Relationship Between Hepatitis C Infection and Treatment Status and Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related Hospitalizations in Georgia.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and treatment status on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related hospitalizations in Georgia. METHODS: We analyzed 2020-2021 Georgian health registry data for COVID-19-positive individuals and categorized the data by HCV infection and treatment status. Logistic regression was used to assess the strengths of the associations. RESULTS: Treated individuals with HCV had lower odds of COVID-19-related hospitalization compared to anti-HCV-negative individuals, while untreated HCV-viremic and anti-HCV-positive nonviremic individuals had higher odds. CONCLUSIONS: HCV treatment prior to COVID-19 infection was associated with lower odds of COVID-19-related hospitalization, highlighting the benefits of HCV management in the context of the pandemic.