HCV Trends in Italy Table 1. Results of the Joinpoint Regression Analysis by Age Group and Gender during the Period 1996–2006 La Torre G et al. 897 0–14 15–24 25–64 ≥ 65 0–14 15–24 25–64 ≥ 65 0–14 15–24 25–64 ≥ 65 All age groups All age groups All age groups -12,45 a Abbreviations: CI, conﬁdence interval; EACP, estimated annual percentage change EACP a, % -16,58 -14,2 -11,07 -13,95 -12,23 -7,78 -11,68 -12,62 -14,67 -12,8 -13,57 -13,57 -11,6 -14,29 Male Female Total 95% CI a (-23.78; -8.69) (-16.91; -11.31) (-12.65; -9.46) (-17.95; -9.75) (-13.51; -10.93) (-14.29; -0.77) (-16.42; -6.66) (-14.71; -10.47) (-18.12; -11.07) (-14.86; -10.69) (-18.92; -7.88) (-16.37; -10.67) (-12.93; -10.26) (-17.14; -11.34) (-13.76; -11.12) P value < 0.01 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 0.03 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Figure 1. Incidence Rates of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infections per 100,000 in Italy, 1996–2006 (Linear Scale) Figure 2. Trend of Incidence Rates (per 100,000) of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infections in Italy (Age: 0–14 Years), 1996–2006 APC = annual percentage change the male population. In this group, in the period 1996– 2006, the incidence rate decreased from 0.59 to 0.05 per 100,000 in the age group 0–14 years, from 4.25 to 0.90 in the group 15–24 years, from 2.81 to 0.88 in the age group 25–64 years, and from 2.64 to 0.45 in subjects aged 65 years or older. However, in the female population for the same time period, the incidence rate changed from 0.27 to 0.15 per 100,000 in the age group 0–14 years, from 1.64 to 0.41 in the group 15–24 years, from 1.53 to 0.47 in the age group 25–64 years, and from 1.75 to 0.38 in sub- jects aged 65 years or older. The EAPCs were -13.57 (95% CI: -18.92; -7.88) for the 0–14 age group; -13.57 (95% CI: -16.37; -10.67) for the 15–24 age group; -11.6 (95% CI: -12.93; -10.26) for the 25–64 age group; and -14.29 (95% CI: -17.14; -11.34) for subjects aged 65 years or older (Table 1). The overall an- nual decrease was -12.45% (P < 0.001). No joinpoints were found in any age groups. Trend analyses by age group are shown in Figures 2-6. 5. Discussion This study describes for the ﬁrst time the trend of HCV infections in Italy after 1996 using the joinpoint regres- sion method. Our study shows that in Italy, incidence rates of HCV infection have considerably decreased in each age group throughout the studied period (1996– 2006). This trend is statistically signiﬁcant, particularly among young people. In most European countries, the prevalence of HCV infection ranges from 0.5% to 2% (15); whereas in Italy, a prevalence greater than 5% has been re- ported in some communities (16). In addition, the preva- lence of HCV infection is 9% among households of HCV- positive patients (17). The strength of our study is that we Hepat Mon. 2011;11(11):895-900