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Traeger MW, Pedrana AE, van Santen DK, Doyle JS, Howell J, Thompson AJ, El-Hayek C, Asselin J, Polkinghorne V, Membrey D, Bramwell F, Carter A, Guy R, Stoové MA, Hellard ME. The impact of universal access to direct-acting antiviral therapy on the hepatitis C cascade of care among individuals attending primary and community health services. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235445. [PMID: 32603349 PMCID: PMC7326180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C elimination will require widespread access to treatment and responses at the health-service level to increase testing among populations at risk. We explored changes in hepatitis C testing and the cascade of care before and after the introduction of direct-acting antiviral treatments in Victoria, Australia. METHODS De-identified clinical data were retrospectively extracted from eighteen primary care clinics providing services targeted towards people who inject drugs. We explored hepatitis C testing within three-year periods immediately prior to (pre-DAA period) and following (post-DAA period) universal access to DAA treatments on 1st March 2016. Among ever RNA-positive individuals, we constructed two care cascades at the end of the pre-DAA and post-DAA periods. RESULTS The number of individuals HCV-tested was 13,784 (12.2% of those with a consultation) in the pre-DAA period and 14,507 (10.4% of those with a consultation) in the post-DAA period. The pre-DAA care cascade included 2,515 RNA-positive individuals; 1,977 (78.6%) were HCV viral load/genotype tested; 19 (0.8%) were prescribed treatment; and 12 had evidence of cure (0.5% of those RNA-positive and 63.6% of those eligible for cure). The post-DAA care cascade included 3,713 RNA-positive individuals; 3,276 (88.2%) were HCV viral load/genotype tested; 1,674 (45.1%) were prescribed treatment; and 863 had evidence of cure (23.2% of those RNA-positive and 94.9% of those eligible for cure). CONCLUSION Marked improvements in the cascade of hepatitis C care among patients attending primary care clinics were observed following the universal access of DAA treatments in Australia, although improvements in testing were less pronounced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W. Traeger
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa E. Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniela K. van Santen
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S. Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander J. Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Dean Membrey
- Cohealth, General Practice, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fran Bramwell
- Cohealth, General Practice, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Allison Carter
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark A. Stoové
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret E. Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Szilberhorn L, Kaló Z, Ágh T. Cost-effectiveness of second-generation direct-acting antiviral agents in chronic HCV infection: a systematic literature review. Antivir Ther 2020; 24:247-259. [PMID: 30652971 DOI: 10.3851/imp3290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our objectives were to review the economic modelling methods and cost-effectiveness of second-generation direct-acting antiviral agents for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in February 2017 using Scopus and OVID to review relevant publications between 2011 to present. Two independent reviewers screened potential papers. RESULTS The database search resulted in a total of 1,536 articles; after deduplication, title/abstract and full text screening, 67 studies were included for qualitative analysis. The vast majority of studies were conducted in high-income countries (n=59) and used Markov-based modelling techniques (n=60). Most of the analyses utilized long-term time horizons; 58 studies calculated lifetime costs and outcomes. The examined treatments were heterogenic among the studies; seven analyses did not directly evaluate treatments (just with screening or genotype testing). The examined treatments (n=60) were either dominant (23%), or cost-effective at base case (57%) or in given subgroups (18%). Only one (2%) study reported that the assessed treatment was not cost-effective with the given setting and price. CONCLUSIONS Despite their high initial therapeutic costs, second-generation direct-acting antiviral agents were found to be cost-effective to treat chronic HCV infection. Studies were predominantly conducted in higher income countries, although we have limited information on cost-effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries, where assessment of cost-effectiveness is even more essential due to more limited health-care resources and potentially higher public health burden due to unsafe medical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Szilberhorn
- Department of Health Policy and Health Economics, Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Syreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kaló
- Department of Health Policy and Health Economics, Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Syreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Ágh
- Syreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary
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Ledesma F, Buti M, Domínguez-Hernández R, Casado MA, Esteban R. Is the universal population Hepatitis C virus screening a cost-effective strategy? A systematic review of the economic evidence. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE QUIMIOTERAPIA 2020; 33:240-248. [PMID: 32510188 PMCID: PMC7374037 DOI: 10.37201/req/030.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Efficient strategies are needed in order to achieve the objective of the WHO of eradicating Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C infection can be eliminated by a combination of direct acting antiviral (DAA). The problem is that many individuals remain undiagnosed. The objective is to conduct a systematic review of the evidence on economic evaluations that analyze the screening of HCV followed by treatment with DAAs. Methods Eleven databases were performed in a 2015-2018-systematic review. Inclusion criteria were economic evaluations that included incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in terms of cost per life year gained or quality-adjusted life year. Results A total of 843 references were screened. Sixteen papers/posters meet the inclusion criteria. Ten of them included a general population screening. Other populations included were baby-boomer, people who inject drugs, prisoners or immigrants. Comparator was “standard of care”, other high-risk populations or no-screening. Most of the studies are based on Markov model simulations and they mostly adopted a healthcare payer´s perspective. ICER for general population screening plus treatment versus high-risk populations or versus routinely performed screening showed to be below the accepted willingness to pay thresholds in most studies and therefore screening plus DAAs strategy is highly cost-effective. Conclusion This systematic review shows that screening programmes followed by DAAs treatment is cost-effective not only for high risk population but for general population too. Because today HCV can be easily cured and its long-term consequences avoided, a universal HCV screening plus DAAs therapies should be the recommended strategy to achieve the WHO objectives for HCV eradication by 2030.
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Kendall CE, Fitzgerald M, Donelle J, Kwong JC, Galanakis C, Boyd R, Cooper CL. A cross-sectional study of prolonged disengagement from clinic among people with HCV receiving care in a low-threshold, multidisciplinary clinic. CANADIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2020; 3:212-223. [PMID: 35991860 PMCID: PMC9202788 DOI: 10.3138/canlivj.2019-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 08/31/2024]
Abstract
Background Disengagement from care can affect treatment outcomes of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). We assessed the extent and determinants of disengagement among HCV patients receiving care at the Ottawa Hospital Viral Hepatitis Program (TOHVHP). Methods We linked clinical data of adult patients, categorized as ever or never disengaged from clinic (no TOHVHP encounters over 18 months), receiving care between April 1, 2002, and October 1, 2015, to provincial health administrative databases and calculated primary care use in the year after disengagement. We used adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to analyze variables associated with disengagement. Results Those disengaged from care (n = 657) were younger at presentation (46.6 [SD 11.1] versus 51.9 [SD 11.0] years), p < 0.001) and had lower comorbidity. After multivariable adjustment, we observed lower hazards of disengagement among those with higher compared with lower fibrosis scores (F3, hazard ratio [HR] 0.21 [95% CI 0.08-0.57]; F4, HR 0.32 [95% CI 0.19-0.55]) and those treated compared with never treated (received direct-acting antivirals [DAAs], HR 0.71 [95% CI 0.58-0.88]; received interferon but not DAA, HR 0.66 [95% CI 0.55-0.80]). We found no association with mental health or substance use disorders. In the year after disengagement, 74.3% (n = 488), 37.1% (n = 244), and 17.7% (n = 116) had at least one family physician visit, emergency department visit, and hospitalization, respectively. Conclusions Better integration of HCV specialty and primary care could improve disengagement rates among people with HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Kendall
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Jeffrey C Kwong
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chrissi Galanakis
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rob Boyd
- Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Curtis L Cooper
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Martinello M, Bajis S, Dore GJ. Progress Toward Hepatitis C Virus Elimination: Therapy and Implementation. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2020; 49:253-277. [PMID: 32389362 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization has called for the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a public health threat by 2030. Highly effective direct-acting antiviral agents provide the therapeutic tools required for elimination. In the absence of a vaccine, HCV elimination will require enhanced primary prevention and an increase in the proportions of people diagnosed and treated. Given that globally only 20% of people with chronic HCV are diagnosed, and around 5% have initiated HCV treatment, the task ahead is enormous. But, global public health needs optimism, and countries currently on track for HCV elimination provide a pathway forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Martinello
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Sahar Bajis
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Saludes V, Antuori A, Lazarus JV, Folch C, González-Gómez S, González N, Ibáñez N, Colom J, Matas L, Casabona J, Martró E. Evaluation of the Xpert HCV VL Fingerstick point-of-care assay and dried blood spot HCV-RNA testing as simplified diagnostic strategies among people who inject drugs in Catalonia, Spain. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 80:102734. [PMID: 32470849 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catalonia requires decentralized and simplified strategies for the diagnosis of viremic HCV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID). We aimed to perform a direct comparison of the diagnostic performance between two, single-step strategies for the screening and diagnosis of viremic HCV infection in PWID attending a drug consumption room (DCR) in Barcelona: i) on-site HCV-RNA testing using the point-of-care test (PoCT) Xpert HCV VL Fingerstick; and ii) on-site dried blood spots (DBS) collection for HCV-RNA testing at the laboratory (in-house assay). Additionally, we aimed to assess participants' preferences in receiving HCV-RNA testing results and feasibility of same-day delivery of PoCT results. METHODS The real-world, clinical performance of these two strategies was established in comparison with the reference method (HCV viral load testing with the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay at the laboratory from venous plasma collected at the DCR). HCV genotypes/subtypes and HIV status were also determined by sequencing and serology, respectively. A questionnaire including preferences regarding the delivery of test results was administered. RESULTS The prevalence of HCV-RNA was 63.0% (of which 25.8% were co-infected with HIV). The RNA-PoCT showed a sensitivity of 98.4% for detectable viral loads (>4 IU/mL) and of 100% for quantifiable viral loads (≥10, ≥1000 and ≥3000 IU/mL). For the DBS-based assay, a sensitivity of 93.7% was obtained for detectable viral loads, 96.7% for the quantifiable ≥10 IU/mL threshold, and 98.3% for both the quantifiable ≥1000 and ≥3000 IU/mL thresholds. No significant differences were detected between the sensitivity values of these two strategies, and the specificity was 100% in both cases. Half of the participants preferred to receive the HCV-RNA result on the same day, and 80% of participants received their RNA-PoCT results on the same day. CONCLUSIONS Both the HCV-RNA PoCT and the DBS-based assay are highly reliable tools for the simplified diagnosis of viremic HCV infection among current PWID. These strategies allow for on-site sample collection and delivery of test results, facilitating decentralized care in harm reduction services.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Saludes
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Genetics and Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain; Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Antuori
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Genetics and Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain; Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - J V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Folch
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Centre for Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Badalona, Spain
| | - S González-Gómez
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Genetics and Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain; Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - N González
- Drug consumption room "El Local", IPSS Foundation, Sant Adrià del Besòs, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Ibáñez
- Program on Substance Abuse, ASPCAT, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Colom
- Program for the Prevention, Control and Treatment of HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Viral Hepatitis, ASPCAT, Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Matas
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Genetics and Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain; Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Casabona
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Centre for Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Badalona, Spain
| | - E Martró
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Genetics and Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain; Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Hepatitis C cascade of care at an integrated community facility for people who inject drugs. J Subst Abuse Treat 2020; 114:108025. [PMID: 32527512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the hepatitis C virus (HCV) cascade of care at a community-based integrated harm reduction and treatment facility for people who inject drugs (PWID). METHODS Queensland Injectors' Health Network is a community-based agency providing integrated harm reduction and treatment services, including HCV treatment. Program data were analyzed from program commencement (early 2015) up to December 2017. RESULTS By December 2017, 476 participants with confirmed HCV infection had enrolled in treatment, of whom 72% had commenced treatment, 65% had completed treatment, and 44% had a confirmed sustained virologic response at 12-weeks post-treatment. Participants who commenced treatment tended to be older (ref 18-34 years; 35-49 years OR = 1.84, p = 0.037, 50+ years OR = 3.19, p = 0.002) and to feel safe and stable in their housing (OR = 2.36, p = 0.021). Participants who completed treatment were less likely to report legal issues (OR = 0.23, p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Integrated community-based services can successfully engage PWID throughout the HCV treatment journey. Additional social support, including linkage with housing and legal navigation services, may improve treatment uptake and completion. Point-of-care testing, including same-day scripting, could improve treatment uptake.
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Abstract
Hepatitis C virus is a global public health threat, affecting 71 million people worldwide. Increasing recognition of the impact of this epidemic and recent advances in biomedical and technical approaches to hepatitis C prevention and cure have provided impetus for the World Health Organization (WHO) to call for global elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. This work reviews the feasibility of hepatitis C elimination and pathways to overcome existing and potential future barriers to elimination. Drawing on cost-effectiveness modeling and providing examples of successful implementation efforts across the globe, we highlight the resources and strategies needed to achieve hepatitis C elimination. A timely, multipronged response is required if the 2030 WHO elimination targets are to be achieved. Importantly, achieving hepatitis C elimination will also benefit the community well beyond 2030.
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Sullivan RP, Davies J, Binks P, Dhurrkay RG, Gurruwiwi GG, Bukulatjpi SM, McKinnon M, Hosking K, Littlejohn M, Jackson K, Locarnini S, Davis JS, Tong SYC. Point of care and oral fluid hepatitis B testing in remote Indigenous communities of northern Australia. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:407-414. [PMID: 31785060 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Many Indigenous Australians in northern Australia living with chronic hepatitis B are unaware of their diagnosis due to low screening rates. A venous blood point of care test (POCT) or oral fluid laboratory test could improve testing uptake in this region. The purpose of this study was to assess the field performance of venous blood POCT and laboratory performance of an oral fluid hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test in Indigenous individuals living in remote northern Australian communities. The study was conducted with four very remote communities in the tropical north of Australia's Northern Territory. Community research workers collected venous blood and oral fluid samples. We performed the venous blood POCT for HBsAg in the field. We assessed the venous blood and oral fluid specimens for the presence of HBsAg using standard laboratory assays. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the POCT and oral fluid test, using serum laboratory detection of HBsAg as the gold standard. From 215 enrolled participants, 155 POCT and 197 oral fluid tests had corresponding serum HBsAg results. The POCT had a sensitivity of 91.7% and specificity of 100%. Based on a population prevalence of 6%, the PPV was 100% and NPV was 99.5%. The oral fluid test had a sensitivity of 56.8%, specificity of 98.1%, PPV of 97.3% and NPV of 65.9%. The venous blood POCT has excellent test characteristics and could be used to identify individuals with chronic HBV infection in high prevalence communities with limited access to health care. Oral fluid performance was suboptimal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard P Sullivan
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Darwin Hospital, Casuarina, NT, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Sexual Health, St George & Sutherland Clinical School, UNSW, Kogarah, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Davies
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Darwin Hospital, Casuarina, NT, Australia
| | - Paula Binks
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Melita McKinnon
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Kelly Hosking
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Top End Health Service, Primary Health Care Branch, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Margaret Littlejohn
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Kathy Jackson
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Stephen Locarnini
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Joshua S Davis
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven Y C Tong
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Victorian Infectious Disease Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Doherty Department University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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60
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Feld JJ. HCV elimination: It will take a village and then some. J Hepatol 2020; 72:601-603. [PMID: 32057492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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61
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Scott N, Sacks-Davis R, Wade AJ, Stoove M, Pedrana A, Doyle JS, Thompson AJ, Wilson DP, Hellard ME. Australia needs to increase testing to achieve hepatitis C elimination. Med J Aust 2020; 212:365-370. [PMID: 32167586 PMCID: PMC7317196 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To assess progress in Australia toward the 2030 WHO hepatitis C elimination targets two years after the introduction of highly effective direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatments. Design Analysis of quarterly data on government‐subsidised hepatitis C RNA testing and hepatitis C treatment in Australia, January 2013 – June 2018. Changes in testing and treatment levels associated with DAA availability were assessed in an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) statistical model, and the impact by 2030 of different levels of testing and treatment were estimated using a mathematical model. Major outcome measures Hepatitis C prevalence among people who inject drugs; annual hepatitis C incidence relative to 2015 levels; projections for the hepatitis C care cascade in 2030. Results The mean annual number of treatments initiated for people with hepatitis C increased from 6747 during 2013–2015 (before the introduction of DAAs) to 28 022 during 2016–18; the mean annual number of diagnostic RNA tests increased from 17 385 to 23 819. If current trends in testing and treatment continue (ie, 2018 testing numbers are maintained but treatment numbers decline by 50%), it is projected that by 2030 only 72% of infected people would be treated (by 2025 all people diagnosed with hepatitis C would be treated). The incidence of hepatitis C in 2030 would be 59% lower than in 2015, well short of the WHO target of an 80% reduction. The identification and testing of people exposed to hepatitis C must be increased by at least 50% for Australia to reach the WHO elimination targets. Conclusion Hepatitis C elimination programs in Australia should focus on increasing testing rates and linkage with care to maintain adequate levels of treatment.
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Walker JG, Kuchuloria T, Sergeenko D, Fraser H, Lim AG, Shadaker S, Hagan L, Gamkrelidze A, Kvaratskhelia V, Gvinjilia L, Aladashvili M, Asatiani A, Baliashvili D, Butsashvili M, Chikovani I, Khonelidze I, Kirtadze I, Kuniholm MH, Otiashvili D, Sharvadze L, Stvilia K, Tsertsvadze T, Zakalashvili M, Hickman M, Martin NK, Morgan J, Nasrullah M, Averhoff F, Vickerman P. Interim effect evaluation of the hepatitis C elimination programme in Georgia: a modelling study. Lancet Glob Health 2020; 8:e244-e253. [PMID: 31864917 PMCID: PMC7025283 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30483-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Georgia has a high prevalence of hepatitis C, with 5·4% of adults chronically infected. On April 28, 2015, Georgia launched a national programme to eliminate hepatitis C by 2020 (90% reduction in prevalence) through scaled-up treatment and prevention interventions. We evaluated the interim effect of the programme and feasibility of achieving the elimination goal. METHODS We developed a transmission model to capture the hepatitis C epidemic in Georgia, calibrated to data from biobehavioural surveys of people who inject drugs (PWID; 1998-2015) and a national survey (2015). We projected the effect of the administration of direct-acting antiviral treatments until Feb 28, 2019, and the effect of continuing current treatment rates until the end of 2020. Effect was estimated in terms of the relative decrease in hepatitis C incidence, prevalence, and mortality relative to 2015 and of the deaths and infections averted compared with a counterfactual of no treatment over the study period. We also estimated treatment rates needed to reach Georgia's elimination target. FINDINGS From May 1, 2015, to Feb 28, 2019, 54 313 patients were treated, with approximately 1000 patients treated per month since mid 2017. Compared with 2015, our model projects that these treatments have reduced the prevalence of adult chronic hepatitis C by a median 37% (95% credible interval 30-44), the incidence of chronic hepatitis C by 37% (29-44), and chronic hepatitis C mortality by 14% (3-30) and have prevented 3516 (1842-6250) new infections and averted 252 (134-389) deaths related to chronic hepatitis C. Continuing treatment of 1000 patients per month is predicted to reduce prevalence by 51% (42-61) and incidence by 51% (40-62), by the end of 2020. To reach a 90% reduction by 2020, treatment rates must increase to 4144 (2963-5322) patients initiating treatment per month. INTERPRETATION Georgia's hepatitis C elimination programme has achieved substantial treatment scale-up, which has reduced the burden of chronic hepatitis C. However, the country is unlikely to meet its 2020 elimination target unless treatment scales up considerably. FUNDING CDC Foundation, National Institute for Health Research, National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine G Walker
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Tinatin Kuchuloria
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation, Tbilisi, Georgia; TEPHINET, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - David Sergeenko
- Ministry of Labor Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Hannah Fraser
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Aaron G Lim
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Shaun Shadaker
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Liesl Hagan
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amiran Gamkrelidze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Lia Gvinjilia
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation, Tbilisi, Georgia; TEPHINET, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Malvina Aladashvili
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Alexander Asatiani
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Davit Baliashvili
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Irma Khonelidze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Irma Kirtadze
- Addiction Research Center Alternative Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia; Ilia State University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Institute of Addiction Studies, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Mark H Kuniholm
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Ketevan Stvilia
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Tengiz Tsertsvadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, UC San Diego, California, USA
| | - Juliette Morgan
- Division of Global Health Protection, South Caucasus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Muazzam Nasrullah
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Francisco Averhoff
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Cost-effectiveness of transplanting lungs and kidneys from donors with potential hepatitis C exposure or infection. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1459. [PMID: 31996734 PMCID: PMC6989464 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58215-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ transplant guidelines in many settings recommend that people with potential hepatitis C virus (HCV) exposure or infection are deemed ineligible to donate. The recent availability of highly-effective treatments for HCV means that this may no longer be necessary. We used a mathematical model to estimate the expected difference in healthcare costs, difference in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and cost-effectiveness of removing HCV restrictions for lung and kidney donations in Australia. Our model suggests that allowing organ donations from people who inject drugs, people with a history of incarceration and people who are HCV antibody-positive could lead to an estimated 10% increase in organ supply, population-level improvements in health (reduction in DALYs), and on average save AU$2,399 (95%CI AU$1,155-3,352) and AU$2,611 (95%CI AU$1,835-3,869) per person requiring a lung and kidney transplant respectively. These findings are likely to hold for international settings, since this policy change remained cost saving with positive health gains regardless of HCV prevalence, HCV treatment cost and waiting list survival probabilities. This study suggests that guidelines on organ donation should be revisited in light of recent changes to clinical outcomes for people with HCV.
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64
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Upscaling prevention, testing and treatment to control hepatitis C as a public health threat in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A cost-effectiveness model. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 88:102634. [PMID: 31882272 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.102634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C (HCV) elimination strategies are required for low and middle-income countries (LMICs), because although treatment access is currently limited, this is unlikely to remain the case forever. We estimate and compare the impact, cost and cost-effectiveness of a variety of prevent, test and treat strategies for HCV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. METHODS A mathematical model. RESULTS Without intervention, the HCV epidemic in Dar es Salaam was estimated to result in US$29.1 million in disease costs between 2018 and 2030. Maintaining existing harm reduction coverage (4% needle and syringe program, 42% opioid substitution therapy) over this period was estimated to prevent 22% of injecting drug use-acquired HCV infections compared to a zero coverage scenario. Implementing antibody/RNA, serum-based HCV core antigen (HCVcAg) and dry blood spot (DBS) HCVcAg test/treat programs among PWID increased the total cost by US$0.7 million, US$3.1 million and US$6.5 million respectively by 2030; however this expenditure led to 57%, 61% and 73% reductions in annual incidence among PWID, 25%, 27% and 33% reductions overall annual incidence (PWID+non-PWID), and reduced HCV prevalence among PWID from 27% to 9%, 8% and 5%, respectively. The Ab/RNA, serum-based and DBS HCVcAg test/treat programs cost US$689, US$2857 and US$5400 per disability-adjusted life year averted, respectively, compared to no test/treat program. CONCLUSION Primary prevention among PWID can provide important reductions in HCV transmission in the absence of treatment availability. HCV Ab/RNA or serum-based HCVcAg test/treat programs among PWID are likely to be cost-effective in Dar es Salaam, with serum-based HCVcAg test/treat achieving greater impact due to a simpler diagnostic process and better retention in care. If used for regular testing of PWID, the additional coverage benefits of non-laboratory-based DBS HCVcAg tests in LMICs would outweigh their reduced sensitivity.
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Stocks T, Martin LJ, Kühlmann-Berenzon S, Britton T. Dynamic modeling of hepatitis C transmission among people who inject drugs. Epidemics 2019; 30:100378. [PMID: 31864130 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2019.100378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
To reach the WHO goal of hepatitis C elimination, it is essential to identify the number of people unaware of their hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to investigate the effect of interventions on the disease transmission dynamics. In many high-income countries, one of the primary routes of HCV transmission is via contaminated needles shared by people who inject drugs (PWIDs). However, substantial underreporting combined with high uncertainty regarding the size of this difficult to reach population, makes it challenging to estimate the core indicators recommended by the WHO. To support progress toward the elimination goal, we present a novel multi-layered dynamic transmission model for HCV transmission within a PWID population. The model explicitly accounts for disease stage (acute and chronic), injection drug use status (active and former PWIDs), status of diagnosis (diagnosed and undiagnosed) and country of disease acquisition (domestic or abroad). First, based on this model, and using routine surveillance data, we estimate the number of undiagnosed PWIDs, the true incidence, the average time until diagnosis, the reproduction numbers and associated uncertainties. Second, we examine the impact of two interventions on disease dynamics: (1) direct-acting antiviral drug treatment, and (2) needle exchange programs. As a proof of concept, we illustrate our results for a specific data set. In addition, we develop a web application to allow our model to be explored interactively and with different parameter values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Stocks
- Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | | | - Tom Britton
- Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Pitcher AB, Borquez A, Skaathun B, Martin NK. Mathematical modeling of hepatitis c virus (HCV) prevention among people who inject drugs: A review of the literature and insights for elimination strategies. J Theor Biol 2019; 481:194-201. [PMID: 30452959 PMCID: PMC6522340 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In 2016, the World Health Organization issued global elimination targets for hepatitis C virus (HCV), including an 80% reduction in HCV incidence by 2030. The vast majority of new HCV infections occur among people who inject drugs (PWID), and as such elimination strategies require particular focus on this population. As governments urgently require guidance on how to achieve elimination among PWID, mathematical modeling can provide critical information on the level and targeting of intervention are required. In this paper we review the epidemic modeling literature on HCV transmission and prevention among PWID, highlight main differences in mathematical formulation, and discuss key insights provided by these models in terms of achieving WHO elimination targets among PWID. Overall, the vast majority of modeling studies utilized a deterministic compartmental susceptible-infected-susceptible structure, with select studies utilizing individual-based network transmission models. In general, these studies found that harm reduction alone is unlikely to achieve elimination targets among PWID. However, modeling indicates elimination is achievable in a wide variety of epidemic settings with harm reduction scale-up combined with modest levels of HCV treatment for PWID. Unfortunately, current levels of testing and treatment are generally insufficient to achieve elimination in most settings, and require further scale-up. Additionally, network-based treatment strategies as well as prison-based treatment and harm reduction provision could provide important additional population benefits. Overall, epidemic modeling has and continues to play a critical role in informing HCV elimination strategies worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annick Borquez
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Britt Skaathun
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, CA, USA.
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67
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Yedinak JL, Goedel WC, Paull K, Lebeau R, Krieger MS, Thompson C, Buchanan AL, Coderre T, Boss R, Rich JD, Marshall BDL. Defining a recovery-oriented cascade of care for opioid use disorder: A community-driven, statewide cross-sectional assessment. PLoS Med 2019; 16:e1002963. [PMID: 31743335 PMCID: PMC6863520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In light of the accelerating and rapidly evolving overdose crisis in the United States (US), new strategies are needed to address the epidemic and to efficiently engage and retain individuals in care for opioid use disorder (OUD). Moreover, there is an increasing need for novel approaches to using health data to identify gaps in the cascade of care for persons with OUD. METHODS AND FINDINGS Between June 2018 and May 2019, we engaged a diverse stakeholder group (including directors of statewide health and social service agencies) to develop a statewide, patient-centered cascade of care for OUD for Rhode Island, a small state in New England, a region highly impacted by the opioid crisis. Through an iterative process, we modified the cascade of care defined by Williams et al. for use in Rhode Island using key national survey data and statewide health claims datasets to create a cross-sectional summary of 5 stages in the cascade. Approximately 47,000 Rhode Islanders (5.2%) were estimated to be at risk for OUD (stage 0) in 2016. At the same time, 26,000 Rhode Islanders had a medical claim related to an OUD diagnosis, accounting for 55% of the population at risk (stage 1); 27% of the stage 0 population, 12,700 people, showed evidence of initiation of medication for OUD (MOUD, stage 2), and 18%, or 8,300 people, had evidence of retention on MOUD (stage 3). Imputation from a national survey estimated that 4,200 Rhode Islanders were in recovery from OUD as of 2016, representing 9% of the total population at risk. Limitations included use of self-report data to arrive at estimates of the number of individuals at risk for OUD and using a national estimate to identify the number of individuals in recovery due to a lack of available state data sources. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that cross-sectional summaries of the cascade of care for OUD can be used as a health policy tool to identify gaps in care, inform data-driven policy decisions, set benchmarks for quality, and improve health outcomes for persons with OUD. There exists a significant opportunity to increase engagement prior to the initiation of OUD treatment (i.e., identification of OUD symptoms via routine screening or acute presentation) and improve retention and remission from OUD symptoms through improved community-supported processes of recovery. To do this more precisely, states should work to systematically collect data to populate their own cascade of care as a health policy tool to enhance system-level interventions and maximize engagement in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse L. Yedinak
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - William C. Goedel
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Kimberly Paull
- Executive Office of Health and Human Services, State of Rhode Island, Cranston, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Lebeau
- Executive Office of Health and Human Services, State of Rhode Island, Cranston, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Maxwell S. Krieger
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Cheyenne Thompson
- Executive Office of Health and Human Services, State of Rhode Island, Cranston, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Ashley L. Buchanan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Tom Coderre
- Office of the Governor, State of Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Boss
- Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, State of Rhode Island, Cranston, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Josiah D. Rich
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Brandon D. L. Marshall
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
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Popping S, Nichols B, Rijnders B, van Kampen J, Verbon A, Boucher C, van de Vijver D. Targeted HCV core antigen monitoring among HIV-positive men who have sex with men is cost-saving. J Virus Erad 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30031-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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69
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Scott N, Wilson DP, Thompson AJ, Barnes E, El-Sayed M, Benzaken AS, Drummer HE, Hellard ME. The case for a universal hepatitis C vaccine to achieve hepatitis C elimination. BMC Med 2019; 17:175. [PMID: 31530275 PMCID: PMC6749704 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1411-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The introduction of highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C has led to calls to eliminate it as a public health threat through treatment-as-prevention. Recent studies suggest it is possible to develop a vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Using a mathematical model, we examined the potential impact of a hepatitis C vaccine on the feasibility and cost of achieving the global WHO elimination target of an 80% reduction in incidence by 2030 in the era of DAA treatment. METHODS The model was calibrated to 167 countries and included two population groups (people who inject drugs (PWID) and the general community), features of the care cascade, and the coverage of health systems to deliver services. Projections were made for 2018-2030. RESULTS The optimal incidence reduction strategy was to implement test and treat programmes among PWID, and in settings with high levels of community transmission undertake screening and treatment of the general population. With a vaccine available, the optimal strategy was to include vaccination within test and treat programmes, in addition to vaccinating adolescents in settings with high levels of community transmission. Of the 167 countries modelled, between 0 and 48 could achieve an 80% reduction in incidence without a vaccine. This increased to 15-113 countries if a 75% efficacious vaccine with a 10-year duration of protection were available. If a vaccination course cost US$200, vaccine use reduced the cost of elimination for 66 countries (40%) by an aggregate of US$7.4 (US$6.6-8.2) billion. For a US$50 per course vaccine, this increased to a US$9.8 (US$8.7-10.8) billion cost reduction across 78 countries (47%). CONCLUSIONS These findings strongly support the case for hepatitis C vaccine development as an urgent public health need, to ensure hepatitis C elimination is achievable and at substantially reduced costs for a majority of countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
| | - David P Wilson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Manal El-Sayed
- Department of Paediatrics, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Heidi E Drummer
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Litwin AH, Drolet M, Nwankwo C, Torrens M, Kastelic A, Walcher S, Somaini L, Mulvihill E, Ertl J, Grebely J. Perceived barriers related to testing, management and treatment of HCV infection among physicians prescribing opioid agonist therapy: The C-SCOPE Study. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1094-1104. [PMID: 31074167 PMCID: PMC6771477 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this analysis was to evaluate perceived barriers related to HCV testing, management and treatment among physicians practicing in clinics offering opioid agonist treatment (OAT). C-SCOPE was a study consisting of a self-administered survey among physicians practicing at clinics providing OAT in Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States between April and May 2017. A 5-point Likert scale (1 = not a barrier, 3 = moderate barrier, 5 = extreme barrier) was used to measure responses to perceived barriers for HCV testing, evaluation and treatment across the domains of the health system, clinic and patient. Among the 203 physicians enrolled (40% USA, 45% Europe, 14% Australia/Canada), 21% were addiction medicine specialists, 29% psychiatrists and 69% were metro/urban. OAT physicians in this study reported poor access to on-site venepuncture (35%), point-of-care HCV testing (16%), and noninvasive liver disease assessment (25%). Only 30% of OAT physicians reported personally treating HCV infection. Major perceived health system barriers to HCV management included the lack of funding for noninvasive liver disease testing, long wait times to see an HCV specialist, lack of funding for new HCV therapies, and reimbursement restrictions based on drug/alcohol use. Major perceived clinic barriers included the lack of peer support programmes and/or HCV case managers to facilitate linkage to care, the need to refer people off-site for noninvasive liver disease staging, the lack of support for on-site phlebotomy and the lack of on-site delivery of HCV therapy. This study highlights several important modifiable barriers to enhance HCV testing, evaluation and treatment among PWID attending OAT clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain H. Litwin
- Department of MedicineUniversity of South Carolina School of Medicine ‐ Greenville and Prisma HealthGreenvilleSouth Carolina,Clemson University School of Health ResearchClemsonSouth Carolina
| | | | | | - Martha Torrens
- Department of PsychiatryInstitut de Neuropsiquiatria i AddiccionsHospital del Mar BarcelonaIMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mediques)Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Andrej Kastelic
- National Centre for the Treatment of Drug Addiction in LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | | | - Lorenzo Somaini
- Addiction Treatment Centre ‐ Ser.D ASL BI ‐ Local Health UnitBiellaItaly
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"A spray bottle and a lollipop stick": An examination of policy prohibiting sterile injecting equipment in prison and effects on young men with injecting drug use histories. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 80:102532. [PMID: 31427211 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Australian young male prisoners with histories of injecting drug use are more likely to report injecting in prison, to do so more frequently, and to be involved in more un-safe injecting-related practices than their older counterparts. Despite international evidence that prison needle and syringe programs are both feasible and effective in reducing the harms associated with injecting drug use in prison, these young men do not have access to such equipment. METHODS We critically analyse the interview transcripts of 28 young men with histories of injecting drug use who were recently released from adult prisons in Victoria, Australia, and prison drug policy text. We use Bacchi's 'What's the problem represented to be?' approach to examine how the 'problem' of injecting drug use in prison is represented in prison drug policy, including the assumptions that underpin these problematisations, and the subjectification and lived effects that are produced for the young men in our study. RESULTS Our analysis reveals how prison drug policy enables the creation and re-use of homemade injecting equipment crafted from unsterile items found in prison, and that in doing so the policy produces a range of stigmatising subjectification effects and other harmful material effects (such as hepatitis C virus transmission and injecting related injury and harms). Findings highlight, how injecting drug use is represented in policy silences other ways of understanding the 'problem' that may have less harmful effects for incarcerated young men who inject drugs. CONCLUSION We argue that somewhat paradoxically, the approach of prohibiting access to sterile injecting equipment in prison-which is constituted as a solution for addressing such harms-in fact helps to produce them.
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Hutton J, Doyle J, Zordan R, Weiland T, Cocco A, Howell J, Iser S, Snell J, Fry S, New K, Sloane R, Jarman M, Phan D, Tran S, Pedrana A, Williams B, Johnson J, Glasgow S, Thompson A. Point-of-care Hepatitis C virus testing and linkage to treatment in an Australian inner-city emergency department. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 72:84-90. [PMID: 31351752 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Australia, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) treatment is declining, despite broad access to direct-acting antiviral medication. People who inject drugs are proportionally over-represented in emergency department presentations. Emergency department assessment of people who have injected drugs for HCV presents an opportunity to engage this marginalised population with treatment. We describe the outcomes of risk-based screening and point-of-care anti-HCV testing for emergency department patients, and linkage to outpatient antiviral treatment. METHODS During the three-month study period, consecutive adult patients who presented to the emergency department during the study times were screened for risk factors and offered the OraQuick oral HCV antibody test. Those with reactive results were offered venepuncture in the emergency department for confirmatory testing and direct-acting antiviral treatment in clinic. The main outcome measures were the number and proportion of viremic participants that were linked to the hepatitis clinic, commenced treatment and achieved a sustained viral response. Secondary outcome measures were the proportion (%) of presentations screened that were oral antibody reactive, and the prevalence and type of HCV risk factors. RESULTS During the study period, 2408 of the 3931 (61%) presentations to the emergency department were eligible for screening. Of these 2408 patients, 1122 (47%) participated, 307 (13%) declined participation and 977 (41%) could not be approached during their time in the emergency department. Among the 1122 participants, 378 (34%) reported at least one risk factor. Subsequently, 368 (97%) of the 378 participants underwent OraQuick anti-HCV test, and 50 (14%) had a reactive result. A risk factor of ever having injected drugs was present in 44 (88%) of participants who were sero-positive. Of the 45 that had blood tested, 30 (67%) were HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) positive. Three participants died. Of the 27 remaining participants, 10 (37%) commenced treatment and 7 of these 10 (70%) obtained a cure. There was a high rate of homelessness (24%) among anti-HCV positive participants. CONCLUSION Among emergency department participants with a risk factor for HCV, positive serology was common using a rapid point-of-care test. A history of injecting drug use was identified as the risk factor with highest yield for positive HCV serology, and is suitable as a single screening question. However, linkage to care post ED presentation was low in this marginalised population. There is a need for new pathways to improve the care cascade for marginalised individuals living with HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hutton
- Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia.
| | - J Doyle
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; The Alfred and Monash University Department of Infectious Diseases, Melbourne, Australia
| | - R Zordan
- Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - T Weiland
- Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Cocco
- Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Howell
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S Iser
- Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Snell
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S Fry
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - K New
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - R Sloane
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - M Jarman
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - D Phan
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S Tran
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - J Johnson
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S Glasgow
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Thompson
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Elimination of hepatitis C virus infection among people who use drugs: Ensuring equitable access to prevention, treatment, and care for all. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 72:1-10. [PMID: 31345644 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There have been major strides towards the World Health Organization goal to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a global public health threat. The availability of simple, well-tolerated direct-acting antiviral therapies for HCV infection that can achieve a cure in >95% of people has provided an important tool to help achieve the global elimination targets. Encouragingly, therapy is highly effective among people receiving opioid agonist therapy and people who have recently injected drugs. Moving forward, major challenges include ensuring that new infections are prevented from occurring and that people who are living with HCV are tested, linked to care, treated, receive appropriate follow-up, and have equitable access to care. This editorial highlights key themes and articles in a special issue focusing on the elimination of HCV among people who inject drugs. An overarching consideration flowing from this work is how to ensure equitable access to HCV treatment and care for all. This special issue maps the field in relation to: HCV prevention; the cascade of HCV care; strategies to enhance testing, linkage to care, and treatment uptake; and HCV treatment and reinfection. In addition, papers draw attention to the 'risk environments' and socio-ecological determinants of HCV acquisition, barriers to HCV care, the importance of messaging around the side-effects of new direct-acting antiviral therapies, the positive transformative potential of treatment and cure, and the key role of community-based drug user organizations in the HCV response. While this special issue highlights some successful efforts towards HCV elimination among people who inject drugs, it also highlights the relative lack of attention to settings in which resources enabling elimination are scarce, and where elimination hopes and potentials are less clear, such as in many low and middle income countries. Strengthening capacity in areas of the world where resources are more limited will be a critical step towards ensuring equity for all so that global HCV elimination among PWID can be achieved.
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74
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Jülicher P, Chulanov VP, Pimenov NN, Chirkova E, Yankina A, Galli C. Streamlining the screening cascade for active Hepatitis C in Russia: A cost-effectiveness analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219687. [PMID: 31310636 PMCID: PMC6634401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Screening for hepatitis C in Russia is a complex process that involves several visits and stepwise testing, limiting adherence and substantially reducing the yield in the identification of active infections. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different screening algorithms from a health system perspective. METHODS A decision analytic model was applied to a hypothetical adult population eligible to participate in a general screening program for hepatitis C in Russia. The standard pathway (I: Screen for anti-HCV antibodies followed by a nucleic acid test for HCV RNA on antibody positives) was compared to three alternatives (II: Screen for antibodies, a reflexed test for HCV antigen on antibody positives, and RNA on antigen negatives; III: Screen for antibodies, a reflexed test for HCV antigen on antibody positives; IV: Screen for antigen). Each strategy considered a cascade of events (referral, adherence, testing, diagnosis) that must occur for screening to be effective. The primary measure of effectiveness was the number of diagnosed active infections. Calculations followed a health system perspective with costs derived from 2017 reimbursement rates and a willingness-to-pay of 2,000RUB ($82) per diagnosed active infection. Model was tested with deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS Non-adherence to screening stages reduced the capture rate of active infections in Strategy I from 79.0% to 40.6%. Strategies II, III, and IV were less affected and identified 69%, 67%, and 104% more infections. Average costs per diagnosed infection were decreased by 41% from 89,599RUB ($3,681) for I to 53,072RUB ($2,180), 53,004RUB ($2,177), and 59,633RUB ($2,450) for II, III, and IV, respectively. With a probability of 97%, Strategy III was most cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio vs. I of -1,373RUB (CI: -5,011RUB to -2,033RUB; $-56; CI: -$206 to -$84). Below a willingness-to-pay of 91,000RUB ($3,738), Strategy IV was not cost-effective. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of results. CONCLUSIONS Testing strategies for hepatitis C with HCV antigen on HCV antibody positive cases offer a streamlining opportunity for population screening programs. Those shall increase the chances for detecting active infections and are cost-effective over current practice in Russia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Jülicher
- Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Abbott Diagnostics, Wiesbaden, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Vladimir P. Chulanov
- Reference Center for Viral Hepatitis, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, Russia
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay N. Pimenov
- Reference Center for Viral Hepatitis, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Chirkova
- Reference Center for Viral Hepatitis, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Yankina
- Medical Communication, Abbott Diagnostics, Khimki, Russia
- CIS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Claudio Galli
- Global Medical & Scientific Affairs, Abbott Diagnostics, Rome, Italy
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White L, Azzam A, Burrage L, Orme C, Kay B, Higgins S, Kaye S, Sloss A, Broom J, Weston N, Mitchell J, O’Beirne J. Facilitating treatment of HCV in primary care in regional Australia: closing the access gap. Frontline Gastroenterol 2019; 10:210-216. [PMID: 31288252 PMCID: PMC6583569 DOI: 10.1136/flgastro-2018-101049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Australia has unrestricted access to direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. In order to increase access to treatment, primary care providers are able to prescribe DAA after fibrosis assessment and specialist consultation. Transient elastography (TE) is recommended prior to commencement of HCV treatment; however, TE is rarely available outside secondary care centres in Australia and therefore a requirement for TE could represent a barrier to access to HCV treatment in primary care. OBJECTIVES In order to bridge this access gap, we developed a community-based TE service across the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay areas of Queensland. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of a prospectively recorded HCV treatment database. INTERVENTIONS A nurse-led service equipped with two mobile Fibroscan units assesses patients in eight locations across regional Queensland. Patients are referred into the service via primary care and undergo nurse-led TE at a location convenient to the patient. Patients are discussed at a weekly multidisciplinary team meeting and a treatment recommendation made to the referring GP. Treatment is initiated and monitored in primary care. Patients with cirrhosis are offered follow-up in secondary care. RESULTS 327 patients have undergone assessment and commenced treatment in primary care. Median age 48 years (IQR 38-56), 66% male. 57% genotype 1, 40% genotype 3; 82% treatment naïve; 10% had cirrhosis (liver stiffness >12.5 kPa). The majority were treated with sofosbuvir-based regimens. 26% treated with 8-week regimens. All patients had treatment prescribed and monitored in primary care. Telephone follow-up to confirm sustained virological response (SVR) was performed by clinic nurses. 147 patients remain on treatment. 180 patients have completed treatment. SVR data were not available for 19 patients (lost to follow-up). Intention-to-treat SVR rate was 85.5%. In patients with complete data SVR rate was 95.6%. CONCLUSION Community-based TE assessment facilitates access to HCV treatment in primary care with excellent SVR rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren White
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ali Azzam
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lauren Burrage
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
| | - Clare Orme
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
| | - Barbara Kay
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sarah Higgins
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simone Kaye
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Sloss
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jennifer Broom
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia,University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicola Weston
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - James O’Beirne
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia,University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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Williams B, Howell J, Doyle J, Thompson AJ, Draper B, Layton C, Latham N, Bramwell F, Membrey D, Mcpherson M, Roney J, Stoové M, Hellard ME, Pedrana A. Point-of-care hepatitis C testing from needle and syringe programs: An Australian feasibility study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 72:91-98. [PMID: 31129023 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achieving hepatitis C elimination requires novel approaches to engage people at highest risk of infection into care pathways. Point-of-care-tests may help to overcome some of the barriers preventing people who inject drugs (PWID) accessing testing and progressing to treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV). We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of HCV point-of-care testing at needle and syringe exchange programs (NSPs) co-located in three community health clinics in Melbourne, Australia. METHODS NSP clients were offered an oral fluid point-of-care test for HCV antibody by NSP staff. Positive HCV antibody tests were followed by a point-of-care test for HCV RNA alongside standard-of-care laboratory testing for hepatitis C treatment work-up. Participants were offered same-day point-of-care results on site, via phone or text message, or upon return to the service. Participants were scheduled for follow-up review with the study nurse for assessment and linkage to treatment. RESULTS A total of 174 participants completed HCV antibody point-of-care test; 150 (86%) had a reactive result. Of these, 140 (93%) underwent a HCV RNA point-of-care test and 76 (54%) tested positive; few participants (5%) waited on site for results delivery, but the majority of RNA positive (63%) attended a follow-up visit for treatment work-up (median time to follow-up visit = 11 days; IQR = 7-20 days). The majority of participants reported a preference for point-of-care tests (66%) and supported NSP staff involvement in testing (90%). CONCLUSION Provision of HCV point-of-care tests, follow-up and linkage to treatment services through NSPs was feasible and acceptable to PWID. Despite few participants waiting to receive same-day results, there was effective linkage to care, suggesting value in further evaluation of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Williams
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bridget Draper
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chloe Layton
- Cohealth, General Practice, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ned Latham
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Dean Membrey
- Cohealth, General Practice, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Maggie Mcpherson
- North Richmond Community Health, General Practice, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Janine Roney
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Scott N, Stoové M, Wilson DP, Keiser O, El-Hayek C, Doyle J, Hellard M. Eliminating hepatitis C virus as a public health threat among HIV-positive men who have sex with men: a multi-modelling approach to understand differences in sexual risk behaviour. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 21. [PMID: 29314670 PMCID: PMC5810343 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Outbreaks of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among HIV‐positive men who have sex with men (MSM) have been observed globally. Using a multi‐modelling approach we estimate the time and number of direct‐acting antiviral treatment courses required to achieve an 80% reduction in HCV prevalence among HIV‐positive MSM in the state of Victoria, Australia. Methods Three models of HCV transmission, testing and treatment among MSM were compared: a dynamic compartmental model; an agent‐based model (ABM) parametrized to local surveillance and behavioural data (“ABM1”); and an ABM with a more heterogeneous population (“ABM2”) to determine the influence of extreme variations in sexual risk behaviour. Results Among approximately 5000 diagnosed HIV‐positive MSM in Victoria, 10% are co‐infected with HCV. ABM1 estimated that an 80% reduction in HCV prevalence could be achieved in 122 (inter‐quartile range (IQR) 112 to 133) weeks with 523 (IQR 479 to 553) treatments if the average time from HCV diagnosis to treatment was six months. This was reduced to 77 (IQR 69 to 81) weeks if the average time between HCV diagnosis and treatment commencement was decreased to 16 weeks. Estimates were consistent across modelling approaches; however ABM2 produced fewer incident HCV cases, suggesting that treatment‐as‐prevention may be more effective in behaviourally heterogeneous populations. Conclusions Major reductions in HCV prevalence can be achieved among HIV‐positive MSM within two years through routine HCV monitoring and prompt treatment as a part of HIV care. Compartmental models constructed with limited behavioural data are likely to produce conservative estimates compared to models of the same setting with more complex parametrizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - David P Wilson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Olivia Keiser
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carol El-Hayek
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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78
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Doyle JS, Scott N, Sacks-Davis R, Pedrana AE, Thompson AJ, Hellard ME. Treatment access is only the first step to hepatitis C elimination: experience of universal anti-viral treatment access in Australia. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019; 49:1223-1229. [PMID: 30908706 DOI: 10.1111/apt.15210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global targets to eliminate hepatitis C (HCV) might be met by sustained treatment uptake. AIM To describe factors facilitating HCV treatment uptake and potential challenges to sustaining treatment levels after universal access to direct-acting anti-virals (DAA) across Australia. METHODS We analysed national Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data to determine the number of DAA prescriptions commenced before and after universal access from March 2016 to June 2017. We inferred facilitators and barriers to treatment uptake, and challenges that will prevent local and global jurisdictions reaching elimination targets. RESULTS In 2016, 32 877 individuals (14% of people living with HCV in Australia) commenced HCV DAA treatment, and 34 952 (15%) individuals commenced treatment in the first year of universal access. Treatment uptake peaked at 13 109 DAA commencements per quarter immediately after universal access, but more than halved (to 5320 in 2017 Q2) within 12 months. General practitioners have written 24% of all prescriptions but with a significantly increased proportion over time (9% in 2016 Q1 to 37% in 2017 Q2). In contrast, hepatology or infectious diseases specialists have written a declining share from 74% to 38% during the same period. General practitioners provided a greater proportion (47%) of care in regional/remote areas than major cities. CONCLUSIONS Broad treatment access led to rapid initial increases in treatment uptake, but this uptake has not been sustained. Our results suggest achieving global elimination targets requires more than treatment availability: people with HCV need easy access to testing and linkage to care in community settings employing a diverse prescriber base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Doyle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Rachel Sacks-Davis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Alisa E Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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79
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Øvrehus ALH, Midgard H. How can we achieve WHO's elimination target for hepatitis C incidence? Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 4:415-417. [PMID: 30981687 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(19)30120-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Håvard Midgard
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
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Harney BL, Whitton B, Lim C, Paige E, McDonald B, Nolan S, Pemberton D, Hellard ME, Doyle JS. Quantitative evaluation of an integrated nurse model of care providing hepatitis C treatment to people attending homeless services in Melbourne, Australia. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 72:195-198. [PMID: 30981613 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been reported to be high among people experiencing homelessness. People who are homeless often have multiple needs that may take precedence over HCV testing and treatment. We quantitatively evaluated the outcomes of a service providing HCV treatment to people attending homeless services. METHODS Clients attending homeless services were referred to a nurse specialising in HCV-related care. The nurse provided HCV testing, education and case-management while prescriptions were provided by an affiliated doctor. Logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with treatment commencement. RESULTS Fifty-two clients referred (78%) underwent testing, thirty-nine were HCV-RNA positive among whom 18 (46%) reported sleeping rough and 29 (74%) reported injecting drug use; 66% had injected less than three months ago. Twenty-four (62%) clients commenced treatment, of whom thirteen (54%) had a sustained virological response test; all were cured. Treatment commencement was lower among people who reported sleeping rough (aOR 0.15, 95%CI 0.029-0.73). There was no difference in treatment commencement based on injecting drugs (aOR 1.06, 95%CI 0.21-5.2). CONCLUSION Most clients' commenced treatment and the majority were successfully cured using a dedicated nursing service. Clients who reported sleeping rough may still face personal and/or system level barriers to HCV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan L Harney
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health & Monash University, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Bradley Whitton
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health & Monash University, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Cheryl Lim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health & Monash University, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Star Health, 341 Coventry St, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205, Australia
| | - Emma Paige
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health & Monash University, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Belinda McDonald
- Star Health, 341 Coventry St, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205, Australia
| | - Sarah Nolan
- Star Health, 341 Coventry St, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205, Australia; Launch Housing, 52 Haig St, Southbank, Victoria, 3205, Australia
| | - David Pemberton
- Star Health, 341 Coventry St, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205, Australia; Launch Housing, 52 Haig St, Southbank, Victoria, 3205, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health & Monash University, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health & Monash University, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Melbourne, Australia
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81
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Papaluca T, Hellard ME, Thompson AJV, Lloyd AR. Scale-up of hepatitis C treatment in prisons is key to national elimination. Med J Aust 2019; 210:391-393.e1. [PMID: 30968417 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Novel non-invasive score to predict cirrhosis in the era of hepatitis C elimination: A population study of ex-substance users in Singapore. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2019; 18:143-148. [PMID: 30558838 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C infection is common among people with history of substance use. Liver fibrosis assessment is a barrier to linkage to care, particularly among those with history of substance users. The use of non-invasive scores can be helpful in predicting liver cirrhosis in the era of HCV elimination, especially in countries where transient elastography (TE) is not available. We compared the commonly used non-invasive scores with a novel non-invasive score in predicting liver cirrhosis in this population. METHODS HCV patients with history of substance use between 2011 and 2016 were analyzed. All patients had TE for liver fibrosis assessment. Clinical performance of established non-invasive scores for fibrosis assessment and novel score were compared. Youden's index was used to determine optimal cut-off of the novel score. RESULTS A total of 579 patients were included. In multivariate logistic regression, cirrhosis on TE was associated with age (P = 0.002), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P = 0.004), and platelet count (P < 0.001), but not alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P = 0.896). These form the components of modified AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) score. Modified APRI was superior to APRI in predicting cirrhosis (AUROC, 0.796 vs. 0.770, P = 0.007), but not fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4) (P = 1.00). Modified APRI at cut-off of 4 has sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.4%, 26.9% and 92.6%, respectively, and at 19, has sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of 33.3%, 96.2% and 77.1%, respectively. FIB-4 has a NPV and PPV of 88.6%, 41.8% and 78.5%, 77.6%, at cut-off of 1.45 and 3.25, respectively. Using the cut-off of 4 and 14 for modified APRI, 32.5% of patients can be correctly classified and misses out only 5.6% of cirrhosis patients. CONCLUSIONS Modified APRI score is superior in predicting cirrhosis in HCV population, with 32.5% of the population being correctly classified using cut-off of 4 and 14. Further studies are required to validate the findings.
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Christensen S, Buggisch P, Mauss S, Böker KHW, Müller T, Klinker H, Zimmermann T, Serfert Y, Weber B, Reimer J, Wedemeyer H. Alcohol and Cannabis Consumption Does Not Diminish Cure Rates in a Real-World Cohort of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients on Opioid Substitution Therapy-Data From the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R). Subst Abuse 2019; 13:1178221819835847. [PMID: 30944519 PMCID: PMC6440029 DOI: 10.1177/1178221819835847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The importance of alcohol and cannabis consumption for the effectiveness of treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct acting antivirals (DAAs) in people on opioid substitution therapy (OST) has not been investigated in detail. METHODS We investigated sustained virological response (SVR) rates and proportion of lost to follow-up (LTFU) between OST (n = 739) and non-OST patients (n = 7008) in the German Hepatitis C-Registry (Deutsches Hepatitis C-Register, DHC-R), which is a national multicenter prospective non-interventional real-world registry. Non-OST patients comprised patients with former/current drug use (non-OST/DU; n = 1500) and patients never consuming drugs (non-OST/NDU; n = 5508). FINDINGS SVR 12/24 rates (intention to treat [ITT]) in patients consuming no or less than 30 g/day (women) or 40 g/day (men) were significantly higher in non-OST/NDU (range 91%-92%) vs OST patients (range 83%-86%), mainly due to significantly higher LTFU rates in OST (range 11%-12%) compared with non-OST/NDU (range 2%-3%). In non-OST/NDU with high alcohol consumption of more than 30/40 g/day, SVR 12/24 rates (ITT) were lower (85%) but did not differ to OST (85%) with high alcohol consumption. No significant differences could be seen for SVR 12/24 in per-protocol (PP) analysis independent of alcohol consumption or amount of alcohol intake. Cannabis use did not significantly influence SVR 12/24 in ITT or PP or LTFU. CONCLUSIONS High SVR rates could be achieved in both OST and non-OST patients irrespective of alcohol or cannabis consumption. However, LTFU is more likely in patients with current or former drug use than in patients without drug history and in patients with high alcohol consumption but occurred mainly after end of antiviral treatment (EOT), leaving a high chance for HCV elimination in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Buggisch
- ifi-institute for interdisciplinary medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Mauss
- Center for HIV and Hepatogastroenterology, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Tobias Müller
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Hartwig Klinker
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tim Zimmermann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Bernd Weber
- Praxiszentrum Friedrichsplatz / Competence Center Addiction, Kassel, Germany
| | - Jens Reimer
- Gesundheit Nord - Bremen Hospital Group, Bremen, Germany
- Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Leberstiftungs-GmbH Deutschland, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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84
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Cooke GS, Andrieux-Meyer I, Applegate TL, Atun R, Burry JR, Cheinquer H, Dusheiko G, Feld JJ, Gore C, Griswold MG, Hamid S, Hellard ME, Hou J, Howell J, Jia J, Kravchenko N, Lazarus JV, Lemoine M, Lesi OA, Maistat L, McMahon BJ, Razavi H, Roberts T, Simmons B, Sonderup MW, Spearman CW, Taylor BE, Thomas DL, Waked I, Ward JW, Wiktor SZ. Accelerating the elimination of viral hepatitis: a Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology Commission. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 4:135-184. [PMID: 30647010 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(18)30270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 355] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Viral hepatitis is a major public health threat and a leading cause of death worldwide. Annual mortality from viral hepatitis is similar to that of other major infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. Highly effective prevention measures and treatments have made the global elimination of viral hepatitis a realistic goal, endorsed by all WHO member states. Ambitious targets call for a global reduction in hepatitis-related mortality of 65% and a 90% reduction in new infections by 2030. This Commission draws together a wide range of expertise to appraise the current global situation and to identify priorities globally, regionally, and nationally needed to accelerate progress. We identify 20 heavily burdened countries that account for over 75% of the global burden of viral hepatitis. Key recommendations include a greater focus on national progress towards elimination with support given, if necessary, through innovative financing measures to ensure elimination programmes are fully funded by 2020. In addition to further measures to improve access to vaccination and treatment, greater attention needs to be paid to access to affordable, high-quality diagnostics if testing is to reach the levels needed to achieve elimination goals. Simplified, decentralised models of care removing requirements for specialised prescribing will be required to reach those in need, together with sustained efforts to tackle stigma and discrimination. We identify key examples of the progress that has already been made in many countries throughout the world, demonstrating that sustained and coordinated efforts can be successful in achieving the WHO elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham S Cooke
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | | | | | - Rifat Atun
- Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Hugo Cheinquer
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Max G Griswold
- Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - JinLin Hou
- Hepatology Unit and Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jess Howell
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jidong Jia
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Health Systems Research Group, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maud Lemoine
- Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Brian J McMahon
- Liver Disease and Hepatitis Program, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AL, USA
| | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation, Lafayette, CO, USA
| | | | - Bryony Simmons
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mark W Sonderup
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Wendy Spearman
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - David L Thomas
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Imam Waked
- National Liver Institute, Menoufiya University, Egypt
| | - John W Ward
- Program for Viral Hepatitis Elimination, Task Force for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stefan Z Wiktor
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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85
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Howell J, Pedrana A, Cowie BC, Doyle J, Getahun A, Ward J, Gane E, Cunningham C, Wallace J, Lee A, Malani J, Thompson A, Hellard ME. Aiming for the elimination of viral hepatitis in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands and Territories: Where are we now and barriers to meeting World Health Organization targets by 2030. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 34:40-48. [PMID: 30151932 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.14457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Viral hepatitis affects more than 320 million people globally, leading to significant morbidity and mortality due to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). More than 248 million people (3.2% globally) are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and an estimated 80 million people (1.1% globally) are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). In 2015, more than 700 000 deaths were directly attributable to HBV, and nearly 500 000 deaths were attributable to HCV infection; 2-5% of HBV-infected people develop HCC per annum irrespective of the presence of cirrhosis, whereas 1-5% HCV-infected people with advanced fibrosis develop HCC per annum. The rapidly escalating global mortality related to HBV and HCV related viral hepatitis to be the 7th leading cause of death worldwide in 2013, from 10th leading cause in 1990. Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Countries and Territories fall within the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region, which has a high prevalence of viral hepatitis and related morbidity, particularly HBV. Remarkably, in this region, HBV-related mortality is greater than for tuberculosis, HIV infection, and malaria combined. The region provides a unique contrast in viral hepatitis prevalence, health system resources, and approaches taken to achieve World Health Organization global elimination targets for HBV and HCV infection. This review highlights the latest evidence in viral hepatitis epidemiology and explores the health resources available to combat viral hepatitis, focusing on the major challenges and critical needs to achieve elimination in Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Countries and Territories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jess Howell
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin C Cowie
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aneley Getahun
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - James Ward
- Head Aboriginal Health, Infection and Immunity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Matthew Flinders Fellow, Flinders University Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ed Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, and Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Chris Cunningham
- Research Centre for Maõri Health and Development, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jack Wallace
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alice Lee
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Hepatitis B Free, Australia
| | - Jioji Malani
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - Alex Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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86
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Feld JJ. Hepatitis C Virus Diagnostics: The Road to Simplification. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2018; 12:125-129. [PMID: 30988927 PMCID: PMC6385922 DOI: 10.1002/cld.760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan J. Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Sandra Rotman Centre for Global HealthUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
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87
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Scott N, Sacks-Davis R, Pedrana A, Doyle J, Thompson A, Hellard M. Eliminating hepatitis C: The importance of frequent testing of people who inject drugs in high-prevalence settings. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:1472-1480. [PMID: 30047625 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Modelling suggests that more frequent screening of people who inject drugs (PWID) and an improved care cascade are required to achieve the WHO hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination target of an 80% reduction in incidence by 2030. We determined the testing frequencies (2-yearly, annually, 6-monthly and 3-monthly) and retention in care required among PWID to achieve the HCV incidence reduction target through treatment as prevention in low (25%), medium (50%) and high (75%) chronic HCV prevalence settings. Mathematical modelling of HCV transmission among PWID, capturing testing, treatment and other features of the care cascade were employed. In low-prevalence settings, 2-yearly antibody testing of PWID was estimated to reach the elimination target by 2027-2030 depending on retention in care, with annual testing reducing the time by up to 3 years. In medium-prevalence settings, if close to 90% testing coverage were achieved, then annual antibody testing of PWID would be sufficient. If testing coverage were lower (80%), 6-monthly antibody testing with at least 70% retention in care or annual HCV RNA/cAg testing would be required. In high-prevalence settings, even 3-monthly HCV RNA/cAg testing of PWID was unable to achieve the incidence reduction target. Thus, for geographical areas or subpopulations with high prevalence, WHO incidence targets are unlikely to be met without 3-monthly RNA/cAg testing accompanied by other prevention measures. Novel testing strategies, such as rapid point-of-care antibody testing or replacing antibody testing with RNA/cAg tests as a screening tool, can provide additional population-level impacts to compensate for imperfect follow-up or testing coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Sacks-Davis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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88
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Buti M, Domínguez-Hernández R, Casado MÁ, Sabater E, Esteban R. Healthcare value of implementing hepatitis C screening in the adult general population in Spain. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208036. [PMID: 30485377 PMCID: PMC6261617 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection requires high diagnostic rates and universal access to treatment. Around 40% of infected individuals are unaware of their infection, which indicates that effective screening strategies are needed. We analyzed the efficiency (incremental cost-utility ratio, ICUR) of 3 HCV screening strategies: a) general population of adults, b) high-risk groups, and c) population with the highest anti-HCV prevalence plus high-risk groups. METHODS An analytical decision model, projecting progression of the disease over a lifetime, was used to establish the candidate population for HCV screening. HCV data were obtained from the literature: anti-HCV prevalence (0.56%-1.54%), viremic patients (31.5%), and percentage of undiagnosed persons among those with viremia (35%). It was assumed that most patients would be treated and have HCV therapy response (98% SVR); transition probabilities, utilities, and disease management annual costs were obtained from the literature. Efficiency over the life of patients under the National Health System perspective was measured as quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and total cost (screening, diagnosis, pharmacological and disease management). A discount rate of 3% was applied to costs and outcomes. RESULTS Screening of the adult population would identify a larger number of additional chronic hepatitis C cases (N = 52,694) than screening the highest anti-HCV prevalence population plus high-risk groups (N = 42,027) or screening high-risk groups (N = 26,128). ICUR for the general population vs. high-risk groups was €8914/QALY gained per patient (€18,157 incremental cost and 2.037 QALY). ICUR for the general population vs. population with highest anti-HCV prevalence plus high-risk groups was €7,448/QALY gained per patient (€7,733 incremental cost and 1.038 QALY). These ICUR values are below the accepted efficiency threshold (€22,000-€30,000). CONCLUSION HCV screening and treatment of the general adult population is cost-effective compared to screening of high-risk groups or the population with the highest anti-HCV prevalence plus high-risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Buti
- Hospital General Universitario Vall d'Hebron, CIBERehd, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Rafael Esteban
- Hospital General Universitario Vall d'Hebron, CIBERehd, Barcelona, Spain
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89
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Marshall AD, Pawlotsky JM, Lazarus JV, Aghemo A, Dore GJ, Grebely J. The removal of DAA restrictions in Europe - One step closer to eliminating HCV as a major public health threat. J Hepatol 2018; 69:1188-1196. [PMID: 29959953 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Of ∼10.2 million people with chronic HCV infection in Europe, 6.7 million live in Eastern Europe, 2.3 million in Western Europe and 1.2 million in Central Europe. HCV transmission continues to occur in parallel with an increasing HCV-related liver disease burden, the result of an ageing population infected during peak HCV epidemics decades earlier. In 2016, the World Health Organization set targets to eliminate HCV infection as a major public health threat by 2030. Across Europe, an estimated 36% of those living with chronic HCV infection have been diagnosed and ∼5% have been treated. A major barrier to enhancing HCV treatment uptake has been restrictions set by payers, including national governments and others, in response to the initially high list prices of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies. The aims of this article are to discuss DAA restrictions in Europe, why DAA restrictions are still in place, what has facilitated the removal of DAA restrictions, and what challenges remain as we attempt to eliminate HCV as a major public health threat in the region by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-Michel Pawlotsky
- National Reference Center for Viral Hepatitis B, C and D, Department of Virology, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France; INSERM U955, Créteil, France
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CHIP, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alessio Aghemo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
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90
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Douglass CH, Pedrana A, Lazarus JV, 't Hoen EFM, Hammad R, Leite RB, Hill A, Hellard M. Pathways to ensure universal and affordable access to hepatitis C treatment. BMC Med 2018; 16:175. [PMID: 30296935 PMCID: PMC6176525 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-018-1162-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have dramatically changed the landscape of hepatitis C treatment and prevention. The World Health Organization has called for the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. However, the discrepancy in DAA prices across low-, middle- and high-income countries is considerable, ranging from less than US$ 100 to approximately US$ 40,000 per course, thus representing a major barrier for the scale-up of treatment and elimination. This article describes DAA pricing and pathways to accessing affordable treatment, providing case studies from Australia, Egypt and Portugal. Pathways to accessing DAAs include developing comprehensive viral hepatitis plans to facilitate price negotiations, voluntary and compulsory licenses, patent opposition, joint procurement, and personal importation schemes. While multiple factors influence the price of DAAs, a key driver is a country's capacity and willingness to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies. If negotiations do not lead to a reasonable price, governments have the option to utilise flexibilities outlined in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. Affordable access to DAAs is underpinned by collaboration between government, civil society, global organisations and pharmaceutical companies to ensure that all patients can access treatment. Promoting these pathways is critical for influencing policy, improving access to affordable DAAs and achieving hepatitis C elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CHIP, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ellen F M 't Hoen
- Global Health Unit, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Medicines Law and Policy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Radi Hammad
- National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ricardo Baptista Leite
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew Hill
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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91
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de Graaff B, Yee KC, Clarke P, Palmer A. Uptake of and Expenditure on Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents for Hepatitis C Treatment in Australia. APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY 2018; 16:495-502. [PMID: 29675692 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-018-0392-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have revolutionised treatment for the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Currently, treatment costs between 20,000 and 80,000 Australian dollars ($A) per patient. The Australian Federal Government provided $A1 billion over 5 years to subsidise these drugs. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper was to evaluate the uptake and financial impact of DAA prescribing in Australia. METHODS We undertook a retrospective analysis of Medicare prescription and expenditure data for March 2016 to August 2017. Prescription numbers and expenditure data were extracted from the Medicare Statistical Reports website. Numbers of prescriptions were converted to per capita rates. HCV prevalence measures were used to provide context to prescription rates. All costs were reported in $A, year 2017 values. RESULTS Nationally, 211,184 DAA prescriptions were reimbursed. Whilst $A3.6 billion was expended through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, confidential pricing agreements precluded calculation of the precise cost. In 18 months, estimated expenditure greatly exceeded the $A1 billion in funding for 5 years. Nationally, the rate of prescriptions was 872/100,000 individuals. Prescription rates were highest in the Australian Capital Territory (1087/100,000) and lowest in Western Australia (625/100,000) despite HCV prevalence being comparable to the national rate in both regions. CONCLUSIONS Uptake of DAAs has been enthusiastic in the first 18 months of this funding agreement. However, the lack of transparency due to the confidential special pricing agreements means actual government expenditure is unknown. Post-marketing review by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee may enable renegotiation of DAA prices with the sponsors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara de Graaff
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
| | - Kwang Chien Yee
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Philip Clarke
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Andrew Palmer
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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92
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Høj SB, Minoyan N, Artenie AA, Grebely J, Bruneau J. The role of prevention strategies in achieving HCV elimination in Canada: what are the remaining challenges? CANADIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2018; 1:4-13. [PMID: 35990720 PMCID: PMC9202798 DOI: 10.3138/canlivj.1.2.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Background The worldwide economic, health, and social consequences of drug use disorders are devastating. Injection drug use is now a major factor contributing to hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission globally, and it is an important public health concern. Methods This article presents a narrative review of scientific evidence on public health strategies for HCV prevention among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Canada. Results A combination of public health strategies including timely HCV detection and harm reduction (mostly needle and syringe programmes and opioid substitution therapy) have helped to reduce HCV transmission among PWID. The rising prevalence of pharmaceutical opioid and methamphetamine use and associated HCV risk in several Canadian settings has prompted further innovation in harm reduction, including supervised injection facilities and low-threshold opioid substitution therapies. Further significant decreases in HCV incidence and prevalence, and in corresponding disease burden, can only be accomplished by reducing transmission among high-risk persons and enhancing access to HCV treatment for those at the greatest risk of disease progression or viral transmission. Highly effective and tolerable direct-acting antiviral therapies have transformed the landscape for HCV-infected patients and are a valuable addition to the prevention toolkit. Curing HCV-infected persons, and thus eliminating new infections, is now a real possibility. Conclusions Prevention strategies have not yet ended HCV transmission, and sharing of injecting equipment among PWID continues to challenge the World Health Organization goal of eliminating HCV as a global public health threat by 2030. Future needs for research, intervention implementation, and uptake in Canada are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Bordier Høj
- Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Nanor Minoyan
- Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Andreea Adelina Artenie
- Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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93
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Wade AJ, Doyle JS, Gane E, Stedman C, Draper B, Iser D, Roberts SK, Kemp W, Petrie D, Scott N, Higgs P, Agius PA, Roney J, Stothers L, Thompson AJ, Hellard ME. Community-based provision of direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C: study protocol and challenges of a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2018; 19:383. [PMID: 30012192 PMCID: PMC6048874 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-2768-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To achieve the World Health Organization hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination targets, it is essential to increase access to treatment. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment can be provided in primary healthcare services (PHCS), improving accessibility, and, potentially, retention in care. Here, we describe our protocol for assessing the effectiveness of providing DAAs in PHCS, and the impact on the HCV care cascade. In addition, we reflect on the challenges of conducting a model of care study during a period of unprecedented change in HCV care and treatment. METHODS Consenting patients with HCV infection attending 13 PHCS in Australia or New Zealand are randomized to receive DAA treatment at the local tertiary institution (standard care arm), or their PHCS (intervention arm). The primary endpoint is the proportion commenced on DAAs and cured. Treatment providers at the PHCS include: hepatology nurses, primary care practitioners, or, in two sites, a specialist physician. All PHCS offer opioid substitution therapy. DISCUSSION The Prime Study is the first real-world, randomized, model of care study exploring the impact of community provision of DAA therapy on HCV-treatment uptake and cure. Although the study has faced challenges unique to this period of time characterized by changing treatment and service delivery, the data gained will be of critical importance in shaping health service policy that enables the elimination of HCV. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , ID: NCT02555475 . Registered on 15 September 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. J. Wade
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - J. S. Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - E. Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - C. Stedman
- Department of Gastroenterology, Christchurch Hospital, and University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - B. Draper
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia
| | - D. Iser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - S. K. Roberts
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - W. Kemp
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - D. Petrie
- Centre for Health Economics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - N. Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia
| | - P. Higgs
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
- Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC Australia
| | - P. A. Agius
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC Australia
- Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - J. Roney
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - L. Stothers
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - A. J. Thompson
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - M. E. Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC Australia
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
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94
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Schaefer B, Viveiros A, Al-Zoairy R, Blach S, Brandon S, Razavi H, Dorn L, Finkenstedt A, Effenberger M, Graziadei I, Sarcletti M, Tilg H, Zoller H. Disease burden of hepatitis C in the Austrian state of Tyrol - Epidemiological data and model analysis to achieve elimination by 2030. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200750. [PMID: 30001427 PMCID: PMC6042769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) and 69th World Health Assembly approved the first global health sector strategy (GHSS) on viral hepatitis with the goal to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections worldwide. The aim is a 90% reduction of new infections and 65% reduction of HCV-related deaths by 2030. AIM This study reports on the epidemiology of HCV infections in the Austrian state of Tyrol (total population 750,000) and uses a predictive model to identify how the WHO strategy for elimination of HCV can be achieved. METHODS We developed a regional disease burden model based on observed local diagnosis data from 2001 to 2016. Scenarios were developed to evaluate the impact of diagnosis and treatment on HCV-related outcomes (viremic prevalence, decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related deaths) from 2015 through 2030. RESULTS In the last 15 years, 1,721 patients living in Tyrol have been diagnosed with chronic HCV infection. When ageing, mortality and treatment were factored in, there were an estimated 2,043 viremic HCV infections in 2016, of which 1,136 cases had been diagnosed. A baseline model predicts a decrease of 588 HCV cases from 2015 to 2030, which would not translate into the significant reduction of infections needed to achieve WHO global health recommendations. A total of 1,843 infected individuals need to be identified and treated to achieve the WHO goals by 2030 (1,254 averted cases as compared to baseline model). Implementation of this strategy would avoid 523 new HCV infections and decreases HCV-related mortality by 73%. CONCLUSION HCV elimination and >65% reduction of associated mortality are possible for Tyrol, but requires a significant increase in new diagnoses and treatment rate. The model presented in this study could serve as an example for other regions to reliably predict regional disease burden and estimate how WHO goals can be met in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Schaefer
- Department of Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - André Viveiros
- Department of Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ramona Al-Zoairy
- Department of Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sarah Blach
- Centre for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Samantha Brandon
- Centre for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Homie Razavi
- Centre for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Livia Dorn
- Department of Medicine II, Sozialmedizinisches Zentrum Ost Donauspital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Armin Finkenstedt
- Department of Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Effenberger
- Department of Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ivo Graziadei
- Department of Medicine, Landeskrankenhaus Hall, Hall/Tirol, Austria
| | - Mario Sarcletti
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austrian HIV Cohort Study, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Tilg
- Department of Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heinz Zoller
- Department of Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Report from the International Viral Hepatitis Elimination Meeting (IVHEM), 17–18 November 2017, Amsterdam, the Netherlands: gaps and challenges in the WHO 2030 hepatitis C elimination framework. J Virus Erad 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30264-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Hainsworth SW, Dietze PM, Wilson DP, Sutton B, Hellard ME, Scott N. Hepatitis C virus notification rates in Australia are highest in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198336. [PMID: 29912897 PMCID: PMC6005510 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poor access to health services is a significant barrier to achieving the World Health Organization’s hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination targets. We demonstrate how geospatial analysis can be performed with commonly available data to identify areas with the greatest unmet demand for HCV services. Methods We performed an Australia-wide cross-sectional analysis of 2015 HCV notification rates using local government areas (LGAs) as our unit of analysis. A zero-inflated negative binomial regression was used to determine associations between notification rates and socioeconomic/demographic factors, health service and geographic remoteness area (RA) classification variables. Additionally, component scores were extracted from a principal component analysis (PCA) of the healthcare service variables to provide rankings of relative service coverage and unmet demand across Australia. Results Among LGAs with non-zero notifications, higher rates were associated with areas that had increased socioeconomic disadvantage, more needle and syringe services (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.022; 95%CI 1.001, 1.044) and more alcohol and other drug services (IRR 1.019; 1.005, 1.034). The distribution of PCA component scores indicated that per-capita healthcare service coverage was lower in areas outside of major Australian cities. Areas outside of major cities also contained 94% of LGAs in the lowest two socioeconomic quintiles, as well as 35% of HCV notifications despite only representing 29% of the population. Conclusions As countries aim for HCV elimination, routinely collected data can be used to identify geographical areas for priority service delivery. In Australia, the unmet demand for HCV treatment services is greatest in socioeconomically disadvantaged and non-metropolitan areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W. Hainsworth
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Paul M. Dietze
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David P. Wilson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brett Sutton
- Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret E. Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Applegate TL, Fajardo E, Sacks JA. Hepatitis C Virus Diagnosis and the Holy Grail. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2018; 32:425-445. [DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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98
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Sacks-Davis R, Pedrana AE, Scott N, Doyle JS, Hellard ME. Eliminating HIV/HCV co-infection in gay and bisexual men: is it achievable through scaling up treatment? Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2018; 16:411-422. [PMID: 29722275 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2018.1471355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Broad availability of direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) raises the possibility that HCV prevalence and incidence can be reduced through scaling-up treatment, leading to the elimination of HCV. High rates of linkage to HIV care among HIV-infected gay and bisexual men may facilitate high uptake of HCV treatment, possibly making HCV elimination more achievable in this group. Areas covered: This review covers HCV elimination in HIV-infected gay and bisexual men, including epidemiology, spontaneous clearance and long term sequelae in the absence of direct-acting antiviral therapy; direct-acting antiviral therapy uptake and effectiveness in this group; HCV reinfection following successful treatment; and areas for further research. Expert commentary: Early data from the direct-acting antiviral era suggest that treatment uptake is increasing among HIV infected GBM, and SVR rates are very promising. However, in order to sustain current treatment rates, additional interventions at the behavioral, physician, and structural levels may be required to increase HCV diagnosis, including prompt detection of HCV reinfection. Timely consideration of these issues is required to maximize the population-level impact of HCV direct-acting antiviral therapy. Potential HCV transmissions from HIV-uninfected GBM, across international borders, and from those who are not GBM also warrant consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Sacks-Davis
- a Disease Elimination Program , Burnet Institute , Melbourne , Australia.,b Department of Medicine , University of Melbourne , Parkville , Australia
| | - Alisa E Pedrana
- a Disease Elimination Program , Burnet Institute , Melbourne , Australia.,c Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine , Monash University , Melbourne , Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- a Disease Elimination Program , Burnet Institute , Melbourne , Australia.,c Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine , Monash University , Melbourne , Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- a Disease Elimination Program , Burnet Institute , Melbourne , Australia.,d Central Clinical School , Monash University , Melbourne , Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- a Disease Elimination Program , Burnet Institute , Melbourne , Australia.,c Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine , Monash University , Melbourne , Australia
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Scott N, Ólafsson S, Gottfreðsson M, Tyrfingsson T, Rúnarsdóttir V, Hansdottir I, Hernandez UB, Sigmundsdóttir G, Hellard M. Modelling the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat in Iceland: A goal attainable by 2020. J Hepatol 2018; 68:932-939. [PMID: 29274408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In Iceland a nationwide program has been launched offering direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for everyone living with hepatitis C virus (HCV). We estimate (i) the time and treatment scale-up required to achieve the World Health Organization's HCV elimination target of an 80% reduction in incidence; and (ii) the ongoing frequency of HCV testing and harm reduction coverage among people who inject drugs (PWID) required to minimize the likelihood of future HCV outbreaks occurring. METHODS We used a dynamic compartmental model of HCV transmission, liver disease progression and the HCV cascade of care, calibrated to reproduce the epidemic of HCV in Iceland. The model was stratified according to injecting drug use status, age and stage of engagement. Four scenarios were considered for the projections. RESULTS The model estimated that an 80% reduction in domestic HCV incidence was achievable by 2030, 2025 or 2020 if a minimum of 55/1,000, 75/1,000 and 188/1,000 PWID were treated per year, respectively (a total of 22, 30 and 75 of the estimated 400 PWID in Iceland per year, respectively). Regardless of time frame, this required an increased number of PWID to be diagnosed to generate enough treatment demand, or a 20% scale-up of harm reduction services to complement treatment-as-prevention incidence reductions. When DAA scale-up was combined with annual antibody testing of PWID, the incidence reduction target was reached by 2024. Treatment scale-up with no other changes to current testing and harm reduction services reduced the basic reproduction number of HCV from 1.08 to 0.59, indicating that future outbreaks would be unlikely. CONCLUSION HCV elimination in Iceland is achievable by 2020 with some additional screening of PWID. Maintaining current monitoring and harm reduction services while providing ongoing access to DAA therapy for people diagnosed with HCV would ensure that outbreaks are unlikely to occur once elimination targets have been reached. LAY SUMMARY In Iceland, a nationwide program has been launched offering treatment for the entire population living with hepatitis C virus (HCV). A mathematical model was used to estimate the additional health system requirements to achieve the HCV elimination targets of the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the year that this could occur. With some additional screening of people who inject drugs, Iceland could reach the WHO targets by 2020, becoming one of the first countries to achieve HCV elimination. The model estimated that once elimination targets were reached, maintaining current monitoring and harm reduction services while providing ongoing access to DAA therapy for people diagnosed with HCV would ensure that future HCV outbreaks are unlikely to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3008, Australia.
| | - Sigurður Ólafsson
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland; Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Magnús Gottfreðsson
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Department of Infectious Diseases, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland; Department of Science, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | - Ingunn Hansdottir
- Vogur Hospital, SAA - National Center of Addiction Medicine, Reykjavik, Iceland; Faculty of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3008, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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Scott N, Hainsworth SW, Sacks-Davis R, Pedrana A, Doyle J, Wade A, Hellard M. Heterogeneity in hepatitis C treatment prescribing and uptake in Australia: a geospatial analysis of a year of unrestricted treatment access. J Virus Erad 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30253-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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