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Zhu L, Thompson WW, Hagan L, Randall LM, Rudolph AE, Young AM, Havens JR, Salomon JA, Linas BP. Potential impact of curative and preventive interventions toward hepatitis C elimination in people who inject drugs-A network modeling study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 130:104539. [PMID: 39033645 PMCID: PMC11347083 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injection-equipment-sharing networks play an important role in hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID). Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for HCV infection and interventions to prevent HCV transmission are critical components of an overall hepatitis C elimination strategy, but how they contribute to the elimination outcomes in different PWID network settings are unclear. METHODS We developed an agent-based network model of HCV transmission through the sharing of injection equipment among PWID and parameterized and calibrated the model with rural PWID data in the United States. We modeled curative and preventive interventions at annual coverage levels of 12.5 %, 25 %, or 37.5 % (cumulative percentage of eligible individuals engaged), and two allocation approaches: random vs targeting PWID with more injection partners (hereafter 'degree-based'). We compared the impact of these intervention strategies on prevalence and incidence of HCV infections. We conducted sensitivity analysis on key parameters governing the effects of curative and preventive interventions and PWID network characteristics. RESULTS Combining curative and preventive interventions at 37.5 % annual coverage with degree-based allocation decreased prevalence and incidence of HCV infection by 67 % and 70 % over two years, respectively. Curative interventions decreased prevalence by six to 12 times more than preventive interventions, while curative and preventive interventions had comparable effectiveness on reducing incidence. Intervention impact increased with coverage almost linearly across all intervention strategies, and degree-based allocation was always more effective than random allocation, especially for preventive interventions. Results were sensitive to parameter values defining intervention effects and network mean degree. CONCLUSION DAA treatments are effective in reducing both prevalence and incidence of HCV infection in PWID, but preventive interventions play a significant role in reducing incidence when intervention coverage is low. Increasing coverage, including efforts in reaching individuals with the most injection partners, preventing reinfection, and improving compliance and retention in preventive services can substantially improve the outcomes. PWID network characteristics should be considered when designing hepatitis C elimination programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhu
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Health Policy, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - William W Thompson
- Prevention Branch, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, GA, USA
| | - Liesl Hagan
- Prevention Branch, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, GA, USA
| | - Liisa M Randall
- Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abby E Rudolph
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Temple University College of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - April M Young
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Jennifer R Havens
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Joshua A Salomon
- Department of Health Policy, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin P Linas
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Kusnik A, Najim M, Renjith KM, Vyas C, Renjithlal SLM, Alweis R. The Influence of Urbanization on the Patterns of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mortality From 1999 to 2020. Gastroenterology Res 2024; 17:116-125. [PMID: 38993549 PMCID: PMC11236338 DOI: 10.14740/gr1743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related fatalities despite early diagnosis and treatment progress, creating a significant public health issue in the United States. This investigation utilized death certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database to investigate HCC mortality patterns and death locations from 1999 to 2020. The objective was to analyze trends in HCC mortality across different population groups, considering the impact of urbanicity. Methods In this study, death certificate data obtained from the CDC WONDER database were utilized to investigate the trends in HCC mortality and location of death between 1999 and 2020. The annual percent change (APC) method was applied to estimate the average annual rate of change during the specified timeframe for the relevant health outcome. Furthermore, including data on the location of death and geographic areas allowed us to gain deeper insights into the patterns and characteristics of HCC and its impact on different regions. Results Between 1999 and 2020, there were 184,073 reported deaths attributed to HCC, and data on the location of death were available for all cases. Most deaths occurred during inpatient admissions (34.93%) or at home (41.19%). The study also found that the highest age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) for HCC was observed among male patients, particularly among those identified as Asian or Pacific Islander. Variations in AAMR were determined based on the level of urbanization or rurality of the area, with higher rates observed in more densely populated and urbanized regions. In contrast, less urbanized and populated areas experienced a profound increase in AAMR over the past two decades. Conclusion The HCC-related AAMRs have worsened over time for most ethnic groups, except for Asian or Pacific Islanders, which showed a reduction in APC despite having the worst AAMR. Although rural and less densely populated areas have substantially increased AAMR over the past two decades, more urbanized areas continued to have higher AAMR rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kusnik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Unity Hospital, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Mostafa Najim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Unity Hospital, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Charmee Vyas
- Division of Palliative Care, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Richard Alweis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Unity Hospital, Rochester, NY, USA
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Kam LY, Yeo YH, Ji F, Henry L, Cheung R, Nguyen MH. Treatment rates and factors associated with direct-acting antiviral therapy for insured patients with hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma - A real-world nationwide study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 59:350-360. [PMID: 37937485 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the inception of the interferon-free direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, guidelines as to who should receive this potentially curative treatment have evolved. Treatment with DAAs is now considered for all patients except for those considered moribund. AIM To determine the DAA treatment rate for patients with HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS This was a retrospective study from January 2015 to March 2021 of a national sample of privately insured patients with HCV-related HCC using Optum's Clinformatics® Data Mart (CDM) Database - a large, de-identified, adjudicated claims database. RESULTS We identified 3922 patients with HCV-related HCC: 922 (23.5%) received DAA. Compared to untreated patients, DAA-treated patients were younger (65.2 ± 7.5 vs. 66.4 ± 7.5 years, p < 0.001), more frequently saw a gastroenterology/infectious disease (GI/ID) physician (41.2% vs. 34.2%), and had decompensated cirrhosis (56% vs. 53%, p = 0.001). In multivariable analysis, younger age (HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99, p < 0.001), GI/ID care (HR: 3.06, 95% CI: 2.13-4.51, p < 0.001), and having cirrhosis (compensated: HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.18-2.21, p = 0.003; decompensated: HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.07-1.98, p = 0.02) were associated with receiving DAA treatment, but not sex, race, or ethnicity. DAA-treated patients had significantly higher 5-year survival than untreated patients (47.2% vs. 35.2%, p < 0.001). Following adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and HCC treatment, receiving DAA treatment was associated with lower mortality (aHR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.53-0.69, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION DAA treatment remains underutilised in insured patients with HCV-related HCC; fewer than one in four patients received treatment. Seeing a specialist and having decompensated cirrhosis were predictors for DAA treatment; additional efforts are needed to increase awareness of HCV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Y Kam
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Yee Hui Yeo
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Fanpu Ji
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Linda Henry
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Ramsey Cheung
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Yilma M, Dalal N, Wadhwani SI, Hirose R, Mehta N. Geographic disparities in access to liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 2023; 29:987-997. [PMID: 37232214 PMCID: PMC10914246 DOI: 10.1097/lvt.0000000000000182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Since the Final Rule regarding transplantation was published in 1999, organ distribution policies have been implemented to reduce geographic disparity. While a recent change in liver allocation, termed acuity circles, eliminated the donor service area as a unit of distribution to decrease the geographic disparity of waitlisted patients to liver transplantation, recently published results highlight the complexity of addressing geographic disparity. From geographic variation in donor supply, as well as liver disease burden and differing model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores of candidates and MELD scores necessary to receive liver transplantation, to the urban-rural disparity in specialty care access, and to neighborhood deprivation (community measure of socioeconomic status) in liver transplant access, addressing disparities of access will require a multipronged approach at the patient, transplant center, and national level. Herein, we review the current knowledge of these disparities-from variation in larger (regional) to smaller (census tract or zip code) levels to the common etiologies of liver disease, which are particularly affected by these geographic boundaries. The geographic disparity in liver transplant access must balance the limited organ supply with the growing demand. We must identify patient-level factors that contribute to their geographic disparity and incorporate these findings at the transplant center level to develop targeted interventions. We must simultaneously work at the national level to standardize and share patient data (including socioeconomic status and geographic social deprivation indices) to better understand the factors that contribute to the geographic disparity. The complex interplay between organ distribution policy, referral patterns, and variable waitlisting practices with the proportion of high MELD patients and differences in potential donor supply must all be considered to create a national policy strategy to address the inequities in the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mignote Yilma
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco
- National Clinician Scholars Program, University of California San Francisco
| | - Nicole Dalal
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco
| | | | - Ryutaro Hirose
- Department of Transplant, University of California San Francisco
| | - Neil Mehta
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco
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Genowska A, Zarębska-Michaluk D, Strukcinskiene B, Razbadauskas A, Moniuszko-Malinowska A, Jurgaitis J, Flisiak R. Changing Epidemiological Patterns of Infection and Mortality Due to Hepatitis C Virus in Poland. J Clin Med 2023; 12:3922. [PMID: 37373617 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12123922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Limited information is available on trends in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, particularly in Central Europe. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed HCV epidemiology in Poland, considering socio-demographic characteristics, changing patterns over time, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS We examined HCV cases (diagnosis and deaths) reported by national registries and used joinpoint analysis to estimate time trajectories. RESULTS Between 2009 and 2021, there were changes in the trends of HCV, shifting from positive to negative in Poland. Among men, there was a significant increase initially in diagnosis rate of HCV in rural areas (annual percent change, APC2009-2016 +11.50%) and urban areas (APC2009-2016 +11.44%) by 2016. In subsequent years until 2019, the trend changed direction, but the reduction was weak (Ptrend > 0.05) in rural areas (-8.66%) and urban areas (-13.63%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the diagnosis rate of HCV dramatically decreased in rural areas (APC2019-2021 -41.47%) and urban areas (APC2019-2021 -40.88%). Among women, changes in the diagnosis rate of HCV were less pronounced. In rural areas, there was a significant increase (APC2009-2015 +20.53%) followed by no significant change, whereas changes occurred later in urban areas (APC2017-2021 -33.58%). Trend changes in total mortality due to HCV were mainly among men, with a significant decrease in rural (-17.17%) and urban (-21.55%) areas from 2014/2015. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic reduced HCV diagnosis rates in Poland, especially for diagnosed cases. However, further monitoring of HCV trends is necessary, along with national screening programs and improved linkage to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Genowska
- Department of Public Health, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-295 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Dorota Zarębska-Michaluk
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Allergology, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | | | | | - Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-540 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Jonas Jurgaitis
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Robert Flisiak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-540 Bialystok, Poland
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Parikh ND, Mehta N, Hoteit MA, Yang JD, John BV, Moon AM, Salgia RJ, Pillai A, Kassab I, Saeed N, Thyssen E, Nathani P, McKinney J, Chan W, Durkin C, Connor M, Alsudaney M, Konjeti R, Durand B, Nissen NN, Kim HP, Paknikar R, Rich NE, Schipper MJ, Singal AG. Association between sustained virological response and clinical outcomes in patients with hepatitis C infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer 2022; 128:3470-3478. [PMID: 35796530 PMCID: PMC9545187 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Sustained viral response (SVR) improves survival for patients with hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative treatment; however, the benefit of SVR in those with active HCC with a significant competing risk of mortality is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the association between SVR and outcomes in patients with active HCC. Methods The authors performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study including consecutive adults with HCV cirrhosis and treatment‐naive HCC diagnosed between 2014 and 2018. Patients were stratified into two groups: active viremia (n = 431) and SVR before HCC diagnosis (n = 135). All patients underwent nonsurgical therapy as their initial treatment and were followed until liver transplantation, last follow‐up, or death. The primary outcome was incident or worsening hepatic decompensation within 6 months and the secondary outcome was overall survival. All analyses used inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW) to account for differences between the nonrandomized cohorts. Results Post‐SVR patients had significantly lower odds of hepatic decompensation compared to viremic patients (odds ratio [OR], 0.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06–0.59). Results were consistent among subgroups of patients with Child Pugh A cirrhosis (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.04–0.77), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B/C HCC (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.04–0.65), and those receiving nonablative HCC therapies (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07–0.67). However, in IPTW multivariable Cox regression, SVR was not associated with improved survival (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.56–1.12). Conclusions Patients with HCV‐related HCC and SVR are less likely to experience hepatic decompensation than viremic patients, suggesting patients with HCC who are undergoing nonsurgical therapies may benefit from DAA treatment. Hepatitis C virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma remains prevalent in clinical practice, however, whether treatment of hepatitis C improves outcomes is unknown. The authors have shown an association between hepatitis C sustained virological response and decreased risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, across stages of disease and types of therapy received. See also pages 000–000.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Neil Mehta
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Maarouf A Hoteit
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Binu V John
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.,Section of Hepatology, Miami VA Health System, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Andrew M Moon
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Reena J Salgia
- Division of Gastroenterology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Anjana Pillai
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ihab Kassab
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Naba Saeed
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Emil Thyssen
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Piyush Nathani
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jeffrey McKinney
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Wesley Chan
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Claire Durkin
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Matthew Connor
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Manaf Alsudaney
- Division of Gastroenterology, Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rajesh Konjeti
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Brenda Durand
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nicholas N Nissen
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hannah P Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Nicole E Rich
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew J Schipper
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA
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