Przeglad epidemiologiczny最新文献

{"title":"Diet and climate change.","authors":"Bartłomiej Palmowski, Wiktoria Ficoń, Maksymilian Dobosz, Beata Całyniuk","doi":"10.32394/pe/216730","DOIUrl":"10.32394/pe/216730","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diet plays a significant role in shaping climate change, as food production accounts for a large proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions. Animal farming, particularly beef farming, generates a high carbon and water footprint, requiring large amounts of feed, energy, and water. In contrast, a diet based on plant-based products - such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains - is much less burdensome on the environment. In response to these challenges, experts from EAT-Lancet have proposed a so-called planetary diet that combines health and climate goals. It involves reducing meat and sugar consumption by half and increasing the share of plant-based products in the daily menu. The latest available literature in this field was analyzed and a standard diet was compared with a planetary diet in order to estimate the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from changes in dietary patterns. Climate change undoubtedly affects food production, availability, nutritional quality, and microbiological safety. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and extreme weather events lead to reduced yields and contribute to more frequent malnutrition among humans. An integrated approach to food and climate policy is needed, based on sound scientific evidence, supporting both human health and the ecological stability of the planet.</p>","PeriodicalId":20777,"journal":{"name":"Przeglad epidemiologiczny","volume":"79 4","pages":"557-567"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147676204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Salmonellosis in Poland in 2023.","authors":"Małgorzata Milczarek-Lisicka, Mirosław Piotr Czarkowski, Małgorzata Sadkowska-Todys","doi":"10.32394/pe/218175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/pe/218175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Salmonellosis is a foodborne bacterial disease caused by Salmonella spp. (excluding S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi) and remains a significant public health concern in Poland and worldwide. According to the CDC, the true burden of infection may be substantially underestimated. In 2023, the epidemiological situation in Poland returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, reaching some of the highest values observed in recent years.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this article is to present and compare the epidemiological situation of salmonellosis in Poland in 2023 with that observed in previous years.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The analysis was based on individual case data on salmonellosis, data on foodborne disease outbreaks reported to the EpiBaza and ROE systems, bulletins and articles published by the National Institute of Public Health NIH NIPH - PIB, scientific publications, data from the ECDC website, and data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2023, 10,348 cases of salmonellosis were reported in Poland, with an incidence rate of 27.4 per 100,000 population; 61.7% of cases required hospitalization. The predominant serotype was Salmonella Enteritidis (71%). A total of 1,220 foodborne outbreaks were recorded, including 396 salmonellosis outbreaks, with 147 imported cases. Nineteen deaths due to Salmonella infection were reported.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In 2023, Poland accounted for 13% of all reported salmonellosis cases in the EU, with an incidence rate higher than the EU average and comparable to pre-COVID-19 levels. The proportion of imported infections remained low, with Turkey most frequently identified as the country of origin in both Poland and the EU. Monitoring imported cases is important due to the risk of introducing rarely isolated serotypes. Notably, an outbreak caused by the rare serotype Salmonella Agama, affecting over 30 individuals, was identified against the background of dominant Salmonella Enteritidis infections in Poland.</p>","PeriodicalId":20777,"journal":{"name":"Przeglad epidemiologiczny","volume":"79 4","pages":"699-715"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147675828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of an HIV case definition using insurance claims data in Poland: A step toward complementing national surveillance with National Health Fund data.","authors":"Anna Smaga, Anna Tymicka, Marta Niedźwiedzka-Stadnik, Bartosz Napiórkowski, Tomasz Stachurski, Magdalena Rosinska","doi":"10.32394/pe/214792","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/pe/214792","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Electronic health records and reimbursement claims data are increasingly recognized as valuable resources for enhancing health surveillance, particularly in evaluating continuity of care. However, their use is often complicated by coding errors.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of the study was to develop case definitions for a person living with HIV in Poland and for a newly diagnosed HIV case, based on claims data.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>Data on services and prescriptions reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NHF) between January 2010 and June 2022, in Poland, were used to construct candidate definitions for a person with diagnosed HIV (PHIV-D). Based on the selected definition and analysis of the time intervals between registered services, the size of the PHIV-D population residing in Poland was estimated. To evaluate the validity of the approach, the results were compared with national HIV surveillance data using mean squared error and visual trend analysis. Percentage growth was applied to assess the reporting delay in NHF data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>According to the selected definition a PHIV-D was defined as an individual who had used at least 2 services funded by NHF with an HIV-related ICD-10 code listed as either main or concurrent cause. PHIV-D who did not use any NHF-funded services or prescriptions for consecutive 24 months, and had no recorded death were considered likely to have left the country. Based on this definition, the estimated PHIV-D population residing in Poland increased from 8.9 thousand in 2013 to 15.7 thousand in 2021, with 10,993 new diagnoses recorded during this period.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The developed definition allows to estimate the size of the PHIV-D population in Poland, which is challenging for existing surveillance system. It provides a valuable tool for monitoring and planning healthcare services for individuals living with HIV.</p>","PeriodicalId":20777,"journal":{"name":"Przeglad epidemiologiczny","volume":"79 4","pages":"541-556"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147676184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Syphilis in Poland in 2023.","authors":"Marta Niedźwiedzka-Stadnik, Karolina Zakrzewska","doi":"10.32394/pe/218342","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/pe/218342","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In 2023 there was a significant increase in the number of syphilis cases in Poland, more than 50% new cases were reported compare to previous year. There is still a problem with the clinical differentiation of reported cases, i.e. new infections, reinfections, and residual positive serological tests confirming the presence of antibodies against <i>Treponema pallidum</i> in previously successfully treated individuals.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of syphilis cases in Poland in 2023 in comparison to previous years.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on case-based data from reports of newly detected syphilis cases received from doctors and laboratories and registered in 2023 year. Additionally aggregated data from MZ-56 reports on infectious diseases, infections and poisoning from 2017 to 2019 sent from Sanitary Inspections to NIPH NIH - NRI was used. Also, data about treatment patients in dermatology/venereology clinics in 2020-2023 reported on MZ-14 forms and published in the NIPH NIH - NRI bulletins were used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2023, in Poland, 2,968 syphilis cases were reported (diagnosis rate was 7.89 per 100,000 population), including 130 cases among non-Polish citizens. The most often syphilis cases were detected among people below 30 years old (37.1%) and among men (88.1%). In 2023, early syphilis (ICD-10 code: A51) consisted 36.0% of all cases reported to surveillance (1,068 cases) and other syphilis and undetermined (ICD-10 code: A53) consisted 60.6% (1,799 cases).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In 2023, the number of reported syphilis cases increased more than by half compared to the previous year. The percentage of cases of early syphilis (the most infectious), which probably occurred in a short period of time, also remains high, what can influence on transmission this infection in population and lead to increase in the number of new cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":20777,"journal":{"name":"Przeglad epidemiologiczny","volume":"79 4","pages":"650-663"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147675825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Infectious diseases in Poland in 2023.","authors":"Magdalena Rosińska, Mirosław P Czarkowski, Małgorzata Sadkowska-Todys","doi":"10.32394/pe/218649","DOIUrl":"10.32394/pe/218649","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>. The aim of this study was to summarize the epidemiological situation of infectious diseases in Poland in 2023. The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of the influx of refugees to Ukraine were taken into account. <b>MATERIAL AND METHODS</b>. We performed a narrative review of studies published in Epidemiological Chronicle, along with data from the national infectious disease registry, Epibaza, which collects data from epidemiological investigations conducted by the State Sanitary Inspectorate. Mortality data were obtained from reports of the Statistics Poland Office. <b>RESULTS</b>. In 2023, 381,244 cases of COVID-19 and 4,329 deaths due to this disease were recorded. The COVID-19 mortality rate in 2023 was several times lower than in 2022, although COVID-19 still accounted for more deaths than other infectious diseases. An \"immunity gap\" effect was observed following the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a significant increase in the incidence of pertussis (2.5 times compared to 2022), influenza and influenza-like illnesses, and intestinal infections (enteric salmonellosis +57.9%, campylobacteriosis +64.1%, yersiniosis +74.5%, norovirus +27.8%). A reduction in the incidence was observed for rotavirus infections, for which routine infant vaccinations were introduced in 2021. The increase in pneumococcal disease incidence occurred mainly in the adult and senior population. While the number of new HIV diagnoses among Polish nationals is increasing, the number of cases among migrants has declined, although they still account for 25% of all new diagnoses. The incidence of other sexually transmitted infections also continues to increase (compared to 2022, gonorrhoea +110.6%, syphilis +89.6%). <b>CONCLUSIONS</b>. For many diseases, incidence increased compared to previous years, for a variety of reasons, including the persistent \"immunity gap\" following the pandemic and the specific nature of the vaccination program. The impact of the influx of refugees from Ukraine was minor.</p>","PeriodicalId":20777,"journal":{"name":"Przeglad epidemiologiczny","volume":"79 4","pages":"730-749"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147675501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HIV infections and AIDS in Poland in 2023.","authors":"Marta Niedźwiedzka-Stadnik, Ewa Nowakowska-Radziwonka, Anna Marzec-Bogusławska","doi":"10.32394/pe/217374","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/pe/217374","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>After the increase in the number of new HIV infections observed since the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic (since 2021), and following the influx of migrants from Eastern Europe, in 2023 there was a decrease in the total number of HIV infections reported for epidemiological surveillance, both in the general population and among migrants.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of newly diagnosed HIV infections, AIDS cases and death among AIDS cases in Poland in 2023 in comparison to the changes in preceding years.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on reports of newly detected HIV cases and AIDS cases received from doctors/laboratories and the results of the annual survey of HIV testing. A dataset on clients from anonymous Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) network was also used, which anonymously collects epidemiological and behaviour data on people who come for testing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2023 there were 2 404 HIV cases newly diagnosed in Poland (diagnosis rate 6.37/100,000), including 612 among non-Polish citizens. The number of HIV infections decreased by 8.1% compared to last year and increased by 68.5% compared to the median (2017-2021). The total number of AIDS cases was 177 (incidence 0.47/100,000). The HIV infection was most often detected in the age group 30-39 (35.3%) and among men (74.3%). Among cases with known transmission route, 53.7% concerned MSM and 33.2% heterosexual contacts.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In 2023, the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections decreased compared to the previous year. This is likely due to a decrease in the number of reported infections among migrants. However, due to the lack of information on nationality in a large proportion of registered cases, it is impossible to fully assess whether the reduction in new diagnoses also applies to the Polish population.</p>","PeriodicalId":20777,"journal":{"name":"Przeglad epidemiologiczny","volume":"79 4","pages":"633-649"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147675529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lyme disease in Poland in 2023.","authors":"Jakub Maciej Zbrzeżniak, Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz","doi":"10.32394/pe/216677","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/pe/216677","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes genus, caused by a heterogeneous group of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Human infection occurs through a tick bite and its feeding on the skin. Due to the diverse symptoms, diagnosing Lyme disease is challenging and usually involves a two-step serological approach. Currently, there is still no vaccine against Lyme disease, but in 2024, data on the immunogenicity and safety of the VLA15-221 vaccine, which is in the second phase of clinical trials, was announced.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of the study is to discuss the epidemiological situation of Lyme disease in Poland in 2023 compared to previous years.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>To assess the epidemiological situation of Lyme disease in Poland, data sent to NIPH NIH - NRI by the district Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations and published in the annual bulletin: \"Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2023\" were used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2023, there were 25 285 reported cases of Lyme disease and 1 155 hospitalizations. This represents a significant increase in cases by 45.58% compared to the previous year. Seasonal variations in case occurrences are evident in distinct quarters, with the number rising from 2 466 in Q1 to 11 626 in Q3, and then declining in Q4 to 5 945. The highest incidence was recorded in the Małopolskie voivodeship (122.9 per 100,000), Podlaskie voivodeship (96 per 100,000), and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeship (95.2 per 100,000).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The number of borreliosis cases returned to pre-pandemic levels but also increased by 22.57% compared to 2019 (20 630 cases), and doubled (95.49%) compared to 2020 (12 934 cases). Seasonality has remained unchanged for years. Usually, eastern Poland (most often the Podlaskie voivodeship) is characterised by the highest incidence, however, in 2023, the highest incidence was recorded in the Małopolskie voivodeship at 122.9 per 100,000.</p>","PeriodicalId":20777,"journal":{"name":"Przeglad epidemiologiczny","volume":"79 4","pages":"682-689"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147675781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tecovirimat for the treatment of monkeypox: A review of clinical trials.","authors":"Łukasz Dobrek","doi":"10.32394/pe/214793","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/pe/214793","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Monkeypox (mpox) is a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which was previously endemic in Africa and has been reported in numerous countries on other continents since 2003. Clinically, patients initially present with lymphadenopathy and flu-like prodromal symptoms, followed by a generalized rash. Mpox infection is also associated with several health complications, including pneumonia, sepsis, encephalitis, and ocular damage. Treatment is primarily symptomatic and involves relieving pain and fever, managing skin lesions, and administering antibiotics for secondary infections. Potential antiviral treatments for mpox include virostatic drugs effective against smallpox viruses. The aim of this study was to identify clinical trials from the last 10 years evaluating the potential efficacy of tecovirimat, brincidofovir, and cidofovir in treating mpox infection, using the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. The review revealed that currently ongoing or recruiting studies are exclusively assessing the efficacy and safety of tecovirimat. This drug has demonstrated activity against the mpox virus in preclinical studies using experimental models of the disease induced in nonhuman primates. Tecovirimat's efficacy has also been clinically confirmed in case reports of patients treated with this virostatic agent. However, the results of randomized clinical trials identified during the review are inconsistent. The STOMP and PALM007 trials did not demonstrate a benefit of tecovirimat in patients with mpox, while studies conducted in Italy and Japan indicate clinical efficacy of the drug. Given the inconclusive clinical evaluation of tecovirimat so far, the results of ongoing studies are awaited and should provide further evidence to better assess the role of tecovirimat in the pharmacotherapy of mpox.</p>","PeriodicalId":20777,"journal":{"name":"Przeglad epidemiologiczny","volume":"79 4","pages":"523-540"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147675915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A mixed model pilot study on innovative 'Buddy System' peer-teaching methodology for post-graduate course programme in orthodontic education.","authors":"Anand Badavannavar, Roopa Jatti, Adithi Rao, Aarti Sethia, Atrey J Pai Khot, Zameera Naik, Sumedh Koderi","doi":"10.32394/pe/217069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/pe/217069","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Recent advancements in orthodontics demands to shape post graduate students to acquire critical thinking skills and abilities so as to perceive high order intellectual capabilities and excellent clinical competencies. However, a very demanding top-down teaching method might not be beneficial. Hence, there is a need to bridge this research gap by conceptualizing academic curriculum with innovative teaching strategies such as the \"Buddy System\" aiming at creating a stress-free collaborative learning environment with attainable graduate attributes and competencies.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate and assess the feasibility and acceptance of the innovative 'Buddy System\" peer-teaching methodology for post-graduate course programme in orthodontic education.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A mixed-method pilot study was conducted among thirty postgraduate students (n=30) in two phases. In Phase I, a structured questionnaire comprising 29 items was developed and validated by senior academic faculty, categorized into theoretical, practical, performance-based assessment, and interpersonal skills (Categories I to IV respectively). Phase II employed completion of the questionnaire and semi-structured interviews following a peer-teaching group activity. In the questionnaire attitudes and perceptions were evaluated using a Likert scale. We measured agreement between fellow teachers and fellow learners with kappa statistic, and data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study findings inferred good agreement with a Kappa value of 0.694, 0.683, 0.751 & 0.705 in Category I, Category II, Category III and Category IV respectively in terms of sharing of study materials in the form of books and research projects. The cumulative Kappa value obtained was 0.996 which indicated excellent agreement between fellow teachers and fellow learners (p value< 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Buddy system could facilitate active learning, collaborative environment and interpersonal support amongst post graduate students, thereby aiding as a desirable integrated peer-teaching model for dental curriculum.</p>","PeriodicalId":20777,"journal":{"name":"Przeglad epidemiologiczny","volume":"79 4","pages":"568-579"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147676237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hepatitis C in Poland in 2023.","authors":"Karolina Zakrzewska, Małgorzata Stępień","doi":"10.32394/pe/217303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/pe/217303","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In 2023, new national policies expanded access to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for people who use drugs and for incarcerated individuals.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the epidemiological situation of HCV infection in Poland in 2023.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>National surveillance data for 2023 were analyzed and compared with 2022 and pre-pandemic trends (2015-2019). Data on deaths were obtained from Statistics Poland.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2023, a total of 3,267 confirmed HCV cases were reported in Poland, corresponding to a diagnosis rate of 8.65/100,000 population, representing a 29% increase compared with 2,528 cases in 2022 (6.7/100,000). Despite the overall rise in detection, the proportion of people who inject drugs among diagnosed infections remained stable at 3.2% level. Infections identified in penitentiary facilities accounted for 1.3% diagnosed cases, continuing a declining trend observed in previous years. In 2023, individuals of Polish nationality represented 81.9% of all reported HCV cases (2,677 cases), while people from Ukraine accounted for 4.0% (131/3,267) - an increase from 2.7% in 2022. The majority of hepatitis C cases among individuals originating from Ukraine were classified as imported infections, and the distribution of age groups and gender in this group was similar to that observed in the overall population of HCV diagnoses in 2023.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>HCV detection in Poland has improved following the pandemic COVID-19; however, it remains below pre-2020 levels. The removal of abstinence requirements for people who use drugs and the inclusion of DAA therapy for incarcerated individuals represent an important step toward equitable access to HCV treatment, although these changes were not yet reflected in the epidemiological situation in 2023.</p>","PeriodicalId":20777,"journal":{"name":"Przeglad epidemiologiczny","volume":"79 4","pages":"615-632"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147676317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}