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Liu Y, Zhang H, Zhang L, Zou X, Ling L. Economic Evaluation of Hepatitis C Treatment Extension to Acute Infection and Early-Stage Fibrosis Among Patients Who Inject Drugs in Developing Countries: A Case of China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17030800. [PMID: 32012839 PMCID: PMC7037788 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17030800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of (1) treating acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) vs. deferring treatment until the chronic phase and (2) treating all chronic patients vs. only those with advanced fibrosis; among Chinese genotype 1b treatment-naïve patients who injected drugs (PWID), using a combination Daclatasvir (DCV) plus Asunaprevir (ASV) regimen and a Peg-interferon (PegIFN)-based regimen, respectively. A decision-analytical model including the risk of HCV reinfection simulated lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of three treatment timings, under the DCV+ASV and PegIFN regimen, respectively: Treating acute infection (“Treat at acute”), treating chronic patients of all fibrosis stages (“Treat at F0 (no fibrosis)”), treating only advanced-stage fibrosis patients (“Treat at F3 (numerous septa without cirrhosis)”). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were used to compare scenarios. “Treat at acute” compared with “Treat at F0” was cost-saving (cost: DCV+ASV regimen—US$14,486.975 vs. US$16,224.250; PegIFN-based regimen—US$19,734.794 vs. US$22,101.584) and more effective (QALY: DCV+ASV regimen—14.573 vs. 14.566; PegIFN-based regimen—14.148 vs. 14.116). Compared with “Treat at F3”; “Treat at F0” exhibited an ICER of US$3780.20/QALY and US$15,145.98/QALY under the DCV+ASV regimen and PegIFN-based regimen; respectively. Treatment of acute HCV infection was highly cost-effective and cost-saving compared with deferring treatment to the chronic stage; for both DCV+ASV and PegIFN-based regimens. Early treatment for chronic patients with DCV+ASV regimen was highly cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Liu
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.)
- Sun Yat-sen Center for Migrant Health Policy, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China;
| | - Lei Zhang
- China-Australia Joint Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710000, China;
- Melbourne Sexual Health Center, Alfred Health, Melbourne VIC 3053, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xia Zou
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.)
- Sun Yat-sen Center for Migrant Health Policy, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Li Ling
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (Y.L.); (X.Z.)
- Sun Yat-sen Center for Migrant Health Policy, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-020-873-3319
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Zomahoun HTV, Ben Charif A, Freitas A, Garvelink MM, Menear M, Dugas M, Adekpedjou R, Légaré F. The pitfalls of scaling up evidence-based interventions in health. Glob Health Action 2020; 12:1670449. [PMID: 31575331 PMCID: PMC6781190 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2019.1670449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Policy-makers worldwide are increasingly interested in scaling up evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to larger populations, and implementation scientists are developing frameworks and methodologies for achieving this. But scaling-up does not always produce the desired results. Why not? We aimed to enhance awareness of the various pitfalls to be anticipated when planning scale-up. In lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the scale-up of health programs to prevent or respond to outbreaks of communicable diseases has been occurring for many decades. In high-income countries, there is new interest in the scaling up of interventions that address communicable and non-communicable diseases alike. We scanned the literature worldwide on problems encountered when implementing scale-up plans revealed a number of potential pitfalls that we discuss in this paper. We identified and discussed the following six major pitfalls of scaling-up EBIs: 1) the cost-effectiveness estimation pitfall, i.e. accurate cost-effectiveness estimates about real-world implementation are almost impossible, making predictions of economies of scale unreliable; 2) the health inequities pitfall, i.e. some people will necessarily be left out and therefore not benefit from the scaled-up EBIs; 3) the scaled-up harm pitfall, i.e. the harms as well as the benefits may be amplified by the scaling-up; 4) the ethical pitfall, i.e. informed consent may be a challenge on a grander scale; 5) the top-down pitfall, i.e. the needs, preferences and culture of end-users may be forgotten when scale-up is directed from above; and 6) the contextual pitfall, i.e. it may not be possible to adapt the EBIs to every context. If its pitfalls are addressed head on, scaling-up may be a powerful process for translating research data into practical improvements in healthcare in both LMICs and high-income countries, ensuring that more people benefit from EBIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Tchala Vignon Zomahoun
- Health and Social Services Systems, Knowledge Translation and Implementation component of the Quebec SPOR-SUPPORT Unit, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne - Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL), Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada
| | - Ali Ben Charif
- Health and Social Services Systems, Knowledge Translation and Implementation component of the Quebec SPOR-SUPPORT Unit, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne - Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL), Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Shared Decision Making and Knowledge Translation, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada
| | - Adriana Freitas
- Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne - Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL), Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Shared Decision Making and Knowledge Translation, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada
| | - Mirjam Marjolein Garvelink
- Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne - Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL), Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada
| | - Matthew Menear
- Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne - Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL), Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Shared Decision Making and Knowledge Translation, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada
| | - Michèle Dugas
- Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne - Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL), Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada
| | - Rhéda Adekpedjou
- Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne - Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL), Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Shared Decision Making and Knowledge Translation, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada
| | - France Légaré
- Health and Social Services Systems, Knowledge Translation and Implementation component of the Quebec SPOR-SUPPORT Unit, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne - Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL), Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Shared Decision Making and Knowledge Translation, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval , Quebec , QC , Canada.,Population Health and Practice-Changing Research Group, CHU de Québec Research Centre , Quebec , QC , Canada
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Erman A, Wong WWL, Feld JJ, Grootendorst P, Krahn MD. The health impact of delaying direct-acting antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C: A decision-analytic approach. Liver Int 2020; 40:51-59. [PMID: 31509639 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are highly effective, but expensive treatments for chronic hepatitis C (CHC). To manage costs, drug plans worldwide have rationed access to DAAs in a variety of ways. This study quantifies the health impact of formulary restrictions and presents a clinical decision tool for informing treatment timing decisions. METHODS A decision-analytic model was developed to quantify the health impact of delaying DAAs for subpopulations stratified by age, fibrosis level, viral genotype, and injection drug use over their lifetime. The health impact was quantified in terms of quality-adjusted life expectancy (quality-adjusted life years, or QALYs) and life expectancy (years). RESULTS Deferring DAAs for patients with no or mild fibrosis (F0/F1) for 1-5 years is unlikely to result in life expectancy losses and leads only to marginal losses of 0.02-0.06 QALYs per year of delay. However, for 30-50-year-olds with advanced fibrosis (≥F3) delays as short as a year results in a considerable health loss (0.25-1.04 QALYs and 0.19-1.53 years). Reimbursement limits for those with substance use are associated with large health losses. People who actively inject drugs with advanced fibrosis (≥F3) may lose 0.18-1.05 QALYs and 0.13-1.16 years per year of delay, despite the risk of reinfection and competing mortality. Results are robust to parameter uncertainty and key assumptions. CONCLUSIONS We present a clinical decision tool for informing treatment timing for various CHC subpopulations. In general, findings suggest that patients with at least moderate fibrosis should be treated promptly regardless of active drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysegul Erman
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment Collaborative (THETA), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - William W L Wong
- Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment Collaborative (THETA), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, ON, Canada
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Grootendorst
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Murray D Krahn
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment Collaborative (THETA), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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54
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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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Palmer AY, Wade AJ, Draper B, Howell J, Doyle JS, Petrie D, Thompson AJ, Wilson DP, Hellard ME, Scott N. A cost-effectiveness analysis of primary versus hospital-based specialist care for direct acting antiviral hepatitis C treatment. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 76:102633. [PMID: 31869656 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.102633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus elimination may be possible by scaling up direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. Due to the safety and simplicity of DAA treatment, primary care-based treatment delivery is now feasible, efficacious and may be cheaper than hospital-based specialist care. In this paper, we use Prime Study data - a randomised controlled trial comparing the uptake of DAA treatment between primary and hospital-based care settings amongst people who inject drugs (PWID) - to estimate the cost of initiating treatment for PWID diagnosed with hepatitis C in primary care compared to hospital-based care. METHODS The total economic costs associated with delivering DAA treatment (post hepatitis C diagnosis) within the Prime study - including health provider time/training, medical tests, equipment, logistics and pharmacy costs - were collected. Appointment data were used to estimate the number/type of appointments required to initiate treatment in each case, or the stage at which loss to follow up occurred. RESULTS Among the hepatitis C patients randomised to be treated within primary care, 43/57 (75%) commenced treatment at a mean cost of A$885 (95% CI: A$850-938) per patient initiating treatment. In hospital-based care, 18/53 hepatitis C patients (34%) commenced treatment at a mean cost of A$2078 (range: A$2052-2394) per patient initiating treatment - more than twice as high as primary care. The lower cost in the primary care arm was predominantly the result of increased retention in care compared to the hospital-based arm. CONCLUSIONS Compared to hospital-based care, providing hepatitis C services for PWID in primary care can improve treatment uptake and approximately halve the average cost of treatment initiation. To improve treatment uptake and cure, countries should consider primary care as the main model for hepatitis C treatment scale-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Y Palmer
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
| | - Amanda J Wade
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bridget Draper
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dennis Petrie
- Centre for Health Economics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - David P Wilson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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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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Ingiliz P, Tacke F. How effective and how durable is DAA-therapy in HCV-infected drug users? Liver Int 2019; 39:2238-2239. [PMID: 31777171 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Ingiliz
- Center for Infectiology, Berlin, Germany.,Department for Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department for Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
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Latham NH, Doyle JS, Palmer AY, Vanhommerig JW, Agius P, Goutzamanis S, Li Z, Pedrana A, Gottfredsson M, Bouscaillou J, Luhmann N, Mazhnaya A, Altice FL, Saeed S, Klein M, Falade-Nwulia OO, Aspinall E, Hutchinson S, Hellard ME, Sacks-Davis R. Staying hepatitis C negative: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cure and reinfection in people who inject drugs. Liver Int 2019; 39:2244-2260. [PMID: 31125496 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are highly effective in treating hepatitis C. However, there is concern that cure rates may be lower, and reinfection rates higher, among people who inject drugs. We conducted a systematic review of treatment outcomes achieved with DAAs in people who inject drugs (PWID). METHODS A search strategy was used to identify studies that reported sustained viral response (SVR), treatment discontinuation, adherence or reinfection in recent PWID and/or opioid substitution therapy (OST) recipients. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis of proportions was used to estimate pooled SVR and treatment discontinuation rates. The pooled relative risk of achieving SVR and pooled reinfection rate were calculated using generalized mixed effects linear models. RESULTS The search identified 8075 references; 26 were eligible for inclusion. The pooled SVR for recent PWID was 88% (95% CI, 83%-92%) and 91% (95% CI 88%-95%) for OST recipients. The relative risk of achieving SVR for recent PWID compared to non-recent PWID was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.94-1.06). The pooled treatment discontinuation was 2% (95% CI, 1%-4%) for both recent PWID and OST recipients. Amongst recent PWID, the pooled incidence of reinfection was 1.94 per 100 person years (95% CI, 0.87-4.32). In OST recipients, the incidence of reinfection was 0.55 per 100 person years (95% CI, 0.17-1.76). CONCLUSIONS Treatment outcomes were similar in recent PWID compared to non-PWID treated with DAAs. People who report recent injecting or OST recipients should not be excluded from hepatitis C treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ned H Latham
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anna Y Palmer
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Paul Agius
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stelliana Goutzamanis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zinia Li
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Magnus Gottfredsson
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Department of Science, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | - Alyona Mazhnaya
- The International Charitable Foundation Alliance for Public Health, Kyiv, Ukraine.,Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven.,Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven
| | - Sahar Saeed
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Marina Klein
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Esther Aspinall
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Health Protection Scotland, National Services Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Health Protection Scotland, National Services Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rachel Sacks-Davis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Australia
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Barbosa C, Fraser H, Hoerger TJ, Leib A, Havens JR, Young A, Kral A, Page K, Evans J, Zibbell J, Hariri S, Vellozzi C, Nerlander L, Ward JW, Vickerman P. Cost-effectiveness of scaling-up HCV prevention and treatment in the United States for people who inject drugs. Addiction 2019; 114:2267-2278. [PMID: 31307116 PMCID: PMC7751348 DOI: 10.1111/add.14731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To examine the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment of people who inject drugs (PWID), combined with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and syringe-service programs (SSP), to tackle the increasing HCV epidemic in the United States. DESIGN HCV transmission and disease progression models with cost-effectiveness analysis using a health-care perspective. SETTING Rural Perry County, KY (PC) and urban San Francisco, CA (SF), USA. Compared with PC, SF has a greater proportion of PWID with access to MAT or SSP. HCV treatment of PWID is negligible in both settings. PARTICIPANTS PWID data were collected between 1998 and 2015 from Social Networks Among Appalachian People, U Find Out, Urban Health Study and National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System studies. INTERVENTIONS AND COMPARATOR Three intervention scenarios modeled: baseline-existing SSP and MAT coverage with HCV screening and treatment with direct-acting antiviral for ex-injectors only as per standard of care; intervention 1-scale-up of SSP and MAT without changes to treatment; and intervention 2-scale-up as intervention 1 combined with HCV screening and treatment for current PWID. MEASUREMENTS Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and uncertainty using cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Benefits were measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). FINDINGS For both settings, intervention 2 is preferred to intervention 1 and the appropriate comparator for intervention 2 is the baseline scenario. Relative to baseline, for PC intervention 2 averts 1852 more HCV infections, increases QALYS by 3095, costs $21.6 million more and has an ICER of $6975/QALY. For SF, intervention 2 averts 36 473 more HCV infections, increases QALYs by 7893, costs $872 million more and has an ICER of $11 044/QALY. The cost-effectiveness of intervention 2 was robust to several sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis C screening and treatment for people who inject drugs, combined with medication-assisted treatment and syringe-service programs, is a cost-effective strategy for reducing hepatitis C burden in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alyssa Leib
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Denver, USA
| | | | - April Young
- University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Alex Kral
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Kimberly Page
- University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Jon Zibbell
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Susan Hariri
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Lina Nerlander
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - John W. Ward
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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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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Stoové M, Wallace J, Higgs P, Pedrana A, Goutzamanis S, Latham N, Scott N, Treloar C, Crawford S, Doyle J, Hellard M. Treading lightly: Finding the best way to use public health surveillance of hepatitis C diagnoses to increase access to cure. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 75:102596. [PMID: 31743860 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3008, Australia; School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia.
| | - Jack Wallace
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Peter Higgs
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3008, Australia
| | - Stelliana Goutzamanis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3008, Australia
| | - Ned Latham
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3008, Australia
| | - Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3008, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington NSW 2052, Australia; Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Sione Crawford
- Harm Reduction Victoria, North Melbourne, VIC 3051, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3008, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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62
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Spearman CW, Dusheiko GM, Hellard M, Sonderup M. Hepatitis C. Lancet 2019; 394:1451-1466. [PMID: 31631857 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)32320-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C is a global health problem, and an estimated 71·1 million individuals are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The global incidence of HCV was 23·7 cases per 100 000 population (95% uncertainty interval 21·3-28·7) in 2015, with an estimated 1·75 million new HCV infections diagnosed in 2015. Globally, the most common infections are with HCV genotypes 1 (44% of cases), 3 (25% of cases), and 4 (15% of cases). HCV transmission is most commonly associated with direct percutaneous exposure to blood, via blood transfusions, health-care-related injections, and injecting drug use. Key high-risk populations include people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, and prisoners. Approximately 10-20% of individuals who are chronically infected with HCV develop complications, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma over a period of 20-30 years. Direct-acting antiviral therapy is now curative, but it is estimated that only 20% of individuals with hepatitis C know their diagnosis, and only 15% of those with known hepatitis C have been treated. Increased diagnosis and linkage to care through universal access to affordable point-of-care diagnostics and pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral therapy is essential to achieve the WHO 2030 elimination targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Wendy Spearman
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Geoffrey M Dusheiko
- Liver Unit, Kings College Hospital, London, UK; Division of Medicine, University College London Medical School, London, UK
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark Sonderup
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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63
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Integrated Care for the Use of Direct-acting Antivirals in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C and Substance Use Disorder. J Addict Med 2019; 12:346-352. [PMID: 29702515 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Since little is currently known about predictors of response to direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) in people who inject drugs, we undertook an analysis of patients attending a hepatitis clinic with addiction services (outpatient clinics and inpatient services) to examine the outcomes associated with the treatment of difficult-to-manage patients with substance use. Our experience was based on integrated care. METHOD A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 50 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and a history of addiction who received treatment with DAAs, according to European guidelines. These regimens were sofosbuvir/ledipasvir for 8 weeks (n = 3), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir ± ribavirin for 12 weeks (n = 19), sofosbuvir/daclatasvir for 12 weeks (n = 20), sofosbuvir/simeprevir (n = 1), or sofosbuvir/daclatasvir for 24 weeks (n = 7). Characteristics of patients who did versus did not achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR) 12 weeks after treatment were compared by univariate analysis. RESULTS Forty-two patients (84%) were male; mean age was 46.2 ± 7.3 years. Genotypes were 1 (n = 21), 2 (n = 4), 3 (n = 18), 4 (n = 6), or 6 (n = 1). Most patients were treatment-naïve (n = 38). Five patients had coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (n = 4) or hepatitis B (n = 1), 28 (56%) had evidence of cirrhosis on FibroScan (>12.5 kPa), and 34 (68%) were receiving opioid substitution therapy. Psychiatric disease, illicit drug use, unemployment, and homelessness/precarious housing were common. Forty-five patients (90%) achieved SVR, 2 were lost to follow-up, and 3 had treatment relapse. CONCLUSIONS SVR was not significantly associated with sociodemographic or virological characteristics, treatment, social environment, alcohol/drug use, and adherence. Although adherence was slightly worse than in "usual" patients, it did not affect the SVR rate. In these difficult-to-manage patients with HCV and substance use disorder, the real-world SVR rate (90%) was similar to that in nonaddicted populations.
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Schröeder SE, Pedrana A, Scott N, Wilson D, Kuschel C, Aufegger L, Atun R, Baptista‐Leite R, Butsashvili M, El‐Sayed M, Getahun A, Hamid S, Hammad R, ‘t Hoen E, Hutchinson SJ, Lazarus JV, Lesi O, Li W, Binti Mohamed R, Olafsson S, Peck R, Sohn AH, Sonderup M, Spearman CW, Swan T, Thursz M, Walker T, Hellard M, Howell J. Innovative strategies for the elimination of viral hepatitis at a national level: A country case series. Liver Int 2019; 39:1818-1836. [PMID: 31433902 PMCID: PMC6790606 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Viral hepatitis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but has long been neglected by national and international policymakers. Recent modelling studies suggest that investing in the global elimination of viral hepatitis is feasible and cost-effective. In 2016, all 194 member states of the World Health Organization endorsed the goal to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, but complex systemic and social realities hamper implementation efforts. This paper presents eight case studies from a diverse range of countries that have invested in responses to viral hepatitis and adopted innovative approaches to tackle their respective epidemics. Based on an investment framework developed to build a global investment case for the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, national activities and key enablers are highlighted that showcase the feasibility and impact of concerted hepatitis responses across a range of settings, with different levels of available resources and infrastructural development. These case studies demonstrate the utility of taking a multipronged, public health approach to: (a) evidence-gathering and planning; (b) implementation; and (c) integration of viral hepatitis services into the Agenda for Sustainable Development. They provide models for planning, investment and implementation strategies for other countries facing similar challenges and resource constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia E. Schröeder
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVICAustralia
- School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVICAustralia
- School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVICAustralia
| | | | - David Wilson
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVICAustralia
- School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVICAustralia
| | | | - Lisa Aufegger
- Centre for Health PolicyImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Rifat Atun
- Harvard T H Chan School of Public HealthHarvard UniversityBostonMAUSA
| | - Ricardo Baptista‐Leite
- Universidade Catolica PortuguesaLisbonPortugal
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life SciencesMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | | | - Manal El‐Sayed
- Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Research CenterAin Shams UniversityCairoEgypt
| | - Aneley Getahun
- School of Public Health and Primary CareFiji National UniversitySuvaFiji
| | | | | | - Ellen ‘t Hoen
- Global Health UnitUniversity Medical CentreGroningenthe Netherlands
- Medicines Law & PolicyAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Sharon J. Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life SciencesGlasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgowUK
- Health Protection ScotlandMeridian CourtGlasgowUK
| | - Jeffrey V. Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)Hospital ClinicUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | | | | | | | - Sigurdur Olafsson
- Gastroenterology and HepatologyLandspitali University HospitalReykjavikIceland
| | | | | | - Mark Sonderup
- Division of HepatologyDepartment of MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Catherine W. Spearman
- Division of HepatologyDepartment of MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | | | - Mark Thursz
- Department of HepatologyImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Tim Walker
- Department of Gastroenterology and General MedicineCalvary MaterNewcastleNSWAustralia
- School of Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of NewcastleNewcastleNSWAustralia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVICAustralia
- School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVICAustralia
- Hepatitis ServicesDepartment of Infectious DiseasesThe Alfred HospitalMelbourneVICAustralia
- Doherty Institute and Melbourne School of Population and Global HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Burnet InstituteMelbourneVICAustralia
- Department of GastroenterologySt Vincent's HospitalMelbourneVICAustralia
- Department of MedicineUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVICAustralia
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65
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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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66
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Fraser H, Vellozzi C, Hoerger TJ, Evans JL, Kral AH, Havens J, Young AM, Stone J, Handanagic S, Hariri S, Barbosa C, Hickman M, Leib A, Martin NK, Nerlander L, Raymond HF, Page K, Zibbell J, Ward JW, Vickerman P. Scaling Up Hepatitis C Prevention and Treatment Interventions for Achieving Elimination in the United States: A Rural and Urban Comparison. Am J Epidemiol 2019; 188:1539-1551. [PMID: 31150044 PMCID: PMC7415256 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwz097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the United States, hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission is rising among people who inject drugs (PWID). Many regions have insufficient prevention intervention coverage. Using modeling, we investigated the impact of scaling up prevention and treatment interventions on HCV transmission among PWID in Perry County, Kentucky, and San Francisco, California, where HCV seroprevalence among PWID is >50%. A greater proportion of PWID access medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or syringe service programs (SSP) in urban San Francisco (established community) than in rural Perry County (young, expanding community). We modeled the proportion of HCV-infected PWID needing HCV treatment annually to reduce HCV incidence by 90% by 2030, with and without MAT scale-up (50% coverage, both settings) and SSP scale-up (Perry County only) from 2017. With current MAT and SSP coverage during 2017-2030, HCV incidence would increase in Perry County (from 21.3 to 22.6 per 100 person-years) and decrease in San Francisco (from 12.9 to 11.9 per 100 person-years). With concurrent MAT and SSP scale-up, 5% per year of HCV-infected PWID would need HCV treatment in Perry County to achieve incidence targets-13% per year without MAT and SSP scale-up. In San Francisco, a similar proportion would need HCV treatment (10% per year) irrespective of MAT scale-up. Reaching the same impact by 2025 would require increases in treatment rates of 45%-82%. Achievable provision of HCV treatment, alongside MAT and SSP scale-up (Perry County) and MAT scale-up (San Francisco), could reduce HCV incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Fraser
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Vellozzi
- Division of Medical Affairs, Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Thomas J Hoerger
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer L Evans
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Alex H Kral
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer Havens
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - April M Young
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Jack Stone
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Senad Handanagic
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Susan Hariri
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Carolina Barbosa
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Alyssa Leib
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Lina Nerlander
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Henry F Raymond
- Center for Public Health Research, Population Health Division, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, California
| | - Kimberly Page
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Jon Zibbell
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - John W Ward
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
- Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, Georgia
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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67
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Tordrup D, Hutin Y, Stenberg K, Lauer JA, Hutton DW, Toy M, Scott N, Bulterys M, Ball A, Hirnschall G. Additional resource needs for viral hepatitis elimination through universal health coverage: projections in 67 low-income and middle-income countries, 2016-30. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2019; 7:e1180-e1188. [PMID: 31353061 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30272-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Assembly calls for elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 (ie, -90% incidence and -65% mortality). However, WHO's 2017 cost projections to achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals did not include the resources needed for hepatitis testing and treatment. We aimed to estimate the incremental commodity cost of adding scaled up interventions for testing and treatment of hepatitis to WHO's investment scenarios. METHODS We added modelled costs for implementing WHO recommended hepatitis testing and treatment to the 2017 WHO cost projections. We quantified additional requirements for diagnostic tests, medicines, health workers' time, and programme support across 67 low-income and middle-income countries, from 2016-30. A progress scenario scaled up interventions and a more ambitious scenario was modelled to reach elimination by 2030. We used 2018 best available prices of diagnostics and generic medicines. We estimated total costs and the additional investment needed over the projection of the 2016 baseline cost. FINDINGS The 67 countries considered included 230 million people living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 52 million people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV; 90% and 73% of the world's total, respectively). Under the progress scenario, 3250 million people (2400 million for HBV and 850 million for HCV) would be tested and 58·2 million people (24·1 million for HBV and 34·1 million for HCV) would be treated (total additional cost US$ 27·1 billion). Under the ambitious scenario, 11 631 million people (5502 million for HBV and 6129 million for HCV) would be tested and 93·8 million people (32·2 million for HBV and 61·6 million for HCV) would be treated (total additional cost $58·7 billion), averting 4·5 million premature deaths and leading to a gain of 51·5 million healthy life-years by 2030. However, if affordable HCV medicines remained inaccessible in 13 countries where medicine patents are protected, the additional cost of the ambitious scenario would increase to $118 billion. Hepatitis elimination would account for a 1·5% increase to the WHO ambitious health-care strengthening scenario costs, avert an additional 4·6% premature deaths, and add an additional 9·6% healthy life-years from 2016-30. INTERPRETATION Access to affordable medicines in all countries will be key to reach hepatitis elimination. This study suggests that elimination is feasible in the context of universal health coverage. It points to commodities as key determinants for the overall price tag and to options for cost reduction strategies. FUNDING WHO, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Unitaid.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Tordrup
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Department of HIV and Global Hepatitis Programme, and Department of Health Systems Governance and Financing, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yvan Hutin
- Department of HIV and Global Hepatitis Programme, and Department of Health Systems Governance and Financing, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Karin Stenberg
- Department of HIV and Global Hepatitis Programme, and Department of Health Systems Governance and Financing, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy A Lauer
- Department of HIV and Global Hepatitis Programme, and Department of Health Systems Governance and Financing, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David W Hutton
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mehlika Toy
- School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Nick Scott
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marc Bulterys
- Department of HIV and Global Hepatitis Programme, and Department of Health Systems Governance and Financing, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Ball
- Department of HIV and Global Hepatitis Programme, and Department of Health Systems Governance and Financing, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gottfried Hirnschall
- Department of HIV and Global Hepatitis Programme, and Department of Health Systems Governance and Financing, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
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68
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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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69
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Latham NH, Pedrana A, Doyle JS, Howell J, Williams B, Higgs P, Thompson AJ, Hellard ME. Community-based, point-of-care hepatitis C testing: perspectives and preferences of people who inject drugs. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:919-922. [PMID: 30801881 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13087] [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: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A barrier to hepatitis C treatment for people who inject drugs (PWID) is needing to attend multiple appointments for diagnosis. Point-of-care hepatitis C tests provide results within 20 to 105 minutes and can be offered opportunistically in nonclinical settings such as needle syringe programmes. In this nested qualitative study, we explored the acceptability of point-of-care testing for PWID. PWID attending participating needle syringe programmes were screened using the OraQuick HCV antibody mouth swab (result in 20 minutes); those with a reactive result then underwent venepuncture for a point-of-care RNA test: the Xpert HCV Viral Load (result in 105 minutes). Convenience sampling was used to select participants for a semi-structured interview. A hybrid thematic analysis was performed, guided by Sekhon's "Theoretical Framework of Acceptability." Nineteen participants were interviewed. Three core themes emerged: "people and place," "method of specimen collection," and "rapidity of result return." It was highly acceptable to be offered testing at the needle syringeprogrammes by nurses and community health workers, who were described as competent and nonjudgemental. Most participants reported that even if a finger-stick point-of-care RNA test were an option in the future, they would prefer venepuncture, as the sample could be used for pre-treatment workup and bundled testing. Waiting 20 minutes to receive the antibody test result was acceptable, whereas the 105 minutes required for the RNA result was unacceptable. Offering point-of-care hepatitis C testing at needle syringe programmes is acceptable to PWID, however tests that avoid venepuncture are not necessarily the most attractive to PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ned H Latham
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Peter Higgs
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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70
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Brown G, Perry GE, Byrne J, Crawford S, Henderson C, Madden A, Lobo R, Reeders D. Characterising the policy influence of peer-based drug user organisations in the context of hepatitis C elimination. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 72:24-32. [PMID: 31176595 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achieving hepatitis C (HCV) elimination goals will require major policy and health service reorientation to scale up testing and treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID). To achieve this, a close partnership with peer-based drug user organisations is required. However, peer organisations have historical and ongoing difficulties in articulating the validity of their service delivery and policy advice, leading to some policy and health services resisting partnership and advice from peer-based drug user organisations. METHODS To develop a deeper understanding of the role of peer-based drug user organisations in the HCV response, we analysed data from the W3 Project which used systems thinking methods to draw together the insights of over 90 peer staff from 10 Australian community and peer organisations in HCV and HIV. The resulting system maps were analysed to identify system dynamics and functions that need to be fulfilled for peer organisations to be influential within their community and policy system. RESULTS We identified the interactions at a system level which can enhance or constrain the quality and influence of policy advice from peer-based drug user organisations. We found the strength of Peer-based drug user organisations to support the scale up of HCV testing and treatment was their capacity to mediate between, and navigate within, the complex community and policy/health service systems. While peer-based drug user organisations endeavour to demonstrate their capacity and credibility in terms of engagement, alignment, adaptation and influence, policy and service organisations also need recognise their own system role to value and enable peer-based drug user organisations to achieve their potential. CONCLUSION If the HCV prevention and treatment system is to reach PWID living with HCV and achieve HCV elimination goals, then policy and health services need to invest in strengthening peer-based drug user organisations as well as recognise, value and act on quality policy advice from PWID peer leadership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Brown
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; STI and BBV Applied Research and Evaluation Network, School of Public Health, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845, Australia.
| | - Gari-Emma Perry
- Peer-based Harm Reduction WA, PO Box 8003, Perth WA 6849, Australia.
| | - Jude Byrne
- Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League, GPO Box 1555, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia.
| | - Sione Crawford
- Harm Reduction Victoria, PO Box 12720 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Charles Henderson
- New South Wales Users and AIDS Association, PO Box 350, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012, Australia.
| | - Annie Madden
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Roanna Lobo
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Daniel Reeders
- School of Regulation and Global Governance, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia.
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71
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A proof-of-concept study in HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells for shortening the duration of DAA-based triple treatment regimens. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 116:108976. [PMID: 31103827 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With the development of more effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), dual- or triple-therapy regimens represent the major strategy used to cure chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thus, shorter treatment duration regimens with low burden, few adverse effects and good patient adherence are urgently needed. This study theoretically demonstrates a proof-of-concept approach for shortening therapy duration by examining HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells after treatment with a high or low fixed dose of three DAAs (simeprevir + daclatasvir + sofosbuvir) for 6-15 days. The results demonstrated that HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells achieved an ultrarapid virologic response with undetectable HCV RNA and protein and were cured after treatment with the triple-therapy regimen for 15 days. When the treatment duration was shortened, virologic relapse might occur after treatment with a low fixed dose of the three DAAs for 9 days and did occur after treatment with a low fixed dose for 6 days, although HCV was below detectable levels at the end of treatment. However, virologic relapse could be avoided with treatment of a high fixed dose of the three DAAs for 9 or 6 days. Although a virologic breakthrough occurred after an intermittent treatment regimen at the low fixed dose, the high fixed dose cured HCV-positive Huh7.5 cells with intermittent treatment. In conclusion, HCV is persistently present below detectable levels in HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells for a long time after treatment, and a shortened therapy duration is associated with an increased risk of virologic relapse, but virologic relapse or breakthrough might be avoided by treatment with a combination of more highly effective DAAs.
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72
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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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73
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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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74
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Papaluca T, McDonald L, Craigie A, Gibson A, Desmond P, Wong D, Winter R, Scott N, Howell J, Doyle J, Pedrana A, Lloyd A, Stoove M, Hellard M, Iser D, Thompson A. Outcomes of treatment for hepatitis C in prisoners using a nurse-led, statewide model of care. J Hepatol 2019; 70:839-846. [PMID: 30654067 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Treatment programs for people who inject drugs (PWID), including prisoners, are important for achieving hepatitis C elimination targets. There are multiple barriers to treatment of hepatitis C in prisons, including access to specialist physicians, testing and antiviral therapy, short prison sentences, and frequent inter-prison transfer. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a nurse-led model of care for the treatment of prisoners with hepatitis C. METHODS A statewide program for assessment and management of hepatitis C was developed in Victoria, Australia to improve access to care for prisoners. This nurse-led model of care is supported by telemedicine to provide decentralized care within all prisons in the state. We prospectively evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of this nurse-led model of care for hepatitis C within the 14 adult prisons over a 13-month period. The primary endpoint was sustained virological response at post-treatment week 12 (SVR12) using per protocol analysis. RESULTS There were 416 prisoners included in the analysis. The median age was 41 years, 90% were male, 50% had genotype 3 and 44% genotype 1 hepatitis C and 21% had cirrhosis. Injecting drug use was reported by 68% in the month prior to prison entry, 54% were receiving opioid substitution therapy, and 86% reported never previously engaging with specialist HCV care. Treatment duration was 8 weeks in 24%, 12 weeks in 59%, and 24 weeks in 17% of treatment courses. The SVR12 rate was 96% (301/313) per protocol. Inter-prison transfer occurred during 26% of treatment courses but was not associated with lower SVR12 rates. No treatment-related serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION Hepatitis C treatment using a decentralized, nurse-led model of care is highly effective and can reach large numbers of prisoners. Large scale prison treatment programs should be considered to support hepatitis C elimination efforts. LAY SUMMARY There is a high burden of hepatitis C infection among prisoners worldwide. Prisoners who continue to inject drugs are also at risk of developing new infections. For this reason, the prison setting provides an opportunity to treat those people at greatest risk of infection and to stop transmission to others. We developed a new method of providing hepatitis C treatment to prisoners, in which nurses rather than doctors assessed prisoners locally at each prison site. Treatment was safe and most prisoners were cured. Such programs will contribute greatly to achieving the World Health Organization's hepatitis C elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Papaluca
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lucy McDonald
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anne Craigie
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Annabelle Gibson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul Desmond
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Darren Wong
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Nick Scott
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Australia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne Australia
| | | | - Andrew Lloyd
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Stoove
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Australia
| | - David Iser
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne Australia
| | - Alexander Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Australia.
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75
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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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Lancaster K, Rhodes T, Rance J. "Towards eliminating viral hepatitis": Examining the productive capacity and constitutive effects of global policy on hepatitis C elimination. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 80:102419. [PMID: 30975593 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In 2016 the World Health Organization published the first global health strategy to address viral hepatitis, setting a goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030. While the field has been motivated by this goal, to date there has been little critical attention paid to the productive capacity and constitutive effects of this policy. How is governing taking place through the mechanism of this global strategy, and how are its goals and targets shaping what is made thinkable (indeed, what is made as the real) about hepatitis C and its elimination? And with what effects? Taking the Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis, 2016-2021 as a text for analysis, we draw on poststructural thinking on problematisation and governmental technologies to examine how 'elimination' - as a proposal - constitutes the problem of hepatitis C. We critically consider the conceptual logics underpinning the elimination goal and targets, and the multiple material-discursive effects of this policy. We examine how governing takes place through numbers, by analysing 'target-setting' (and its accompanying practices of management, quantification and surveillance) as governmental technologies. We consider how the goal of elimination makes viral hepatitis visible and amenable to structuring, action and global management. Central to making viral hepatitis visible and manageable is quantification. Viral hepatitis is made as a problem requiring urgent global health management not through the representation of its effects on bodies or situated communities but rather through centralising inscription practices and comparison of estimated rates. It is important to remain alert to the multiple makings of hepatitis C and draw attention to effects which might be obscured due to a primary focus on quantification and management. To do so is to recognise the ontopolitical effects of governmental technologies, especially for communities 'targeted' by these strategies (including people who inject drugs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Lancaster
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia.
| | - Tim Rhodes
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Jake Rance
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
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77
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Lim AG, Trickey A, Vickerman P. Screening Strategies for Hepatitis C Virus. Hepatol Commun 2019; 3:321-324. [PMID: 30859145 PMCID: PMC6396359 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron G. Lim
- Department of Population Health Sciences Bristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Adam Trickey
- Department of Population Health Sciences Bristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Department of Population Health Sciences Bristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
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78
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Gicquelais RE, Foxman B, Coyle J, Eisenberg MC. Hepatitis C transmission in young people who inject drugs: Insights using a dynamic model informed by state public health surveillance. Epidemics 2019; 27:86-95. [PMID: 30930214 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing injection of heroin and prescription opioids have led to increases in the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in US young adults since the early 2000s. How best to interrupt transmission and decrease HCV prevalence in young people who inject drugs (PWID) is uncertain. We developed an age-stratified ordinary differential equation HCV transmission model of PWID aged 15-64, which we fit to Michigan HCV surveillance data among young PWID aged 15-29. We used Latin hypercube sampling to fit to data under 10,000 plausible model parameterizations. We used the best-fitting 10% of simulations to predict the potential impact of primary (reducing injection initiation), secondary (increasing cessation, reducing injection partners, or reducing injection drug use relapse), and tertiary (HCV treatment) interventions (over the period 2017-2030) on acute and chronic HCV cases by the year 2030. Treating 3 per 100 current and former PWID per year could reduce chronic HCV by 27.3% (range: 18.7-30.3%) and acute HCV by 23.6% (range: 6.7-29.5%) by 2030 among PWID aged 15-29 if 90% are cured (i.e. achieved sustained virologic response [SVR] to treatment). Reducing the number of syringe sharing partners per year by 10% was predicted to reduce chronic HCV by 15.7% (range: 9.4-23.8%) and acute cases by 21.4% (range: 14.2-32.3%) among PWID aged 15-29 by 2030. In simulations of combinations of interventions, reducing injection initiation, syringe sharing, and relapse rates each by 10% while increasing cessation rates by 10% predicted a 27.7% (range: 18.0-39.7%) reduction in chronic HCV and a 38.4% (range: 28.3-53.3%) reduction in acute HCV. Our results highlight the need for HCV treatment among both current and former PWID and the scale up of both primary and secondary interventions to concurrently reduce HCV prevalence and incidence in Michigan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Gicquelais
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - Betsy Foxman
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
| | - Joseph Coyle
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 320 S Walnut St, Lansing, MI 48933, United States.
| | - Marisa C Eisenberg
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
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79
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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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80
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Goutzamanis S, Doyle J, Higgs P, Hellard M. Improving hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral access and uptake: A role for patient-reported outcomes and lived experience. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:218-223. [PMID: 30315689 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus contributes to substantial and growing mortality and morbidity. Fortunately, the advent of highly effective interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications and new diagnostic tests has the potential to dramatically alter the epidemiologic trajectory of hepatitis C, particularly for "hard-to-reach" populations. Treatment advances and cure will also likely alter the individual experience of living with hepatitis C. However, it is not yet known in what capacity. This paper provides an overview of the population-level impact of DAA treatment, highlighting the need to further our understanding of the impact of treatment on behaviour, health and wellbeing through lived experience and more sensitive patient-reported outcome measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stelliana Goutzamanis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Higgs
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
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81
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Martinello M, Dore GJ, Matthews GV, Grebely J. Strategies to Reduce Hepatitis C Virus Reinfection in People Who Inject Drugs. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2019; 32:371-393. [PMID: 29778261 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Reinfection after direct-acting antiviral therapy may pose a challenge to hepatitis C virus elimination efforts. Reinfection risk is cited as a reason for not offering treatment to people who inject drugs. As treatment scale-up expands among populations with risks for reacquisition, acknowledgment that reinfection can and will occur is essential. Efforts to prevent and manage reinfection should be incorporated into individual- and population-level strategies. The risk of reinfection after successful treatment emphasises the need for education, harm reduction, and posttreatment surveillance. Reinfection must not be considered an impediment to treatment, if hepatitis C virus elimination is to be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Martinello
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute, Level 5, Wallace Wurth Building, High Street, UNSW Sydney, Kensington NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Gregory J Dore
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute, Level 5, Wallace Wurth Building, High Street, UNSW Sydney, Kensington NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Gail V Matthews
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute, Level 5, Wallace Wurth Building, High Street, UNSW Sydney, Kensington NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute, Level 5, Wallace Wurth Building, High Street, UNSW Sydney, Kensington NSW 2052, Australia
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82
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Martin TCS, Rauch A, Salazar-Vizcaya L, Martin NK. Understanding and Addressing Hepatitis C Virus Reinfection Among Men Who Have Sex with Men. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2019; 32:395-405. [PMID: 29778262 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus reinfection rates among men who have sex with men are high. Factors associated with infection point to varied sexual and drug-related risks that could be targeted for interventions to prevent infection/reinfection. Modeling indicates that tackling increasing incidence and high reinfection rates requires high levels of hepatitis C virus treatment combined with behavioral interventions. Enhanced testing strategies and prompt retreating of reinfection may be required to promptly diagnosed reinfections. Behavioral interventions studies addressing reinfection are required. Other interventions include traditional harm reduction interventions, adapted behavioral interventions, and interventions to prevent harms related to ChemSex and other risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C S Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, CA 92093-0507, USA
| | - Andri Rauch
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, Friedbühlstrasse 53, Personalhaus 6, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luisa Salazar-Vizcaya
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, Friedbühlstrasse 53, Personalhaus 6, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, CA 92093-0507, USA; School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Senate House, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK.
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83
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Kwon JA, Dore GJ, Grebely J, Hajarizadeh B, Guy R, Cunningham EB, Power C, Estes C, Razavi H, Gray RT. Australia on track to achieve WHO HCV elimination targets following rapid initial DAA treatment uptake: A modelling study. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:83-92. [PMID: 30267593 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Subsidized direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment recently became available to all adults living with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Australia. Based on rapid uptake (32 600 people initiated DAA in 2016), we estimated the impact on HCV epidemiology and mortality in Australia and determined if Australia can meet the WHO HCV elimination targets by 2030. Using a mathematical model, we simulated pessimistic, intermediate and optimistic DAA treatment scenarios in Australia over 2016-2030. We assumed treatment and testing rates were initially higher for advanced fibrosis and the same across HCV transmission risk level sub-populations. We also assumed constant testing rates after 2016. We compared the results to the 2015 level and a counterfactual (IFN-based) scenario. During 2016-2030, we estimated an intermediate DAA treatment scenario (2016, 32 600 treated; 2017, 21 370 treated; 2018 17 100 treated; 2019 and beyond, 13 680 treated each year) would avert 40 420 new HCV infections, 13 260 liver-related deaths (15 320 in viraemic; -2060 in cured) and 10 730 HCC cases, equating to a 53%, 63% and 75% reduction, respectively, compared to the IFN-based scenario. The model also estimated that Australia will meet the WHO targets of incidence and treatment by 2028. Time to a 65% reduction in liver-related mortality varied considerably between HCV viraemic only cases (2026) and all cases (2047). Based on a feasible DAA treatment scenario incorporating declining uptake, Australia should meet key WHO HCV elimination targets in 10 to15 years. The pre-DAA escalation in those with advanced liver disease makes the achievement of the liver-related mortality target difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisoo A Kwon
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Jason Grebely
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Rebecca Guy
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Chris Estes
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, Colorado
| | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, Colorado
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84
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Grebely J, Conway B, Cunningham EB, Fraser C, Moriggia A, Gane E, Stedman C, Cooper C, Castro E, Schmid P, Petoumenos K, Hajarizadeh B, Marks P, Erratt A, Dalgard O, Lacombe K, Feld JJ, Bruneau J, Daulouede JP, Powis J, Bruggmann P, Matthews GV, Kronborg I, Shaw D, Dunlop A, Hellard M, Applegate TL, Crawford S, Dore GJ. Paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir with and without ribavirin in people with HCV genotype 1 and recent injecting drug use or receiving opioid substitution therapy. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 62:94-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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85
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Lafferty L, Rance J, Grebely J, Lloyd AR, Dore GJ, Treloar C. Understanding facilitators and barriers of direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus infection in prison. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:1526-1532. [PMID: 30141261 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health concern. Globally, 15% of those incarcerated are HCV-antibody positive (anti-HCV). Even where HCV treatment is available within prisons, treatment uptake has remained low. This qualitative study was conducted to understand the barriers and facilitators for the delivery of HCV treatment in prisons from the perspectives of prisoners. This is important to inform health messaging for HCV treatment within correctional institutions. Thirty-two prisoners (including eight women) with a history of injecting drug use participated in this qualitative study. Participants were equally recruited across four correctional centres (n = 8 per site). Overall, 16 participants (50%) had chronic HCV at their most recent test, and two participants were awaiting test results at time of interview. Structural (eg proximity of health clinic) and patient-level (routine and motivation) factors were viewed as facilitators of HCV treatment within the prison setting. Structural (eg risk of reinfection) and social (eg lack of confidentiality and lack of social support) factors were perceived as barriers to prison-based HCV care and treatment. In conclusion, to increase HCV treatment uptake, prison-based programmes should implement (or advocate for) patient-centred treatment approaches that protect privacy, provide social support, and promote access to clean needles and substitution therapy to protect prisoners from reinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Lafferty
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jake Rance
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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86
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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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87
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Kondili LA, Robbins S, Blach S, Gamkrelidze I, Zignego AL, Brunetto MR, Raimondo G, Taliani G, Iannone A, Russo FP, Santantonio TA, Zuin M, Chessa L, Blanc P, Puoti M, Vinci M, Erne EM, Strazzabosco M, Massari M, Lampertico P, Rumi MG, Federico A, Orlandini A, Ciancio A, Borgia G, Andreone P, Caporaso N, Persico M, Ieluzzi D, Madonia S, Gori A, Gasbarrini A, Coppola C, Brancaccio G, Andriulli A, Quaranta MG, Montilla S, Razavi H, Melazzini M, Vella S, Craxì A. Forecasting Hepatitis C liver disease burden on real-life data. Does the hidden iceberg matter to reach the elimination goals? Liver Int 2018; 38:2190-2198. [PMID: 29900654 PMCID: PMC6282782 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Advances in direct-acting antiviral treatment of HCV have reinvigorated public health initiatives aimed at identifying affected individuals. We evaluated the possible impact of only diagnosed and linked-to-care individuals on overall HCV burden estimates and identified a possible strategy to achieve the WHO targets by 2030. METHODS Using a modelling approach grounded in Italian real-life data of diagnosed and treated patients, different linkage-to-care scenarios were built to evaluate potential strategies in achieving the HCV elimination goals. RESULTS Under the 40% linked-to-care scenario, viraemic burden would decline (60%); however, eligible patients to treat will be depleted by 2025. Increased case finding through a targeted screening strategy in 1948-1978 birth cohorts could supplement the pool of diagnosed patients by finding 75% of F0-F3 cases. Under the 60% linked-to-care scenario, viraemic infections would decline by 70% by 2030 but the patients eligible for treatment will run out by 2028. If treatment is to be maintained, a screening strategy focusing on 1958-1978 birth cohorts could capture 55% of F0-F3 individuals. Under the 80% linked-to-care scenario, screening limited in 1968-1978 birth cohorts could sustain treatment at levels required to achieve the HCV elimination goals. CONCLUSION In Italy, which is an HCV endemic country, the eligible pool of patients to treat will run out between 2025 and 2028. To maintain the treatment rate and achieve the HCV elimination goals, increased case finding in targeted, high prevalence groups is required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Robbins
- Center for Disease AnalysisCDA Foundation | Polaris ObservatoryLafayetteCOUSA
| | - Sarah Blach
- Center for Disease AnalysisCDA Foundation | Polaris ObservatoryLafayetteCOUSA
| | - Ivane Gamkrelidze
- Center for Disease AnalysisCDA Foundation | Polaris ObservatoryLafayetteCOUSA
| | - Anna L. Zignego
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineInterdepartmental Centre MASVEUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Maurizia R. Brunetto
- Internal MedicineDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Pisa and Liver UnitPisa University HospitalPisaItaly
| | - Giovanni Raimondo
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity Hospital of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Gloria Taliani
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases UnitUmberto I HospitalSapienza UniversityRomeItaly
| | - Andrea Iannone
- Department of GastroenterologyUniversity Hospital of BariBariItaly
| | | | | | - Massimo Zuin
- Liver and Gastroenterology UnitASST Santi Paolo e CarloMilanItaly
| | | | - Pierluigi Blanc
- Department of Infectious DiseaseS.M. Annunziata HospitalFlorenceItaly
| | - Massimo Puoti
- Department of Infectious DiseaseNiguarda HospitalMilanItaly
| | | | - Elke M. Erne
- Department of Infectious DiseaseUniversity Hospital of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | | | - Marco Massari
- Department of Infectious DiseaseArcispedale Santa Maria NuovaReggio EmiliaItaly
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyFondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Maria G. Rumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologySan Giuseppe HospitalMilanItaly
| | - Alessandro Federico
- Department of Hepatology and GastroenterologyUniversità della Campania Luigi VanvitelliNaplesItaly
| | | | - Alessia Ciancio
- Gastoenterology UnitCittà della Salute e della Scienza‐Ospedale MolinetteTurinItaly
| | - Guglielmo Borgia
- Department of Infectious DiseaseFederico II UniversityNaplesItaly
| | | | | | - Marcello Persico
- Department of Internal Medicine and HepatologyUniversity of SalernoSalernoItaly
| | | | | | - Andrea Gori
- Department of Infectious DiseaseSan Gerardo HospitalMonzaItaly
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Department of Internal Medicine and GastroenterologyCatholic University of RomeRomeItaly
| | | | - Giuseppina Brancaccio
- Infectious DiseasesDepartment of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive MedicineUniversità della Campania Luigi VanvitelliNaplesItaly
| | - Angelo Andriulli
- Division of GastroenterologyIstituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere ScientificoCasa Sollievo Sofferenza HospitalSan Giovanni Rotondo, FoggiaItaly
| | | | | | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease AnalysisCDA Foundation | Polaris ObservatoryLafayetteCOUSA
| | | | - Stefano Vella
- Center for Global HealthIstituto Superiore di SanitàRomeItaly
| | - Antonio Craxì
- Gastroenterolgy and Liver UnitDiBiMISUniversity of PalermoPalermoItaly
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88
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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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89
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Pradat P, Virlogeux V, Trépo E. Epidemiology and Elimination of HCV-Related Liver Disease. Viruses 2018; 10:E545. [PMID: 30301201 PMCID: PMC6213504 DOI: 10.3390/v10100545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, defined by active carriage of HCV RNA, affects nearly 1.0% of the worldwide population. The main risk factors include unsafe injection drug use and iatrogenic infections. Chronic HCV infection can promote liver damage, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in affected individuals. The advent of new second-generation, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents allow a virological cure in more than 90% of treated patients, and therefore prevent HCV-related complications. Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of DAA-regimens in cirrhotic patients with respect to the occurrence and the recurrence of HCC. Here, we review the current available data on HCV epidemiology, the beneficial effects of therapy, and discuss the recent controversy with respect to the potential link with liver cancer. We also highlight the challenges that have to be overcome to achieve the ambitious World Health Organization objective of HCV eradication by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Pradat
- Centre for Clinical Research, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France.
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France.
- Lyon University, Lyon, France.
| | - Victor Virlogeux
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France.
- Lyon University, Lyon, France.
- Department of Hepatology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69004 Lyon, France.
| | - Eric Trépo
- Liver Unit, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatopancreatology and Digestive Oncology, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Bruxelles, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Bruxelles, Belgium.
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90
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Wade AJ, McCormack A, Roder C, McDonald K, Davies M, Scott N, Wardrop M, Athan E, Hellard ME. Aiming for elimination: Outcomes of a consultation pathway supporting regional general practitioners to prescribe direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:1089-1098. [PMID: 29660212 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
To increase access to treatment, the Australian government enabled general practitioners (GPs) to prescribe direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV)-in consultation with a specialist if inexperienced in HCV management. This study describes the establishment and outcomes of a remote consultation pathway supporting GPs to treat HCV. Key stakeholders from primary and tertiary healthcare services in the Barwon South Western region developed and implemented an HCV remote consultation pathway. Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule prescription data were used to evaluate GP DAA prescription 12 months pre-and post- pathway implementation. A retrospective review of patients referred for remote consultation for 12 months post- pathway inception was undertaken to determine the care cascade. HCV treatment initiation by GPs increased after implementation of the remote consultation pathway. In the 12-month study period, 74 GPs referred 169 people for remote consultation; 114 (67%) were approved for GP DAA treatment; 48 (28%) were referred for specialist assessment. In total, 119 (71%) patients commenced DAA; 69 were eligible for SVR12 assessment. Post-treatment HCV RNA data were available for 52 (75%) people; 37 achieved SVR12; 15 achieved SVR ranging from week 5 to 11 post-treatment. No treatment failure was detected. Collaborative development and implementation of a remote consultation pathway has engaged regional GPs in managing HCV. Follow-up post-treatment could be improved; however, no treatment failure has been documented. To eliminate HCV as a public health threat, it is vital that specialists support GPs to prescribe DAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Wade
- Department of Infectious Disease, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia.,Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - A McCormack
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic., Australia
| | - C Roder
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic., Australia
| | - K McDonald
- Western Victoria Primary Health Network, Geelong, Vic., Australia
| | - M Davies
- Western Victoria Primary Health Network, Geelong, Vic., Australia.,Drug and Alcohol Services, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia
| | - N Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - M Wardrop
- Department of Infectious Disease, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia
| | - E Athan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic., Australia
| | - M E Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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91
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Gountas I, Sypsa V, Blach S, Razavi H, Hatzakis A. HCV elimination among people who inject drugs. Modelling pre- and post-WHO elimination era. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202109. [PMID: 30114207 PMCID: PMC6095544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) is a costly investment, so strategies should not only focus on eliminating the disease, but also on preventing disease resurgence. The aims of this study are to compute the minimum necessary antiviral therapies to achieve elimination with and without the additional expansion of harm reduction (HR) programs and to examine the sustainability of HCV elimination after 2030 if treatment is discontinued. METHOD We considered two types of epidemic (with low (30%) and high (50%) proportion of PWID who engage in sharing equipment (sharers)) within three baseline chronic HCV (CHC) prevalence settings (30%, 45% and 60%), assuming a baseline HR coverage of 40%. We define sustainable elimination strategies, those that could maintain eliminations results for a decade (2031-2040), in the absence of additional treatment. RESULTS The model shows that the optimum elimination strategy is dependent on risk sharing behavior of the examined population. The necessary annual treatment coverage to achieve HCV elimination under 45% baseline CHC prevalence, without the simultaneous expansion of HR programs, ranges between 4.7-5.1%. Similarly, under 60% baseline CHC prevalence the needed treatment coverage varies from 9.0-10.5%. Increasing HR coverage from 40% to 75%, reduces the required treatment coverage by 6.5-9.8% and 11.0-15.0% under 45% or 60% CHC prevalence, respectively. In settings with ≤45% baseline CHC prevalence, expanding HR to 75% could prevent the disease from rebounding after elimination, irrespective of the type of the epidemic. In high chronic HCV prevalence, counseling interventions to reduce sharing are also needed to maintain the HCV incident cases in low levels. CONCLUSIONS Harm reduction strategies have a vital role in HCV elimination strategy, as they reduce the required number of treatments to eliminate HCV and they provide sustainability after the elimination. The above underlines that HCV elimination strategies should be built upon the existing HR services, and argue for HR expansion in countries without services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Gountas
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology & Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Center for Disease Analysis, Lafayette, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Vana Sypsa
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology & Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sarah Blach
- Center for Disease Analysis, Lafayette, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis, Lafayette, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology & Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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92
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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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93
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Martinello M, Hajarizadeh B, Grebely J, Dore GJ, Matthews GV. Management of acute HCV infection in the era of direct-acting antiviral therapy. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 15:412-424. [PMID: 29773899 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-018-0026-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The management of acute HCV infection has not been standardized following the availability of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) for chronic HCV infection, and substantial uncertainty exists regarding the optimal treatment regimen and duration. Despite the lack of direct evidence, the 2016 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)-Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines supported "the same regimens for acute HCV as recommended for chronic HCV infection … owing to high efficacy and safety", whereas the 2016 European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines recommended sofosbuvir-ledipasvir, sofosbuvir-velpatasvir or sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir for 8 weeks in acute HCV infection, with a longer duration of 12 weeks recommended for those infected with HIV and/or baseline HCV RNA levels >1,000,000 IU/ml. This Review outlines the epidemiology, natural history and diagnosis of acute HCV infection and provides contemporary information on DAAs for acute and recent HCV infection. The Review also discusses the 2016 AASLD-IDSA and EASL recommendations for acute HCV infection management in light of available evidence and highlights key differences in study populations and design that influence interpretation. We focus on populations at high risk of HCV transmission and acquisition, including people who inject drugs and HIV-positive men who have sex with men, and highlight the potential effects of diagnosis and treatment of acute HCV infection in contributing to HCV elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Martinello
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Behzad Hajarizadeh
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gail V Matthews
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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94
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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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Clement ME, Collins LF, Wilder JM, Mugavero M, Barker T, Naggie S. Hepatitis C Virus Elimination in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Coinfected Population: Leveraging the Existing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infrastructure. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2018; 32:407-423. [PMID: 29778263 PMCID: PMC6592269 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this review is to consider how existing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infrastructure may be leveraged to inform and improve hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment efforts in the HIV-HCV coinfected population. Current gaps in HCV care relevant to the care continuum are reviewed. Successes in HIV treatment are then applied to the HCV treatment model for coinfected patients. Finally, the authors give examples of HCV treatment strategies for coinfected patients in both domestic and international settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith E Clement
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, 315 Trent Drive, Hanes House, Room 181, DUMC Box 102359, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lauren F Collins
- Department of Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Drive Southeast, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Julius M Wilder
- Duke Division of Gastroenterology, Box 90120, Durham, NC 27708-0120, USA; Duke Clinical Research Institute, 2400 Pratt Street, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Michael Mugavero
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama Birmingham, Community Care Building, 908 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Taryn Barker
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, 383 Dorchester Avenue, Boston, MA 02127, USA
| | - Susanna Naggie
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, 315 Trent Drive, Hanes House, Room 181, DUMC Box 102359, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Duke Clinical Research Institute, 2400 Pratt Street, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
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Cipriano LE, Goldhaber-Fiebert JD. Population Health and Cost-Effectiveness Implications of a "Treat All" Recommendation for HCV: A Review of the Model-Based Evidence. MDM Policy Pract 2018; 3:2381468318776634. [PMID: 30288448 PMCID: PMC6157435 DOI: 10.1177/2381468318776634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization HCV Guideline Development Group is considering a "treat all" recommendation for persons infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). We reviewed the model-based evidence of cost-effectiveness and population health impacts comparing expanded treatment policies to more limited treatment access policies, focusing primarily on evaluations of all-oral directly acting antivirals published after 2012. Searching PubMed, we identified 2,917 unique titles. Sequentially reviewing titles and abstracts identified 226 potentially relevant articles for full-text review. Sixty-nine articles met all inclusion criteria-42 cost-effectiveness analyses and 30 models of population-health impacts, with 3 articles presenting both types of analysis. Cost-effectiveness studies for many countries concluded that expanding treatment to people with mild liver fibrosis, who inject drugs (PWID), or who are incarcerated is generally cost-effective compared to more restrictive treatment access policies at country-specific prices. For certain patient subpopulations in some countries-for example, elderly individuals without fibrosis-treatment is only cost-effective at lower prices. A frequent limitation is the omission of benefits and consequences of HCV transmission (i.e., treatment as prevention; risks of reinfection), which may underestimate or overestimate the cost-effectiveness of a "treat all" policy. Epidemiologic modeling studies project that through a combination of prevention, aggressive screening and diagnosis, and prompt treatment for all fibrosis stages, it may be possible to virtually eliminate HCV in many countries. Studies show that if resources are not available to diagnose and treat all HCV-infected individuals, treatment prioritization may be needed, with alternative prioritization strategies resulting in tradeoffs between reducing mortality or reducing incidence. Notably, because most new HCV infections are among PWID in many settings, HCV elimination requires unrestricted treatment access combined with injection transmission disruption strategies. The model-based evidence suggests that a properly constructed strategy that substantially expands HCV treatment could achieve cost-effective improvements in population health in many countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Cipriano
- Ivey Business School and the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeremy D Goldhaber-Fiebert
- Center for Health Policy and Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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97
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Ward Z, Platt L, Sweeney S, Hope VD, Maher L, Hutchinson S, Palmateer N, Smith J, Craine N, Taylor A, Martin N, Ayres R, Dillon J, Hickman M, Vickerman P. Impact of current and scaled-up levels of hepatitis C prevention and treatment interventions for people who inject drugs in three UK settings-what is required to achieve the WHO's HCV elimination targets? Addiction 2018; 113:1727-1738. [PMID: 29774607 PMCID: PMC6175066 DOI: 10.1111/add.14217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To estimate the impact of existing high-coverage needle and syringe provision (HCNSP, defined as obtaining more than one sterile needle and syringe per injection reported) and opioid substitution therapy (OST) on hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) in three UK settings and to determine required scale-up of interventions, including HCV treatment, needed to reach the World Health Organization (WHO) target of reducing HCV incidence by 90% by 2030. DESIGN HCV transmission modelling using UK empirical estimates for effect of OST and/or HCNSP on individual risk of HCV acquisition. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Three UK cities with varying chronic HCV prevalence (Bristol 45%, Dundee 26%, Walsall 19%), OST (72-81%) and HCNSP coverage (28-56%). MEASUREMENTS Relative change in new HCV infections throughout 2016-30 if current interventions were stopped. Scale-up of HCNSP, OST and HCV treatment required to achieve the WHO elimination target. FINDINGS Removing HCNSP or OST would increase the number of new HCV infections throughout 2016 to 2030 by 23-64 and 92-483%, respectively. Conversely, scaling-up these interventions to 80% coverage could achieve a 29 or 49% reduction in Bristol and Walsall, respectively, whereas Dundee may achieve a 90% decrease in incidence with current levels of intervention because of existing high levels of HCV treatment (47-58 treatments per 1000 PWID). If OST and HCNSP are scaled-up, Walsall and Bristol can achieve the same impact by treating 14 or 40 per 1000 PWID annually, respectively (currently two and nine treatments per 1000 PWID), while 18 and 43 treatments per 1000 PWID would be required if OST and HCNSP are not scaled-up. CONCLUSIONS Current opioid substitution therapy and high-coverage needle and syringe provision coverage is averting substantial hepatitis C transmission in the United Kingdom. Maintaining this coverage while getting current drug injectors onto treatment can reduce incidence by 90% by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Ward
- Bristol Medical School, Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Lucy Platt
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Sedona Sweeney
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Vivian D. Hope
- Public Health EnglandUK
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpoolUK
| | - Lisa Maher
- Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, UNSWAustralia
| | - Sharon Hutchinson
- Health and Life SciencesGlasgow Caledonian UniversityUK
- Blood‐borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections SectionHealth Protection ScotlandUK
| | - Norah Palmateer
- Health and Life SciencesGlasgow Caledonian UniversityUK
- Blood‐borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections SectionHealth Protection ScotlandUK
| | - Josie Smith
- Substance Misuse ‐ Drugs and AlcoholPublic Health WalesUK
| | - Noel Craine
- Substance Misuse ‐ Drugs and AlcoholPublic Health WalesUK
| | - Avril Taylor
- School of Media, Society and CultureUniversity of West of ScotlandUK
| | - Natasha Martin
- Department of MedicineUniversity of California, San DiegoUSA
| | | | | | - Matthew Hickman
- Bristol Medical School, Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Bristol Medical School, Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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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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99
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Goutzamanis S, Doyle JS, Thompson A, Dietze P, Hellard M, Higgs P. Experiences of liver health related uncertainty and self-reported stress among people who inject drugs living with hepatitis C virus: a qualitative study. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:151. [PMID: 29609552 PMCID: PMC5879642 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3057-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) are most at risk of hepatitis C virus infection in Australia. The introduction of transient elastography (TE) (measuring hepatitis fibrosis) and direct acting antiviral medications will likely alter the experience of living with hepatitis C. We aimed to explore positive and negative influences on wellbeing and stress among PWID with hepatitis C. METHODS The Treatment and Prevention (TAP) study examines the feasibility of treating hepatitis C mono-infected PWID in community settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 purposively recruited TAP participants. Participants were aware of their hepatitis C seropositive status and had received fibrosis assessment (measured by TE) prior to interview. Questions were open-ended, focusing on the impact of health status on wellbeing and self-reported stress. Interviews were voice recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed, guided by Mishel's (1988) theory of Uncertainty in Illness. RESULTS In line with Mishel's theory of Uncertainty in Illness all participants reported hepatitis C-related uncertainty, particularly mis-information or a lack of knowledge surrounding liver health and the meaning of TE results. Those with greater fibrosis experienced an extra layer of prognostic uncertainty. Experiences of uncertainty were a key motivation to seek treatment, which was seen as a way to regain some stability in life. Treatment completion alleviated hepatitis C-related stress, and promoted feelings of empowerment and confidence in addressing other life challenges. CONCLUSION TE scores seemingly provide some certainty. However, when paired with limited knowledge, particularly among people with severe fibrosis, TE may be a source of uncertainty and increased personal stress. This suggests the need for simple education programs and resources on liver health to minimise stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stelliana Goutzamanis
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commerical Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. .,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commerical Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexander Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul Dietze
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commerical Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commerical Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Higgs
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commerical Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, 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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