions 1 – 4
Hepatitis C Report: Tuning in to a Silent Epidemic

Question 5
Hepatitis C Screening for High Risk Patients

Question 6
Hepatitis C Report: What Tests to Order

Questions 7 and 8
Hepatitis C Drugs Meet Resistance Issues