Common Health Conditions That Affect People Living with Hepatitis C

Managing other health conditions with hepatitis C (HCV) can be tough. It can be comforting to know that you are not alone in facing HCV along with additional health concerns.

In our 2020 Hepatitis C In America Survey, we asked respondents to tell us what other diagnoses they have received in addition to HCV. We learned other common conditions include mental health disorders, arthritis, and hypertension.

Depression and anxiety are common among all community members

Depression is one of the most common health conditions experienced alongside hepatitis C

• 53 percent of respondents who are not yet cured of HCV have been diagnosed with depression
• 51 percent of respondents who have been cured of HCV have been diagnosed with depression

Symptoms of depression include:¹

• Feeling sad or anxious often or all the time
• No interest in activities that used to be fun
• Feeling irritable‚ easily frustrated‚ or restless
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless

Anxiety or panic disorders with hepatitis C

• 44 percent of respondents who have been cured of HCV have been diagnosed with anxiety
• 43 percent of respondents who are not yet cured of HCV have been diagnosed with anxiety

Your mental and emotional health is important. If you are struggling or do not feel like yourself, there is help available. You do not have to go through this experience alone.

Other health conditions in those who have been cured of HCV

Results from our survey show that there are several health conditions that are common among people who have been cured of HCV. Joint pain, muscle pain and loss of bone density are especially common, with 49 percent of respondents saying they experience these symptoms.

Those who have been cured of HCV report that they have also been diagnosed with the following conditions:

• 43 percent have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• 40 percent have allergies
• 37 percent have arthritis (osteoarthritis)
• 34 percent have insomnia
• 34 percent have liver disease

Plus, 33 percent of respondents who have been cured say they also live with chronic pain. Other reported health conditions include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (32 percent)
• High cholesterol/triglycerides (29 percent)
• Thyroid/glandular disease (28 percent)
• Neuropathy (27 percent)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (21 percent)

Top health conditions those who have not yet been cured of HCV

Those who have not yet been cured of HCV experience many of the same conditions as those who have been cured. Again, joint pain, muscle pain, and loss of bone density were common and experienced by 42 percent of respondents.

Those who have not yet been cured of HCV report that they have also been diagnosed with the following conditions:

• 31 percent have insomnia
• 30 percent have high blood pressure
• 30 percent have arthritis
• 30 percent have allergies
• 25 percent have liver disease

Chronic pain is also common and reported by 28 percent of respondents.

Other reported health conditions include:

• GERD (23 percent)
• Neuropathy (21 percent)
• High cholesterol/triglycerides (18 percent)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (18 percent)
• Thyroid/glandular disease (12 percent)

The 2020 Hepatitis C In America Survey was conducted online from April through August 2020. The survey was completed by 190 people classified as "Cured" (no longer having the infection) and 217 classified as "Not Cured" (still infected).