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Thompson LA, Plitt SS, Doucette K, Coffin CS, Klein KB, Robinson JL, Charlton CL. Evaluation and comparison of risk-based and universal prenatal HCV screening programs in Alberta, Canada. J Hepatol 2023; 79:1121-1128. [PMID: 37348788 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Canadian clinical practice guidelines currently recommend risk-based screening for HCV in pregnant individuals. However, no provinces or territories have ever compared the effectiveness of risk-based vs. universal screening for the prenatal diagnosis of HCV. We aimed to evaluate and compare HCV screening programs after implementing a universal population-level pilot program among prenatal patients in Alberta, Canada. METHODS The Alberta Prenatal Screening Program for Select Communicable Diseases was amended to include universal HCV antibody screening. Cohorts of pregnant individuals screened for HCV through risk-based or universal programs were generated over 1-year periods. HCV screening rates and prevalence were analyzed and compared between cohorts to evaluate the effectiveness of screening methods. Social and demographic risk factors for HCV-positive individuals were compared between screening cohorts to identify which populations may be overlooked with risk-based guidelines. RESULTS HCV antibody screening rates were 11.9% and 99.9% among pregnant individuals in the risk-based and universal cohorts, respectively. HCV prevalence among the cohorts was 0.07% and 0.11% (difference = 0.04%, p = 0.032), with an average of 21 additional HCV-positive pregnant individuals identified annually with universal screening. HCV-positive pregnant patients diagnosed through universal screening were more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviours/sex work compared to those diagnosed through risk-based screening (47.6% vs. 12.5%, respectively p = 0.035), suggesting that these high-risk cases are being missed by risk-based screening. CONCLUSIONS Universal HCV screening diagnoses significantly higher numbers of pregnant individuals infected with HCV compared to risk-based screening. Universal HCV screening or amending risk-based guidelines to incorporate more proxy variables for risk factors should be considered to improve prenatal HCV screening guidelines in Canada and help achieve HCV elimination in the next decade. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS HCV is a bloodborne pathogen that can cause severe liver disease and be vertically transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. Pregnant individuals in Alberta are currently only tested for HCV if they disclose engaging in activities that put them at risk of acquiring the infection (risk-based screening). Using a population-wide universal prenatal HCV screening program, our work shows that testing based on patient disclosed risk alone leads to the significant underdiagnosis of HCV in pregnant individuals and suggests individuals engaging in sex work or risky sexual behaviours are being overlooked by the current risk-based program. Our outcomes represent the first province-wide study to evaluate and compare prenatal HCV risk-based and universal screening programs in Canada and provide evidence to support the update of prenatal HCV screening policies across the country and in similar jurisdictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Alexa Thompson
- Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sabrina S Plitt
- Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Karen Doucette
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carla S Coffin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kristin B Klein
- Provincial Population and Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Alberta, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joan L Robinson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carmen L Charlton
- Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Alberta Precision Laboratories (ProvLab), University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Rana R, Dangal R, Singh Y, Gurung RB, Rai B, Sharma AK. Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Pregnancy and Children: Its Implications and Treatment Considerations with Directly Acting Antivirals: A Review. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc 2021; 59:942-953. [PMID: 35199739 PMCID: PMC9107891 DOI: 10.31729/jnma.5501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is a global health problem affecting >71 million people worldwide with chronic hepatitis C, 40% reproductive age group, and 8% pregnant women. Intravenous drug abuse, multi-transfusions are major risk factors in adults, while vertical transmission in pediatric population. It commonly presents as a chronic liver disease, has higher risk of liver cirrhosis and even progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, proper screening of high-risk populations including pregnancy is recommended. All diagnosed chronic hepatitis C cases should be treated with directly acting anti-virals (DAAs) including pre-conception which has a cure rate of >95%. This would reduce the disease burden, vertical transmission, and disability associated. However, no DAAs regimens recommendation till date due to lack of evidence on adverse fetal outcomes and are concerned about the pharmacokinetic effect regarding physiological changes during pregnancy. Therefore, in this review, we have tried to explore the possible use of DAAs regimens and their safety issues during pregnancy, and possible consideration of few pan-genotypic regimens in the late 2nd and early 3rd trimester. This would not only prevent vertical transmission and decrease disease burden but also help to meet the WHO 2030 target of HCV elimination as a major public health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Rana
- Department of Medicine, Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital, Ungoofaaru, RAA Atoll, Maldives
- Department of Medicine, Laligurash Hospital, Talchhikhel-14, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Rajkumar Dangal
- Dolakha Hospital, Kathmandu University-affiliated Hospital, Dolakha, Nepal
| | - Yogendra Singh
- Department of Medicine, Laligurash Hospital, Talchhikhel-14, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Ram Bahadur Gurung
- Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Unit Endoscopy Training Center, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University School of Medicine, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Bhim Rai
- West Mersea GP Practice, Mersea Island, Colchester, UK
| | - Amit Kumar Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Laligurash Hospital, Talchhikhel-14, Lalitpur, Nepal
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Sharma R. Descriptive epidemiology of incidence and mortality of primary liver cancer in 185 countries: evidence from GLOBOCAN 2018. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2021; 50:1370-1379. [PMID: 32719873 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyaa130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to examine the burden of primary liver cancer in 185 countries in 2018. METHODS The estimates of incidence, mortality and prevalence of primary liver cancer were procured from GLOBOCAN 2018. The development status of a country was measured using the human development index-a composite indicator of income per capita, education and life expectancy. RESULTS Globally, primary liver cancer resulted in an estimated 781 631 deaths at age-standardized mortality rate of 8.5/100 000, and 841 080 cases were estimated to be diagnosed in 2018. Males accounted for 596 574 cases and 548 375 deaths, which is more than twice the burden of primary liver cancer in females (cases: 244 506; deaths: 233 456). The global age-standardized incidence rate was 9.3/100 000 in 2018, varying from Morocco (1.1/100 000) to Mongolia (93.7/100 000). There were remarkable variations in terms of age-standardized mortality rate, too, which ranged from 1/100 000 in Nepal to 75.4/100 000 in Mongolia. East Asia was the top region contributing 55.6% of global cases and 54.7% of global deaths. CONCLUSIONS Since majority of the primary liver cancer burden pertains to hepatocellular carcinoma and screening approaches are yet to be fully proven, the policy focus must be on prevention approaches through the hepatitis-B vaccine, early detection of hepatitis-C infection, reduced alcohol consumption, obesity control, reduced aflatoxin exposure and containment of other modifiable risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Sharma
- University School of Management and Entrepreneurship, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India
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