2899. Decreased Hepatitis C Virus-Associated Mortality in the US 2014–2017 After New Oral Direct-Acting Antiviral Era

BACKGROUND: Due to the ease of use and low side effect profile of new direct-acting antivirals (DAA), cure rates for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have increased in recent years. However, limited data exist addressing the mortality associated with HCV infection since the advent of DAAs. This study examines multiple-cause-of-death (MCOD) data from 2014 to 2017 to describe changes in HCV-associated mortality in the United States. METHODS: We examined death certificate information from public use MCOD data obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics. All-cause mortality associated with HCV, as defined by ICD-10 codes (B17.1 and B18.2), was evaluated. The age-adjusted crude mortality rate was calculated. Overall HCV-associated mortality, stratified by race and gender, was analyzed. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2017, the number of deaths associated with HCV, as listed in death certificates decreased from 19,613 to 17,253. This represents an average of 4% decrease in mortality each year. Crude age-adjusted mortality decreased from 5.01 (95% CI 4.93–5.08) deaths per 100,000 people in 2014 to 4.13 (95% CI 4.07–4.20) deaths per 100,000 people in 2017. Males had age-adjusted mortality of 6.82 (95% CI 6.76–6.88) and females had age-adjusted mortality of 2.59 (95% CI 2.55–2.63). African Americans had age-adjusted mortality of 7.50 (95% CI 7.37–7.63), and whites had age-adjusted mortality of 4.39 (95% CI 4.35–4.42) during the three-year period. CONCLUSION: After the introduction of DAAs in 2014, mortality associated with HCV significantly decreased in the United States. There were differences in mortality rates by gender and race, which may reflect differences in HCV seroprevalence. With the availability of effective, well-tolerated HCV treatment, aggressive HCV screening and linkage to care is warranted, especially in high-risk populations. DISCLOSURES: All Authors: No reported Disclosures.