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Dennis BB, Babe G, Gayowsky A, Rosic T, Rodrigues M, Bach P, Perez R, de Oliveira C, Samet J, Weaver V, Young S, Dionne J, Ahmed A, Kim D, Thabane L, Samaan Z. Health service utilization, substance use treatment response, and death in patients with opioid use disorder and comorbid hepatitis C findings from prospective cohort study with administrative database linkage. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 167:209524. [PMID: 39341602 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 09/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), high rates of overdose and death have been reported in subgroups with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Evidence on the comorbid effect of HCV on clinical and substance use trajectories has been limited by small sample sizes, short follow-up, and heavy reliance on administrative data which lacks granularity on important prognostic factors. Additionally, few studies include populations on substance use treatment. AIM To establish the impact of HCV exposure (antibody positivity) on health care utilization patterns, substance use treatment response, and death in a cohort of patients with OUD on opioid agonist therapy (OAT). METHODS This multi-center prospective cohort study recruited adult patients with OUD on OAT from 57 substance use treatment centers in Ontario, Canada. The study collected substance use outcomes, and classified patients with ≥50 % positive opioid urine screens over one year of follow-up as having poor treatment response. Additional data obtained via linkage with ICES administrative databases evaluated the relationship between HCV status, healthcare service utilization, and death over 3 years of follow-up. Multiple logistic regression models established the adjusted impact of HCV on various outcomes. RESULTS Among recruited participants (n = 3430), 44.10 % were female with a mean age of 38.64 years (Standard deviation: 10.96). HCV was prevalent in 10.6 % of the cohort (n = 365). Methadone was used most often (83.9 %, n = 2876), followed by sublingual buprenorphine (16.2 %, n = 554). Over the three-year follow-up, 5.3 % of patients died (n = 181). Unadjusted results reveal rates of hospitalization (all-cause, mental-health related, critical care) and emergency department visits (mental health-related), were significantly higher among HCV patients. Associations diminished in adjusted models. Active injection drug use exhibited the highest predictive risk for all outcomes. CONCLUSION A high degree of acute physical and mental illness and its resulting health service utilization burden is concentrated among patients with OUD and comorbid HCV. Future research should explore the role for targeted interventions and how best to implement integrated healthcare models to better address the complex health needs of HCV populations who inject drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany B Dennis
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Division of Social Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Glenda Babe
- ICES McMaster, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Tea Rosic
- Department of Health Research Methods Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Myanca Rodrigues
- Department of Health Research Methods Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Paxton Bach
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Division of Social Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Richard Perez
- ICES McMaster, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Health Research Methods Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Claire de Oliveira
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Samet
- Department of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | - Victoria Weaver
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Samantha Young
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Division of Social Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joanna Dionne
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Aijaz Ahmed
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Donghee Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Lehana Thabane
- Department of Health Research Methods Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Biostatistics Unit, Research Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Pediatrics/Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Zainab Samaan
- Department of Health Research Methods Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Fricker GP, Ghany MG, Mera J, Pinsky BA, Ward JW, Chung RT. Tools Needed to Support Same-Day Diagnosis and Treatment of Current Hepatitis C Virus Infection. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:S362-S369. [PMID: 37739799 PMCID: PMC11078313 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The current multiday diagnosis and treatment paradigm for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection results in far fewer patients receiving treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents than those with diagnosed HCV infection. To achieve HCV elimination, a paradigm shift in access to HCV treatment is needed from multiday testing and treatment algorithms to same-day diagnosis and treatment. This shift will require new tools, such as point-of-care (POC) antigen tests or nucleic acid tests for HCV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and nucleic acid tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that do not require venous blood. This shift will also require better use of existing resources, including expanded access to HCV treatment and available POC tests, novel monitoring approaches, and removal of barriers to approval. A same-day diagnosis and treatment paradigm will substantially contribute to HCV elimination by improving HCV treatment rates and expanding access to treatment in settings where patients have brief encounters with healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory P Fricker
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marc G Ghany
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jorge Mera
- Infectious Diseases, Cherokee Nation Health Services, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Benjamin A Pinsky
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, University School of Medicine, Stanford, CaliforniaUSA
| | - John W Ward
- Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, The Task Force for Global Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Hepatology and Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Chappell CA, Stewart E, Laird HJ, Jonassaint N, Kasula K, Patterson M, Krans EE. Postpartum Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Among People With Opioid Use Disorder: A Prospective Pilot Clinical Trial. J Addict Med 2024; 18:160-166. [PMID: 38258866 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of postpartum hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment integrated within a substance use treatment program for pregnant and postpartum people with opioid use disorder (OUD). METHODS We conducted a prospective pilot clinical trial of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) treatment among postpartum people with OUD and HCV. Feasibility outcomes included rates of HCV treatment utilization and completion, medication adherence, and sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment completion (SVR12). Acceptability was measured through self-reported adverse effects and medication adherence. RESULTS From January 2018 to August 2021, 164 pregnant people received care for OUD at the study site. Among those, 64 (39.0%) were HCV antibody positive and 45 (27.4%) had active HCV infection. Among 45 eligible patients, 32 (71.1%) enrolled and 21 (46.7%) initiated HCV treatment. Of 21 participants who initiated treatment, 16 (76.2%) completed the SOF/VEL treatment, and 11 (52.4%) completed the SVR12. All participants who completed treatment were cured. Common reasons for dropout during the HCV clinical care cascade were OUD treatment discontinuation, illicit substance use recurrence, and lost to follow-up. Participants reported high satisfaction with HCV treatment, including minimal adverse effects, and no HCV treatment concerns. CONCLUSIONS Nearly half of pregnant people with HCV initiated postpartum treatment within an integrated care model of HCV treatment within a substance use treatment program. Postpartum SOF/VEL was efficacious, tolerable, and acceptable. Despite this, postpartum HCV treatment among people with OUD remains challenging, and many barriers remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Chappell
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (CAC, EEK); Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA (CAC, ES, HJL, NJ, KK, MP, EEK); and Department of Gastroenterology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (NJ)
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Barré T, Bourlière M, Parlati L, Ramier C, Marcellin F, Protopopescu C, Di Beo V, Cagnot C, Dorival C, Nicol J, Zoulim F, Carrat F, Carrieri P. Hepatitis C virus cure from direct-acting antivirals and mortality: Are people with and without a history of injection drug use in the same boat? (ANRS CO22 Hepather cohort). Drug Alcohol Rev 2024; 43:718-731. [PMID: 38133601 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The risk of mortality in people with a history of injection drug use (PHID) is high, as is the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Although direct-acting antivirals (DAA) are effective in this population in terms of sustained virological response, it is not known whether PHID benefit as much as people with no history of injection drug use from DAA-related HCV cure in terms of reduced all-cause mortality. METHODS Using Cox proportional hazards models based on the ANRS CO22 Hepather cohort data (n = 9735), we identified factors associated with all-cause mortality among HCV-infected people. We tested for interaction effects between drug injection status, HCV cure and other explanatory variables. RESULTS DAA-related HCV cure was associated with a 66% (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.34 [0.29-0.39]) lower risk of all-cause mortality, irrespective of drug injection status. Detrimental effects of unhealthy alcohol use on mortality were identified in PHID only. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS DAA-related HCV cure led to comparable benefits in terms of reduced mortality in PHID and people with no history of injection drug use. Policies and strategies to enhance DAA uptake among PHID are needed to lower mortality in this population. Clinical trial registration details: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01953458.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tangui Barré
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement , Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Institut des Sciences de la Santé Publique d'Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Marc Bourlière
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement , Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Institut des Sciences de la Santé Publique d'Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
- Département d'hépatologie et gastroentérologie, Hôpital Saint Joseph, Marseille, France
| | - Lucia Parlati
- Université de Paris Cité; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Département d'Hépatologie/Addictologie, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Clémence Ramier
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement , Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Institut des Sciences de la Santé Publique d'Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Fabienne Marcellin
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement , Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Institut des Sciences de la Santé Publique d'Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Camelia Protopopescu
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement , Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Institut des Sciences de la Santé Publique d'Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Di Beo
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement , Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Institut des Sciences de la Santé Publique d'Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Carole Cagnot
- ANRS | Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Research, Paris, France
| | - Celine Dorival
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Nicol
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1052, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unités Mixtes de Recherche-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard, Lyon, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Fabrice Carrat
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Unité de Santé Publique, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Patrizia Carrieri
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement , Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, Institut des Sciences de la Santé Publique d'Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
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Tsui J, Gojic A, Pierce K, Tung E, Connolly N, Radick A, Hunt R, Sandvold R, Taber K, Ninburg M, Kubiniec R, Scott J, Hansen R, Stekler J, Austin E, Williams E, Glick S. Pilot study of a community pharmacist led program to treat hepatitis C virus among people who inject drugs. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2024; 10:100213. [PMID: 38261893 PMCID: PMC10796962 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2023.100213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Background People who inject drugs (PWID) are a key population for treatment with direct-acting antiviral medications (DAAs) to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV). We developed a Pharmacist, Physician, and Patient Navigator Collaborative Care Model (PPP-CCM) for delivery of HCV treatment; this study describes clinical outcomes related to HCV treatment (initial evaluation, treatment initiation, completion, and cure), as well as patient satisfaction. Methods We conducted a single-arm prospective pilot study of adult PWID living with HCV. Participants completed baseline and six-month follow-up surveys, and treatment and outcomes were abstracted from electronic health records. Primary outcome was linkage to pharmacist for HCV evaluation; secondary outcomes included DAA initiation, completion, and cure, as well as patient-reported satisfaction. Results Of the 40 PWID enrolled, mean age was 43.6 years, 12 (30 %) were female, 20 (50 %) were non-white, and 15 (38 %) were unhoused. Thirty-eight (95 %) were successfully linked to the pharmacist for initial evaluation. Of those, 21/38 (55 %) initiated DAAs, and 16/21 (76 %) completed treatment. Among those completing treatment who had viral load data to document whether they achieved "sustained virologic response", i.e. cure, 10/11 (91 %) were found to be cured. There was high satisfaction with 100 % responding "agree or strongly agree" that they had a positive experience with the pharmacist. Conclusion Nearly all participants in this pilot were successfully linked to the pharmacist for evaluation, and more than half were started on DAAs; results provide preliminary evidence of feasibility of pharmacist-led models of HCV treatment for PWID. Clinicaltrialsgov registration number NCT04698629.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.I. Tsui
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - A.J. Gojic
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - K.A. Pierce
- Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - E.L. Tung
- Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - N.C. Connolly
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - A.C. Radick
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - R.R. Hunt
- Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, IA, United States
| | - R. Sandvold
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - K. Taber
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - M. Ninburg
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - R.H. Kubiniec
- Evergreen Treatment Services, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - J.D. Scott
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - R.N. Hansen
- Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - J.D. Stekler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - E.J. Austin
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - E.C. Williams
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Health Services Research & Development, VA Puget Sound, Seattle WA, United States
| | - S.N. Glick
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
- HIV/STI/HCV Program, Public Health - Seattle & King County, Seattle WA, United States
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Franz B, Dhanani LY, Hall OT, Brook DL, Simon JE, Miller WC. Differences in buprenorphine prescribing readiness among primary care professionals with and without X-waiver training in the US. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:180. [PMID: 38129903 PMCID: PMC10740221 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00918-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) are effective at preventing overdose and infectious disease but are vastly under-prescribed in the US. For decades, prescribers faced additional training and regulation to prescribe buprenorphine which stigmatized the medication and lessened support for a harm reduction approach to treating opioid use disorder. The Drug Enforcement Administration removed the X-waiver requirement for prescribing buprenorphine in late 2022, which removed stigma and lessened important barriers to prescribing but also left training at the discretion of individual organizations. Our study aimed to assess differences in knowledge, confidence, and stigma regarding buprenorphine between those who went through the X-waiver training and those who did not, among practicing primary care providers (PCPs). METHODS We assessed buprenorphine prescribing readiness among primary care aligned outpatient providers in Ohio, USA. Using survey data, we conducted bivariate and regression analyses predicting primary prescribing outcomes. Primary outcomes measured knowledge of and confidence in buprenorphine, as well as perceived adequacy of one's training. Secondary outcomes were attitudes toward patients with OUD, including bias toward OUD patients, stress when working with them, and empathy toward them. Participants (n = 403) included physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants practicing in primary care aligned disciplines. RESULTS Survey data showed that PCPs who received X-waiver training were more likely to understand and have confidence in the mechanism of buprenorphine, and consider their training on treating OUD to be adequate. PCPs with an X-waiver showed more empathy, less negative bias, and experienced less stress when working with patients with OUD. CONCLUSION Removing restrictive policies for prescribing buprenorphine is an important step to expanding access and reducing the stigma associated with opioid use disorder treatment. Yet, our findings suggest that the training received alongside regulation may be important for improving prescribing confidence and reducing stigma. Strategies to increase buprenorphine prescribing are unlikely to be effective without also expanding access to prescribing support for primary care providers across the career course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berkeley Franz
- Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Appalachian Institute to Advance Health Equity Science, Athens, OH, USA.
| | - Lindsay Y Dhanani
- Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - O Trent Hall
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Daniel L Brook
- Ohio State University College of Public Health, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Janet E Simon
- Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions, Athens, OH, USA
| | - William C Miller
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Kamat S, Kondapalli S, Syed S, Price G, Danias G, Gorbenko K, Cantor J, Valera P, Shah AK, Akiyama MJ. Access to Hepatitis C Treatment during and after Incarceration in New Jersey, United States: A Qualitative Study. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041033. [PMID: 37109562 PMCID: PMC10146294 DOI: 10.3390/life13041033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite effective antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV), people who are incarcerated and those returning to the community face challenges in obtaining HCV treatment. We aimed to explore facilitators and barriers to HCV treatment during and after incarceration. From July-November 2020 and June-July 2021, we conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with residents who were formerly incarcerated in jail or prison. The interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. We used descriptive statistics to characterize the study sample and analyzed qualitative data thematically using an iterative process. Participants included five women and 22 men who self-identified as White (n = 14), Latinx (n = 8), and Black (n = 5). During incarceration, a key facilitator was having sufficient time to complete HCV treatment, and the corresponding barrier was delaying treatment initiation. After incarceration, a key facilitator was connecting with reentry programs (e.g., halfway house or rehabilitation program) that coordinated the treatment logistics and provided support with culturally sensitive staff. Barriers included a lack of insurance coverage and higher-ranking priorities (e.g., managing more immediate reentry challenges such as other comorbidities, employment, housing, and legal issues), low perceived risk of harm related to HCV, and active substance use. Incarceration and reentry pose distinct facilitators and challenges to accessing HCV treatment. These findings signal the need for interventions to improve engagement in HCV care both during and after incarceration to assist in closing the gap of untreated people living with HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Kamat
- Department of Medical Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Shumayl Syed
- Department of Medical Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Gabrielle Price
- Department of Medical Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - George Danias
- Department of Medical Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ksenia Gorbenko
- Department of Medical Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Institute for Healthcare Delivery Science, Mount Sinai Health System, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joel Cantor
- Center for State Health Policy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Pamela Valera
- Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Community Health Justice Lab, Newark, NJ 07107, USA
| | - Aakash K Shah
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
| | - Matthew J Akiyama
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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O’Brien M, Daws R, Amin P, Lee K. Utilizing Telemedicine and Modified Fibrosis Staging Protocols to Maintain Treatment Initiation and Adherence Among Hepatitis C Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Prim Care Community Health 2022; 13:21501319221108000. [PMID: 35748428 PMCID: PMC9234933 DOI: 10.1177/21501319221108000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the decline in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) screening and treatment globally in part due to lockdowns and restrictions at healthcare centers. The goal of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the effectiveness of an updated workflow implemented at Boston Medical Center (BMC) HCV clinics. Revised workflow incorporated appointments via telemedicine, transitioning to blood test-based fibrosis scoring, and delivering medication by mail to mitigate the lack of in-person services. We compared 2 cohorts of patients who attended at least the initial intake appointment at BMCHCV clinics: 170 before the pandemic and 133 after the pandemic. Outcome variables included treatment starts, fibrosis lab tests completed, appointment attendance, and SVR achievement. Proportions for outcome variables were compared between groups by use of χ2 and 2-sample t-tests where appropriate. Our results showed a 14.43% decrease in completing fibrosis scoring tests (P-value: <.001) and a 15.21% decrease in medication initiation (P-value: <.001) among the patients who initiated care during the pandemic (modified workflow group). Furthermore, we found a 18.56% decrease in sustained virologic response (SVR) among the modified workflow group when compared to the controls. Overall, these results align with current trends of patients' decreasing engagement in HCV care but show higher retention than other published data. Furthermore, these figures support how appointments via telemedicine, transitioning to blood test-based fibrosis scoring, and medication delivery by mail can serve as tools to increase access to HCV care and successful HCV treatment completion even after COVID restrictions are lifted.
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