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Basyte-Bacevice V, Kupcinskas L. Viral Hepatitis C: From Unraveling the Nature of Disease to Cure and Global Elimination. Dig Dis 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38718765 DOI: 10.1159/000539210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The discovery of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs is one of the major milestones in the last 3 decades of medicine. These discoveries encouraged the World Health Organization (WHO) to set an ambitious goal to eliminate HCV by 2030, meaning "a 90% reduction in new cases of chronic HCV, a 65% reduction in HCV deaths, and treatment of 80% of eligible people with HCV infections." SUMMARY This review summarizes the key achievements from the discovery of HCV to the development of effective treatment and global elimination strategies. A better understanding of HCV structure, enzymes, and lifecycle led to the introduction of new drug targets and the discovery of DAA. Massive public health interventions are required, such as screening, access to care, treatment, and post-care follow-up, to make the most of DAA's potential. Screening must be supported by fast, accessible, sensitive, specific HCV diagnostic tests and noninvasive methods to determine the stage of liver disease. Linkage to care and treatment access are critical components of a comprehensive HCV elimination program, and decentralization plays a key role in ensuring their effectiveness. KEY MESSAGES Effective and simple screening strategies, rapid diagnostic tools, linkage to health care, and accessible treatment are key elements to achieving the WHO's goal. Incorporating treatment as prevention strategies into elimination programs together with preventive education and harm reduction interventions can have a profound and lasting impact on reducing both the incidence and prevalence of HCV. However, WHO's goal can be challenging to implement because of the need for high financial resources and strong political commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Limas Kupcinskas
- Institute for Digestive Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
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2
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Vaz-Pinto I, Ortega E, Chivite I, Butí M, Turnes-Vázquez J, Magno-Pereira V, Rocha M, Garrido J, Esteves-Santos C, Guimaraes M, Mourão T, Martínez Roma M, Guilera V, Llaneras-Artigues J, Barreira-Díaz A, Pérez Cachafeiro S, Daponte Angueira S, Xavier E, Vicente M, Garrido G, Heredia MT, Medina D, García Deltoro M. Increasing and sustaining blood-borne virus screening in Spain and Portugal throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-center quality improvement intervention. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1268888. [PMID: 38328544 PMCID: PMC10847218 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1268888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Around 57,000 people in Spain and Portugal currently living with HIV or chronic hepatitis C are unaware of their infection. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted screening efforts for these infections. We designed an intervention to increase and sustain opportunistic blood-borne virus (BBV) screening and linkage to care (SLTC) by implementing the TEST model. Methods The Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) method of quality improvement (QI) was implemented in 8 healthcare organizations (HCOs), including four hospitals, two clusters of community health centers, and two community-based organizations (CBOs). Baseline assessment included a review of BBV SLTC practices, testing volume, and results 12 months before the intervention. Changes in BBV testing rates over time were measured before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. A mixed ANOVA model was used to analyze the possible effect on testing volumes among HCOs over the three study periods. Intervention BBV testing was integrated into normal clinical flow in all HCOs using existing clinical infrastructure and staff. Electronic health record (EHR) systems were modified whenever possible to streamline screening processes, implement systemic institutional policy changes, and promote QI. Results Two years after the launch of the intervention in screening practices, testing volumes increased by 116%, with formal healthcare settings recording larger increases than CBOs. The start of the COVID-19 lockdowns was accompanied by a global 60% decrease in testing in all HCOs. Screening emergency department patients or using EHR systems to automate screening showed the highest resilience and lowest reduction in testing. HCOs recovered 77% of their testing volume once the lockdowns were lifted, with CBOs making the fullest recovery. Globally, enhanced screening techniques enabled HCOs to diagnose a total of 1,860 individuals over the research period. Conclusions Implementation of the TEST model enabled HCOs to increase and sustain BBV screening, even during COVID-19 lockdowns. Although improvement in screening was noted in all HCOs, additional work is needed to develop strong patient linkage to care models in challenging times, such as global pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Vaz-Pinto
- HIV-AIDS Functional Unit, Hospital de Cascais Dr. José de Almeida (HCASCAIS), Cascais, Portugal
| | - Enrique Ortega
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Consorci Hospital General Universitari de València (HVALENCIA), Valencia, Spain
| | - Ivan Chivite
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Clínic i Provincial de Barcelona (HClinic), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Butí
- Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (HVHEBRON), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas del Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Vítor Magno-Pereira
- Serviço de Saúde da Região Autónoma da Madeira (SMADEIRA), Madeira, Portugal
- Universidade da Madeira, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Miguel Rocha
- Grupo de Ativistas em Tratamentos (GAT), Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Catarina Esteves-Santos
- HIV-AIDS Functional Unit, Hospital de Cascais Dr. José de Almeida (HCASCAIS), Cascais, Portugal
| | - Mafalda Guimaraes
- HIV-AIDS Functional Unit, Hospital de Cascais Dr. José de Almeida (HCASCAIS), Cascais, Portugal
| | - Tomás Mourão
- HIV-AIDS Functional Unit, Hospital de Cascais Dr. José de Almeida (HCASCAIS), Cascais, Portugal
| | - María Martínez Roma
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Consorci Hospital General Universitari de València (HVALENCIA), Valencia, Spain
| | - Vanessa Guilera
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Clínic i Provincial de Barcelona (HClinic), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ana Barreira-Díaz
- Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (HVHEBRON), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Elisa Xavier
- Serviço de Saúde da Região Autónoma da Madeira (SMADEIRA), Madeira, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Diogo Medina
- Gilead Sciences, Madrid and Lisbon, Spain and Portugal
| | - Miguel García Deltoro
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Consorci Hospital General Universitari de València (HVALENCIA), Valencia, Spain
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3
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Buti M, Vaz-Pinto I, Magno Pereira V, Casado M, Llaneras J, Barreira A, Esteves C, Guimarães M, Gorgulho A, Mourão T, Xavier E, Jasmins L, Reis AP, Faria N, Freitas B, Andrade G, Camelo-Castillo A, Rodríguez-Maresca MÁ, Carrodeguas A, Medina D, Esteban R. Emergency department contribution to HCV elimination in the Iberian Peninsula. Int J Emerg Med 2024; 17:5. [PMID: 38178000 PMCID: PMC10768527 DOI: 10.1186/s12245-023-00570-5] [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: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Undiagnosed cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection result in significant morbidity and mortality, further transmission, and increased public health costs. Testing in emergency departments (EDs) is an opportunity to expand HCV screening. The goal of this project was to increase the proportion of eligible patients screened for HCV in urban areas. METHODS An opportunistic automated HCV screening program was implemented in the EDs of 4 public hospitals in Spain and Portugal at different periods between 2018 and 2023. HCV prevalence was prospectively evaluated, and single-step or reflex testing was used for confirmation in the same sample. RESULTS More than 90% of the population eligible for testing were screened in the participating centers. We found HCV antibody seroprevalence rates ranging from 0.6 to 3.9%, with between 19 and 53% of viremic individuals. CONCLUSIONS Opportunistic HCV screening in EDs is feasible, does not disrupt ED activities, is highly effective in increasing diagnosis, and contributes to WHO's HCV elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Buti
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and CIBEREHD del Instituto Carlos III, 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | | | - Marta Casado
- Hospital Universitario Torrecárdenas, Almería, Spain
| | | | - Ana Barreira
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and CIBEREHD del Instituto Carlos III, 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nancy Faria
- Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, Madeira, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rafael Esteban
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and CIBEREHD del Instituto Carlos III, 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Carty PG, Teljeur C, De Gascun CF, Gillespie P, Harrington P, McCormick A, O'Neill M, Smith SM, Ryan M. Another Step Toward Hepatitis C Elimination: An Economic Evaluation of an Irish National Birth Cohort Testing Program. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2022; 25:1947-1957. [PMID: 35778325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of offering once-off birth cohort testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) to people in Ireland born between 1965 and 1985, the cohort with the highest reported prevalence of undiagnosed chronic HCV infection. METHODS Systematic and opportunistic HCV birth cohort testing programs, implemented over a 4-year timeframe, were compared with the current practice of population risk-based testing only in a closed-cohort decision tree and Markov model hybrid over a lifetime time horizon. Outcomes were expressed in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Costs were presented from the health system's perspective in 2020 euro (€). Uncertainty was assessed via deterministic, probabilistic, scenario, and threshold analyses. RESULTS In the base case, systematic testing yielded the largest cost and health benefits, followed by opportunistic testing and risk-based testing. Compared with risk-based testing, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for opportunistic testing was €14 586 (95% confidence interval €4185-€33 527) per QALY gained. Compared with opportunistic testing, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for systematic testing was €16 827 (95% confidence interval €5106-€38 843) per QALY gained. These findings were robust across a range of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS Both systematic and opportunistic birth cohort testing would be considered an efficient use of resources, but systematic testing was the optimal strategy at willingness-to-pay threshold values typically used in Ireland. Although cost-effective, any decision to introduce birth cohort testing for HCV (in Ireland or elsewhere) must be balanced with considerations regarding the feasibility and budget impact of implementing a national testing program given high initial costs and resource use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G Carty
- RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Conor Teljeur
- Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cillian F De Gascun
- National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paddy Gillespie
- Health Economics & Policy Analysis Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland; CÚRAM, The SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices (12/RC/2073_2), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Susan M Smith
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mairin Ryan
- Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Krueger H, Robinson S, Hancock T, Birtwhistle R, Buxton JA, Henry B, Scarr J, Spinelli JJ. Priorities among effective clinical preventive services in British Columbia, Canada. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:564. [PMID: 35473549 PMCID: PMC9044882 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07871-0] [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: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the long-standing experience of rating the evidence for clinical preventive services, the delivery of effective clinical preventive services in Canada and elsewhere is less than optimal. We outline an approach used in British Columbia to assist in determining which effective clinical preventive services are worth doing. Methods We calculated the clinically preventable burden and cost-effectiveness for 28 clinical preventive services that received a ‘strong or conditional (weak) recommendation for’ by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care or an ‘A’ or ‘B’ rating by the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Clinically preventable burden is the total quality adjusted life years that could be gained if the clinical preventive services were delivered at recommended intervals to a British Columbia birth cohort of 40,000 individuals over the years of life that the service is recommended. Cost-effectiveness is the net cost per quality adjusted life year gained. Results Clinical preventive services with the highest population impact and best value for money include services that address tobacco use in adolescents and adults, exclusive breastfeeding, and screening for hypertension and other cardiovascular disease risk factors followed by appropriate pharmaceutical treatment. In addition, alcohol misuse screening and brief counseling, one-time screening for hepatitis C virus infection in British Columbia adults born between 1945 and 1965, and screening for type 2 diabetes approach these high-value clinical preventive services. Conclusions These results enable policy makers to say with some confidence what preventive manoeuvres are worth doing but further work is required to determine the best way to deliver these services to all those eligible and to establish what supportive services are required. After all, if a clinical preventive service is worth doing, it is worth doing well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Krueger
- H. Krueger & Associates Inc., Delta, Canada. .,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | | | - Trevor Hancock
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Richard Birtwhistle
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.,Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Jane A Buxton
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Center for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Bonnie Henry
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,BC Ministry of Health, Victoria, Canada
| | - Jennifer Scarr
- Child Health BC, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, Canada
| | - John J Spinelli
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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6
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Carty PG, Fawsitt CG, Gillespie P, Harrington P, O'Neill M, Smith SM, Teljeur C, Ryan M. Population-Based Testing for Undiagnosed Hepatitis C: A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations. APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY 2022; 20:171-183. [PMID: 34870793 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-021-00694-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Recognising the significant public health threat posed by hepatitis C, international targets have been established by the World Health Organization with the aim of eradicating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. With the availability of safe and effective therapies, the greatest challenge to achieving elimination is the identification and treatment of those currently undiagnosed. This systematic review aimed to identify and appraise the international literature on the cost-effectiveness of birth cohort, universal, and age-based general population testing for identifying people with undiagnosed chronic HCV infection. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was undertaken in Medline, Embase and grey literature sources to identify studies published between 1 January 2000 and 17 July 2020. Retrieved citations were independently reviewed by two reviewers according to pre-defined eligibility criteria. Data extraction and critical appraisal were completed in duplicate. Study quality, relevance and credibility were assessed using the Consensus for Health Economic Criteria and the ISPOR questionnaires. All costs were reported in 2019 Irish Euro following adjustment for inflation and purchasing power parity. Willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds of €20,000 and €45,000 were adopted as reference points for interpreting cost-effectiveness in the narrative synthesis. The systematic review is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. RESULTS Overall, 4622 citations were retrieved in the literature search. Of these, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria. Six (22%) of the 27 studies were rated as low quality, 17 (63%) were moderate quality and four (15%) were high quality. Compared with no testing or risk-based testing: 14 of 16 (88%) cost-utility analyses found that birth cohort testing was cost effective, eight of nine (89%) analyses found that universal testing was cost effective, and eight of eight (100%) analyses found that age-based general population testing was cost effective. Cost effectiveness was influenced by disease prevalence and progression, testing and treatment uptake, treatment eligibility of those identified by testing, the cost of treatment and the proportion of those treated that achieve sustained virological response. CONCLUSION Overall, the international evidence supports the potential cost effectiveness of birth cohort, universal, and age-based general population testing, but is caveated by study generalisability, specifically the transferability of findings from one jurisdiction to another, and institutional variations in healthcare delivery systems and budgetary constraints. The cost effectiveness of each approach will vary according to population- and health system-specific characteristics such as epidemiological context, testing coverage, linkage to care and capacity to treat. Given issues regarding the transferability of economic evaluations (for example, model inputs and assumptions) and the significant resources required to implement these interventions, jurisdiction-specific economic evaluations and budget impact analyses will likely be required to inform investment and implementation decisions. REGISTRATION PROSPERO, CRD42019127159. Registered 29 April 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G Carty
- RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
- Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland.
| | | | - Paddy Gillespie
- Health Economics and Policy Analysis Centre, CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices (12/RC/2073_2), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | | | | - Susan M Smith
- Health Research Board Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephens Green, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Conor Teljeur
- Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mairin Ryan
- Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
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Lee HW, Lee H, Kim BK, Chang Y, Jang JY, Kim DY. Cost-effectiveness of chronic hepatitis C screening and treatment. Clin Mol Hepatol 2021; 28:164-173. [PMID: 34955002 PMCID: PMC9013616 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2021.0193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the second most common cause of chronic liver disease in South Korea, with a prevalence ranging from 0.6% to 0.8%, and HCV infection incidence increases with age. The anti-HCV antibody test, which is cheaper than the HCV RNA assay, is widely used to screen for HCV infections; however, the underdiagnosis of HCV is a major barrier to the elimination of HCV infections. Although several risk factors have been associated with HCV infections, including intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, and hemodialysis, most patients with HCV infections present with no identifiable risk factors. Universal screening for HCV in adults has been suggested to improve the detection of HCV infections. We reviewed the cost-effectiveness of HCV screening and the methodologies used to perform screening. Recent studies have suggested that universal HCV screening and treatment using direct-acting antivirals represent cost-effective approaches to the prevention and treatment of HCV infection. However, the optimal timing and frequency of HCV screening remain unclear, and further studies are necessary to determine the best approaches for the elimination of HCV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Won Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hankil Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Beom Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Disease Center, Institute for Digestive Research, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Young Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Disease Center, Institute for Digestive Research, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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8
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Duchesne L, Hejblum G, Njouom R, Touré Kane C, Toni TD, Moh R, Sylla B, Rouveau N, Attia A, Lacombe K. Model-based cost-effectiveness estimates of testing strategies for diagnosing hepatitis C virus infection in Central and Western Africa. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238035. [PMID: 32833976 PMCID: PMC7446873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whereas 72% of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected people worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), only 6% of them have been diagnosed. Innovative technologies for HCV diagnosis provide opportunities for developing testing strategies more adapted to resource-constrained settings. However, studies about their economic feasibility in LMICs are lacking. METHODS Adopting a health sector perspective in Cameroon, Cote-d'Ivoire, and Senegal, a decision tree model was developed to compare 12 testing strategies with the following characteristics: a one-step or two-step testing sequence, HCV-RNA or HCV core antigen as confirmative biomarker, laboratory or point-of-care (POC) tests, and venous blood samples or dried blood spots (DBS). Outcomes measures were the number of true positives (TPs), cost per screened individual, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, and nationwide budget. Corresponding time horizon was immediate, and outcomes were accordingly not discounted. Detailed sensitivity analyses were conducted. FINDINGS In the base-case, a two-step POC-based strategy including anti-HCV antibody (HCV-Ab) and HCV-RNA testing had the lowest cost, €8.18 per screened individual. Assuming a lost-to-follow-up rate after screening > 1.9%, a DBS-based laboratory HCV-RNA after HCV-Ab POC testing was the single un-dominated strategy, requiring an additional cost of €3653.56 per additional TP detected. Both strategies would require 8-25% of the annual public health expenditure of the study countries for diagnosing 30% of HCV-infected individuals. Assuming a seroprevalence > 46.9% or a cost of POC HCV-RNA < €7.32, a one-step strategy based on POC HCV-RNA dominated the two-step POC-based strategy but resulted in many more false-positive cases. CONCLUSIONS POC HCV-Ab followed by either POC- or DBS-based HCV-RNA testing would be the most cost-effective strategies in the study countries. Without a substantial increase in funding for health or a dramatic decrease in assay prices, HCV testing would constitute an economic barrier to the implementation of HCV elimination programs in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Duchesne
- Institut Pierre Louis d’Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Hejblum
- Institut Pierre Louis d’Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Richard Njouom
- Virology Department, Pasteur Centre of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Coumba Touré Kane
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie Virologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Aristide Le Dantec/ Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Thomas d’Aquin Toni
- Centre de Diagnostic et de Recherches sur le SIDA (CeDReS), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Raoul Moh
- Programme PAC-CI, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Unité de formation et de recherche de Sciences Médicales, Unité Pédagogique de Dermatologie et Infectiologie, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan
| | - Babacar Sylla
- Institut de Médecine et d'Epidémiologie Appliquée (IMEA), Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Rouveau
- International Research and Collaboration unit, Agence Nationale de Recherche sur le Sida et les hépatites virales (ANRS), Paris, France
| | - Alain Attia
- Service d’Hépatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Yopougon, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Karine Lacombe
- Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Paris, France
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9
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Roberts K, Macleod J, Metcalfe C, Hollingworth W, Williams J, Muir P, Vickerman P, Clement C, Gordon F, Irving W, Waldron CA, North P, Moore P, Simmons R, Miners A, Horwood J, Hickman M. Cost effectiveness of an intervention to increase uptake of hepatitis C virus testing and treatment (HepCATT): cluster randomised controlled trial in primary care. BMJ 2020; 368:m322. [PMID: 32102782 PMCID: PMC7190058 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.m322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a complex intervention in primary care that aims to increase uptake of hepatitis C virus (HCV) case finding and treatment. DESIGN Pragmatic, two armed, practice level, cluster randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS 45 general practices in South West England (22 randomised to intervention and 23 to control arm). Outcome data were collected from all intervention practices and 21/23 control practices. Total number of flagged patients was 24 473 (about 5% of practice list). INTERVENTION Electronic algorithm and flag on practice systems identifying patients with HCV risk markers (such as history of opioid dependence or HCV tests with no evidence of referral to hepatology), staff educational training in HCV, and practice posters/leaflets to increase patients' awareness. Flagged patients were invited by letter for an HCV test (with one follow-up) and had on-screen pop-ups to encourage opportunistic testing. The intervention lasted one year, with practices recruited April to December 2016. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome: uptake of HCV testing. SECONDARY OUTCOMES number of positive HCV tests and yield (proportion HCV positive); HCV treatment assessment at hepatology; cost effectiveness. RESULTS Baseline HCV testing of flagged patients (six months before study start) was 608/13 097 (4.6%) in intervention practices and 380/11 376 (3.3%) in control practices. During the study 2071 (16%) of flagged patients in the intervention practices and 1163 (10%) in control practices were tested for HCV: overall intervention effect as an adjusted rate ratio of 1.59 (95% confidence interval 1.21 to 2.08; P<0.001). HCV antibodies were detected in 129 patients from intervention practices and 51 patients from control practices (adjusted rate ratio 2.24, 1.47 to 3.42) with weak evidence of an increase in yield (6.2% v 4.4%; adjusted risk ratio 1.40, 0.99 to 1.95). Referral and assessment increased in intervention practices compared with control practices (adjusted rate ratio 5.78, 1.6 to 21.6) with a risk difference of 1.3 per 1000 and a "number needed to help" of one extra HCV diagnosis, referral, and assessment per 792 (95% confidence interval 558 to 1883) patients flagged. The average cost of HCV case finding was £4.03 (95% confidence interval £2.27 to £5.80) per at risk patient and £3165 per additional patient assessed at hepatology. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio was £6212 per quality adjusted life year (QALY), with 92.5% probability of being below £20 000 per QALY. CONCLUSION HepCATT had a modest impact but is a low cost intervention that merits optimisation and implementation as part of an NHS strategy to increase HCV testing and treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN61788850.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty Roberts
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - John Macleod
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Evaluation of Interventions, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Chris Metcalfe
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration (BRTC), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
| | - Will Hollingworth
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jack Williams
- Department of Health Service Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- NIHR HPRU in Blood Borne Viruses and STI, University College London, London, UK
| | - Peter Muir
- Public Health Laboratory Bristol, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Pathology Sciences Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Evaluation of Interventions, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Clare Clement
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Evaluation of Interventions, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Fiona Gordon
- University Hospitals Bristol, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK
| | - Will Irving
- NIHR Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, University Hospital Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Paul North
- Public Health Laboratory Bristol, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Pathology Sciences Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
| | - Philippa Moore
- Public Health Laboratory Bristol, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Pathology Sciences Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
| | - Ruth Simmons
- NIHR HPRU in Blood Borne Viruses and STI, University College London, London, UK
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Alec Miners
- Department of Health Service Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- NIHR HPRU in Blood Borne Viruses and STI, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jeremy Horwood
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Evaluation of Interventions, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Evaluation of Interventions, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Elimination of hepatitis C in Europe: can WHO targets be achieved? Clin Microbiol Infect 2020; 26:818-823. [PMID: 31978546 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2020.01.014] [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: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 71 million people worldwide. The availability of highly efficient direct-acting antivirals has revolutionized the treatment landscape with over 95% cure rates. The WHO has launched a global programme to achieve rather ambitious HCV elimination targets for 2030. OBJECTIVES This article aims to provide a critical overview of the current HCV elimination programmes in Europe highlighting the elements that should be implemented to achieve elimination and those that are already in place to promote this process. SOURCES Review of the recently published literature and opinion of experts in the field. CONTENT Elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat appears to be a difficult task, which should be subdivided into smaller targets, the so-called micro-elimination goals, to increase chances of success. Macro-elimination strategies based on mass-screening are difficult to implement. Evidence supporting the efficacy of micro-elimination comes from key populations, such as people who inject drugs. HCV elimination is proceeding at different speeds in Europe. Some countries are on target with the WHO's objectives whereas others lack economic support and political advocacy, and have insufficient infrastructures to achieve this. The absence of an effective prophylactic vaccine is hampering the process and should be overcome. IMPLICATIONS Elimination of hepatitis C worldwide appears plausible, but in several countries probably not within the time frame suggested by the WHO. In the absence of vaccination, universal access to HCV treatment would act as a 'therapeutic' option to reduce transmission, especially in high-risk populations.
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