China has markedly reduced hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence through sustained prevention efforts but nationally representative data on liver disease severity (fibrosis) and coexisting steatosis among infected individuals remain limited.
By linking the 2020 China National Serological Survey with vibration-controlled transient elastography, this study provides nationally representative estimates of fibrosis and steatosis coexisting with HBV/HCV infection in China.
Among individuals aged 15–69 years, an estimated 6.08 million people with HBV infection and 0.48 million with HCV infection had ≥F2 fibrosis in China; steatosis was common in both cohorts (HBV 34.85%, HCV 42.43%).
Elimination strategies should move beyond infection control to proactive case-finding and strengthened linkage to care.
Integrated liver care is needed to address the substantial overlap between viral hepatitis and liver steatosis, alongside improved access to antiviral…