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Lopes SS, Pericot-Valverde I, Arnsten J, Lum PJ, Taylor LE, Mehta SH, Tsui JI, Feinberg J, Kim AY, Norton BL, Page K, Murray-Krezan C, Anderson J, Moschella P, Heo M, Litwin AH. Self-reported and measured adherence to hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral therapy and sustained virologic response among people who inject drugs: The HERO study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 123:104288. [PMID: 38103458 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Objective adherence measures, such as electronic blister pack (BP), for direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment have high accuracy, but their use is limited in real practice settings. We examined the association of self-reported adherence using a visual analogue scale (VAS) with objective BP adherence and sustained virologic response (SVR) among people who inject drugs. METHODS We conducted secondary analyses using a subset of participants (N = 493) from the per-protocol sample of the HERO study, a pragmatic randomized trial of HCV treatment interventions that used both VAS and BP to measure adherence to a 12-week sofosbuvir/velpatasvir DAA regimen. Multivariable mixed-effects regression models tested the association of self-report adherence level with longitudinal weekly objective adherence. Multivariable logistic regression tested the association of self-report adherence with SVR. RESULTS The average VAS and BP adherences were 95.1 % (SD = 8.9 %) and 76.0 % (16.0 %), respectively, and the proportion of the participants achieving SVR was 92.9 %. The estimated adjusted mean objective adherence was significantly different (-16 %; 95 % CI: -22 %, -11 %, p < .001) between participants with 100 % and <80 % VAS adherence. The likelihood of SVR was significantly lower for those with <80 % VAS adherence [adjusted OR = 0.07; 95 % CI: 0.02, 0.24; p < .001] compared to those with 100 %. CONCLUSION Self-reported adherence overestimated objective adherence. However, higher self-report adherence was significantly associated with higher objective adherence. Also, self-reported adherence ≥80 % was significantly associated with SVR. Thus, the self-report measure has utility as a monitoring tool for adherence during DAA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snehal S Lopes
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Irene Pericot-Valverde
- Department of Psychology, College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Julia Arnsten
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Paula J Lum
- Department of Medicine, University of California, 1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Lynn E Taylor
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, 7 Greenhouse Road, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Shruti H Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N. Wolfe Street, Room E6546, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Judith I Tsui
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 325 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Judith Feinberg
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 930 Chestnut Ridge Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 930 Chestnut Ridge Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Arthur Y Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Brianna L Norton
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
| | - Kimberly Page
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico MSC 10 5550, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Cristina Murray-Krezan
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jessica Anderson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico MSC 10 5550, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Phillip Moschella
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Prisma Health, Greenville, SC, USA; School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA; Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 876W Faris Rd, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
| | - Moonseong Heo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Alain H Litwin
- School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA; Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 876W Faris Rd, Greenville, SC 29605, USA; Department of Medicine, Prisma Health, Greenville, SC, USA.
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Lindqvist K, Thorin Z, Kåberg M. Real-world hepatitis C treatment outcomes and reinfections among people who inject drugs at a needle and syringe program in Stockholm, Sweden. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:72. [PMID: 37308951 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00801-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) represent a population with an increased prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) infections. HCV treatment among PWID is essential to reach the WHO goal of eliminating HCV as a major public health threat by 2030. Despite better understanding of PWID subgroups and changes in risk behaviors over time, more knowledge about HCV treatment outcomes in different HCV prevalence populations and settings is warranted to enhance the continuum of care. METHODS All Stockholm Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) participants who initiated HCV treatment between October 2017 and June 2020 were HCV RNA tested at end of treatment and twelve weeks thereafter to confirm cure with a sustained virological response (SVR). All cured participants were prospectively followed from SVR to the last negative HCV RNA test or a subsequent reinfection, until October 31, 2021. RESULTS Overall, 409 NSP participants initiated HCV treatment, 162 at the NSP and 247 in another treatment setting. There were a total of 6.4% treatment dropouts (n = 26), 11.7% among participants treated at the NSP and 2.8% among those treated elsewhere (p < 0.001). Stimulant use (p < 0.05) and not being in an opioid agonist treatment program (p < 0.05) was associated with dropout. More participants treated outside the NSP were lost to follow-up between end of treatment and SVR (p < 0.05). During follow-up post-SVR, 43 reinfections occurred, corresponding to a reinfection rate of 9.3/100 PY (95% CI 7.0, 12.3). Factors associated with reinfection were younger age (p < 0.001), treatment while in prison (p < 0.01) and homelessness (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION In this high HCV prevalence NSP setting, with a majority of stimulant users, treatment success was high and the level of reinfections manageable. To reach HCV elimination, there is a need to target specific PWID subgroups for HCV treatment, in both harm reduction and adjacent healthcare settings frequented by PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Lindqvist
- Stockholm Centre for Dependency Disorders, Stockholm Needle Syringe Program, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Z Thorin
- Stockholm Centre for Dependency Disorders, Stockholm Needle Syringe Program, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Kåberg
- Stockholm Centre for Dependency Disorders, Stockholm Needle Syringe Program, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Sprututbytet, S:t Görans Sjukhus, Akutvägen 29, 112 81, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Khezri M, Mirzazadeh A, Shokoohi M, Sharafi H, Ghalekhani N, Tavakoli F, Mehmandoost S, Mousavian G, Imani M, Kakavand-Ghalehnoei R, Komasi A, Gouya MM, Haghdoost AA, McFarland W, Karamouzian M, Sharifi H. Hepatitis C virus prevalence, determinants, and cascade of care among people who inject drugs in Iran. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 243:109751. [PMID: 36621200 PMCID: PMC10440186 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109751] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) continue to experience the highest burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV). We aimed to characterize HCV antibody prevalence, determinants of infection, and the cascade of engagement in HCV care among PWID in Iran. METHODS Participants were recruited in 11 cities of Iran using respondent-driven sampling. PWID underwent a structured interview capturing measures on socio-demographics, behaviors, and the HCV cascade of care. HCV and HIV were tested using antibody rapid tests. Multivariable logistic regression models identified characteristics associated with HCV seropositivity. RESULTS HCV antibody prevalence was 26.0% among 2684 PWID enrolled. Of 699 participants who were HCV antibody positive, 88 (12.6%) were aware of past infections. HCV antibody prevalence was associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.09; 95% CI 1.18, 3.71), lower education (aOR 1.31; 95% CI 1.02, 1.69), >10 years of injecting (aOR 6.03; 95% CI 4.10, 8.85), methamphetamine injection (aOR 1.46; 95% CI 1.07, 1.99), daily injection drug use (aOR 1.26; 95% CI 1.01, 1.58), needle/syringe sharing (aOR 2.04; 95% CI 1.24, 3.34), recent incarceration (aOR 1.74; 95% CI 1.30, 2.32), and HIV seropositivity (aOR 7.93; 95% CI 4.12, 15.24). Additionally, 12.0% had ever tested for HCV, 4.0% had previously tested reactive for HCV antibody, and 3.7% had received an HCV diagnosis. Of diagnosed cases, 44.4% were linked to care, 15.2% initiated treatment, and 3.0% achieved sustained virologic response. CONCLUSION Our data show a high prevalence of HCV antibody and low engagement in HCV care, underscoring an unmet need for HCV prevention, screening, and treatment among PWID in Iran. HCV prevention and treatment programs tailored for PWID are needed to enhance harm reduction efforts and access to HCV care in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Khezri
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ali Mirzazadeh
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mostafa Shokoohi
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Nima Ghalekhani
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Tavakoli
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Soheil Mehmandoost
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ghazal Mousavian
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mousa Imani
- Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ali Komasi
- Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Gouya
- Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Haghdoost
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Willi McFarland
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mohammad Karamouzian
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hamid Sharifi
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Bregenzer A, Krismer C, Wendel S, Roser P, Fux CA. HCV elimination in a Swiss opioid agonist therapy programme - a cohort study. Swiss Med Wkly 2022; 152:40009. [PMID: 36509421 DOI: 10.57187/smw.2022.40009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In opioid agonist therapy (OAT) programmes, chronic hepatitis C is highly prevalent and directly observed therapy guarantees optimal adherence. Since 2017, all patients with chronic hepatitis C in Switzerland can be treated with pangenotypic direct-acting antivirals irrespective of liver fibrosis stage. Until the end of 2021, however, prescription was restricted to infectious disease specialists, gastroenterologists and certain addiction specialists. Difficult venous access after long-term intravenous drug use and, in the case of referral to a specialist, difficulties keeping appointments are barriers to HCV diagnosis and treatment. AIMS To assess whether minimally invasive point-of-care tests and a "test-and-treat / vaccinate on-site" approach can improve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening, HCV treatment uptake and immunity against hepatitis A/B. METHODS Since September 2018, an infectious disease specialist and a study nurse performed 4-weekly visits in the OAT programme "HAG" (heroin dispensation of the canton Aargau), offering HIV/HCV antibody rapid testing (20 min) and HCV RNA quantification (GeneXpert®, 60 min) from capillary blood, noninvasive liver fibrosis assessment (Fibroscan®, 5-10 min) and HCV treatment prescription on-site. Recommended venous blood draws for HAV/HBV serology and HAV/HBV vaccinations were performed by the staff of the "HAG". Project performance was assessed by annual cross-sectional chart review. RESULTS Of the 128 patients registered in April 2018, 79 (62%) were still present in May 2021. With 72 newly registered, a total of 200 patients could be assessed, of whom 129 (65%) were still present in May 2021. Between April 2018 and May 2021, the proportion ever tested for HIV antibodies increased from 79% (101/128) to 91% (117/129), the proportion ever tested for HCV antibodies from 83% (106/128) to 93% (120/129) and the proportion of those HCV antibody positive ever tested for HCV RNA tested from 89% (47/53) to 98% (56/57). The proportion with adequate HCV management (last HCV antibody test ≤1 year ago, if HCV antibody negative or last HCV RNA test ≤1 year ago, if HCV antibody-positive and RNA-negative) improved from 23% ([15 + 15]/128) to 80% ([55 + 48]/129). Overall, HCV treatment uptake increased from 60% (21/35) to 92% (55/60) and HCV RNA prevalence among the HCV antibody positives decreased from 38% (18/47) to 7% (6/84). Between 2018 and 2021, 19 non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis C patients were successfully treated on-site (18 sustained virological responses [SVR] 12, 1 SVR4), with excellent adherence (≥93%) and, so far, no reinfection. The proportion with known HAV/HBV serostatus increased from 38%/51% to 64%/76%. Immunity against HAV/HBV improved from 19%/23% to 50%/57%. CONCLUSION Capillary blood point-of-care tests and a "test-and-treat / vaccinate on-site" approach remove crucial barriers to diagnosis and treatment, making hepatitis elimination in OAT programmes achievable. A high fluctuation rate requires HIV/HCV/HAV/HBV testing at admission, but also allows more patients to be screened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bregenzer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Krismer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Wendel
- Outpatient Centre for Opioid Agonist Therapy (HAG), Department of Addictive Disorders, Psychiatric Services Aargau, Brugg, Switzerland
| | - Patrik Roser
- Outpatient Centre for Opioid Agonist Therapy (HAG), Department of Addictive Disorders, Psychiatric Services Aargau, Brugg, Switzerland.,LVR-Hospital Essen, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph A Fux
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Switzerland
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Sarıgül Yıldırım F, Üser Ü, Didem Sarı N, Kurtaran B, Önlen Y, Şenateş E, Gündüz A, Zerdali E, Karsen H, Batırel A, Karaali R, Güner R, Yamazhan T, Köse Ş, Erben N, İnce N, Köksal İ, Çuvalcı Öztoprak N, Yörük G, Kömür S, Bal T, Kaya S, Bozkurt İ, Günal Ö, Esen Yıldız İ, İnan D, Barut Ş, Namıduru M, Tosun S, Türker K, Şener A, Hızel K, Baykam N, Duygu F, Bodur H, Can G, Gül HC, Sağmak Tartar A, Çelebi G, Sünnetçioğlu M, Karabay O, Kumbasar Karaosmanoğlu H, Sırmatel F, Tabak F. In a Real-Life Setting, Direct-Acting Antivirals to People Who Inject Drugs with Chronic Hepatitis C in Turkey. THE TURKISH JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF TURKISH SOCIETY OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2022; 33:971-978. [PMID: 36415900 PMCID: PMC9797763 DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2022.21834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) should be treated in order to eliminate hepatitis C virus in the world. The aim of this study was to compare direct-acting antivirals treatment of hepatitis C virus for PWID and non-PWID in a real-life setting. METHODS We performed a prospective, non-randomized, observational multicenter cohort study in 37 centers. All patients treated with direct-acting antivirals between April 1, 2017, and February 28, 2019, were included. In total, 2713 patients were included in the study among which 250 were PWID and 2463 were non-PWID. Besides patient characteristics, treatment response, follow-up, and side effects of treatment were also analyzed. RESULTS Genotype 1a and 3 were more prevalent in PWID-infected patients (20.4% vs 9.9% and 46.8% vs 5.3%). The number of naïve patients was higher in PWID (90.7% vs 60.0%), while the number of patients with cirrhosis was higher in non-PWID (14.1% vs 3.7%). The loss of follow-up was higher in PWID (29.6% vs 13.6%). There was no difference in the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment (98.3% vs 98.4%), but the end of treatment response was lower in PWID (96.2% vs 99.0%). In addition, the rate of treatment completion was lower in PWID (74% vs 94.4%). CONCLUSION Direct-acting antivirals were safe and effective in PWID. Primary measures should be taken to prevent the loss of follow-up and poor adherence in PWID patients in order to achieve World Health Organization's objective of eliminating viral hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Figen Sarıgül Yıldırım
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ülkü Üser
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Nagehan Didem Sarı
- Department of Infectious Diseases, İstanbul Education Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Behice Kurtaran
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Önlen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Ebubekir Şenateş
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Alper Gündüz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, İstanbul Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Esra Zerdali
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Haseki Education Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Hasan Karsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Harran University Faculty of Medicine, Şanlıurfa, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Batırel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, İstanbul Doctor Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Rıdvan Karaali
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Namık Kemal University Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Rahmet Güner
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tansu Yamazhan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Şükran Köse
- Department of Infectious Diseases, İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Nurettin Erben
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Nevin İnce
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Düzce University Medical School, Düzce, Turkey
| | - İftihar Köksal
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Karadeniz Teknik University Faculty of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Nefise Çuvalcı Öztoprak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Gülşen Yörük
- Department of Infectious Diseases, İstanbul Education Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Süheyla Kömür
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Tayibe Bal
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sibel Kaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - İlkay Bozkurt
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Özgür Günal
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Samsun Education Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey
| | - İlknur Esen Yıldız
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Training and Research Hospital, Rize, Turkey
| | - Dilara İnan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Akdeniz University Medical School, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Şener Barut
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gaziosmanpaşa University Medical Faculty, Tokat, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Namıduru
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gaziantep University Medical Faculty, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Selma Tosun
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Kamuran Türker
- Department of Infectious Diseases, İstanbul Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Alper Şener
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Çanakkale 18 Mart University Faculty of Medicine, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Kenan Hızel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nurcan Baykam
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Hitit University Faculty of Medicine, Çorum, Turkey
| | - Fazilet Duygu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ankara Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hürrem Bodur
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Güray Can
- Department of Gastroenterology, Bolu İzzet Baysal University Medical Faculty, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Hanefi Cem Gül
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Health Science University Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Sağmak Tartar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Fırat University School of Medicine, Elazığ, Turkey
| | - Güven Çelebi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Training and Research Hospital, Zonguldak, Turkey
| | - Mahmut Sünnetçioğlu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine, Van, Turkey
| | - Oğuz Karabay
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Hayat Kumbasar Karaosmanoğlu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, İstanbul Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatma Sırmatel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Bolu İzzet Baysal University Medical Faculty, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Fehmi Tabak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gaziosmanpaşa University Medical Faculty, Tokat, Turkey
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Yuan JM, Croxford S, Viviani L, Emanuel E, Phipps E, Desai M. Investigating the sociodemographic and behavioural factors associated with hepatitis C virus testing amongst people who inject drugs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: A quantitative cross-sectional analysis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 109:103821. [PMID: 35994940 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in the UK is driven by injecting drug use. We explore HCV testing uptake amongst people who inject drugs (PWID) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and identify factors associated with i) ever having an HCV test amongst people who have ever injected drugs, and ii) recently having an HCV test (within the current or previous year) amongst people who currently inject drugs (reported injecting drugs within the last year). METHODS We analysed data from the 2019 'Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring Survey' of PWID, using logistic regression. RESULTS Of 3,127 PWID, 2,065 reported injecting drugs within the last year. Most (86.7%) PWID had a lifetime history of HCV testing. In multivariable analysis, higher odds of ever testing were associated with: female sex (aOR=1.54; 95%CI 1.11-2.14), injecting duration ≥3 years (aOR=2.94; 95%CI 2.13-4.05), ever receiving used needles/syringes (aOR=1.74; 95%CI 1.29-2.36), ever being on opioid agonist treatment (aOR=2.91; 95%CI 2.01-4.21), ever being imprisoned (aOR=1.86; 95%CI 1.40-2.48) and ever being homeless (aOR=1.54; 95%CI 1.14-2.07). Amongst PWID who had injected drugs within the last year, 49.9% had recently undertaken an HCV test. After adjustment, factors associated with higher odds of undertaking a recent HCV test included: injecting crack in the last year (aOR=1.29; 95%CI 1.03-1.61), experiencing a non-fatal overdose in the last year (aOR=1.39; 95%CI 1.05-1.85), ever being on opioid agonist treatment (aOR=1.48; 95%CI 0.97-2.25), receiving HCV information in the last year (aOR=1.99; 95%CI 1.49-2.65) and using a healthcare service in the last year (aOR=1.80; 95%CI 1.21-2.67). CONCLUSION Results suggest that PWID who have experienced homelessness and incarceration - amongst the most vulnerable and marginalised in the PWID population - are engaging with HCV testing, but overall there remain missed testing opportunities. Recent initiates to injecting have highest HCV infection risk but lower odds of testing, and peer-education may help target this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Min Yuan
- UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK.
| | - Sara Croxford
- UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Laura Viviani
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Eva Emanuel
- UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Emily Phipps
- UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Monica Desai
- UK Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
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7
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Dawe J, Wilkinson AL, Asselin J, Carter A, Pedrana A, Traeger MW, Thomas AJ, Curtis M, Cooper M, Howell J, Doyle JS, Hellard ME, Stoové M. Hepatitis C antibody testing among opioid agonist therapy recipients, Victoria, Australia, 2012 to 2020. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 104:103696. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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8
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Puljevic C, Massi L, Brown R, Mills R, Turner L, Smirnov A, Selvey LA. Barriers and enablers to hepatitis C treatment among clients of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in South East Queensland, Australia: a qualitative enquiry. Aust J Prim Health 2022; 28:239-246. [PMID: 35135655 DOI: 10.1071/py21055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have disproportionately high rates of hepatitis C infection. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services play an important role in promoting hepatitis C treatment, but uptake is variable. This study explores the service-level barriers and enablers to hepatitis C screening and treatment among clients of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in South East Queensland. METHODS This qualitative study involved yarns with 16 clients and 40 healthcare providers. Thematic analysis was used to identify common barriers and enablers to hepatitis C screening and treatment. RESULTS Common barriers included healthcare providers' knowledge deficits and inaccurate perceptions of clients' ability to complete treatment, whereas clients described stigma that resulted in distrust of health care, and experiences of poor relationships and connections with healthcare providers. Enablers included Aboriginal governance of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and the ease of direct-acting antiviral treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study's findings point to the need for healthcare worker training focussing on client autonomy, reduced hepatitis C-related stigma, and consideration of clinicians' roles in increasing service engagement. Addressing the barriers to hepatitis C treatment through client-focussed service improvement may promote increased hepatitis C screening and treatment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheneal Puljevic
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Brisbane, Qld 4006, Australia; and Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4006, Australia
| | - Luciana Massi
- Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, College of Nursing & Midwifery, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia
| | - Renee Brown
- The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Brisbane, Qld 4030, Australia
| | - Richard Mills
- The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Brisbane, Qld 4030, Australia
| | - Lyle Turner
- The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Brisbane, Qld 4030, Australia
| | - Andrew Smirnov
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Brisbane, Qld 4006, Australia
| | - Linda A Selvey
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Brisbane, Qld 4006, Australia
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9
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Martel-Laferrière V, Brissette S, Wartelle-Bladou C, Juteau LC, Popa M, Goyer MÈ, Bruneau J. Impact of an Accelerated Pretreatment Evaluation on Linkage-to-Care for Hepatitis C-infected Persons Who Inject Drugs. Subst Abuse 2022; 16:11782218221119068. [PMID: 35990750 PMCID: PMC9382068 DOI: 10.1177/11782218221119068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Historically, hepatitis C virus (HCV) pretreatment evaluation has required multiple visits, frequently resulting in loss to follow-up and a delayed initiation of treatment. New technologies can accelerate this process. We investigated the feasibility of a single-day evaluation program and its impact on evaluation completion, treatment eligibility awareness, and treatment initiation among people who inject drugs (PWIDs). Methods: HCV-infected PWID who were unaware if they were eligible for treatment were recruited in a prospective evaluation of an accelerated model of care between 2017 and 2019 and compared to a historical cohort. The patients underwent a medical evaluation, rapid HCV viral load testing, and transient elastography during a single visit, at the end of which they were informed whether they were eligible for treatment. A historical cohort of patients fulfilling the same inclusion criteria and evaluated with the usual standard of care spanning several visits who were examined at the addiction medicine clinic from 2014 to 2016 served as the comparison group. Results: The accelerated and historical cohorts included 99 and 76 patients, respectively. The cohorts did not differ significantly by age and gender, but more patients in the historical cohort were undergoing opioid agonist therapy, while more patients in the accelerated cohort injected drugs in the last month. An accelerated evaluation resulted in a higher rate of evaluation completion (100% vs 67.1%; P < .001). Among those eligible for treatment, the proportion of those initiating treatment was similar between the groups (51/64 (79.7%) vs. 26/37 (70.3%); P = .28). The delay in the initiation of treatment was shorter in the accelerated cohort than in the historical cohort (69 (IQR: 49-106) days vs. 219 (IQR: 141-416) days; P < .001). Conclusions: Accelerated evaluation enhanced the awareness of eligibility and reduced the time to initiation among eligible patients. Trial Registration: This study is registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02755402).
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Martel-Laferrière
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Suzanne Brissette
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Claire Wartelle-Bladou
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Louis-Christophe Juteau
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maria Popa
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Goyer
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- CIUSSS du Centre-Sud de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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10
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Rife KM, Lea EJ, Hirsch AA, Falck-Ytter Y. Treating Hepatitis C Virus Reinfection With 8 Weeks of Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir Achieves Sustained Virologic Response. Fed Pract 2021; 38:282-285. [PMID: 34733076 DOI: 10.12788/fp.0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Three patients reinfected with hepatitis C virus after a sustained virologic response were considered treatment naïve and treated with a short-course direct acting antiviral regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey M Rife
- is a Hepatology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, is an Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacist, is the Chief of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, and is a Behavioral Health Psychologist, all at US Department of Veterans Affairs Northeast Ohio Healthcare System in Cleveland. Yngve Falck-Ytter is a Professor of Medicine, Erin Lea is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, and Amy Hirsch is a Senior Clinical Instructor in the College of Medicine, all at Case Western Reserve University. Yngve Falck-Ytter is Faculty for the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at University Hospitals
| | - Erin J Lea
- is a Hepatology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, is an Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacist, is the Chief of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, and is a Behavioral Health Psychologist, all at US Department of Veterans Affairs Northeast Ohio Healthcare System in Cleveland. Yngve Falck-Ytter is a Professor of Medicine, Erin Lea is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, and Amy Hirsch is a Senior Clinical Instructor in the College of Medicine, all at Case Western Reserve University. Yngve Falck-Ytter is Faculty for the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at University Hospitals
| | - Amy A Hirsch
- is a Hepatology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, is an Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacist, is the Chief of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, and is a Behavioral Health Psychologist, all at US Department of Veterans Affairs Northeast Ohio Healthcare System in Cleveland. Yngve Falck-Ytter is a Professor of Medicine, Erin Lea is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, and Amy Hirsch is a Senior Clinical Instructor in the College of Medicine, all at Case Western Reserve University. Yngve Falck-Ytter is Faculty for the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at University Hospitals
| | - Yngve Falck-Ytter
- is a Hepatology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, is an Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacist, is the Chief of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, and is a Behavioral Health Psychologist, all at US Department of Veterans Affairs Northeast Ohio Healthcare System in Cleveland. Yngve Falck-Ytter is a Professor of Medicine, Erin Lea is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences, and Amy Hirsch is a Senior Clinical Instructor in the College of Medicine, all at Case Western Reserve University. Yngve Falck-Ytter is Faculty for the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at University Hospitals
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11
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Granozzi B, Guardigni V, Badia L, Rosselli Del Turco E, Zuppiroli A, Tazza B, Malosso P, Pieralli S, Viale P, Verucchi G. Out-of-Hospital Treatment of Hepatitis C Increases Retention in Care among People Who Inject Drugs and Homeless Persons: An Observational Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214955. [PMID: 34768474 PMCID: PMC8584608 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. People who inject drugs (PWID) and homeless people represent now a large reservoir of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, Hepatis C elimination programs can barely reach these subgroups of patients. We aimed to evaluate and compare the retention in care among these difficult-to-treat patients when managed for HCV in hospital or in an out-of-hospital setting. Methods. In our retrospective study, we categorized the included patients (PWID and homeless persons) into two groups according to whether anti-HCV treatment was offered and provided in a hospital or an out-of-hospital setting. We run logistic regressions to evaluate factors associated with retention in care (defined as the completion of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) therapy). Results. We included 56 patients in our study: 27 were in the out-of-hospital group. Overall, 33 patients completed DAAs therapy. A higher rate of retention in care was observed in the out-of-hospital group rather than in-hospital group (p = 0.001). At the univariate analysis, retention in care was associated with the out-of-hospital management (p = 0.002) and with a shorter time between the first visit and the scheduled start of DAAs (p = 0.003). Conclusions. The choice of treatment models that can better adapt to difficult-to-treat populations, such as an out-of-hospital approach, will be important for achieving the eradication of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Granozzi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (L.B.); (E.R.D.T.); (A.Z.); (B.T.); (P.M.); (P.V.); (G.V.)
| | - Viola Guardigni
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (L.B.); (E.R.D.T.); (A.Z.); (B.T.); (P.M.); (P.V.); (G.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-333-4502053
| | - Lorenzo Badia
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (L.B.); (E.R.D.T.); (A.Z.); (B.T.); (P.M.); (P.V.); (G.V.)
| | - Elena Rosselli Del Turco
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (L.B.); (E.R.D.T.); (A.Z.); (B.T.); (P.M.); (P.V.); (G.V.)
| | - Alberto Zuppiroli
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (L.B.); (E.R.D.T.); (A.Z.); (B.T.); (P.M.); (P.V.); (G.V.)
| | - Beatrice Tazza
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (L.B.); (E.R.D.T.); (A.Z.); (B.T.); (P.M.); (P.V.); (G.V.)
| | - Pietro Malosso
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (L.B.); (E.R.D.T.); (A.Z.); (B.T.); (P.M.); (P.V.); (G.V.)
| | | | - Pierluigi Viale
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (L.B.); (E.R.D.T.); (A.Z.); (B.T.); (P.M.); (P.V.); (G.V.)
| | - Gabriella Verucchi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (L.B.); (E.R.D.T.); (A.Z.); (B.T.); (P.M.); (P.V.); (G.V.)
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12
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Yelemkoure ET, Yonli AT, Sombie HK, Tao I, Zouré AA, Ouattara AK, Sorgho AP, Zongo AW, Zeba MTA, Kiendrebeogo IT, Bado P, Kabré MK, Zohoncon TM, Djigma FW, Obiri-Yeboah D, Simpore J. Seroprevalence, Genotyping, and Monitoring of Hepatitis C Viral Loads in Patients on Antivirals in Burkina Faso. Intervirology 2021; 65:151-159. [PMID: 34583364 PMCID: PMC9501785 DOI: 10.1159/000519848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a major public health problem worldwide. In Burkina Faso, nearly 720,000 people are living with HCV, and each year about 900 people die from complications of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. This study was planned to determine the HCV seroprevalence, characterize circulating genotypes, and monitor HCV viral loads in patients under treatment with antivirals. Methods A total of 4,124 individuals and 167 patients in the pre-therapy program were recruited. The “SD Bioline HCV” kit was used for rapid screening of anti-HCV antibodies. Viral load and genotyping were performed in 167 HCV patients on antivirals using the “Iontek HCV Quant” and “Iontek genotyping” kits. Results Prevalence of HCV was 1.65% (68/4,124), and the median viral load of participants was 5.37 log10/mL (1.32–7.67 log10/mL). Genotype 2 was predominant with a frequency of 86.23% (144/167) and appeared to be more active with higher viral load compared to 13.77% (23/167) for genotype 1 (p < 0.001). After 24 weeks of pan-genotypic direct-acting antivirals, such as sofosbuvir/daclatasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, the viral loads of all patients became undetectable. Conclusion The responses to antivirals by the circulating genotypes indicate that the results are very satisfactory. Therefore, the prevalence of HCV in the population can be reduced through identification of cases and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwige T Yelemkoure
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Albert T Yonli
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Hermann K Sombie
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Issoufou Tao
- Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Institute of Sciences, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdou Azaque Zouré
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Department of Biomedical and Public Heath, Institute for Research in Health Sciences (IRSS/CNRST), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoul Karim Ouattara
- Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,University Center of Manga, Norbert ZONGO University, Koudougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Abel P Sorgho
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Arsène W Zongo
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Moctar T A Zeba
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Isabelle T Kiendrebeogo
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Prosper Bado
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Madeleine K Kabré
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Théodora M Zohoncon
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,University Saint Thomas d'Aquin, Faculty of Medicine, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Florencia W Djigma
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah
- Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Cape Coast, School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Jacques Simpore
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics (LABIOGENE), University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,Pietro Annigoni Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.,University Saint Thomas d'Aquin, Faculty of Medicine, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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13
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Fernández de Cañete Camacho JC, Mancebo Martínez A, García Mena MA, Moreno Planas JM. Influence of psychiatric disorders and opioid substitution therapy on hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals in people who inject drugs. GASTROENTEROLOGIA Y HEPATOLOGIA 2021; 45:265-273. [PMID: 34543719 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The effectiveness of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment seems to be lower in people who inject drugs (PWID). We analyze the influence of various factors as psychiatric disorders and opioid substitution therapy (OST) on the treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) in this collective. PATIENTS AND METHODS Three hundred thirty-two PWID patients were treated with DAA in 12 Spanish hospitals between 2004 and 2020. They were catalogued in recent and former consumers (if the last consumption was in the last 3 years) and several variables were included, evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment according to the viral load 12 weeks after the end of the treatment with the parameter «sustained viral response» (SVR12). RESULTS 23.4% were recent consumers and 27.7% were on OST. The 41.5% had any diagnosis of psychiatric disorder. SVR12 was 84.04%, ascending to 96.21% when excluded from the analyses the patients lost to follow-up (12.7%). SVR12 was lower due to an increase in the loss to follow-up in recent consumers and other factors like OST, being in prison the last 5 years, naïve patients, generalized anxiety disorder and benzodiazepine consumption. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of the HCV treatment with DAA in PWID is similar than in general population in patients whit an appropriate follow-up. It is important to maintain a closer follow-up in patients on OST, recent consumers and those with psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Mancebo Martínez
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, España
| | | | - José María Moreno Planas
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, España; Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, España
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14
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Gunn J, McNally S, Ryan J, Layton C, Bryant M, Walker S, O'Mahony C, Pedrana A. Barriers to hepatitis C treatment among secondary needle and syringe program clients and opportunities to intervene. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 96:103387. [PMID: 34330571 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND At least 160,000 Australians are living with hepatitis C (HCV), many of whom are people who inject drugs and access needle and syringe programs (NSP). Secondary NSPs provide injecting equipment via health services that are not dedicated to the provision of services to people who inject drugs; these sites could be a suitable space to increase engagement of people who inject drugs in HCV treatment. Drawing on data from a pilot study exploring the potential of upscaling linkage to HCV care in secondary NSPs, the aim of this research was to explore barriers and enablers to HCV treatment for clients who use these services. METHODS We interviewed 34 people who inject drugs (who self-reported HCV positivity) from six secondary NSPs in urban and regional Victoria, Australia in 2018. Fifty per cent were male, with ages ranging from 33 to 58. Twenty-two (65%) had never received HCV treatment and none had experience with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Field notes from a program evaluation with feedback from secondary NSP staff was also used as a secondary data source. RESULTS Five themes encompassing a set of contrasting barriers and enablers to accessing HCV care through secondary NSPs were uncovered. Themes included 'misinformation' vs. 'multiple trusted information sources; 'lack of symptoms and motivation' vs. 'benefits of cure'; 'competing priorities' vs. 'willingness and readiness to be cured'; 'unsupportive relationships with staff' vs. 'supportive relationships with staff'; and 'inaccessibility and stigma in health services' vs. 'enhanced support'. Secondary program evaluation data also highlighted that secondary NSP staff were under-resourced and had limited capacity to implement HCV care linkage and information. CONCLUSION We identified contrasting barriers and opportunities for accessing DAAs among a sample of secondary NSP clients and staff. Interventions that consider individual, provider and health system level factors are needed if secondary NSP services are to become a suitable setting to initiate conversations with clients around HCV treatment and provide linkages to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Gunn
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | | | - John Ryan
- Penington Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chloe Layton
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mellissa Bryant
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shelley Walker
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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15
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Frankova S, Jandova Z, Jinochova G, Kreidlova M, Merta D, Sperl J. Therapy of chronic hepatitis C in people who inject drugs: focus on adherence. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:69. [PMID: 34193156 PMCID: PMC8247095 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00519-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intravenous drug use (IVDU) represents the major factor of HCV transmission, but the treatment uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID) remains low owing to a false presumption of low efficacy. The aim of our study was to assess treatment efficacy in PWID and factors determining adherence to therapy. Methods A total of 278 consecutive patients starting DAA (direct-acting antivirals) therapy were included, divided into two groups: individuals with a history of IVDU, PWID group (N = 101) and the control group (N = 177) without a history of IVDU. Results Sustained virological response 12 weeks after the end of therapy (SVR12) was achieved by 99/101 (98%) and 172/177 (98%) patients in the PWID and control group, respectively; in PWID group, two patients were lost to follow-up, and in the control group, four patients relapsed and one was lost to follow-up. PWID patients postponed appointments significantly more often, 29 (28.7%) in PWID versus 7 (4%) in the control group, p = 0.001. Thirteen of 101 (12.9%) and six of 177 (3.4%) patients in the PWID and in the control group, respectively, missed at least one visit (p < 0.01). However, postponing visits led to a lack of medication in only one PWID. In the PWID group, older age (p < 0.05; OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00–1.20) and stable housing (p < 0.01; OR 9.70, 95% CI 2.10–56.20) were factors positively contributing to adherence. Contrarily, a stable job was a factor negatively influencing adherence (p < 0.05; OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.06–0.81). In the control group, none of the analyzed social and demographic factors had an impact on adherence to therapy. Conclusions In PWID, treatment efficacy was excellent and was comparable with SVR of the control group. Stable housing and older age contributed to a better adherence to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sona Frankova
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Videnska 1958/9, 14021, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Zuzana Jandova
- Psychiatric Hospital Havlickuv Brod, Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic.,First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriela Jinochova
- Psychiatric Hospital Havlickuv Brod, Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic.,Addiction Centre Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Miluse Kreidlova
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, First Faculty of Medicine Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dusan Merta
- Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Sperl
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Videnska 1958/9, 14021, Prague, Czech Republic.,First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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16
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A H, L M, Am J, M M, Gp A, S V. Community-Based Assessment and Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus-Related Liver Disease, Injecting Drug and Alcohol Use Amongst People Who Are Homeless: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 96:103342. [PMID: 34210551 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis addressing community-based assessment and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease, injecting drug use (IDU) and alcohol use amongst people who are homeless (PWAH). METHODS Using systematic review methodology, databases were searched (MEDLINE/ EMBASE/CINAHL) for studies combining PWAH, HCV-related liver disease and community assessment until December 2019. Studies with a sample size ≥ 30, with PWAH constituting at least 30% of the cohort were included and a quality assessment performed. Pooled estimates of key indicators were analysed using meta-analysis. RESULTS We identified 39 studies (n = 13,918), 37 categorised as poor quality (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale). Prevalence of homelessness ranged between 30%-100% (37 studies). Eight studies provided all of the following: HCV screening, alcohol/substance use/liver fibrosis assessment and HCV treatment. No study provided interventions for alcohol use, with two providing opioid substitution treatment. Alcohol use prevalence (24 studies) was 4%-97%, being 59% (95% CI 20%-92%) in four studies that included only PWAH. Recent IDU prevalence (16 studies) was 7%-73%, being 21% (95% CI 17%-26%) in four studies that included only PWAH. HCV seroprevalence (25 studies) was 2.5% - 58%; in 13 studies that included only PWAH, this was 20% (95% CI 12%-30%). Prevalence of F4 fibrosis (nine studies) was 6%-28%, being 7% and 16% in two studies that included only PWAH. Direct acting antiviral-based intention-to-treat sustained virological response (SVR) rates (five studies) were 82%-92%, being 92% in the one study that included only PWAH. In the only two randomised controlled trials (RCT) identified, community-based interventions (mental health/peer mentor) significantly increased linkage to care (p = 0.04), HCV treatment (p = 0.005) and SVR rates (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION The burden from alcohol/IDU and HCV, and consequently liver disease in PWAH needs addressing. RCT trials assessing community-based interventions to improve liver health in PWAH are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hashim A
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Macken L
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Jones Am
- Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust, Hove, United Kingdom
| | - McGeer M
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Aithal Gp
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Verma S
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom.
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17
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Pérez Castaño Y, Chouza Pérez JM, Sanz Largo V, Almandoz Cortajarena E, Gómez García A, Esandi González FJ, Castiella Eguzkiza A, Arranz Díaz S, Urtasun Lugea I, Sánchez Iturri MJ, Gil Fernández B, Bujanda L, Arenas Ruiz-Tapiador J. Linkage to care strategy for the micro-elimination of hepatitis C among parenteral drug users on methadone replacement therapy in Gipuzkoa. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ENFERMEDADES DIGESTIVAS 2021; 112:545-549. [PMID: 32579013 DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7194/2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION parenteral drug users (PDUs) are a population with a high prevalence of infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and significant difficulties to access to treatment. Opioid replacement therapy programs regularly monitor these individuals. OBJECTIVE to effectively treat this population using a directly observed therapy (DOT) and bringing resources closer to the methadone dispensing center in Gipuzkoa (Bitarte). METHODS all methadone users that were positive for anti-HCV antibodies were included in the study. Using a simplified circuit, a hepatologist visits the center with a Fibroscan® device and requests treatment following assessment. Treatment is dispensed at the addict center, under the supervision of a psychiatrist and nursing staff. Prevalence, population characteristics and circuit effectiveness were assessed. RESULTS Bitarte monitors 660 individuals. Of these, 73.6 % were positive for antibodies against HCV. The prevalence of viremic infection is 62.5 %. The predominant genotype was 1a, followed by 3. A total of 38.5 % had advanced fibrosis (F3 and F4) and 38 % of users admitted to active heroin use. In all, 82.07 % (174/212) of the population received treatment and 97 % had sustained viral response (SVR) after 12 weeks. No re-infections were recorded. CONCLUSIONS the prevalence of viremic HCV infection among PDUs under treatment with methadone is 62 %. The linkage to care strategy was effective and > 80 % of the population with an active infection have been treated so far.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Luis Bujanda
- Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Donostia
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18
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Chauvette V, Bouhout I, Lefebvre L, Tarabzoni M, Chamberland MÈ, Poirier N, Demers P, Chu MWA, Perron J, El-Hamamsy I. The Ross procedure is a safe and durable option in adults with infective endocarditis: a multicentre study. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2021; 58:537-543. [PMID: 32236477 DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezaa078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) remains a challenge. The Ross procedure offers the benefit of a living substitute in the aortic position but it is a more complex operation which may lead to increased operative risk. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and late outcomes of the Ross procedure for the treatment of active IE. METHODS From 2000 to 2019, a total of 31 consecutive patients underwent a Ross procedure to treat active IE (mean age 43 ± 12 years, 84% male). All patients were followed up prospectively. Four patients (13%) were intravenous (IV) drug users and 6 patients (19%) had prosthetic IE. The most common infective organism was Streptococcus (58%). Median follow-up was 3.5 (0.9-4.5) years and 100% complete. RESULTS There were no in-hospital deaths. One patient suffered a postoperative stroke (3%) and 1 patient (3%) required reintervention for bleeding. Three patients had a new occurrence endocarditis: 2 patients were limited to the pulmonary homograft and successfully managed with IV antibiotics, whereas 1 IV drug user patient developed concomitant autograft and homograft endocarditis. Overall, cumulative incidence of IE recurrence was 13 ± 8% at 8 years. The cumulative incidence for autograft endocarditis was 5 ± 4% at 8 years. Two patients (6%) died during follow-up, both from drug overdoses. At 8 years, actuarial survival was 88 ± 8%. CONCLUSIONS In selected patients with IE, the Ross procedure is a safe and reasonable alternative with good mid-term outcomes. Freedom from recurrent infection on the pulmonary autograft is excellent, labelporting the notion that a living valve in the aortic position provides good resistance to infection. Nevertheless, in IV drug user patients, pulmonary homograft endocarditis remains a challenge. Continued follow-up is needed to ascertain the long-term benefits of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Chauvette
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ismail Bouhout
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Laurence Lefebvre
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mohammed Tarabzoni
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, London Health Sciences Center, London, ON, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Chamberland
- Department of Anesthesiology, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nancy Poirier
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Philippe Demers
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael W A Chu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, London Health Sciences Center, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Perron
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Ismail El-Hamamsy
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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19
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Factors Enhancing Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Italian People Who Use Drugs: The CLEO-GRECAS Experience. Am J Gastroenterol 2021; 116:1248-1255. [PMID: 34074828 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We assessed the performance of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected people who use drugs (PWUDs) in terms of sustained virological response (SVR) and adherence rates in comparison to a location-matched cohort of non-PWUD HCV patients. METHODS All consecutive HCV RNA-positive PWUDs were enrolled between 2015 and 2019. All subjects underwent DAA treatment according to international guidelines and then followed, at least, up to 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12). The SVR and adherence to treatment was compared with that of non-PWUD HCV patients observed at hepatological units of the CLEO platform. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. RESULTS A total of 1,786 PWUDs who were followed up were available for assessment. Most PWUDs (85.4%) were managed inside the specialized outpatient addiction clinics (SerDs). The overall SVR rate was 95.4%. The SerDs group achieved an SVR rate of 96.2% compared with 91.6% of the non-SerDs group (P < 0.001). Comparison with the non-SerDs group and the control HCV group showed a significant difference in the dropout rate (0.6% in the SerDs group versus 2.8% in the non-SerDs group and 1.2% in the control group; P < 0.001). At multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with SVR were use of the most recent regimens (elbasvir/grazoprevir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir; odds ratio: 3.126; P = 0.000) and belonging to the SerDs group (odds ratio: 2.356; P = 0.002). DISCUSSION The performance of DAAs in PWUD is excellent, if 2 conditions are met: (i) that the latest generation drugs are used and (ii) that the patients are managed within the SerDs.
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20
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Stvilia K, Vephkvadze N, Gamkrelidze A, Khonelidze I, Getia V, Tsereteli M, Gvinjilia L, Kuchuloria T. Hepatitis C treatment uptake among patients who have received methadone substitution treatment in the Republic of Georgia. Public Health 2021; 195:42-50. [PMID: 34051674 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is a dearth of research on hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment uptake among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) and receive methadone substitution treatment (MST) in Eastern Europe and Central Asia countries. This study contributed to addressing that gap. We examined and identified factors that may affect HCV treatment uptake among PWID who received MST in the Republic of Georgia. STUDY DESIGN The design of the study is retrospective cohort study. METHODS We conducted HCV care cascade analysis by matching the data from the web-based national hepatitis C program registry (ELIM C) and the MST treatment database between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018. Using the World Health Organization's (WHO) Consensus HCV cascade of care (CoC) global instrument, we assessed the progress made toward the country's 2020 and WHO's 2030 hepatitis C elimination targets for the subpopulation of MST patients. RESULTS Overall, 10,498 individuals have been dispensed methadone during the study period. A total of 6828 MST beneficiaries had HCV screening, of whom 5843 (85.6%) tested positive; 5476 (93.7%) were tested for HCV viremia, and 5275 (96.3%) were confirmed with chronic HCV infection. More than 75% (n = 4000) of HCV-infected MST patients initiated HCV treatment, and 3772 (94.3%) completed the treatment. Of those eligible for sustained virologic response assessment, 71.0% (2641/3715) were evaluated, and the reported cure rate was 96.1% (2537). The study found the odds of patients starting HCV treatment differed by the type of facility they were screened at and whether they were registered as PWID at the screening sites. The patients screened at centers with integrated HCV treatment services had higher treatment uptake rates than those screened at other centers. CONCLUSIONS As the cumulative HCV treatment uptake and cure rates among MST patients with HCV infection are high (75.8% and 96.1%, respectively), the MST patients might become the first microelimination target population in which hepatitis C elimination will be achieved in Georgia. The study found the type of screening facility and whether MST patients registered themselves as PWID or not had significant effects on MST patients starting HCV treatment. At the same time, the study did not find gender and age to be significant predictors of MST patients starting HCV treatment. MST patients used different types of health facilities to get screened for HIV. Many of them did not register themselves as PWID when screened for HIV. The existence of only a few harm reduction sites with integrated HCV treatment services, a high level of stigma, and the criminalization of drug use might have incentivized MST patients to self-navigate across the HCV care continuum with the rest of the population. The implementation of focused, harm reduction, integrated HCV treatment with good peer and professional adherence support at treatment sites could help reach the hepatitis C elimination goals among MST patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketevan Stvilia
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia.
| | | | | | - Irma Khonelidze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
| | - Vladimer Getia
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
| | - Maia Tsereteli
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Georgia
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21
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Promoting treatment for hepatitis C in people who inject drugs: A review of the barriers and opportunities. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 2021; 32:563-568. [PMID: 31425374 DOI: 10.1097/jxx.0000000000000269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWIDs) comprise a significant amount of the population who are also positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) around the world. Even though there is evidence that patients who currently inject drugs do not display altered treatment adherence or medication effectiveness, health care providers are still hesitant to treat this patient population based on perceived threats and barriers. OBJECTIVES This literature review informs of the perceived barriers associated with PWID in receiving HCV treatment and supports recommendations to address these barriers. DATA SOURCES For this review, eight scholarly articles rated levels I A through II B using John Hopkins Evidence-Based Practicing ratings consisting of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were selected. Both qualitative and quantitative data contributed to identifying perceived barriers and suggested course of action that should be taken to increase HCV treatment uptake among PWID. CONCLUSIONS The three main perceived barriers are evidence of barriers to treatment in the PWID populations and include increased risk of reinfection, low adherence to treatment, and decreased response to treatment. Removal of these barriers by increasing education about HCV disease and treatment options to both patients and health care workers and changing current policy in health care settings to provide enhanced access to HCV treatment for PWID can promote an opportunity for successful treatment of these patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE There is a significant need for HCV treatment among PWID. Opportunities for successful treatment exist and should be adopted.
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22
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Uptake of hepatitis C virus screening and treatment in persons under opioid substitution therapy between 2008 and 2013 in Belgium. Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2021; 84:311-316. [PMID: 34217181 DOI: 10.51821/84.2.311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) with people who inject drugs as the main group at risk worldwide. AIM This study investigated the differences in uptake for HCV screening and treatment between persons in opioid substitution therapy (OST) and the other members of the Christian Health Insurance Fund in Belgium. METHODS Invoice data were retrospectively collected from the Christian Health Insurance Fund, representing 42% of the healthcare users. Information on demographics, screening, diagnostic tests, treatment and disease progression was obtained from 2008 till 2013. All people in this study were aged 20-65 year. Persons in the OST group were identified as having at least one prescription reimbursed for methadone. This group was compared to the other members of the Insurance Fund not on OST (NOST). RESULTS The Insurance Fund registered 8,409 unique OST and 3,525,190 members in the general group. HCV RNA screening rate was higher in the OST group after correction for age and gender (4.3% vs. 0.2%). Ribavirin reimbursement, did not differ between the OST and NOST group screened for HCV RNA (16.9% vs. 14.4%), though the probability of having ribavirin reimbursed was smaller for females than for males. Procedures concerning disease progression were reimbursed less frequently in the HCV RNA screened OST group compared to the NOST group (0.3% vs. 1.2%). CONCLUSION People on OST were screened more often for HCV RNA. However, the general uptake for HCV screening and treatment in both populations remained suboptimal.
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23
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Rowan SE, Kamis KF, Beum R, Bryan K, Gawenus L, Colon Sanchez D, Hurley H. Viral Hepatitis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing and Linkage to Care for Individuals Enrolled in an Opioid Treatment Program. J Infect Dis 2021; 222:S384-S391. [PMID: 32877565 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, many opioid treatment programs (OTPs) do not offer viral hepatitis (VH) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing despite high prevalence among OTP clients. We initiated an opt-out VH and HIV testing and linkage-to-care program within our OTP. METHODS All OTP intakes are screened for VH and HIV and evaluated for rescreening annually. A patient navigator reviews laboratory results and provides counseling in the OTP clinic. The medical record is queried to identify individuals with previously diagnosed, untreated VH or HIV. Navigation support is provided for linkage or relinkage to VH or HIV care. RESULTS Between March 2018 and Februrary 2019, 532 individuals were screened for hepatitis C virus (HCV), 180 tested HCV antibody positive (34%), and 108 were HCV-ribonucleic acid (RNA) positive (20%). Sixty individuals were identified with previously diagnosed, untreated HCV. Of all HCV RNA+, 49% reported current injection drug use (82 of 168). Ninety-five individuals were seen by an HCV specialist (57% of HCV RNA+), 72 started treatment (43%), and 69 (41%) completed treatment. Individuals with primary care providers were most likely to start treatment. Four individuals were diagnosed with hepatitis B; 0 were diagnosed with HIV. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of an OTP-based screening and navigation protocol has enabled significant gains in the identification and treatment of VH in this high prevalence setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Rowan
- Denver Public Health, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Kevin F Kamis
- Denver Public Health, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Robert Beum
- Denver Public Health, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Kimberly Bryan
- Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Lisa Gawenus
- Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Dayan Colon Sanchez
- Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Hermione Hurley
- Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado, USA
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24
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Patient Centeredness in Hepatitis C Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment Delivery to People Who Inject Drugs: A Scoping Review. PATIENT-PATIENT CENTERED OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2020; 14:471-484. [PMID: 33372245 PMCID: PMC8357769 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-020-00489-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objective Patient-centered care (PCC) is crucial for value-based care. We aimed to assess PCC dimensions addressed in hepatitis C virus direct-acting antiviral treatment delivery to people who inject drugs. Methods We conducted a scoping review to identify the studies that described hepatitis C virus treatment delivery to people who inject drugs in the direct-acting antiviral treatment era. We analyzed the included studies against eight PCC dimensions: (1) access to care; (2) coordination and integration of care; (3) continuity and translation; (4) physical comfort; (5) information, education, and communication; (6) emotional support; (7) involvement of family and friends; and (8) respect for individual patient preferences, perceived needs, and values. Additionally, we assessed the use of patient-centered terminology and the recognition of PCC importance and its relevance to treatment outcomes. Results None of the identified 36 studies addressed all PCC dimensions (highest seven, lowest two). Our findings revealed that PCC dimensions are prioritized differently and addressed using different approaches and strategies. Studies that used PCC terminology referred to personalized activities, which does not imply comprehensive PCC. About one-third of the studies acknowledged the importance of patient centeredness and two-thirds recognized its relevance to treatment outcomes. Conclusions Our findings suggest more engagement of people who inject drugs and comprehensive involvement of their families and friends in hepatitis C virus treatment journey, decisions, and outcomes. The recognition of PCC importance and its relevance to treatment outcomes in the analyzed studies emphasizes the need for more patient-centered hepatitis C virus treatment for people who inject drugs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40271-020-00489-6.
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Maticic M, Pirnat Z, Leicht A, Zimmermann R, Windelinck T, Jauffret-Roustide M, Duffell E, Tammi T, Schatz E. The civil society monitoring of hepatitis C response related to the WHO 2030 elimination goals in 35 European countries. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:89. [PMID: 33213481 PMCID: PMC7678126 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00439-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) account for the majority of new cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Europe; however, HCV testing, and treatment for PWID remain suboptimal. With the advent of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a strategy to eliminate HCV as public health threat by 2030. To achieve this, key policies for PWID must be implemented and HCV continuum of care needs to be monitored. This study presents results of the first monitoring led by civil society that provide harm reduction services for PWID. METHODS In 2019, harm reduction civil society organizations representing focal points of Correlation-European Harm Reduction Network in 36 European countries were invited to complete a 27-item online survey on four strategic fields: use/impact of guidelines on HCV testing and treatment for PWID, availability/functioning of continuum of care, changes compared to the previous year and, the role of harm reduction services and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of PWID. A descriptive analysis of the responses was undertaken. RESULTS The response rate was 97.2%. Six countries reported having no guidelines on HCV treatment (17.1%). Twenty-three (65.7%) reported having treatment guidelines with specific measures for PWID; guidelines that impact on accessibility to HCV testing/treatment and improve access to harm reduction services in 95.6% and 86.3% of them, respectively. DAAs were available in 97.1% of countries; in 26.4% of them they were contraindicated for active drug users. HCV screening/confirmatory tests performed at harm reduction services/community centers, prisons and drug dependence clinics were reported from 80.0%/25.7%, 60.0%/48.6%, and 62.9%/34.3% of countries, respectively. Provision of DAAs at drug dependence clinics and prisons was reported from 34.3 to 42.9% of countries, respectively. Compared to the previous year, HCV awareness campaigns, testing and treatment on service providers' own locations were reported to increase in 42.9%, 51.4% and 42.9% of countries, respectively. NGOs of PWID conducted awareness campaigns on HCV interventions in 68.9% of countries, and 25.7% of countries had no such support. CONCLUSION Further improvements in continuum-of-care interventions for PWID are needed, which could be achieved by including harm reduction and PWID organizations in strategic planning of testing and treatment and in efforts to monitor progress toward WHO 2030 elimination goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Maticic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Z Pirnat
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - R Zimmermann
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - E Duffell
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - E Schatz
- Correlation-European Harm Reduction Network, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abadie R, Dombrowski K. "Caballo": risk environments, drug sharing and the emergence of a hepatitis C virus epidemic among people who inject drugs in Puerto Rico. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:85. [PMID: 33097062 PMCID: PMC7582446 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00421-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sharing drug injection equipment has been associated with the transmission of HCV among PWID through blood contained in the cooker and cotton used to prepare and divide up the drug solution. While epidemiologists often subsume this practice under the sharing of "ancillary equipment," more attention should be paid to the fact that indirect sharing takes place within the process of joint drug acquisition and preparation. METHODS We employed an ethnographic approach observing active PWID (N = 33) in four rural towns in Puerto Rico in order to document drug sharing arrangements involved in "caballo", as this practice is locally known. We explored partners' motivation to engage in drug sharing, as well as its social organization, social roles and existing norms. FINDINGS Findings suggest that drug sharing, is one of the main drivers of the HCV epidemic in this population. Lack of financial resources, drug packaging, drug of choice and the desire to avoid the painful effects of heroin withdrawal motivates participants' decision to partner with somebody else, sharing injection equipment-and risk-in the process. Roles are not fixed, changing not only according to caballo partners, but also, power dynamics. CONCLUSION In order to curb the HCV epidemic, harm reduction policies should recognize the particular sociocultural contexts in which people inject drugs and make decisions about risk. Avoiding sharing of injection equipment within an arrangement between PWID to acquire and use drugs is more complex than assumed by harm reduction interventions. Moving beyond individual risk behaviors, a risk environment approach suggest that poverty, and a strict drug policy that encourage users to carry small amounts of illicit substances, and a lack of HCV treatment among other factors, contribute to HCV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Abadie
- Department of Anthropology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 839 Oldfather Hall, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA.
| | - K Dombrowski
- Department of Anthropology, University of Vermont, 72 University Place, Burlington, VE, 05405, USA
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27
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Aas CF, Vold JH, Skurtveit S, Odsbu I, Chalabianloo F, Økland JM, Leiva RAM, Vickerman P, Johansson KA, Fadnes LT. On the path towards universal coverage of hepatitis C treatment among people receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in Norway: a prospective cohort study from 2013 to 2017. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e036355. [PMID: 32847908 PMCID: PMC7451452 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to calculate cumulative hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment coverage among individuals enrolled in opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in Norway between 2013 and 2017 and to document the treatment transition to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents. Moreover, we aimed to describe adherence to DAAs in the same cohort. DESIGN Prospective cohort, registry data. SETTING Specialist healthcare service (secondary) PARTICIPANTS AND OUTCOMES: This observational study was based on data from The Norwegian Prescription Database. We studied dispensed OAT and HCV treatment annually to calculate the cumulative frequency, and employed secondary sources to calculate prevalence, incidence and HCV treatment coverage from 2013 to 2017, among the OAT population. Factors associated with adherence to DAAs were identified a priori and subject to logistic regression. RESULTS 10 371 individuals were identified with dispensed OAT, 1475 individuals of these were identified with dispensed HCV treatment. Annual HCV treatment coverage increased from 3.5% (95% CI: 3.2 to 4.4) in 2013 to 17% (95% CI: 17 to 20) in 2017, giving a cumulative HCV coverage among OAT patients in Norway of 38.5%. A complete shift to interferon-free treatment regimens occurred, where DAAs accounting for 32% of HCV treatments in 2013 and 99% in 2017. About two-thirds of OAT patients were considered adherent to their DAA regimens across all genotypes. High level of OAT continuity was associated with improved adherence to DAAs (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1 to 2, p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS A large increase in HCV treatment coverage attributed by a complete shift to interferon-free regimens among the Norwegian OAT population has been demonstrated. However, treatment coverage is inadmissibly too low and a further substantial scale-up in HCV treatment is required to reach the universal targets of controlling and eliminating the HCV endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christer Frode Aas
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jørn Henrik Vold
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Svetlana Skurtveit
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingvild Odsbu
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fatemeh Chalabianloo
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Magnus Økland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Peter Vickerman
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kjell Arne Johansson
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars T Fadnes
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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28
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Aas CF, Vold JH, Skurtveit S, Odsbu I, Chalabianloo F, Lim AG, Johansson KA, Fadnes LT. Uptake and predictors of direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C among people receiving opioid agonist therapy in Sweden and Norway: a drug utilization study from 2014 to 2017. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY 2020; 15:44. [PMID: 32605625 PMCID: PMC7325258 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-020-00286-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) offers an opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) endemic among people who inject drugs (PWID) and people enrolled in opioid agonist therapy (OAT) programs. The objective of this study was to estimate and to compare HCV treatment uptake after the introduction of DAAs among patients receiving OAT in Sweden and Norway. We also aimed to evaluate predictors of DAAs treatment among OAT patients in both countries. Methods This observational study was conducted with data from The Swedish Prescribed Drug Register and The Norwegian Prescription Database. We studied dispensed medications to calculate HCV treatment among OAT patients from 2014 to 2017 in Sweden and Norway. HCV prevalence was estimated from primary and secondary sources. Dispensations of medicines from different therapeutic areas, which served as proxy for co-morbidities in 2017, were conditionally adjusted for age, gender, and OAT medications. Logistic regression was used to evaluate these parameters. Results In total 3529 individuals were identified with dispensed OAT in the Swedish cohort and 7739 individuals in the Norwegian cohort. HCV treatment was utilized by 407 persons in Sweden and 920 in Norway during the study period. Annual HCV and DAA treatment uptake increased in both countries. The estimated cumulative HCV treatment uptake at the end of 2017 was 31% in Norway and 28% in Sweden. DAA treatment was associated with increased age (aOR 1.8; 95% CI 1.0–3.2) and the dispensation of drugs used for diabetes (aOR 3.2; 95% CI 1.8–5.7) in Sweden. In Norway, lipid modifying agents and antibacterials were associated with decreased odds (aOR 0.4; 95%CI 0.2–0.9, aOR 0.8; 95%CI 0.6–1.0). Conclusions An increase in DAA treatment and HCV treatment uptake was observed among Swedish and Norwegian OAT patients whilst introducing new direct-acting antiviral treatment regimens. However, more than two thirds of the OAT population in Norway and Sweden were untreated at the beginning of 2018. A further scale-up is crucial in order to control and eliminate the HCV endemic among OAT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christer F Aas
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway.
| | - Jørn Henrik Vold
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Ingvild Odsbu
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Fatemeh Chalabianloo
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Aaron G Lim
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kjell Arne Johansson
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Thore Fadnes
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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HCV genotypes and their determinative role in hepatitis C treatment. Virusdisease 2020; 31:235-240. [PMID: 32904762 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-020-00592-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, exposure to infectious diseases caused by pathogenic viruses has become one of the major human concerns in health fields. In the meantime, hepatitis viruses are associated with health problems, especially in liver tissue. So far, several types of these viruses have been known including: HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV, and HGV. Nevertheless, it seems that hepatitis C is the major viral infection among all of the hepatitis infections. The cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are known as the most important pathological complications of this virus, from which seven genotypes have been identified. However, among these genotypes, the incidence rate of genotypes 1 and 3 is more than others. In this review, we have investigated the relationship between all HCV genotypes and therapeutic responses against them. Regarding heterogeneity between hepatitis C genotypes, it is not possible to access an effective vaccine against this virus, and treatment is the only applicable strategy. Response to treatment is different among genotypes, and it has resulted that each genotype has a specific therapeutic regimen of itself. Therefore, it seems that determination of hepatitis C genotype, as a key tool, is essential in controlling therapeutic regimen, improving local control programs and eventually producing an effective vaccine.
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30
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Williams J, Lucarelli N, Nicoll A, Lubel J. Real-world Australian data reflect very high sustained virologic response at 12 weeks with direct acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C and suggests highly achievable even in those without an end-of-treatment response. Intern Med J 2020; 49:666-669. [PMID: 31083802 DOI: 10.1111/imj.14279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There are limited real-world data on the efficacy of direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C (HCV) in Australia. In this study, the efficacy of DAA therapy for HCV was compared between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic cohorts. Patients without end-of-treatment response (EoTR) were observed to ascertain likelihood of achieving sustained virological response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12). A total of 334 patients with HCV was included. Overall SVR12 was 96.7% with minimal differences in SVR12 between the cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis groups (95.7 and 97.3%). There were 20 patients (5.99%) that failed to achieve an EoTR of which 80.0% (n = 16) went on to achieve SVR12. These results suggest DAA therapy is effective with high rates of SVR12 even in patients that do not achieve an EoTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Williams
- Department of Gastroenterology, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicolas Lucarelli
- Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda Nicoll
- Department of Gastroenterology, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Lubel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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31
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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: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [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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32
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Surey J, Menezes D, Francis M, Gibbons J, Sultan B, Miah A, Abubakar I, Story A. From peer-based to peer-led: redefining the role of peers across the hepatitis C care pathway: HepCare Europe. J Antimicrob Chemother 2019; 74:v17-v23. [PMID: 31782500 PMCID: PMC6883389 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HCV infection disproportionately affects underserved populations such as homeless individuals, people who inject drugs and prison populations. Peer advocacy can enable active engagement with healthcare services and increase the likelihood of favourable treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVES This observational study aims to assess the burden of disease in these underserved populations and describe the role of peer support in linking these individuals to specialist treatment services. METHODS Services were identified if they had a high proportion of individuals with risk factors for HCV, such as injecting drug use or homelessness. Individuals were screened for HCV using point-of-care tests and a portable FibroScan. All positive cases received peer support for linkage to specialist care. Information was gathered on risk factors, demographics and follow-up information regarding linkage to care and treatment outcomes. RESULTS A total of 461 individuals were screened, of which 197 (42.7%) were chronically infected with HCV. Referral was made to secondary care for 176 (89.3%) and all received peer support, with 104 (52.8%) individuals engaged with treatment centres. Of these, 89 (85.6%) started treatment and 76 (85.4%) had a favourable outcome. Factors associated with not being approved for treatment were recent homelessness, younger age and current crack cocaine injecting. CONCLUSIONS Highly trained peer support workers working as part of a specialist outreach clinical team help to identify a high proportion of individuals exposed to HCV, achieve high rates of engagement with treatment services and maintain high rates of treatment success amongst a population with complex needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Surey
- Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Find and Treat, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dee Menezes
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marie Francis
- Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Find and Treat, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - John Gibbons
- Find and Treat, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
- Groundswell, London, UK
| | - Binta Sultan
- Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Ibrahim Abubakar
- Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alistair Story
- Find and Treat, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, UCL, London, UK
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33
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Lazarus JV, Pericàs JM, Picchio C, Cernosa J, Hoekstra M, Luhmann N, Maticic M, Read P, Robinson EM, Dillon JF. We know DAAs work, so now what? Simplifying models of care to enhance the hepatitis C cascade. J Intern Med 2019; 286:503-525. [PMID: 31472002 DOI: 10.1111/joim.12972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Globally, some 71 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Marginalized populations, particularly people who inject drugs (PWID), have low testing, linkage to care and treatment rates for HCV. Several models of care (MoCs) and service delivery interventions have the potential to improve outcomes across the HCV cascade of care, but much of the relevant research was carried out when interferon-based treatment was the standard of care. Often it was not practical to scale-up these earlier models and interventions because the clinical care needs of patients taking interferon-based regimens imposed too much of a financial and human resource burden on health systems. Despite the adoption of highly effective, all-oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies in recent years, approaches to HCV testing and treatment have evolved slowly and often remain rooted in earlier paradigms. The effectiveness of DAAs allows for simpler approaches and has encouraged countries where the drugs are widely available to set their sights on the ambitious World Health Organization (WHO) HCV elimination targets. Since a large proportion of chronically HCV-infected people are not currently accessing treatment, there is an urgent need to identify and implement existing simplified MoCs that speak to specific populations' needs. This article aims to: (i) review the evidence on MoCs for HCV; and (ii) distil the findings into recommendations for how stakeholders can simplify the path taken by chronically HCV-infected individuals from testing to cure and subsequent care and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- J V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J M Pericàs
- Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Territorial Direction, Translational Research Group on Infectious Diseases of Lleida (TRIDLE), Biomedical Research Institute Dr Pifarré Foundation, Lleida, Spain
| | - C Picchio
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Cernosa
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - M Hoekstra
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Luhmann
- Médecins du Monde France, Paris, France
| | - M Maticic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - P Read
- Kirketon Road Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - E M Robinson
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - J F Dillon
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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34
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Hickman M, Dillon JF, Elliott L, De Angelis D, Vickerman P, Foster G, Donnan P, Eriksen A, Flowers P, Goldberg D, Hollingworth W, Ijaz S, Liddell D, Mandal S, Martin N, Beer LJZ, Drysdale K, Fraser H, Glass R, Graham L, Gunson RN, Hamilton E, Harris H, Harris M, Harris R, Heinsbroek E, Hope V, Horwood J, Inglis SK, Innes H, Lane A, Meadows J, McAuley A, Metcalfe C, Migchelsen S, Murray A, Myring G, Palmateer NE, Presanis A, Radley A, Ramsay M, Samartsidis P, Simmons R, Sinka K, Vojt G, Ward Z, Whiteley D, Yeung A, Hutchinson SJ. Evaluating the population impact of hepatitis C direct acting antiviral treatment as prevention for people who inject drugs (EPIToPe) - a natural experiment (protocol). BMJ Open 2019; 9:e029538. [PMID: 31551376 PMCID: PMC6773339 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the second largest contributor to liver disease in the UK, with injecting drug use as the main risk factor among the estimated 200 000 people currently infected. Despite effective prevention interventions, chronic HCV prevalence remains around 40% among people who inject drugs (PWID). New direct-acting antiviral (DAA) HCV therapies combine high cure rates (>90%) and short treatment duration (8 to 12 weeks). Theoretical mathematical modelling evidence suggests HCV treatment scale-up can prevent transmission and substantially reduce HCV prevalence/incidence among PWID. Our primary aim is to generate empirical evidence on the effectiveness of HCV 'Treatment as Prevention' (TasP) in PWID. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We plan to establish a natural experiment with Tayside, Scotland, as a single intervention site where HCV care pathways are being expanded (including specialist drug treatment clinics, needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), pharmacies and prison) and HCV treatment for PWID is being rapidly scaled-up. Other sites in Scotland and England will act as potential controls. Over 2 years from 2017/2018, at least 500 PWID will be treated in Tayside, which simulation studies project will reduce chronic HCV prevalence among PWID by 62% (from 26% to 10%) and HCV incidence will fall by approximately 2/3 (from 4.2 per 100 person-years (p100py) to 1.4 p100py). Treatment response and re-infection rates will be monitored. We will conduct focus groups and interviews with service providers and patients that accept and decline treatment to identify barriers and facilitators in implementing TasP. We will conduct longitudinal interviews with up to 40 PWID to assess whether successful HCV treatment alters their perspectives on and engagement with drug treatment and recovery. Trained peer researchers will be involved in data collection and dissemination. The primary outcome - chronic HCV prevalence in PWID - is measured using information from the Needle Exchange Surveillance Initiative survey in Scotland and the Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring Programme in England, conducted at least four times before and three times during and after the intervention. We will adapt Bayesian synthetic control methods (specifically the Causal Impact Method) to generate the cumulative impact of the intervention on chronic HCV prevalence and incidence. We will use a dynamic HCV transmission and economic model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the HCV TasP intervention, and to estimate the contribution of the scale-up in HCV treatment to observe changes in HCV prevalence. Through the qualitative data we will systematically explore key mechanisms of TasP real world implementation from provider and patient perspectives to develop a manual for scaling up HCV treatment in other settings. We will compare qualitative accounts of drug treatment and recovery with a 'virtual cohort' of PWID linking information on HCV treatment with Scottish Drug treatment databases to test whether DAA treatment improves drug treatment outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Extending HCV community care pathways is covered by ethics (ERADICATE C, ISRCTN27564683, Super DOT C Trial clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02706223). Ethical approval for extra data collection from patients including health utilities and qualitative interviews has been granted (REC ref: 18/ES/0128) and ISCRCTN registration has been completed (ISRCTN72038467). Our findings will have direct National Health Service and patient relevance; informing prioritisation given to early HCV treatment for PWID. We will present findings to practitioners and policymakers, and support design of an evaluation of HCV TasP in England.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - John F Dillon
- Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Clinical & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Daniela De Angelis
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Graham Foster
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Peter Donnan
- Dundee Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | - David Goldberg
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Samreen Ijaz
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Sema Mandal
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Natasha Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, UK
| | - Lewis J Z Beer
- Tayside Clinical Trials Unit, Tayside Medical Science Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Kate Drysdale
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Hannah Fraser
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Rachel Glass
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Rory N Gunson
- West Of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Board, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Helen Harris
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Ross Harris
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Vivian Hope
- Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jeremy Horwood
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sarah Karen Inglis
- Tayside Clinical Trials Unit, Tayside Medical Science Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Hamish Innes
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Athene Lane
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jade Meadows
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Chris Metcalfe
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | | | - Gareth Myring
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Norah E Palmateer
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anne Presanis
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Radley
- Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Clinical & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Directorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
| | - Mary Ramsay
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Pantelis Samartsidis
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ruth Simmons
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Katy Sinka
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Zoe Ward
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Alan Yeung
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
- Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
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Litwin AH, Drolet M, Nwankwo C, Torrens M, Kastelic A, Walcher S, Somaini L, Mulvihill E, Ertl J, Grebely J. Perceived barriers related to testing, management and treatment of HCV infection among physicians prescribing opioid agonist therapy: The C-SCOPE Study. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1094-1104. [PMID: 31074167 PMCID: PMC6771477 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this analysis was to evaluate perceived barriers related to HCV testing, management and treatment among physicians practicing in clinics offering opioid agonist treatment (OAT). C-SCOPE was a study consisting of a self-administered survey among physicians practicing at clinics providing OAT in Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States between April and May 2017. A 5-point Likert scale (1 = not a barrier, 3 = moderate barrier, 5 = extreme barrier) was used to measure responses to perceived barriers for HCV testing, evaluation and treatment across the domains of the health system, clinic and patient. Among the 203 physicians enrolled (40% USA, 45% Europe, 14% Australia/Canada), 21% were addiction medicine specialists, 29% psychiatrists and 69% were metro/urban. OAT physicians in this study reported poor access to on-site venepuncture (35%), point-of-care HCV testing (16%), and noninvasive liver disease assessment (25%). Only 30% of OAT physicians reported personally treating HCV infection. Major perceived health system barriers to HCV management included the lack of funding for noninvasive liver disease testing, long wait times to see an HCV specialist, lack of funding for new HCV therapies, and reimbursement restrictions based on drug/alcohol use. Major perceived clinic barriers included the lack of peer support programmes and/or HCV case managers to facilitate linkage to care, the need to refer people off-site for noninvasive liver disease staging, the lack of support for on-site phlebotomy and the lack of on-site delivery of HCV therapy. This study highlights several important modifiable barriers to enhance HCV testing, evaluation and treatment among PWID attending OAT clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain H. Litwin
- Department of MedicineUniversity of South Carolina School of Medicine ‐ Greenville and Prisma HealthGreenvilleSouth Carolina,Clemson University School of Health ResearchClemsonSouth Carolina
| | | | | | - Martha Torrens
- Department of PsychiatryInstitut de Neuropsiquiatria i AddiccionsHospital del Mar BarcelonaIMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mediques)Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Andrej Kastelic
- National Centre for the Treatment of Drug Addiction in LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | | | - Lorenzo Somaini
- Addiction Treatment Centre ‐ Ser.D ASL BI ‐ Local Health UnitBiellaItaly
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Selfridge M, Cunningham EB, Milne R, Drost A, Barnett T, Lundgren K, Guarasci K, Grebely J, Fraser C. Direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C, reinfection and mortality among people attending an inner-city community health centre in Victoria, Canada. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 72:106-113. [PMID: 31178254 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been shown to be effective among PWID, but more real-world data on treatment outcomes is needed. The aim of this analysis was to assess the efficacy of DAA therapy, and the rate of reinfection and mortality among people attending an inner-city community health centre in Victoria, Canada. METHODS In this retrospective study, patients treated with DAA therapy between November 2014 and Dec 31, 2017 were included. Retrospective chart review was performed to assess recent injecting drug use (IDU, previous six months) or receipt of opioid agonist treatment (OAT). The primary endpoint was Sustained Virologic Response (SVR12). Secondary endpoints included HCV reinfection and mortality. RESULTS Of 270 patients who initiated DAA treatment (31% female), 20% (n=54) had HIV/HCV coinfection, 32% (n=84) had cirrhosis, 67% (n=181) had genotype 1, 6% (n=15) had genotype 2, 26% (n=69) had genotype 3. 46% (n=125) of patients were receiving OAT and 49% (n=132) reported recent IDU. 98% (n=265) completed treatment; two people stopped due to mental health, two people died, and one was non-adherent. 92% (249 of 270) achieved SVR12. 16 patients with End of Treatment (EOT) response did not have a SVR12; 7 were lost to follow-up; 2 people refused bloodwork; 2 people died; 1 had reinfection; and 4 had viral relapse. There was no difference in SVR12 by OAT (OAT, 93% vs. no OAT, 91%, P=0.435), recent injecting drug use (yes, 92% vs. no, 92%, P=0.904), or HIV status (HIV, 92% vs. no HIV, 94%, P=0.498). Eight cases of HCV reinfection were observed over 253 person-years of follow up (3.2 cases per 100 person-years; 95% CI 1.6-6.3). Twenty people died (6.3 per 100 person-years; 95% CI 3.9-10.3), including two during therapy (drug overdose, n=2) and 18 following therapy completion (drug overdose, n=7). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that DAA treatment is effective among a marginalized population receiving care in an inner-city community health centre. The high mortality in this study highlights the importance of integrating HCV care within a framework addressing drug-related harms, preventing overdose mortality, addressing social inequalities, and improving the health of PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anne Drost
- Cool Aid Community Health Centre, Victoria, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Chris Fraser
- Cool Aid Community Health Centre, Victoria, Canada
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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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Maticic M, Zorman JV, Gregorcic S, Schatz E, Lazarus JV. Changes to the national strategies, plans and guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C in people who inject drugs between 2013 and 2016: a cross-sectional survey of 34 European countries. Harm Reduct J 2019; 16:32. [PMID: 31072401 PMCID: PMC6509821 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0303-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. In Europe, people who inject drugs (PWID) represent the majority of HCV infections, but are often excluded from treatment. The aim of this study was to report on national HCV strategies, action plans and guidelines in European countries that include HCV treatment for the general population as well as for PWID. Data on access to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) were also collected. Methods In 2016, 38 non-governmental organisations, universities and public health institutions that work with PWID in 34 European countries were invited to complete a 16-item online survey about current national HCV treatment policies and guidelines. Data from 2016 were compared to those from 2013 for 33 European countries, and time trends are presented. Differences in the data were analysed. Data from 2016 on general access to DAAs in PWID are presented separately. Results The response rate was 100%. Fourteen countries (42%) reported having a national HCV strategy covering HCV treatment; 12 of these addressed HCV treatment for PWID. Respondents from ten countries (29%) reported having a national HCV action plan. PWID were specifically included in seven of them. Twenty-nine countries (85%) reported having national HCV treatment guidelines. PWID were specifically included in 23 (79%) of them. Compared to 2013, respondents reported that an additional seven countries (25%) had national strategies, an additional eight countries (29%) had action plans and an additional six countries (19%) had HCV treatment guidelines. However, PWID were not included in two, four and six of those countries, respectively. DAAs were reported to be available in 91% of the study countries, with restrictions reported in 71% of them. Conclusion Respondents reported that fewer than half of the European countries in this study had a national HCV strategy and/or action plan, with even fewer including PWID. However, when compared to 2013, the number of such countries had slightly increased. Although PWID are often addressed in clinical guidelines, strategic action is needed to increase access to HCV treatment for this group and the situation should be regularly monitored. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12954-019-0303-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojca Maticic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Japljeva Str 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Jerneja Videcnik Zorman
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Japljeva Str 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sergeja Gregorcic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Japljeva Str 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eberhard Schatz
- Correlation Network, Foundation De RegenboogGroep, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute forGlobal Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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HIV Serostatus and Having Access to a Physician for Regular Hepatitis C Virus Care Among People Who Inject Drugs. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019; 78:93-98. [PMID: 29630030 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWIDs) and who are living with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are vulnerable to a range of health-related harms, including liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. There is limited evidence describing how HIV serostatus shapes access to a physician for regular HCV care among PWID. SETTING Data were collected through the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS), the AIDS Care Cohort to evaluate Exposure to Survival Services (ACCESS), and the At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS), 3 prospective cohorts involving people who use illicit drugs in Vancouver, Canada, between 2005 and 2015. METHODS Using generalized estimating equations, we examined the relationship between HIV-seropositivity and having access to a physician for regular HCV care. We conducted a mediation analysis to examine whether this association was mediated by increased frequency of engagement in health care. RESULTS In total, 1627 HCV-positive PWID were eligible for analysis; 582 (35.8%) were HIV-positive at baseline; and 31 (1.9%) became HIV-positive during follow-up. In multivariable analyses, after adjusting for a range of confounders, HIV serostatus [adjusted odds ratio = 1.99; 95% confidence interval: 1.77 to 2.24] was significantly associated with having access to HCV care. Approximately 26% of the effect was due to mediation. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate a positive relationship between HIV-seropositivity and having access to a physician for regular HCV care, which is partially explained through increased frequency of engagement in health care. These findings highlight the need to address patterns of inequality in access to HCV care among PWID.
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40
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Shumway M, Luetkemeyer AF, Peters MG, Johnson MO, Napoles TM, Riley ED. Direct-acting antiviral treatment for HIV/HCV patients in safety net settings: patient and provider preferences. AIDS Care 2019; 31:1340-1347. [PMID: 30829533 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1587353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
HIV/HCV coinfected patients are a priority for direct acting antiretroviral (DAA) treatment, yet barriers to treating vulnerable patients persist. This study surveyed safety net clinic patients and providers to quantify their preferences for DAA treatment and prioritize modifiable barriers. Preferences were assessed using best-worst scaling. General linear mixed models were used to determine whether attributes differed in importance and whether patients and providers valued attributes differently. 158 HIV/HCV coinfected patients and 49 providers participated. Patients and providers had strong preferences for treatment within the medical homes where patients receive HIV care. Support such as reminders and advice numbers were also important, but were more important to providers than patients. Providers identified lack of insurance coverage for DAA as the most significant barrier. Providers rated HIV primary care providers as best suited to deliver DAA to HIV+ patients. Addressing structural barriers is essential for increasing DAA treatment in safety net settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Shumway
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Anne F Luetkemeyer
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA.,Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Marion G Peters
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Mallory O Johnson
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Tessa M Napoles
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA.,Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center , San Francisco , CA , USA.,Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Elise D Riley
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA.,Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center , San Francisco , CA , USA
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Rose R, Rodriguez C, Dollar JJ, Lamers SL, Massaccesi G, Osburn W, Ray SC, Thomas DL, Cox AL, Laeyendecker O. Inconsistent temporal patterns of genetic variation of HCV among high-risk subjects may impact inference of transmission networks. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2019; 71:1-6. [PMID: 30802530 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis-C Virus (HCV) sequences are often used to establish networks of people who inject drugs (PWID). However, the degree to which within-host evolutionary dynamics affect those inferences has not been carefully studied. Here, we analyzed 702 longitudinally-sampled HCV E1 sequences from 88 HCV+ people who inject drugs (PWID) in the Baltimore Before and After Acute Study of Hepatitis (BBAASH) cohort. Individuals were tested for HCV RNA over multiple visits to the clinic, and the HCV E1 gene was sequenced for HCV+ samples. Genetic clustering was performed on the full set of sequences using a 3% genetic distance threshold to define epidemiological linkage. Maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenies were inferred to assess evolutionary relationships. We found 22 clusters containing sequences sampled over five or more years (long-term clusters, LTC), of which 17 had >1 subject. In six of the multi-subject LTC, one subject had a sequence sampled >3 years earlier or later than the next-closest subject in the cluster (time-gap LTC). ML trees showed that, in three of the time-gap LTC, two subjects had identical sequences despite 7-10 years separating the sampling times. In four of the time-gap LTC for whom additional data were available, the subject with the later detected shared variant had both different variants and visits with no detectable HCV RNA (RNA-) prior to the appearance of the shared variant. In the subject with the earlier detection of the shared variant, different variants and RNA- visits were also detected in multiple cases subsequent to appearance of the shared variant. Complex patterns of shared viral variation among PWID reflect on-going re-infection, multiple transmission partners, and/or inconsistent detection of viral variants. Our results suggest that transmission events are currently underestimated by analysis of sequences at a single point in time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rose
- BioInfoExperts LLC, Thibodaux, LA, United States.
| | | | | | | | - Guido Massaccesi
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - William Osburn
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Stuart C Ray
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David L Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Andrea L Cox
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Oliver Laeyendecker
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; NIAID, NIH, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Lambert JS, Murtagh R, Menezes D, O’Carroll A, Murphy C, Cullen W, McHugh T, Avramovic G, Tinago W, Van Hout MC. 'HepCheck Dublin': an intensified hepatitis C screening programme in a homeless population demonstrates the need for alternative models of care. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:128. [PMID: 30732573 PMCID: PMC6367728 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-3748-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. Prevalence of HCV in homeless populations ranges from 3.9 to 36.2%. The HepCheck study sought to investigate and establish the characterisation of HCV burden among individuals who attended an intensified screening programme for HCV in homeless services in Dublin, Ireland. METHODS The HepCheck study was conducted as part of a larger European wide initiative called HepCare Europe. The study consisted of three phases; 1) all subjects completed a short survey and were offered a rapid oral HCV test; 2) a convenience sample of HCV positive participants from phase 1 were selected to complete a survey on health and social risk factors and 3) subjects were tracked along the referral pathway to identify whether they were referred to a specialist clinic, attended the specialist clinic, were assessed for cirrhosis by transient elastography (Fibroscan) and were treated for HCV. RESULTS Five hundred ninety-seven individuals were offered HCV screening, 73% were male and 63% reported having had a previous HCV screening. We screened 538 (90%) of those offered screening, with 37% testing positive. Among those who tested positive, 112 (56%) were 'new positives' and 44% were 'known positives'. Undiagnosed HCV was prevalent in 19% of the study sample. Active past 30-day drug use was common, along with attendance for drug treatment. Unstable accommodation was the most common barrier to attending specialist appointments and accessing treatment. Depression and anxiety, dental problems and respiratory conditions were common reported health problems. Forty-six subjects were referred to specialised services and two subjects completed HCV treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that the current hospital-based model of care is inadequate in addressing the specific needs of a homeless population and emphasises the need for a community-based treatment approach. Findings are intended to inform HepCare Europe in their development of a community-based model of care in order to engage with homeless individuals with multiple co-morbidities including substance abuse, who are affected by or infected with HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S. Lambert
- Infectious Diseases Department, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Catherine McAuley Centre, 21 Nelson Street, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, Dublin Ireland
| | - Ross Murtagh
- UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Carol Murphy
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Walter Cullen
- UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tina McHugh
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Willard Tinago
- UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Grebely J, Dore GJ, Alami NN, Conway B, Dillon JF, Gschwantler M, Felizarta F, Hézode C, Tomasiewicz K, Fredrick LM, Dumas EO, Mensa FJ. Safety and efficacy of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotypes 1-6 receiving opioid substitution therapy. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 66:73-79. [PMID: 30735896 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND International guidelines recommend treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in people who inject drugs (PWID), including those on opioid substitution therapy (OST). The pangenotypic combination of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir has shown high sustained virologic response at post-treatment Week 12 (SVR12) in clinical trials. Herein, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients receiving OST. METHODS Pooled data from patients with HCV genotypes 1-6 who were treated with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for 8, 12, or 16 weeks in eight Phase 2 and 3 trials were categorized by use of OST. Treatment completion, treatment adherence, SVR12, adverse events (AEs), and laboratory abnormalities were evaluated for patients receiving and not receiving OST. RESULTS Among 2256 patients, 157 (7%) were receiving OST. Compared with patients not receiving OST, OST patients were younger (mean age, 46.8 vs 52.8 years), male (69% vs 54%), white (93% vs 80%), HCV treatment-naïve (86% vs 72%), had HCV genotype 3 (60% vs 26%), and had a history of depression or bipolar disorder (43% vs 19%). Most patients completed (OST: 98% [n/N = 154/157]; non-OST: 99% [n/N = 2070/2099]) and were adherent (received ≥90% of study drug doses) to glecaprevir/pibrentasvir treatment (OST: 98% [n/N = 121/123]; non-OST: 99% [n/N = 1884/1905] among patients with available data). In the intention-to-treat population, SVR12 rates in OST and non-OST patients were 96.2% (n/N = 151/157; 95% CI 93.2-99.2) and 97.9% (n/N = 2055/2099; 95% CI 97.3-98.5), respectively. For OST patients, reasons for nonresponse included virologic relapse (<1%; n = 1), premature study drug discontinuation (<1%; n = 1), and loss to follow-up (3%; n = 4). AEs occurring in ≥10% of OST patients were headache, fatigue, and nausea. Drug-related serious AEs, AEs leading to study drug discontinuation, and Grade 3 or higher laboratory abnormalities were infrequent in both groups (<1%). No HCV reinfections occurred through post-treatment Week 12. CONCLUSION Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is highly efficacious and well tolerated in HCV-infected patients receiving OST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | | | - Brian Conway
- Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, Vancouver, Canada
| | - John F Dillon
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Michael Gschwantler
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria; Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Christophe Hézode
- Department of Hepatology, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris-Est, Paris, France
| | - Krzysztof Tomasiewicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Heo M, Meissner P, Litwin AH, Arnsten JH, McKee MD, Karasz A, McKinley P, Rehm CD, Chambers EC, Yeh MC, Wylie-Rosett J. Preference option randomized design (PORD) for comparative effectiveness research: Statistical power for testing comparative effect, preference effect, selection effect, intent-to-treat effect, and overall effect. Stat Methods Med Res 2019; 28:626-640. [PMID: 29121828 PMCID: PMC6834113 DOI: 10.1177/0962280217734584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Comparative effectiveness research trials in real-world settings may require participants to choose between preferred intervention options. A randomized clinical trial with parallel experimental and control arms is straightforward and regarded as a gold standard design, but by design it forces and anticipates the participants to comply with a randomly assigned intervention regardless of their preference. Therefore, the randomized clinical trial may impose impractical limitations when planning comparative effectiveness research trials. To accommodate participants' preference if they are expressed, and to maintain randomization, we propose an alternative design that allows participants' preference after randomization, which we call a "preference option randomized design (PORD)". In contrast to other preference designs, which ask whether or not participants consent to the assigned intervention after randomization, the crucial feature of preference option randomized design is its unique informed consent process before randomization. Specifically, the preference option randomized design consent process informs participants that they can opt out and switch to the other intervention only if after randomization they actively express the desire to do so. Participants who do not independently express explicit alternate preference or assent to the randomly assigned intervention are considered to not have an alternate preference. In sum, preference option randomized design intends to maximize retention, minimize possibility of forced assignment for any participants, and to maintain randomization by allowing participants with no or equal preference to represent random assignments. This design scheme enables to define five effects that are interconnected with each other through common design parameters-comparative, preference, selection, intent-to-treat, and overall/as-treated-to collectively guide decision making between interventions. Statistical power functions for testing all these effects are derived, and simulations verified the validity of the power functions under normal and binomial distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moonseong Heo
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Paul Meissner
- Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Alain H Litwin
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Julia H Arnsten
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - M Diane McKee
- Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Alison Karasz
- Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Paula McKinley
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Colin D Rehm
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Office of Community and Population Health, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Earle C Chambers
- Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Ming-Chin Yeh
- Nutrition Program, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Judith Wylie-Rosett
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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45
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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: 335] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.0] [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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46
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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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47
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Viganò M, Andreoni M, Perno CF, Craxì A, Aghemo A, Alberti A, Andreone P, Babudieri S, Bonora S, Brunetto MR, Bruno R, Bruno S, Calvaruso V, Caporaso N, Cartabellotta F, Ceccherini-Silberstein F, Cento V, Ciancio A, Colombatto P, Coppola N, Di Marco V, Di Perri G, Fagiuoli S, Gaeta GB, Gasbarrini A, Lampertico P, Pellicelli A, Prestileo T, Puoti M, Raimondo G, Rizzardini G, Taliani G, Zignego AL. Real life experiences in HCV management in 2018. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2019; 17:117-128. [PMID: 30582384 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2019.1563755] [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] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease, with approximately 71 million chronically infected individuals worldwide. Treatment of chronic hepatitis C has considerably improved in the last few years thanks to the introduction of direct-acting antivirals able to achieve sustained virological response in more than 95% of patients. Successful anti-HCV treatment can halt liver disease progression and solve the HCV-related extra-hepatic manifestations, eventually reducing liver-related and overall mortality. Areas covered: With the aim to respond to unmet needs in patient's identification, universal access to antiviral therapy and treatment optimization in specific setting of HCV-infected patients, a group of Italian experts met in Stresa in May 2018. The summary of the considerations arising from this meeting and the final statements are reported in this paper. Expert commentary: All the advances on HCV cure may have a real clinical impact not only in individual patients but also at the social health level if they are applied to all infected patients, independently from the stage of liver disease. Further improvements are needed in order to attain HCV elimination, such as the development of an enhanced screening program working in parallel to the present treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Viganò
- a Hepatology Unit, Ospedale San Giuseppe , University of Milan , Milan , Italy
| | - Massimo Andreoni
- b Department Medicine of Systems , University Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Carlo Federico Perno
- c Department of Laboratory Medicine, Niguarda Hospital , University of Milan , Milan , Italy
| | - Antonio Craxì
- d Department of Gastroenterology, DiBiMIS , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Alessio Aghemo
- e UO Medicina Interna ed Epatologia , Humanitas University and Research Hospital , Milano , Italy
| | - Alfredo Alberti
- f Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padua , Padua , Italy
| | - Pietro Andreone
- g Centro per lo Studio e Ricerche delle Epatiti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche , Università di Bologna , Bologna , Italy
| | - Sergio Babudieri
- h Infectious Diseases Department, AOU Sassari , University of Sassari , Sassari , Italy
| | - Stefano Bonora
- i Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences , University of Turin , Turin , Italy
| | - Maurizia Rossana Brunetto
- j Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale Università di Pisa , UO Epatologia Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana , Pisa , Italy
| | - Raffaele Bruno
- k Division of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy
| | - Savino Bruno
- l Department of Internal Medicine , Humanitas University Medicine , Rozzano , Italy
| | - Vincenza Calvaruso
- d Department of Gastroenterology, DiBiMIS , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Nicola Caporaso
- m Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Gastroenterology Unit , University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples , Italy
| | - Fabio Cartabellotta
- n Department of Internal Medicine , Buccheri La Ferla Hospital Fatebenefratelli , Palermo , Italy
| | | | - Valeria Cento
- c Department of Laboratory Medicine, Niguarda Hospital , University of Milan , Milan , Italy
| | - Alessia Ciancio
- p Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche , Università di Torino , Torino , Italy
| | - Piero Colombatto
- j Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale Università di Pisa , UO Epatologia Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana , Pisa , Italy
| | - Nicola Coppola
- q Infectious Diseases Unit, AORN Caserta , University of Campania , Caserta , Italy
| | - Vito Di Marco
- d Department of Gastroenterology, DiBiMIS , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Perri
- i Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences , University of Turin , Turin , Italy
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- r USC Gastroenterologia Epatologia e Trapiantologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica e dei Trapianti , ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII , Bergamo , Italy
| | | | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- t Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS , Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore , Roma , Italy
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- u Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Università di Milano , Milano , Italy
| | - Adriano Pellicelli
- v UOC Malattie del Fegato Dipartimento Interaziendale Trapianti Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini , Rome , Italy
| | - Tullio Prestileo
- w Infectious Diseases Unit and Centre for Migration and Health ARNAS , Civico-Benfratelli Hospital , Palermo , Italy
| | - Massimo Puoti
- x SC Malattie Infettive, Department of Infectious Diseases , ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda , Milano , Italy
| | - Giovanni Raimondo
- y Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine , University Hospital of Messina , Messina , Italy
| | - Giuliano Rizzardini
- z Infectious Diseases Department ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Science , University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Gloria Taliani
- aa Infectious Diseases Unit and School of Tropical Medicine , Sapienza of Rome University , Rome , Italy
| | - Anna Linda Zignego
- ab Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine and Department of Oncology, Interdepartmental Hepatology Center MASVE , Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC) , Florence , Italy
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48
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Foster GR, Dore GJ, Wang S, Grebely J, Sherman KE, Baumgarten A, Conway B, Jackson D, Asselah T, Gschwantler M, Tomasiewicz K, Aguilar H, Asatryan A, Hu Y, Mensa FJ. Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic HCV and recent drug use: An integrated analysis of 7 phase III studies. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 194:487-494. [PMID: 30529905 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injection drug use is the primary mode of transmission for hepatitis C virus (HCV), and treatment guidelines recommend treating HCV-infected people who use drugs; however, concerns about adherence, effectiveness, and reinfection have impeded treatment uptake. METHODS Data were pooled from seven phase III trials that evaluated the efficacy and safety of 8 or 12 weeks of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) in patients chronically infected with HCV genotypes 1-6. Patients had compensated liver disease, with or without cirrhosis, and were HCV treatment-naïve or -experienced with interferon or pegylated interferon ± ribavirin, or sofosbuvir plus ribavirin ± pegylated interferon. Patients were grouped into recent drug users (injection drug use ≤12 months before screening, positive urine drug screen [UDS], and/or drug-related adverse event), former drug users (>12 months before screening and negative UDS), or non-drug users. Assessments included sustained virologic response at 12 weeks posttreatment (SVR12), treatment adherence, and safety. RESULTS Among 1819 patients, 5%, 34%, and 61% were recent, former, and non-drug users, respectively. Treatment adherence and completion were high (≥96%) regardless of drug use status. SVR12 was achieved by 93% (n/N = 91/98), 97% (n/N = 591/610), and >99% (n/N = 1106/1111) of recent, former, and non-drug users, respectively (intention-to-treat analysis). The overall rates of virologic failure were ≤1.5% across all three subpopulations, with no HCV reinfections among recent drug users. Drug-related serious adverse events and adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation were experienced by ≤1% of patients. CONCLUSIONS G/P is a well-tolerated and efficacious pangenotypic regimen for chronic HCV-infected people with recent or active drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham R Foster
- Hepatology Unit, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd., London E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Wallace Wurth Building, High St., Kensington NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Stanley Wang
- AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Wallace Wurth Building, High St., Kensington NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Kenneth E Sherman
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, CARE/Crawley Building, Suite E-870, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Axel Baumgarten
- Center for Infectiology, Driesener Str. 11, 10439 Berlin, Germany
| | - Brian Conway
- Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, 1200 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC V6Z 2C7, Canada
| | - Daniel Jackson
- Digestive Health Specialists of the Southeast, 480 Honeysuckle Rd., Dothan, AL 36305, USA
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Université Paris Diderot, INSERM UMR1149, AP-HP Hôpital Beaujon, 100 Boulevard du Général Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France
| | - Michael Gschwantler
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Wilhelminenspital, and Sigmund Freud University, Freudplatz, 1A-1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - Krzysztof Tomasiewicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 16, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Humberto Aguilar
- Louisiana Research Center, 1800 E 70th St, Shreveport, LA 71105, USA
| | - Armen Asatryan
- AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yiran Hu
- AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL, USA
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49
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Boucher LM, Bayoumi AM, Mark AE, Cooper C, Martin A, Marshall Z, Boyd R, Oickle P, Diliso N, Pineau D, Renaud B, LeBlanc S, Tyndall M, Lee OM, Kendall CE. Hepatitis C Testing, Status and Treatment among Marginalized People Who Use Drugs in an Inner City Setting: An Observational Cohort Study. Subst Use Misuse 2019; 54:18-30. [PMID: 29932800 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2018.1485699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among people who inject drugs (PWID) and is associated with morbidity and premature death. Although HCV can be cured, treatment may be inaccessible. We studied HCV testing, status and treatment among marginalized people who use drugs in Ottawa, Canada, a setting with universal insurance coverage for physician services. METHODS We analyzed data from the Participatory Research in Ottawa: Understanding Drugs study, a cross-sectional, peer-administered survey of people who use drugs from 2012 to 2013. We linked responses to population-based health administrative databases and used multivariable Poisson regression to identify factors independently associated with self-reported HCV testing, self-reported positive HCV status, and database-determined engagement in HCV treatment. RESULTS Among 663 participants, 562 (84.8%) reported testing for HCV and 258 (45.9%) reported HCV-positive status. In multivariable analysis, HCV-positive status was associated with female gender (RR 1.27; 95%CI 1.04 to 1.55), advancing age (RR 1.03/year; 95%CI 1.02 to 1.04), receiving disability payments (RR 1.42; 95%CI 1.06 to 1.91), injecting drugs (RR 5.11; 95%CI 2.64 to 9.91), ever injecting with a used needle (RR 1.30; 95%CI 1.12 to 1.52), and ever having taken methadone (RR 1.26; 95%CI 1.05 to 1.52). Of HCV positive participants, 196 (76%) were engaged in primary care but only 23 (8.9%) had received HCV therapy. Conclusions/Importance: Although HCV testing and positive status rates are high among PWID in our study, few have received HCV treatment. Innovative initiatives to increase access to HCV treatment for PWID are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Boucher
- a Bruyere Research Institute , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.,b Department of Epidemiology and Public Health , University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - Ahmed M Bayoumi
- c Division of General Internal Medicine , St. Michael's Hospital , Ontario , Canada.,d Department of Medicine and Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation , University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Amy E Mark
- e Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences , Toronto , Canada
| | - Curtis Cooper
- f Clinical Epidemiology Program , Ottawa Hospital Research Institute , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - Alana Martin
- f Clinical Epidemiology Program , Ottawa Hospital Research Institute , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - Zack Marshall
- g School of Social Work , McGill University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada
| | - Rob Boyd
- h Sandy Hill Community Health Centre , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - Pam Oickle
- i Ottawa Public Health , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - Nicola Diliso
- j PROUD Community Advisory Committee , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - Dave Pineau
- j PROUD Community Advisory Committee , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - Brad Renaud
- j PROUD Community Advisory Committee , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - Sean LeBlanc
- k Drug Users Advocacy League , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - Mark Tyndall
- l BC Centre for Disease Control , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Olivia M Lee
- b Department of Epidemiology and Public Health , University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - Claire E Kendall
- a Bruyere Research Institute , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.,b Department of Epidemiology and Public Health , University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.,m Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital , Ontario , Canada
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50
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Day E, Hellard M, Treloar C, Bruneau J, Martin NK, Øvrehus A, Dalgard O, Lloyd A, Dillon J, Hickman M, Byrne J, Litwin A, Maticic M, Bruggmann P, Midgard H, Norton B, Trooskin S, Lazarus JV, Grebely J. Hepatitis C elimination among people who inject drugs: Challenges and recommendations for action within a health systems framework. Liver Int 2019; 39:20-30. [PMID: 30157316 PMCID: PMC6868526 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The burden of hepatitis C infection is considerable among people who inject drugs (PWID), with an estimated prevalence of 39%, representing an estimated 6.1 million people who have recently injected drugs living with hepatitis C infection. As such, PWID are a priority population for enhancing prevention, testing, linkage to care, treatment and follow-up care in order to meet World Health Organization (WHO) hepatitis C elimination goals by 2030. There are many barriers to enhancing hepatitis C prevention and care among PWID including poor global coverage of harm reduction services, restrictive drug policies and criminalization of drug use, poor access to health services, low hepatitis C testing, linkage to care and treatment, restrictions for accessing DAA therapy, and the lack of national strategies and government investment to support WHO elimination goals. On 5 September 2017, the International Network of Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU) held a roundtable panel of international experts to discuss remaining challenges and future priorities for action from a health systems perspective. The WHO health systems framework comprises six core components: service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, medical procurement, health systems financing, and leadership and governance. Communication has been proposed as a seventh key element which promotes the central role of affected community engagement. This review paper presents recommended strategies for eliminating hepatitis C as a major public health threat among PWID and outlines future priorities for action within a health systems framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Day
- Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexual
Health Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne,
Victoria, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney,
New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julie Bruneau
- CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM), Centre Hospitalier de
l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Division of Global Public Health, University of California,
San Diego, California, United States
| | - Anne Øvrehus
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University
Hospital, Denmark
| | - Olav Dalgard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University
Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andrew Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia
| | - John Dillon
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of
Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School,
University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jude Byrne
- Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League,
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Alain Litwin
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein
College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, United States
| | - Mojca Maticic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses,
University Medical Centre Ljubljana, and Faculty of Medicine, University of
Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Havard Midgard
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oslo University Hospital,
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Brianna Norton
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein
College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, United States
| | - Stacey Trooskin
- Philadelphia FIGHT, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United
States
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal),
Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia
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