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Minturn MS, Kamis KF, Wyles DL, Scott T, Hurley H, Prendergast SJ, Rowan SE. Hepatitis C-related knowledge and attitude among adults on probation in a large US city. HEALTH & JUSTICE 2024; 12:30. [PMID: 38990381 PMCID: PMC11238520 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-024-00287-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality within the US, and disproportionately impacts those involved with the criminal justice system. Despite this, knowledge and attitudes regarding HCV treatment among adults on probation have not been well studied. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adults on probation accessing on-site HCV testing and linkage services at the adult probation department in Denver, Colorado. The survey assessed general knowledge of HCV and HCV treatment, as well as attitudes surrounding HCV treatment that might reflect medical mistrust. We used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with previous HCV testing, previous HCV treatment, and HCV antibody positivity at the time the survey was conducted. RESULTS A total of 402 participants completed all or a portion of the survey. 69% of the participants were cis-gender men; 29% were white, 27% were Black, and 30% were Hispanic/Latinx. Fewer than half of participants correctly identified that HCV infection is commonly asymptomatic (46%), that there is currently no vaccine that prevents HCV (19%), and that reinfection after treatment is possible (47%). Very few participants felt that side-effects (9%) or cost of treatment (10%) were barriers to care. Many participants believed that racial disparities exist in the treatment of HCV (59%). The belief that people who use substances are treated inequitably by health care providers was also commonly reported (35% of participants). Self-reported injection drug use and higher HCV-related knowledge were positively associated with previous testing for HCV. Higher HCV-related knowledge was positively associated with HCV antibody positivity at the time of survey completion, though the magnitude of the association was small. CONCLUSION Interventions are needed to increase knowledge of HCV, to improve access to HCV testing and treatment, and to reduce bias associated with HCV and substance use within the probation population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Minturn
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, 660 N. Bannock St. Ste. 7144, Denver, CO, 80204, USA.
| | - Kevin F Kamis
- Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, USA
| | - David L Wyles
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Denver Health Medical Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Tracy Scott
- LGBTQ+ Health Services, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Hermione Hurley
- Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Denver Health Medical Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
- Center for Addiction Medicine, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, USA
| | | | - Sarah E Rowan
- Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Denver Health Medical Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
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Talal AH, Markatou M, Liu A, Perumalswami PV, Dinani AM, Tobin JN, Brown LS. Integrated Hepatitis C-Opioid Use Disorder Care Through Facilitated Telemedicine: A Randomized Trial. JAMA 2024; 331:1369-1378. [PMID: 38568601 PMCID: PMC10993166 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.2452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Importance Facilitated telemedicine may promote hepatitis C virus elimination by mitigating geographic and temporal barriers. Objective To compare sustained virologic responses for hepatitis C virus among persons with opioid use disorder treated through facilitated telemedicine integrated into opioid treatment programs compared with off-site hepatitis specialist referral. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective, cluster randomized clinical trial using a stepped wedge design. Twelve programs throughout New York State included hepatitis C-infected participants (n = 602) enrolled between March 1, 2017, and February 29, 2020. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2022, through September 1, 2023. Intervention Hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals through comanagement with a hepatitis specialist either through facilitated telemedicine integrated into opioid treatment programs (n = 290) or standard-of-care off-site referral (n = 312). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was hepatitis C virus cure. Twelve programs began with off-site referral, and every 9 months, 4 randomly selected sites transitioned to facilitated telemedicine during 3 steps without participant crossover. Participants completed 2-year follow-up for reinfection assessment. Inclusion criteria required 6-month enrollment in opioid treatment and insurance coverage of hepatitis C medications. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to test for the intervention effect, adjusted for time, clustering, and effect modification in individual-based intention-to-treat analysis. Results Among 602 participants, 369 were male (61.3%); 296 (49.2%) were American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, multiracial, or other (ie, no race category was selected, with race data collected according to the 5 standard National Institutes of Health categories); and 306 (50.8%) were White. The mean (SD) age of the enrolled participants in the telemedicine group was 47.1 (13.1) years; that of the referral group was 48.9 (12.8) years. In telemedicine, 268 of 290 participants (92.4%) initiated treatment compared with 126 of 312 participants (40.4%) in referral. Intention-to-treat cure percentages were 90.3% (262 of 290) in telemedicine and 39.4% (123 of 312) in referral, with an estimated logarithmic odds ratio of the study group effect of 2.9 (95% CI, 2.0-3.5; P < .001) with no effect modification. Observed cure percentages were 246 of 290 participants (84.8%) in telemedicine vs 106 of 312 participants (34.0%) in referral. Subgroup effects were not significant, including fibrosis stage, urban or rural participant residence location, or mental health (anxiety or depression) comorbid conditions. Illicit drug use decreased significantly (referral: 95% CI, 1.2-4.8; P = .001; telemedicine: 95% CI, 0.3-1.0; P < .001) among cured participants. Minimal reinfections (n = 13) occurred, with hepatitis C virus reinfection incidence of 2.5 per 100 person-years. Participants in both groups rated health care delivery satisfaction as high or very high. Conclusions and Relevance Opioid treatment program-integrated facilitated telemedicine resulted in significantly higher hepatitis C virus cure rates compared with off-site referral, with high participant satisfaction. Illicit drug use declined significantly among cured participants with minimal reinfections. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02933970.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew H. Talal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | | | - Anran Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Ponni V. Perumalswami
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Amreen M. Dinani
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jonathan N. Tobin
- Clinical Directors Network, Inc (CDN), New York, New York
- The Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science, New York, New York
| | - Lawrence S. Brown
- START Treatment & Recovery Centers, Brooklyn, New York
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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Rennert L, Howard KA, Kickham CM, Gezer F, Coleman A, Roth P, Boswell K, Gimbel RW, Litwin AH. Implementation of a mobile health clinic framework for Hepatitis C virus screening and treatment: a descriptive study. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2024; 29:100648. [PMID: 38124995 PMCID: PMC10733089 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Background Although treatment for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is effective, individuals face access barriers. The utility of mobile health clinics (MHC), effective mechanisms for providing healthcare to underserved populations, is understudied for HCV-related interventions. We aimed to describe implementation of, and factors associated with, screening and treatment via MHCs. Methods Clemson Rural Health implemented a novel MHC program to reach and treat populations at-risk for HCV with a focus on care for uninsured individuals. We examined HCV screening and treatment initiation/completion indicators between May 2021 and January 2023. Findings Among 607 individuals screened across 31 locations, 94 (15.5%) tested positive via antibody and viral load testing. Treatment initiation and completion rates were 49.6% and 86.0%, respectively. Among those screened, the majority were male (57.5%), White (61.3%; Black/Hispanic: 28.2%/7.7%), and without personal vehicle as primary transportation mode (54.4%). Injection drug use (IDU) was 27.2% and uninsured rate was 42.8%. Compared to HCV-negative, those infected included more individuals aged 30-44 (52.1% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.023), male (70.2% vs. 55.2%, p = 0.009), White (78.5% vs. 60.2%, p < 0.0001), without personal vehicle (58.5% vs. 43.5%, p = 0.028), IDU (83.7% vs. 21.0%, p < 0.0001), and uninsured (61.2% vs. 48.8%, p = 0.050). Uninsured rates were higher among those initiating compared to not initiating treatment (74.5% vs. 45.3%, p = 0.004). Interpretation The MHC framework successfully reaching its target population: at-risk individuals with access barriers to healthcare. The high HCV screening and treatment initiation/completion rates demonstrate the utility of MHCs as effective and acceptable intervention settings among historically difficult-to-treat populations. Funding Gilead Sciences, Inc., and SC Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Rennert
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
- Center for Public Health Modeling and Response, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Kerry A. Howard
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
- Center for Public Health Modeling and Response, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | | | - Fatih Gezer
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
- Center for Public Health Modeling and Response, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | | | - Prerana Roth
- Prisma Health-Upstate, Greenville, SC, USA
- Clemson University School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Greenville, SC, USA
| | | | - Ronald W. Gimbel
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
- Clemson Rural Health, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Alain H. Litwin
- Prisma Health-Upstate, Greenville, SC, USA
- Clemson University School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Greenville, SC, USA
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Coyle CR, Gicquelais RE, Genberg BL, Astemborski J, Falade-Nwulia O, Kirk GD, Thomas DL, Mehta SH. Temporal trends in HCV treatment uptake and success among people who inject drugs in Baltimore, MD since the introduction of direct acting antivirals. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 253:111007. [PMID: 38456165 PMCID: PMC10917145 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111007] [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] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be cured by direct acting antivirals (DAA), uptake is not well characterized for people who inject drugs (PWID). Methods Among 1,130 participants of a community-based cohort of PWID with chronic HCV, we longitudinally characterized HCV treatment uptake and cure early (2014-2016) and later (2017-2020). Results Cumulative HCV treatment uptake increased from 4% in 2014 to 68% in 2020 and the percent with HCV viremia declined from nearly 100% to 33%. Predictors of treatment uptake varied across periods. Age (incidence rate ratio [IRR] per 5-year increase: 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15, 1.42), educational attainment (IRR for ≥ high school diploma: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.66), HIV coinfection with suppressed viral load (IRR vs. HIV negative: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.63, 2.66) and alcohol dependence (IRR vs. no alcohol use: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.91) were associated with treatment uptake in the early period, but not later. HIV coinfection with a detectable viral load (IRR vs. HIV negative: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.95) and daily injecting (IRR: 0.46 vs. no injection; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.79) were significantly associated with lower treatment uptake later. Homelessness was associated with significantly reduced likelihood of viral clearance in the late DAA era (IRR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.88). Conclusion Treatment uptake improved substantially in this cohort of PWID in the first five years of DAA availability with commensurate declines in viremia. Additional efforts are needed to treat those actively injecting and unstably housed in order to realize elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catelyn R. Coyle
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America
- Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence (CORE), Merck & Co, Inc, 351 N Sumneytown Pike, North Wales, PA 19454, United States of America
| | - Rachel E. Gicquelais
- School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 701 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705, United States of America
| | - Becky L. Genberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America
| | - Jacquie Astemborski
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America
| | - Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia
- Division of Infectious Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America
| | - Gregory D. Kirk
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America
| | - David L. Thomas
- Division of Infectious Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America
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Wang MC, Bangaru S, Zhou K. Care for Vulnerable Populations with Chronic Liver Disease: A Safety-Net Perspective. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2725. [PMID: 37893800 PMCID: PMC10606794 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11202725] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Safety-net hospitals (SNHs) and facilities are the cornerstone of healthcare services for the medically underserved. The burden of chronic liver disease-including end-stage manifestations of cirrhosis and liver cancer-is high and rising among populations living in poverty who primarily seek and receive care in safety-net settings. For many reasons related to social determinants of health, these individuals often present with delayed diagnoses and disease presentations, resulting in higher liver-related mortality. With recent state-based policy changes such as Medicaid expansion that impact access to insurance and critical health services, an overview of the body of literature on SNH care for chronic liver disease is timely and informative for the liver disease community. In this narrative review, we discuss controversies in the definition of a SNH and summarize the known disparities in the cascade of the care and management of common liver-related conditions: (1) steatotic liver disease, (2) liver cancer, (3) chronic viral hepatitis, and (4) cirrhosis and liver transplantation. In addition, we review the specific impact of Medicaid expansion on safety-net systems and liver disease outcomes and highlight effective provider- and system-level interventions. Lastly, we address remaining gaps and challenges to optimizing care for vulnerable populations with chronic liver disease in safety-net settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Wang
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Saroja Bangaru
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Los Angeles General Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Kali Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Los Angeles General Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Research Center for Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Edmonds A, Haley DF, Edwards JK, Ramirez C, French AL, Tien PC, Plankey M, Sharma A, Augenbraun M, Seaberg EC, Workowski K, Alcaide ML, Albrecht S, Adimora AA. Health Insurance and Initiation of Direct-Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis C in US Women With Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 77:258-264. [PMID: 37021689 PMCID: PMC10371303 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad204] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is well tolerated, cost-effective, and yields high sustained virologic response rates, yet it has remained financially inaccessible to many patients. METHODS Participants of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (an observational US cohort) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HCV (RNA+) reporting no prior hepatitis C treatment were followed for DAA initiation (2015-2019). We estimated risk ratios (RRs) of the relationship between time-varying health insurance status and DAA initiation, adjusting for confounders with stabilized inverse probability weights. We also estimated weighted cumulative incidences of DAA initiation by health insurance status. RESULTS A total of 139 women (74% Black) were included; at baseline, the median age was 55 years and 86% were insured. Most had annual household incomes ≤$18 000 (85%); advanced liver fibrosis (21%), alcohol use (45%), and recreational drug use (35%) were common. Across 439 subsequent semiannual visits, 88 women (63%) reported DAA initiation. Compared with no health insurance, health insurance increased the likelihood of reporting DAA initiation at a given visit (RR, 4.94; 95% confidence limit [CL], 1.92 to 12.8). At 2 years, the weighted cumulative incidence of DAA initiation was higher among the insured (51.2%; 95% CL, 43.3% to 60.6%) than the uninsured (3.5%; 95% CL, 0.8% to 14.6%). CONCLUSIONS Accounting for clinical, behavioral, and sociodemographic factors over time, health insurance had a substantial positive effect on DAA initiation. Interventions to increase insurance coverage should be prioritized to increase HCV curative therapy uptake for persons with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Edmonds
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Danielle F Haley
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jessie K Edwards
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Catalina Ramirez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Audrey L French
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stroger (Cook County) Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Phyllis C Tien
- Department of Medicine, University of California–San Francisco, and San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michael Plankey
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Michael Augenbraun
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Eric C Seaberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kimberly Workowski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Maria L Alcaide
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Svenja Albrecht
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Adaora A Adimora
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Jones PD, Lai JC, Bajaj JS, Kanwal F. Actionable Solutions to Achieve Health Equity in Chronic Liver Disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:1992-2000. [PMID: 37061105 PMCID: PMC10330625 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
There are well-described racial and ethnic disparities in the burden of chronic liver diseases. Hispanic persons are at highest risk for developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the fastest growing cause of liver disease. Hepatitis B disproportionately affects persons of Asian or African descent. The highest rates of hepatitis C occur in American Indian and Alaskan Native populations. In addition to disparities in disease burden, there are also marked racial and ethnic disparities in access to treatments, including liver transplantation. Disparities also exist by gender and geography, especially in alcohol-related liver disease. To achieve health equity, we must address the root causes that drive these inequities. Understanding the role that social determinants of health play in the disparate health outcomes that are currently observed is critically important. We must forge and/or strengthen collaborations between patients, community members, other key stakeholders, health care providers, health care institutions, professional societies, and legislative bodies. Herein, we provide a high-level review of current disparities in chronic liver disease and describe actionable strategies that have potential to bridge gaps, improve quality, and promote equity in liver care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia D Jones
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
| | - Jennifer C Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Virginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Health Care System, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Fasiha Kanwal
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
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8
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Ying X, Pan Y, Rosenblatt R, Ng C, Sholle E, Fahoum K, Jesudian A, Fortune BE. Impact of Race and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Characteristics on Liver Cancer Diagnosis in Patients with Viral Hepatitis and Cirrhosis. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2023; 13:568-575. [PMID: 37440951 PMCID: PMC10333940 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Concerning data have revealed that viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) disproportionally impact non-White patients and those from lower socioeconomic status. A recent study found that HCC clusters were more likely to be in high poverty areas in New York City. Aims We aim to investigate the impacts of neighborhood characteristics on those with viral hepatitis and cirrhosis, particularly with advanced HCC diagnosis. Methods Patients with cirrhosis and viral hepatitis admitted to a New York City health system between 2012 and 2019 were included. Those with prior liver transplants were excluded. Neighborhood characteristics were obtained from US Census. Our primary outcome was HCC and advanced HCC diagnosis. Results This study included 348 patients; 209 without history of HCC, 20 with early HCC, 98 with advanced HCC, and 21 patients with HCC but no staging information. Patients with advanced HCC were more likely to be older, male, Asian, history of HBV, and increased mortality. They were more likely to live in areas with more foreign-born, limited English speakers, and less than high school education. After adjusting for age, sex, and payor type, Asian race and low income were independent risk factors for advanced HCC. Neighborhood factors were not associated with mortality or readmissions. Conclusion We observed that in addition to age and sex, Asian race, lower household income, lower education, and lower English proficiency were associated with increased risk of advanced HCC. These disparities likely reflect suboptimal screening programs and linkage to care among vulnerable populations. Further efforts are crucial to validate and address these concerning disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Ying
- NewYork Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yushan Pan
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Russell Rosenblatt
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Catherine Ng
- NewYork Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evan Sholle
- NewYork Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Arun Jesudian
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brett E. Fortune
- Montefiore-Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Bronx, NY, USA
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9
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Kardashian A, Serper M, Terrault N, Nephew LD. Health disparities in chronic liver disease. Hepatology 2023; 77:1382-1403. [PMID: 35993341 PMCID: PMC10026975 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The syndemic of hazardous alcohol consumption, opioid use, and obesity has led to important changes in liver disease epidemiology that have exacerbated health disparities. Health disparities occur when plausibly avoidable health differences are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations. Highlighting health disparities, their sources, and consequences in chronic liver disease is fundamental to improving liver health outcomes. There have been large increases in alcohol use disorder in women, racial and ethnic minorities, and those experiencing poverty in the context of poor access to alcohol treatment, leading to increasing rates of alcohol-associated liver diseases. Rising rates of NAFLD and associated fibrosis have been observed in Hispanic persons, women aged > 50, and individuals experiencing food insecurity. Access to viral hepatitis screening and linkage to treatment are suboptimal for racial and ethnic minorities and individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, resulting in greater liver-related mortality and later-stage diagnoses of HCC. Data from more diverse cohorts on autoimmune and cholestatic liver diseases are lacking, supporting the need to study the contemporary epidemiology of these disorders in greater detail. Herein, we review the existing literature on racial and ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic disparities in chronic liver diseases using a social determinants of health framework to better understand how social and structural factors cause health disparities and affect chronic liver disease outcomes. We also propose potential solutions to eliminate disparities, outlining health-policy, health-system, community, and individual solutions to promote equity and improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ani Kardashian
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Marina Serper
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Norah Terrault
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lauren D. Nephew
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Jiang X, Song HJ, Chang CY, Wilson D, Guo J, Lo-Ciganic WH, Park H. Disparities in Access to Hepatitis C Treatment Among Arizona Medicaid Beneficiaries With Chronic Hepatitis C. Med Care 2023; 61:81-86. [PMID: 36453625 PMCID: PMC9839474 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001801] [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] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High costs of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have led to their restricted access for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). OBJECTIVE The aim was to assess how HCV treatment access and predictors of HCV treatment changed in the post-DAA period compared with pre-DAA period. METHODS A retrospective cohort study using Arizona Medicaid data was conducted for patients with HCV to compare treatment initiation rates between pre-DAA (January 2008-October 2013) and post-DAA (November 2013-December 2018) periods. Multivariable logistic regression was used, controlling for demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS Twenty-four thousand and ninety and 28,756 patients during the pre-DAA and post-DAA periods were identified. Overall, 12.6% were treated in the post-DAA period compared with 7.8% in the pre-DAA period ( P <0.001). The relative increase in the HCV treatment initiation rate from the pre-DAA to the post-DAA period was significant greater for Black beneficiaries compared with White beneficiaries ( P =0.002). Hispanic beneficiaries were less likely to be treated in the post-DAA period [adjusted odds ratios (aOR): 0.88; CI: 0.79-0.98] compared with White beneficiaries. Those with mental illness (aOR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.63-0.80) and substance use disorders (aOR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.58-0.68) were less likely to be treated in the post-DAA period. CONCLUSIONS Although treatment initiation increased and disparities for Black beneficiaries compared with White beneficiaries attenuated in the post-DAA period, only 13% of Arizona Medicaid patients with HCV received DAA treatment. Disparities in DAA access remained among Hispanic patients and those with mental illness and substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Jiang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Hyun Jin Song
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ching-Yuan Chang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Debbie Wilson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jingchuan Guo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Wei-Hsuan Lo-Ciganic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Haesuk Park
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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11
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Goodman SH, Zahn M, Boden-Albala B, Lakon CM. Insurance Status, Comorbidity Diagnosis, and Hepatitis C Diagnosis Among Antibody-Positive Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Health Serv Res Manag Epidemiol 2023; 10:23333928231175795. [PMID: 37197291 PMCID: PMC10184194 DOI: 10.1177/23333928231175795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In California, laboratories report all hepatitis C (HCV)-positive antibody tests to the state; however, that does not accurately reflect active infection among those patients without a viral load test confirming a patient's HCV diagnosis. These public health surveillance disease incident records do not include patient details such as comorbidities or insurance status found in electronic medical records (EMRs). Objective This research seeks to understand how insurance type, insurance status, patient comorbidities, and other sociodemographic factors related to HCV diagnosis as defined by a positive viral load test among HCV antibody-positive persons from January 1, 2010 to March 1, 2020. Methods HCV antibody-positive individuals reported to the California Reportable Disease Information Exchange (CalREDIE), with a medical record number associated with the University of California, Irvine Medical Center, and an unrestricted EMR (n = 521) were extracted using manual chart review. Main Outcomes and measures HCV diagnosis as indicated in a patient's EMR in the problem list or disease registry. Results Less than a quarter of patients in this sample were diagnosed as having HCV in their EMR, with 0.4% of those diagnosed (5/116) patients with indicated HCV treatment in the medication field of their charts. After adjusting for multiple comorbidities, a multinomial logistic regression found that the relative risk ratios (RRRs) of HCV diagnosis found that patients with insurance were more likely to be diagnosed compared to those without insurance. When comparing uninsured patients to those with government insurance at the P < .05 level (RRR = 10.61 (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.14-27.22)) and those uninsured to private insurance (RRR = 6.79 (95% CI: 2.31-19.92). Conclusions These low frequencies of HCV diagnosis among the study population, particularly among the uninsured, indicate a need for increased viral load testing and linkage to care. Reflex testing on existing samples and improving HCV screening and diagnosis can help increase linkage to care and work towards eliminating this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara H. Goodman
- Department of Pediatrics – Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Health, Society, and Behavior, Program in Public Health Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Zahn
- Communicable Disease Control, Orange County Health Care Agency, Santa Ana, CA, USA
| | - Bernadette Boden-Albala
- Department of Health, Society, and Behavior, Program in Public Health Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia M. Lakon
- Department of Health, Society, and Behavior, Program in Public Health Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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12
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Herren OM, Gillman AS, Marshall VJ, Das R. Understanding the Changing Landscape of Health Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Liver Cancer. GASTRO HEP ADVANCES 2022; 2:505-520. [PMID: 37347072 PMCID: PMC10281758 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Liver disease and liver cancer disparities in the U.S. are reflective of complex multiple determinants of health. This review describes the disproportionate burden of liver disease and liver cancer among racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender minority, rural, low socioeconomic status (SES) populations, and place-based contexts. The contributions of traditional and lifestyle-related risk factors (e.g., alcohol consumption, evitable toxin exposure, nutrition quality) and comorbid conditions (e.g., viral hepatitis, obesity, type II diabetes) to disparities is also explored. Biopsychosocial mechanisms defining the physiological consequences of inequities underlying these health disparities, including inflammation, allostatic load, genetics, epigenetics, and social epigenomics are described. Guided by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) framework, integrative research of unexplored social and biological mechanisms of health disparities, appropriate methods and measures for early screening, diagnosis, assessment, and strategies for timely treatment and maintaining multidisciplinary care should be actively pursued. We review emerging research on adverse social determinants of liver health, such as structural racism, discrimination, stigma, SES, rising care-related costs, food insecurity, healthcare access, health literacy, and environmental exposures to pollutants. Limited research on protective factors of liver health is also described. Research from effective, multilevel, community-based interventions indicate a need for further intervention efforts that target both risk and protective factors to address health disparities. Policy-level impacts are also needed to reduce disparities. These insights are important, as the social contexts and inequities that influence determinants of liver disease/cancer have been worsened by the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic and are forecasted to amplify disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga M. Herren
- Extramural Scientific Programs, Division of Integrative Biological and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Arielle S. Gillman
- Extramural Scientific Programs, Division of Integrative Biological and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Vanessa J. Marshall
- Office of the Director National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), Bethesda, MD
| | - Rina Das
- Extramural Scientific Programs, Division of Integrative Biological and Behavioral Sciences
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13
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Tilmon S, Aronsohn A, Boodram B, Canary L, Goel S, Hamlish T, Kemble S, Lauderdale DS, Layden J, Lee K, Millman AJ, Nelson N, Ritger K, Rodriguez I, Shurupova N, Wolf J, Johnson D. HepCCATT: a multilevel intervention for hepatitis C among vulnerable populations in Chicago. J Public Health (Oxf) 2022; 44:891-899. [PMID: 34156077 PMCID: PMC8692481 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab190] [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: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C infection could be eliminated. Underdiagnosis and lack of treatment are the barriers to cure, especially for vulnerable populations (i.e. unable to pay for health care). METHODS A multilevel intervention from September 2014 to September 2019 focused on the providers and organizations in 'the safety net' (providing health care to populations unable to pay), including: (i) public education, (ii) training for primary care providers (PCPs) and case managers, (iii) case management for high-risk populations, (iv) policy advice and (v) a registry (Registry) for 13 health centers contributing data. The project tracked the number of PCPs trained and, among Registry sites, the number of people screened, engaged in care (i.e. clinical follow-up after diagnosis), treated and/or cured. RESULTS In Chicago, 215 prescribing PCPs and 56 other health professionals, 86% of whom work in the safety net, were trained to manage hepatitis C. Among Registry sites, there was a 137% increase in antibody screening and a 32% increase in current hepatitis C diagnoses. Engagement in care rose by 18%. CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis C Community Alliance to Test and Treat (HepCCATT) successfully targeted safety net providers and organizations with a comprehensive care approach. While there were challenges, HepCCATT observed increased hepatitis C screening, diagnosis and engagement in care in the Chicago community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Tilmon
- Academic Pediatrics, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - A Aronsohn
- Gastroenterology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - B Boodram
- Department of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - L Canary
- CDC: Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - S Goel
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Northwestern University (Medicine), Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - T Hamlish
- Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - S Kemble
- Hawaii Department of Health, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - D S Lauderdale
- Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - J Layden
- Illinois Department of Public Health, West Chicago, IL 60185, USA
| | - K Lee
- Academic Pediatrics, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - A J Millman
- CDC: Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - N Nelson
- CDC: Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - K Ritger
- Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago, IL 60604, USA
| | - I Rodriguez
- Academic Pediatrics, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - N Shurupova
- Medical Research Analytics and Informatics Alliance (MRAIA), Chicago, IL 60606, USA
| | - J Wolf
- Caring Ambassadors Program, Oregon City, OR 97045, USA
| | - D Johnson
- Academic Pediatrics, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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14
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Haque LY, Fiellin DA, Tate JP, Esserman D, Bhattacharya D, Butt AA, Crystal S, Edelman EJ, Gordon AJ, Lim JK, Tetrault JM, Williams EC, Bryant K, Cartwright EJ, Rentsch CT, Justice AC, Lo Re V, McGinnis KA. Association Between Alcohol Use Disorder and Receipt of Direct-Acting Antiviral Hepatitis C Virus Treatment. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2246604. [PMID: 36515952 PMCID: PMC9856353 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.46604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with lower mortality and is effective in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, despite recommendations, patients with AUD may be less likely to receive DAAs. OBJECTIVE To assess the association between alcohol use and receipt of DAA treatment among patients with HCV within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study included 133 753 patients with HCV born from 1945 to 1965 who had completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) questionnaire and had at least 1 outpatient visit in the VHA from January 1, 2014, through May 31, 2017, with maximal follow-up of 3 years until May 31, 2020; DAA receipt; or death, whichever occurred first. EXPOSURES Alcohol use categories generated using responses to the AUDIT-C questionnaire and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision diagnoses: current AUD, abstinent with AUD history, at-risk drinking, lower-risk drinking, and abstinent without AUD history. Demographic, other clinical, and pharmacy data were also collected. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Associations between alcohol use categories and DAA receipt within 1 and 3 years estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression stratified by calendar year. RESULTS Of 133 753 patients (130 103 men [97%]; mean [SD] age, 60.6 [4.5] years; and 73 493 White patients [55%]), 38% had current AUD, 12% were abstinent with a history of AUD, 6% reported at-risk drinking, 14% reported lower-risk drinking, and 30% were abstinent without a history of AUD. Receipt of DAA treatment within 1 year was 7%, 33%, 53%, and 56% for patients entering the cohort in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively. For patients entering in 2014, those with current AUD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72 [95%, CI, 0.66-0.77]) or who were abstinent with an AUD history (HR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.84-1.00]) were less likely to receive DAA treatment within 1 year compared with patients with lower-risk drinking. For those entering in 2015-2017, patients with current AUD (HR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.70-0.81]) and those who were abstinent with an AUD history (HR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.68-0.86]) were less likely to receive DAA treatment within 1 year compared with patients with lower-risk drinking. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests that individuals with AUD, regardless of abstinence, were less likely to receive DAA treatment. Improved access to DAA treatment for persons with AUD is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamia Y. Haque
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - David A. Fiellin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Janet P. Tate
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven
| | - Denise Esserman
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Debika Bhattacharya
- Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, California
| | - Adeel A. Butt
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Center for Health Services Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - E. Jennifer Edelman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Adam J. Gordon
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Joseph K. Lim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jeanette M. Tetrault
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Emily C. Williams
- Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
- Health Services Research and Development, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Kendall Bryant
- HIV/AIDS and Alcohol Research Program, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Emily J. Cartwright
- Department of Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- Veterans Affairs Atlanta Health Care System, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Christopher T. Rentsch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amy C. Justice
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven
| | - Vincent Lo Re
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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15
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Sempokuya T, Warner J, Azawi M, Nogimura A, Wong LL. Current status of disparity in liver disease. World J Hepatol 2022; 14:1940-1952. [PMID: 36483604 PMCID: PMC9724102 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i11.1940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Disparities have emerged as an important issue in many aspects of healthcare in developed countries and may be based on race, ethnicity, sex, geographical location, and socioeconomic status. For liver disease specifically, these potential disparities can affect access to care and outcome in viral hepatitis, chronic liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Shortages in hepatologists and medical providers versed in liver disease may amplify these disparities by compromising early detection of liver disease, surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma, and prompt referral to subspecialists and transplant centers. In the United States, continued efforts have been made to address some of these disparities with better education of healthcare providers, use of telehealth to enhance access to specialists, reminders in electronic medical records, and modifying organ allocation systems for liver transplantation. This review will detail the current status of disparities in liver disease and describe current efforts to minimize these disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Sempokuya
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Josh Warner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Muaataz Azawi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sanford Center for Digestive Health, Sioux Falls 57105, SD, Uruguay
| | - Akane Nogimura
- Department of Public Health, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Aichi, Japan
- Division of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Aichi, Japan
| | - Linda L Wong
- Department of Surgery, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
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16
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Hasan SA, Dauner DG, Rajpurohit A, Farley JF. Direct-acting antiviral retreatment patterns for hepatitis C. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2022; 28:1100-1110. [PMID: 36125057 PMCID: PMC10372973 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2022.28.10.1100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the strong efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against the hepatitis C virus, many patients require a second regimen of DAA treatment. However, limited research exists to characterize rates of retreatment across different DAA agents or potential factors that may increase retreatment risk. OBJECTIVE: To characterize patterns and predictors of DAA retreatment among a large, generalizable, commercially insured US population of patients. METHODS: Using the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters data source, this retrospective cohort study examined retreatment patterns among patients receiving DAAs between 2013 and 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patient characteristics predictive of retreatment risk and to examine rates of retreatment in patients initiating different DAA treatments. RESULTS: Among 31,553 DAA users, a total of 1,017 (3.2%) required DAA retreatment. Among the 1,017 patients re-treated, 44 (4.3%) received a third treatment regimen and 2 patients received a fourth treatment regimen. The average total cost for a retreatment regimen was $109,683, with patient out-of-pocket costs totaling $1,287 Patients requiring retreatment had higher rates of hypertension (32.0% vs 26.7%; P < 0.001), diabetes (16.9% vs 11.9%; P < 0.001), coagulopathy (9.9% vs 4.5%; P < 0.001), deficiency anemia (11.1% vs 7.4%; P < 0.001), alcohol abuse (3.3% vs 2.3%; P = 0.038), prior liver transplantation (3.4% vs 2.3%; P = 0.024), and hepatocellular carcinoma (6.1% vs 1.9%; P < 0.001) compared with patients not requiring retreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, some patients receiving DAAs require a second regimen of DAA treatment at substantial cost to both health plans and patients. These patients tend to have more comorbidities and markers of hepatic disease severity. Patients with high retreatment risk may benefit from careful monitoring for occurrences of retreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaquib Al Hasan
- Social and Administrative Pharmacy Graduate Program, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Daniel G Dauner
- Social and Administrative Pharmacy Graduate Program, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Abhijeet Rajpurohit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Systems, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Joel F Farley
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Systems, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
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17
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Levengood TW, Aronsohn AI, Chua KP, Conti RM. Dispensing of HIV and Hepatitis C Antivirals During COVID-19: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of U.S. National Data. Am J Prev Med 2022; 63:532-542. [PMID: 35738958 PMCID: PMC9119965 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Little is known about the potential changes in the dispensation of life-saving hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV antivirals after the initial U.S. outbreak of COVID-19. The objective of this study was to describe the immediate and 1-year impacts of the U.S. outbreak of COVID-19 on monthly dispensing of HIV and HCV antivirals, specifically direct-acting antivirals (DAA) to treat HCV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) to treat HIV, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV. METHODS Authors used interrupted time-series analysis, examining IQVIA National Prescription Audit (includes 92% of U.S. retail pharmacies and 70% of U.S. mail order and long-term care pharmacies) for changes in monthly dispensed prescriptions, 2 years before and 1 year after the initial U.S. COVID-19 outbreak. Fitted linear segmented regression models were used to assess immediate level and slope changes, excluding data from April 2020 as a washout period. Authors stratified analyses by new/refill, age group, payer type, and delivery channel. RESULTS After the initial outbreak, DAA prescription dispensing declined by almost one third. The COVID-19 outbreak was associated with an immediate-level decrease in total DAA prescriptions, followed by a slope increase in monthly dispensing. However, by April 2021, monthly DAA dispensing had not recovered to prepandemic levels. In contrast, ART and PrEP dispensing changed little over the same time period. CONCLUSIONS U.S. dispensing of DAAs to treat HCV fell at the start of the U.S. COVID-19 outbreak and has yet to fully recover to prepandemic levels. Addressing barriers to care is crucial to reaching national HIV and hepatitis C elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy W Levengood
- Department of Health, Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Andrew I Aronsohn
- Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kao-Ping Chua
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center (CHEAR), Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Rena M Conti
- Department of Markets, Public Policy & Law, Boston University Questrom School of Business, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
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18
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Epstein RL, Wang J, White LF, Kapadia SN, Morgan JR, Bao Y, Linas BP. Medicaid Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Policies: Impact on Testing and Treatment in the Commercially Insured. Am J Prev Med 2022; 63:e87-e98. [PMID: 35725599 PMCID: PMC9676070 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A total of 23 state Medicaid programs continue to restrict hepatitis C virus (HCV) medication access by liver disease or substance-use criteria, creating obstacles to HCV elimination and significant care disparities. Because public insurers often set precedents for private insurer coverage and clinician practice patterns, this study sought to analyze whether spillover occurs from state Medicaid HCV treatment restrictions to HCV screening and treatment rates in commercially insured individuals. METHODS Investigators analyzed 2014‒2017 commercial claims data across 48 U.S. states (721,961,965 person-months) and used an interrupted times series design to compare hepatitis C virus screening and treatment rates before and after state Medicaid HCV treatment policy changes, adjusting for state-level random effects, Medicaid expansion status, and state drug overdose incidence rates, in states that relaxed Medicaid policy over the study period. Analysis occurred during 2019‒2021. RESULTS Hepatitis C virus screening rates among commercially insured individuals increased after the corresponding state Medicaid program relaxed HCV treatment policy. Among states that changed Medicaid policy, those that reduced fibrosis or both fibrosis and abstinence restrictions experienced increased HCV screening rates by the study end compared with states that changed only abstinence restrictions (rate ratio=1.29; 95% CI=1.15, 1.44; and rate ratio=1.32; 95% CI=1.17, 1.50, respectively). Similar patterns did not occur in HCV treatment rates, which declined after 2015 across groups. CONCLUSIONS These data show that HCV screening rates increased among commercially insured individuals after the removal of Medicaid HCV treatment restrictions in the same state. This suggests that Medicaid treatment policies can spill over to affect health outcomes among commercially insured populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Epstein
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Jianing Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Laura F White
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shashi N Kapadia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Joan and Sanford I. Weil Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Jake R Morgan
- Department of Health Law, Policy, & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yuhua Bao
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Benjamin P Linas
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Doffoel M, Ernwein F, Chaffraix F, Haumesser L, Tripon S, Bader R, Lang JP, Lang A, Paya D, Royant M, Velay-Rusch A, Tebacher M, Meyer N, Habersetzer F, Baumert T. Characteristics and care of chronic hepatitis C treated with direct-acting antivirals in migrants. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 34:664-670. [PMID: 34974466 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis C is poorly documented in migrants. The published studies mainly concern the screening in this population and are limited to some countries in Europe and North America. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and care of chronic hepatitis C in this population compared to the nonmigrant population, in the era of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). METHOD We performed a retrospective analysis based on data presented at the multidisciplinary team meetings of our tertiary care center between 2015 and 2019. RESULTS We included 277 migrant- and 1390 nonmigrant patients mono-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and treated with DAAs. The majority of the migrants were from Eastern European countries. In multivariable analysis, BMI classes associated with more obesity (OR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.37-2.49; P < 0.001) and therapeutic patient education (OR = 3.91; 95% CI, 2.38-6.49; P < 0.001) were positively associated with migrant status, whereas age (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90-0.94; P < 0.001), female gender (OR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28-0.74; P = 0.002), modes of contamination with less drug use, transfusion history or nosocomial risk, as well more unknown mode (OR = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50-0.96; P = 0.031), alcohol consumption (OR = 0.48; 95% CI, 0.29-0.73; P = 0.001), types of structures with less care in a general hospital or health network of general practitioners and more care in a university hospital or primary addictology center (OR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.60-0.99; P = 0.046) and opioid substitution therapy (OR = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.08-0.68; P = 0.008) were negatively associated with migrant status. The substained virologic response 12 was close to 97% in both groups. CONCLUSION Despite multiple differences in characteristics and therapeutic care between the two populations, the chances of healing hepatitis C were the same among migrant- compared with nonmigrant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Doffoel
- Service expert de lutte contre les hépatites virales d'alsace (SELHVA) Pôle hépato-digestif, Nouvel hôpital civil, Hôpitaux universitaires
| | - Florence Ernwein
- Service expert de lutte contre les hépatites virales d'alsace (SELHVA) Pôle hépato-digestif, Nouvel hôpital civil, Hôpitaux universitaires
| | - Frédéric Chaffraix
- Service expert de lutte contre les hépatites virales d'alsace (SELHVA) Pôle hépato-digestif, Nouvel hôpital civil, Hôpitaux universitaires
| | - Lucile Haumesser
- Groupe méthode en recherche clinique, Pôle de santé publique au travail, Hôpitaux universitaires, Strasbourg, France
| | - Simona Tripon
- Service expert de lutte contre les hépatites virales d'alsace (SELHVA) Pôle hépato-digestif, Nouvel hôpital civil, Hôpitaux universitaires
| | - Robert Bader
- service d'hépatogastroentérologie et médecine tropicale, Pôle pathologies digestives et urologiques, Hôpital Emile Muller, Groupement hospitalier régional mulhouse sud alsace (GHRMSA), Mulhouse
| | - Jean-Philippe Lang
- Service expert de lutte contre les hépatites virales d'alsace (SELHVA) Pôle hépato-digestif, Nouvel hôpital civil, Hôpitaux universitaires
| | - Anais Lang
- Service expert de lutte contre les hépatites virales d'alsace (SELHVA) Pôle hépato-digestif, Nouvel hôpital civil, Hôpitaux universitaires
| | | | - Maude Royant
- Service expert de lutte contre les hépatites virales d'alsace (SELHVA) Pôle hépato-digestif, Nouvel hôpital civil, Hôpitaux universitaires
| | | | - Martine Tebacher
- Centre régional de pharmacovigilance grand est, Hôpitaux universitaires
| | - Nicolas Meyer
- Groupe méthode en recherche clinique, Pôle de santé publique au travail, Hôpitaux universitaires, Strasbourg, France
| | - François Habersetzer
- Service d'hépato gastroentérologie, Pôle hépato-digestif, Nouvel hôpital civil, Hôpitaux universitaires
| | - Thomas Baumert
- INSERM U-1110 Institut de recherche sur les maladies virales et hépatiques, Université de strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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20
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Paro A, Dalmacy D, Tslimigras DI, Cloyd J, Ejaz A, Pawlik TM. Association of County-Level Upward Economic Mobility with Stage at Diagnosis and Receipt of Curative-Intent Treatment among Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2022; 29:5177-5185. [PMID: 35441305 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-022-11726-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Upward economic mobility represents the ability of children to surpass their parents financially and improve their economic status. The extent to which it contributes to socioeconomic disparities in health outcomes remains largely unknown. METHODS Patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 2004-2015 were identified from the SEER-Medicare linked database. Information on county-level upward economic mobility was obtained from the Opportunity Atlas, and its impact on early-stage diagnosis (tumor size ≤ 5 cm, no nodal involvement or distant metastases, no major vascular invasion or extrahepatic extension) and receipt of curative-intent treatment (resection, transplantation, or ablation) was examined. RESULTS Among 9190 Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with HCC, the majority were White (64.9%, n = 5965). Overall, 44.7% (n = 4105) of patients were diagnosed with early-stage HCC and 29.7% (n = 2731) underwent curative-intent treatment. While higher upward economic mobility was not associated with HCC diagnosis at an early stage (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.83-1.06), patients with early-stage HCC from areas of high upward economic mobility had increased odds of undergoing curative-intent treatment (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03-1.51). Upward economic mobility had no impact on the likelihood to undergo curative-intent treatment for early-stage HCC among White (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.91-1.45), Black (OR 1.94, 95% CI 0.85-4.45) or Asian patients (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.44-1.36). In contrast, non-White patients other than Blacks or Asians diagnosed with early-stage HCC had markedly higher odds of receiving curative-intent treatment if the individual resided in an area characterized by higher versus lower upward economic mobility (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.50-4.46). CONCLUSIONS While community-level economic mobility was not associated with stage of diagnosis, it affected the likelihood of undergoing curative-intent treatment for early-stage HCC, especially among minority patients other than Black or Asian patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Paro
- Department of Surgery, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Djhenne Dalmacy
- Department of Surgery, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Diamantis I Tslimigras
- Department of Surgery, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jordan Cloyd
- Department of Surgery, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Aslam Ejaz
- Department of Surgery, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Timothy M Pawlik
- Department of Surgery, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Factors Associated with the Refusal of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents for the Treatment of Hepatitis C in Taiwan. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58040521. [PMID: 35454360 PMCID: PMC9031294 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58040521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) are a safe and highly effective treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the uptake of DAA treatment remains a challenge. This study aims to examine the reasons for DAA refusal among HCV patients covered by the Taiwan National Health Insurance system. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study covered the period from January 2009 to December 2019 and was conducted at a single hepatitis treatment center in Taiwan. This study involved chart reviews and phone-based surveys to confirm treatment status and refusal causes. To confirm treatment status, subjects with HCV without treatment records were phone-contacted to confirm treatment status. Patients who did not receive treatment were invited back for treatment. If the patient refused, the reason for refusal was discussed. Results: A total of 3566 patients were confirmed with DAA treatment; 418 patients (179 patients who were lost to contact or refused the survey and 239 patients who completed the survey of DAA refusal) were included in the no-DAA-therapy group. Factors associated with receiving DAAs were hemoglobin levels, hepatitis B virus co-infection, and regular gastroenterology visits. Meanwhile, male sex, platelet levels, and primary care physician visits were associated with DAA refusal. The leading causes of treatment refusal were multiple comorbidities, low health literacy, restricted access to hospitals, nursing home residence, and old age. The rate of DAA refusal remains high (10%). Conclusions: The reasons for treatment refusal are multifactorial, and addressing them requires complex interventions.
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22
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Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis for the Management of Ulcerative Colitis Is Associated With Significant Disability. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:e761-e769. [PMID: 34033922 PMCID: PMC9638721 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Disability in patients with medically refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) after total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is not well understood. The aim of this study was to compare disability in patients with IPAA vs medically managed UC, and identify predictors of disability. METHODS This was a multicenter cross-sectional study performed at 5 academic institutions in New York City. Patients with medically or surgically treated UC were recruited. Clinical and socioeconomic data were collected, and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Index (IBD-DI) was administered to eligible patients. Predictors of moderate-severe disability (IBD-DI ≥35) were assessed in univariable and multivariable models. RESULTS A total of 94 patients with IPAA and 128 patients with medically managed UC completed the IBD-DI. Among patients with IPAA and UC, 35 (37.2%) and 30 (23.4%) had moderate-severe disability, respectively. Patients with IPAA had significantly greater IBD-DI scores compared with patients with medically managed UC (29.8 vs 17.9; P < .001). When stratified by disease activity, patients with active IPAA disease had significantly greater median IBD-DI scores compared with patients with active UC (44.2 vs 30.4; P = .01), and patients with inactive IPAA disease had significantly greater median IBD-DI scores compared with patients with inactive UC (23.1 vs 12.5; P < .001). Moderate-severe disability in patients with IPAA was associated with female sex, active disease, and public insurance. CONCLUSIONS Patients with IPAA have higher disability scores than patients with UC, even after adjustment for disease activity. Female sex and public insurance are predictive of significant disability in patients with IPAA.
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Ohikere K, Chitnis AS, Hahambis TA, Singal A, Wong RJ. Ethnic Minorities and Low Socioeconomic Status Patients With Chronic Liver Disease Are at Greatest Risk of Being Uninsured. Gastroenterology Res 2022; 14:313-323. [PMID: 35059065 PMCID: PMC8734498 DOI: 10.14740/gr1439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic liver disease (CLD) predominantly affects ethnic minorities and socially vulnerable populations, who have high prevalence of risk factors (e.g., suboptimal insurance coverage) predisposing to healthcare disparities. We evaluate prevalence and predictors of uninsured status among CLD adults, and secondarily, how this affects documented immunity or vaccination for hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods Using 2011 - 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, self-reported insurance status was determined among adults with CLD. Prevalence of uninsured status was stratified by patient characteristics and evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models. Prevalence of self-reported completion of vaccination as well as laboratory value-based documented immunity to HAV and HBV was stratified by insurance status. Results Overall, 19.0% of adults with CLD reported having no insurance, which was highest among individuals of Hispanic ethnicity (33.5%), less than high school education (33.7%), and below poverty status (35.3%). On multivariable analyses, significantly lower odds of having any insurance coverage was observed in men, Hispanics, and individuals with lower education and lower household income. Prevalence of documented immunity or vaccination for HAV was low across all insurance categories, ranging from 46.5% to 54.0%. Prevalence of documented immunity or vaccination for HBV was similarly low across all insurance categories, ranging from 24.3% to 40.8%. Conclusion Prevalence of uninsured status among CLD was more than twice the US adult population, and lack of insurance particularly impacted Hispanics and individuals with low education and low household income. Low prevalence of documented immunity or vaccination for HAV and HBV across all insurance categories is concerning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabiru Ohikere
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Amit S Chitnis
- Tuberculosis Section, Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Alameda County Public Health Department, San Leandro, CA, USA
| | | | - Ashwani Singal
- Department of Medicine, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.,Division of Transplant Hepatology, Avera Transplant Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Robert J Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Wayda B, Sandhu AT, Parizo J, Teuteberg JJ, Khush KK. Cost-effectiveness and system-wide impact of using Hepatitis C-viremic donors for heart transplant. J Heart Lung Transplant 2022; 41:37-47. [PMID: 34635381 PMCID: PMC8973316 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The advent of direct-acting antiviral therapy for Hepatitis C (HCV) has made using HCV-viremic donors a viable strategy to address the donor shortage in heart transplantation. We employed a large-scale simulation to evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of using HCV-viremic donors for heart transplant. METHODS We simulated detailed histories from time of listing until death for the real-world cohort of all adults listed for heart transplant in the United States from July 2014 to June 2019 (n = 19,346). This population was imputed using historical data and captures "real-world" heterogeneity in geographic and clinical characteristics. We estimated the impact of an intervention in which all candidates accept HCV+ potential donors (n = 472) on transplant volume, waitlist outcomes, and lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). RESULTS The intervention produced 232 more transplants, 132 fewer delistings due to deterioration, and 50 fewer waitlist deaths within this 5-year cohort and reduced wait times by 3% to 11% (varying by priority status). The intervention was cost-effective, adding an average of 0.08 QALYs per patient at a cost of $124 million ($81,892 per QALY). DAA therapy and HCV care combined account for 11% this cost, with the remainder due to higher costs of transplant procedures and routine post-transplant care. The impact on transplant volume varied by blood type and region and was correlated with donor-to-candidate ratio (ρ = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS Transplanting HCV+ donor hearts is likely to be cost-effective and improve waitlist outcomes, particularly in regions and subgroups experiencing high donor scarcity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Wayda
- Division of Cardiology; Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
| | - Alexander T Sandhu
- Division of Cardiology; Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Justin Parizo
- Division of Cardiology; Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Jeffrey J Teuteberg
- Division of Cardiology; Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Kiran K Khush
- Division of Cardiology; Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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Kilmer GA, Ly KN, Moorman AC. Health Insurance Status of Adults with Hepatitis in the United States: Implications of Results from the National Health Interview Survey, 2013-2018. Popul Health Manag 2021; 24:651-653. [PMID: 33909456 PMCID: PMC10926902 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2021.0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Greta A Kilmer
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kathleen N Ly
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Anne C Moorman
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Yousafzai MT, Bajis S, Alavi M, Grebely J, Dore GJ, Hajarizadeh B. Global cascade of care for chronic hepatitis C virus infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1340-1354. [PMID: 34310812 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The World Health Organization 2030 targets for hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination include diagnosing 90% of people with HCV and treating 80% of people diagnosed with HCV. This systematic review assessed reported data on the HCV care cascade in various countries and populations, with a focus on direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment uptake. Bibliographic databases and conference presentations were searched for studies reporting the HCV care cascade (DAA treatment uptake was a requirement) among the overall population with HCV or sub-populations at greater risk of HCV. Population-based studies, with participants representative of a city, province/state or country were eligible. Twenty eligible studies were included, reporting HCV care cascade in 28 populations/sub-populations from 11 countries. DAA treatment uptake at national levels was reported from Iceland (95%), Egypt (92%), Georgia (79%), Norway (18%) and Sweden (8%), and at sub-national levels from the Netherlands (52%), Canada (50%), the United States (29%) and Denmark (5%). Among people with HIV-HCV co-infection, DAA treatment uptake was 62% in Canada, 44% in the Netherlands, 21% in Switzerland and 18% in the United States. Among people who inject drugs, DAA treatment uptake was 50% in Georgia, 40% in Canada, 37% in Australia and 13% in the United States. Data among people experiencing homelessness were only available from the United States (treatment uptake: 12%-14%). We found no eligible study reporting HCV care cascade data in prisons. Relatively few countries reported HCV care cascade at the national level. DAA treatment uptake was widely varied across populations/sub-populations, with higher rates reported in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sahar Bajis
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maryam Alavi
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Seaman A, King CA, Kaser T, Geduldig A, Ronan W, Cook R, Chan B, Levander XA, Priest KC, Korthuis PT. A hepatitis C elimination model in healthcare for the homeless organization: A novel reflexive laboratory algorithm and equity assessment. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 96:103359. [PMID: 34325969 PMCID: PMC8720290 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reaching World Health Organization hepatitis C (HCV) elimination targets requires diagnosis and treatment of people who use drugs (PWUD) with direct acting antivirals (DAAs). PWUD experience challenges engaging in HCV treatment, including needing multiple provider and laboratory appointments. Women, minoritized racial communities, and homeless individuals are less likely to complete treatment. METHODS We implemented a streamlined opt-out HCV screening and linkage-to-care program in two healthcare for the homeless clinics and a medically supported withdrawal center. Front-line staff initiated a single-order reflex laboratory bundle combining screening, confirmation, and pre-treatment laboratory evaluation from a single blood draw. Multinomial logistic regression models identified characteristics influencing movement through each stage of the HCV treatment cascade. Multiple logistic regression models identified patient characteristics associated with HCV care cascade progression and Cox proportional hazards models assessed time to initiation of DAAs. RESULTS Of 11,035 clients engaged in services between May 2017 and March 2020, 3,607 (32.7%) were screened. Of those screened, 1,020 (28.3%) were HCV PCR positive. Of those with detectable RNA, 712 (69.8%) initiated treatment and 670 (94.1%) completed treatment. Of those initiating treatment, 407 (57.2%) achieved SVR12. There were eight treatment failures and six reinfections. In the unadjusted model, the bundle intervention was associated with increased care cascade progression, and in the survival analysis, decreased time to initiation; these differences were attenuated in the adjusted model. Women were less likely to complete treatment and SVR12 labs than men. Homelessness increased likelihood of screening and diagnosis but was negatively associated with completing SVR12 labs. Presence of opioid and stimulant use disorder diagnoses predicted increased care cascade progression. CONCLUSIONS The laboratory bundle and referral pathways improved treatment initiation, time to initiation, and movement across the cascade. Despite overall population improvements, women and homeless individuals experienced important gaps across the HCV care cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Seaman
- Department of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States; Hepatitis C Elimination Program, Central City Concern, Portland, Oregon, United States.
| | - C A King
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - T Kaser
- Hepatitis C Elimination Program, Central City Concern, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - A Geduldig
- Hepatitis C Elimination Program, Central City Concern, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - W Ronan
- Hepatitis C Elimination Program, Central City Concern, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - R Cook
- Department of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - B Chan
- Department of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States; Hepatitis C Elimination Program, Central City Concern, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - X A Levander
- Department of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - K C Priest
- School of Medicine, MD/PhD Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - P T Korthuis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Addiction Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
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Wong RJ, Hirode G. The Effect of Hospital Safety-Net Burden and Patient Ethnicity on In-Hospital Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients With Cirrhosis. J Clin Gastroenterol 2021; 55:624-630. [PMID: 33136780 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 2.1 million individuals in the United Stats have cirrhosis, including 513,000 with decompensated cirrhosis. Hospitals with high safety-net burden disproportionately serve ethnic minorities and have reported worse outcomes in surgical literature. No studies to date have evaluated whether hospital safety-net burden negatively affects hospitalization outcomes in cirrhosis. We aim to evaluate the impact of hospitals' safety-net burden and patients' ethnicity on in-hospital mortality among cirrhosis patients. METHODS Using National Inpatient Sample data from 2012 to 2016, the largest United States all-payer inpatient health care claims database of hospital discharges, cirrhosis-related hospitalizations were stratified into tertiles of safety-net burden: high (HBH), medium (MBH), and low (LBH) burden hospitals. Safety-net burden was calculated as percentage of hospitalizations per hospital with Medicaid or uninsured payer status. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated factors associated with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS Among 322,944 cirrhosis-related hospitalizations (63.7% white, 9.9% black, 15.6% Hispanic), higher odds of hospitalization in HBHs versus MBH/LBHs was observed in blacks (OR, 1.26; 95%CI, 1.17-1.35; P<0.001) and Hispanics (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.50-1.78; P<0.001) versus whites. Cirrhosis-related hospitalizations in MBHs or HBHs were associated with greater odds of in-hospital mortality versus LBHs (HBH vs. LBH: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.00-1.10; P=0.044). Greater odds of in-hospital mortality was observed in blacks (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.21-1.34; P<0.001) versus whites. CONCLUSION Cirrhosis patients hospitalized in HBH experienced 5% higher mortality than those in LBH, resulting in significantly greater deaths in cirrhosis patients. Even after adjusting for safety-net burden, blacks with cirrhosis had 27% higher in-hospital mortality compared with whites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Grishma Hirode
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada
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Aqel B, Wijarnpreecha K, Pungpapong S, Taner CB, Reddy K, Leise M, Mi L, Dickson RC. Outcomes following liver transplantation from HCV-seropositive donors to HCV-seronegative recipients. J Hepatol 2021; 74:873-880. [PMID: 33188903 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Grafts from HCV-seropositive donors can now be considered for liver transplantation (LT) owing to the advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We report on our multicenter experience of transplanting liver grafts from HCV-seropositive donors into HCV-seronegative recipients. METHODS This is a prospective multicenter observational study evaluating outcomes in adult HCV-seronegative LT recipients who received grafts from HCV-seropositive donors in 3 US centers. RESULTS From 01/18 to 09/19, 34 HCV-seronegative LT recipients received grafts from HCV-seropositive donors (20 HCV-viremic and 14 non-viremic). Seven grafts were from cardiac-dead donors. The median MELD-Na score at allocation was 20. Six recipients underwent simultaneous liver-kidney transplant and 4 repeat LT. No recipient of an HCV-non-viremic graft developed HCV viremia. All 20 patients who received HCV-viremic grafts had HCV viremia confirmed within 3 days after LT. DAA treatment was started at a median of 27.5 days after LT. Median pre-treatment viral load was 723,000 IU/ml. All (20/20) patients completed treatment and achieved SVR12. Treatment was well tolerated with minimal adverse events. One patient developed HCV-related acute membranous nephropathy that resulted in end-stage kidney disease, despite achieving viral clearance. This patient died due to presumed infectious complications. A recipient of an HCV-non-viremic graft died with acute myocardial infarction 610 days post LT. CONCLUSIONS Transplantation of liver grafts from HCV-seropositive donors into HCV-seronegative recipients resulted in excellent short-term outcomes. Antiviral therapy was effective and well tolerated. Careful ongoing assessment and prompt initiation of antiviral therapy are recommended. Longer term follow-up in carefully conducted clinical trials is still required to confirm these results. LAY SUMMARY This study shows that livers from donors exposed to HCV expand the donor pool and can be used safely in patients who are seronegative for hepatitis C infection. Treatment, initiated early post transplantation, is effective and resulted in cure in all patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar Aqel
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
| | - Karn Wijarnpreecha
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Surakit Pungpapong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Department of Transplant, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - C Burcin Taner
- Department of Transplant, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Kunam Reddy
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Michael Leise
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lanyu Mi
- Department of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Rolland C Dickson
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Jatt LP, Gandhi MM, Guo R, Sukhija-Cohen A, Bhattacharya D, Tseng CH, Chew KW. Barriers to hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral therapy among HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected persons. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 36:1095-1102. [PMID: 32840904 PMCID: PMC7904967 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have increased hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment opportunities for vulnerable HIV/HCV coinfected persons. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of and potential barriers to DAA prescription in HIV/HCV patients during the first few years of DAA availability in the United States. METHODS The AIDS Healthcare Foundation electronic medical record system was queried to identify all HCV viremic HIV-infected patients in care at AIDS Healthcare Foundation Healthcare centers in January 2015-August 2017 and compare characteristics by receipt of a DAA prescription. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine factors associated with DAA prescription. RESULTS Of 826 eligible patients, 355 (43%) were prescribed a DAA; among those not prescribed a DAA, 301 (64%) had well-controlled HIV (HIV RNA ≤ 200 copies per mL). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients with a history of substance use (odds ratio [OR], 0.51 [95% confidence interval 0.35-0.73]) or on select HIV antiretroviral regimens were less likely to be prescribed a DAA. Those who had well-controlled HIV (OR, 5.03 [3.06-8.27]), CD4 + T cell count >200 cells per mm3 (OR, 1.85 [1.04-3.30]), estimated glomerular filtration rate >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR, 3.32 [1.08-10.15]), or established care prior to January 2015 (OR, 1.57 [1.08-2.29] were more likely to be prescribed a DAA. CONCLUSIONS In addition to lack of HIV suppression, select antiretroviral regimens, substance use, and kidney disease appeared to limit DAA prescription in the early interferon-free DAA era. Many were not prescribed DAAs despite HIV suppression. Further research is needed to determine if the observed associations persist today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren P Jatt
- David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Malini M Gandhi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rong Guo
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Adam Sukhija-Cohen
- Public Health Division, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Debika Bhattacharya
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Chi-Hong Tseng
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kara W Chew
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Lee AB, Karumberia S, Gilmore A, Williams E, Bruner N, Overton ET, Saag MS, Franco RA. Hepatitis C Among High-Risk Alabamians: Disease Burden and Screening Effectiveness. J Infect Dis 2021; 222:S365-S375. [PMID: 32877566 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of hepatitis C testing and linkage-to-care (LTC) is poorly characterized in low-resource jurisdictions facing gaps in harm reduction, including illegality of syringe exchange services. Effectiveness of a community-based test/LTC program was evaluated in Alabama. METHODS In 2016-2018, shelters, drug treatment centers (DTCs), AIDS organizations, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) engaged in screening/LTC. A coordinator navigated individuals to confirm viremia and link to substance use treatment or primary care with hepatitis C prescribers. RESULTS Point-of-care (POC) tested 4293 individuals (10% [427] antibody-positive, 71% [299/419] RNA performed, 80% [241/299] viremia confirmed) and 93% linked to care (225/241). Electronic medical record (EMR)-based reflex strategy screened 4654 (15% [679] antibody positive, 99% [670/679] RNA performed, 64% [433/679] viremia confirmed) and 85% linked to care (368/433). We observed higher odds of RNA confirmation in EMR-based reflex versus POC (OR, 2.07; P < .0001) and higher odds of LTC in EMR-based reflex versus POC (OR, 1.51; P < .0001). Overall, 53% individuals tested were nonbaby boomers. CONCLUSIONS In Alabama, screening at high-risk settings identified significant hepatitis C burden and reflex testing outperformed point-of-care linkage indicators. Colocating testing in DTCs and treatment in FQHCs provided key LTC venues to at-risk younger groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony B Lee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Sandra Karumberia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ashley Gilmore
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ebony Williams
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Nichole Bruner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Edgar Turner Overton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Michael S Saag
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ricardo A Franco
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Bajaj JS, O'Leary JG, Tandon P, Wong F, Kamath PS, Biggins SW, Garcia-Tsao G, Lai J, Fallon MB, Thuluvath PJ, Vargas HE, Maliakkal B, Subramanian RM, Thacker LR, Reddy KR. Insurance Status But Not Race and Ethnicity Are Associated With Outcomes in a Large Hospitalized Cohort of Patients With Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 19:565-572.e5. [PMID: 32389884 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.04.081] [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: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Insurance, race, and ethnicity can affect outcomes of patients with cirrhosis, but findings from prospective studies are unclear. We investigated the role of insurance status and race and ethnicity (race/ethnicity) on inpatient and 90-day postdischarge outcomes in a large inpatient cohort of patients with cirrhosis. METHODS We used data from the North American Consortium for the Study of End-Stage Liver Disease (NACSELD) database, from 13 tertiary care centers. Insurance status (uninsured, Medicare, Medicaid, private, and Canadian), race, and ethnicity, were analyzed independent of clinical covariates for their association with transfer to the intensive care unit, acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF), length of hospital stay, inpatient and 90-day death or liver transplantation, and readmission to the hospital within 90 days. Multi-variable analyses and interaction terms were created for insurance, race/ethnicity, and for each outcome, with or without Canadian patients. RESULTS We analyzed data from 2640 patients in the NACSELD database (971 with private insurance, 770 with Medicare, 456 Canadians, 265 with Medicaid, 178 uninsured, 540 non-Caucasian and 220 Hispanic); 23% required admittance to the intensive care unit, 12% developed NACSELD-defined ACLF, 7% died, 5% underwent liver transplantation. Of the 2288 patients discharged from hospital, 13% underwent liver transplantation, 19% died, and 42% were readmitted within 90 days. In the univariate model, uninsured patients accounted for the highest percentage of alcohol- or bleeding-related admissions and the lowest proportion of outpatient cirrhosis-related medication users. Canadians had the lowest rifaximin use and but higher proportions had hepatic encephalopathy, compared with other groups. Lack of insurance was higher among non-Caucasians, regardless of Hispanic ethnicity. In multi-variable analysis, lack of insurance was associated with ACLF (P = .02) and inversely associated with inpatient liver transplant (P = .05) and 90-day liver transplant (P = .02), regardless of whether Canadians were included or specific insurance type. Race or ethnicity were not significantly associated with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In analyzing the NACSELD database, we found that insurance status, but not race or ethnicity, were independently associated with ACLF and inpatient or 90-day liver transplantation, regardless of inclusion of Canadian patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Department of Bio-statistics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia.
| | | | - Puneeta Tandon
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Florence Wong
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Scott W Biggins
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Jennifer Lai
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Paul J Thuluvath
- Department of Medicine, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hugo E Vargas
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona
| | | | | | - Leroy R Thacker
- Department of Bio-statistics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia
| | - K Rajender Reddy
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Spradling PR, Zhong Y, Moorman AC, Rupp LB, Lu M, Gordon SC, Teshale EH, Schmidt MA, Daida YG, Boscarino JA. Psychosocial Obstacles to Hepatitis C Treatment Initiation Among Patients in Care: A Hitch in the Cascade of Cure. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:400-411. [PMID: 33681675 PMCID: PMC7917278 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There are limited data examining the relationship between psychosocial factors and receipt of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment among patients with hepatitis C in large health care organizations in the United States. We therefore sought to determine whether such factors were associated with DAA initiation. We analyzed data from an extensive psychological, behavioral, and social survey (that incorporated several health-related quality of life assessments) coupled with clinical data from electronic health records of patients with hepatitis C enrolled at four health care organizations during 2017-2018. Of 2,681 patients invited, 1,051 (39.2%) responded to the survey; of 894 respondents eligible for analysis, 690 (77.2%) initiated DAAs. Mean follow-up among respondents was 9.2 years. Compared with DAA recipients, nonrecipients had significantly poorer standardized scores for depression, anxiety, and life-related stressors as well as poorer scores related to physical and mental function. Lower odds of DAA initiation in multivariable analysis (adjusted by age, race, sex, study site, payment provider, cirrhosis status, comorbidity status, and duration of follow-up) included Black race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.59 vs. White race), perceived difficulty getting medical care in the preceding year (aOR, 0.48 vs. no difficulty), recent injection drug use (aOR, 0.11 vs. none), alcohol use disorder (aOR, 0.58 vs. no alcohol use disorder), severe depression (aOR, 0.42 vs. no depression), recent homelessness (aOR, 0.36 vs. no homelessness), and recent incarceration (aOR, 0.34 vs. no incarceration). Conclusion: In addition to racial differences, compared with respondents who initiated DAAs, those who did not were more likely to have several psychological, behavioral, and social impairments. Psychosocial barriers to DAA initiation among patients in care should also be addressed to reduce hepatitis C-related morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip R Spradling
- Division of Viral HepatitisCenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Yuna Zhong
- Division of Viral HepatitisCenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Anne C Moorman
- Division of Viral HepatitisCenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGAUSA
| | | | - Mei Lu
- Henry Ford Health SystemDetroitMIUSA
| | - Stuart C Gordon
- Henry Ford Health SystemDetroitMIUSA.,Wayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
| | - Eyasu H Teshale
- Division of Viral HepatitisCenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Mark A Schmidt
- Center for Health ResearchKaiser Permanente NorthwestPortlandORUSA
| | - Yihe G Daida
- Center for Integrated Health Care ResearchKaiser Permanente HawaiiHonoluluHIUSA
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Lin J, Mauntel-Medici C, Maheswaran AB, Baghikar S, Pugach O, Stein EM, Martin MT, Nguyen H. Factors predicting staging and treatment initiation for patients with chronic hepatitis C infection: insurance a key predictor. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021; 44:148-157. [PMID: 33539524 PMCID: PMC8904194 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection affects over 2.4 million Americans and accounts for 18 000 deaths per year. Treatment initiation in this population continues to be low even after introduction of highly effective and shorter duration direct-acting antivirals. This study assesses factors that influence key milestones in the HCV care continuum. Methods Retrospective time-to-event analyses were performed to assess factors influencing liver fibrosis staging and treatment initiation among individuals confirmed with chronic HCV infection at University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System between 1 August 2015 and 24 October 2016 and followed through 28 January 2018. Cox regression models were utilized for multivariable analyses. Results Individuals tested at the liver clinic (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–3.46) and at the federally qualified health center (HR = 3.51; 95% CI: 2.19–5.64) had higher instantaneous probability of being staged compared with individuals tested at the emergency department (ED) or inpatient setting. And probability of treatment initiation increased with advancing liver fibrosis especially for Medicaid beneficiaries (HR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.35–1.99). Conclusions The study demonstrates a need for improving access for patients with early stages of the disease in order to reduce HCV-related morbidity and mortality, especially those tested at nontraditional care locations such as the ED or the inpatient setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Cammeo Mauntel-Medici
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Anjana Bairavi Maheswaran
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Sara Baghikar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Oksana Pugach
- Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
| | - Ellen M Stein
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Michelle T Martin
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S. Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Hai Nguyen
- Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
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Park H, Song HJ, Jiang X, Henry L, Cook RL, Nelson DR. Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment Use Remains Low Among Florida Medicaid Beneficiaries With Chronic Hepatitis C. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:203-216. [PMID: 33553969 PMCID: PMC7850300 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Medicaid prior authorization (PA) policies for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy are changing. We aimed to evaluate effects of changes in PA requirements on treatment uptake and to determine the factors associated with DAA treatment among Florida Medicaid beneficiaries with HCV. This is a retrospective cohort analysis of Florida's Medicaid administrative claims and electronic medical records (2013-2018). A total of 14,063 newly diagnosed patients with HCV were grouped based on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection and/or a substance use disorder (SUD) (7,735 HCV mono-infected with a SUD, 5,180 HCV mono-infected without a SUD, 564 HCV/HIV co-infected with a SUD, and 584 HCV/HIV co-infected without a SUD). Although the treatment rate increased three-fold after June 1, 2016, when a fibrosis-stage restriction was eliminated, only 8% received DAAs. Compared to HCV mono-infected without a SUD, HCV mono-infected with a SUD and HCV/HIV co-infected with a SUD were 47% (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.60) and 59% (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.61) less likely to initiate DAAs. Those with HCV/HIV/SUD did not experience a DAA initiation increase after a fibrosis-stage restriction was eliminated. Compared with Whites, Blacks were less likely to receive DAAs but were more likely to complete treatment. Use of medication-assisted therapy was low, despite those on medication-assisted therapy being 60% more likely to initiate DAA therapy and no more likely to discontinue therapy. Conclusion: Despite changes in Florida's Medicaid PA requirements for DAA treatment, only 8% received treatment. Disparities in treatment access were found among patients with HIV and a SUD, and who were Black.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haesuk Park
- Pharmaceutical Outcomes and PolicyCollege of PharmacyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Hyun Jin Song
- Pharmaceutical Outcomes and PolicyCollege of PharmacyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Xinyi Jiang
- Pharmaceutical Outcomes and PolicyCollege of PharmacyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Linda Henry
- Pharmaceutical Outcomes and PolicyCollege of PharmacyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Robert L. Cook
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of MedicineUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
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Delays and Gaps in Progressing Through the Hepatitis C Virus Cascade of Care: An Underserved Safety-net Hospital Experience. J Transl Int Med 2021; 8:261-267. [PMID: 33511053 PMCID: PMC7805291 DOI: 10.2478/jtim-2020-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective While highly effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies exist, gaps in the cascade of care remain. Disparities in the HCV cascade are prominent among underserved safety-net populations. We aim to evaluate the HCV cascade among an urban safety-net cohort of HCV patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated adults with chronic HCV to determine rates of linkage to care (LTC), retention to care, and receiving HCV treatment from 2002 to 2018. Comparisons between groups utilized Chi-square testing; comparisons of median time to LTC and HCV treatment were evaluated with Student’s t-test and analysis of variance. Results Among 600 chronic HCV patients (60.7% male, 20.7% non-Hispanic white, 49.2% African American, 92.5% treatment naïve, 26.8% cirrhosis), successful LTC within one year of HCV diagnosis was 57.7%, among which, 91.6% were successfully retained into care. In those with successful LTC, 72.6% received HCV treatment, 91.8% completed treatment, and 89% achieved SVR12. Women with HCV experienced longer delays from LTC to HCV treatment (331 vs. 206 days in men, P < 0.05), as did African Americans (280 vs. 165 days in non-Hispanic whites, P < 0.05). Compared to the non-Hispanic whites, HCV treatment was lower in African Americans (70.4% vs. 74.4%, P < 0.05). Conclusion Women with HCV experienced significant delays along the HCV cascade, with median time of over 2 years from diagnosis to treatment. African Americans also experienced significant delays along the HCV cascade of care. However, sex and race/ethnicity were not found to be significant predictors of overall LTC or treatment.
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Wong RJ, Kim D, Ahmed A, Singal AK. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma from more rural and lower-income households have more advanced tumor stage at diagnosis and significantly higher mortality. Cancer 2021; 127:45-55. [PMID: 33103243 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients from rural and low-income households may have suboptimal access to liver disease care, which may translate into worse HCC outcomes. The authors provide a comprehensive update of HCC incidence and outcomes among US adults, focusing on the effect of rural geography and household income on tumor stage and mortality. METHODS The authors retrospectively evaluated adults with HCC using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data from 2004 to 2017. HCC incidence was reported per 100,000 persons and was compared using z-statistics. Tumor stage at diagnosis used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results staging system and was evaluated with multivariate logistic regression. HCC mortality was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazards methods. RESULTS HCC incidence plateaued for most groups, with the exception of American Indians/Alaska Natives (2004-2017: APC, 4.17%; P < .05) and patients in the lowest household income category (<$40,000; 2006-2017: APC, 2.80%; P < .05). Compared with patients who had HCC in large metropolitan areas with a population >1 million, patients in more rural regions had higher odds of advanced-stage HCC at diagnosis (odds ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.00-1.20; P = .04) and higher mortality (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08; P = .02). Compared with the highest income group (≥$70,000), patients with HCC who earned <$40,000 annually had higher odds of advanced-stage HCC (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01-1.32; P = .03) and higher mortality (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.16-1.31; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Patients from rural regions and lower-income households had more advanced tumor stage at diagnosis and significantly higher HCC mortality. These disparities likely reflect suboptimal access to consistent high-quality liver disease care, including HCC surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Donghee Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Aijaz Ahmed
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Ashwani K Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Spradling PR, Xing J, Rupp LB, Moorman AC, Gordon SC, Lu M, Teshale EH, Boscarino JA, Schmidt MA, Daida YG, Holmberg SD. Low Uptake of Direct-acting Antiviral Therapy Among Hepatitis C Patients With Advanced Liver Disease and Access to Care, 2014-2017. J Clin Gastroenterol 2021; 55:77-83. [PMID: 32250999 PMCID: PMC10711731 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
GOALS To determine the proportion and characteristics of adults with hepatitis C at health care organizations in 4 US states who initiated direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). BACKGROUND There are almost no data to assess the penetrance of treatment of the hepatitis C population in general US health care settings. STUDY We conducted a prospective observational study using electronic clinical, pharmacy, and mortality data to determine the fraction of patients who initiated DAAs between January 2014 and December 2017, by start date and regimen. We used stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with receipt of DAAs. RESULTS Of 8823 patients, 2887 (32.7%) received DAAs. Quarterly (Q) uptake ranged from 1.1% in Q3 2014 to a high of 5.6% in Q2 2015. Characteristics associated with receipt of DAAs included age 51 to 70 years, higher income, pre-2014 treatment failure, and higher noninvasive fibrosis score (FIB4); however, over one half of patients with FIB4 scores >3.25, consistent with severe liver disease, were not treated. A lower likelihood of initiation was associated with Medicaid coverage. Of 5936 patients who did not initiate treatment, 911 (15.3%) had died and 2774 (46.7%) had not had a clinical encounter in ≥12 months by the end of the study. Fewer than 1% of DAA prescriptions originated from nonspecialty providers. CONCLUSIONS During 4 calendar years of follow-up, one third of patients initiated DAAs. Large fractions of untreated patients had advanced liver disease, died, or were lost to follow-up. Even among patients in integrated health care systems, receipt of DAAs was limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip R. Spradling
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Centers for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jian Xing
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Centers for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Anne C. Moorman
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Centers for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stuart C. Gordon
- Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Mei Lu
- Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Eyasu H. Teshale
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Centers for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Mark A. Schmidt
- The Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente-Northwest, Portland, Oregon
| | - Yihe G. Daida
- The Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente-Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Scott D. Holmberg
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Centers for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia
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van Boemmel-Wegmann S, Lo Re V, Park H. Early Treatment Uptake and Cost Burden of Hepatitis C Therapies Among Newly Diagnosed Hepatitis C Patients with a Particular Focus on HIV Coinfection. Dig Dis Sci 2020; 65:3159-3174. [PMID: 31938995 PMCID: PMC7358122 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-019-06037-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the high efficacy and safety associated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), access to HCV treatment has been frequently restricted because of the high DAA drug costs. OBJECTIVES To (1) compare HCV treatment initiation rates between HCV monoinfected and HCV/HIV coinfected patients before (pre-DAA period) and after (post-DAA period) all-oral DAAs became available; and to (2) estimate the HCV treatment costs for payers and patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of the MarketScan® Databases (2009-2016) was conducted for newly diagnosed HCV patients. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of initiating HCV treatments during the pre-DAA and post-DAA periods. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare drug costs for dual, triple and all-oral therapies. RESULTS A total of 15,063 HCV patients [382 (2.5%) HIV coinfected] in the pre-DAA period and 14,896 [429 (2.9%) HIV coinfected] in the post-DAA period were included. HCV/HIV coinfected patients had lower odds of HCV treatment uptake compared to HCV monoinfected patients during the pre-DAA period [OR, 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45-0.78], but no significant difference in odds of HCV treatment uptake was observed during the post-DAA period (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.87-1.33). From 2009 to 2016, average payers' treatment costs (dual, $20,820; all-oral DAAs, $99,661; p < 0.001) as well as average patients' copayments (dual, $593; all-oral DAAs $933; p < 0.001) increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS HCV treatment initiation rates increased, especially among HCV/HIV coinfected patients, from the pre-DAA to the post-DAA period. However, payers' expenditures per course of therapy saw an almost fivefold increase and patients' copayments increased by 55%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha van Boemmel-Wegmann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, HPNP Building Room 3325, 1225 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Vincent Lo Re
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Center for Pharmacoepidemiology Research and Training, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Haesuk Park
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, HPNP Building Room 3325, 1225 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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40
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Moon AM, Singal AG, Tapper EB. Contemporary Epidemiology of Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 18:2650-2666. [PMID: 31401364 PMCID: PMC7007353 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.07.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 554] [Impact Index Per Article: 138.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Accurate estimates for the contemporary burden of chronic liver disease (CLD) are vital for setting clinical, research, and policy priorities. We aimed to review the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of CLD and its resulting complications, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS We reviewed the published literature on the incidence, prevalence, trends of various etiologies of CLD and its resulting complications. In addition, we provided updated data from the Centers for Disease Control and Global Burden of Disease Study on the morbidity and mortality of CLD, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lastly, we assessed the strengths and weaknesses of available sources of data in hopes of providing important context to these national estimates of cirrhosis burden. RESULTS An estimated 1.5 billion persons have CLD worldwide and the age-standardized incidence of CLD and cirrhosis is 20.7/100,000, a 13% increase since 2000. Similarly, cirrhosis prevalence and mortality has increased in recent years in the United States. The epidemiology of CLD is shifting, reflecting implementation of large-scale hepatitis B vaccination and hepatitis C treatment programs, the increasing prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, and increasing alcohol misuse. CONCLUSIONS The global burden of CLD and cirrhosis is substantial. Although vaccination, screening, and antiviral treatment campaigns for hepatitis B and C have reduced the CLD burden in some parts of the world, concomitant increases in injection drug use, alcohol misuse, and metabolic syndrome threaten these trends. Ongoing efforts to address CLD-related morbidity and mortality require accurate contemporary estimates of epidemiology and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Moon
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Elliot B Tapper
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Gastroenterology Section, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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41
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Shitole SG, Kuniholm MH, Hanna DB, Boucher T, Peng AY, Berardi C, Shah T, Bortnick AE, Christia P, Scheuer J, Kizer JR. Association of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infection with long-term outcomes post-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in a disadvantaged urban community. Atherosclerosis 2020; 311:60-66. [PMID: 32947199 PMCID: PMC7572633 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV and HCV have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Their impact on long-term outcomes following ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been previously studied. METHODS We leveraged data from a STEMI registry (n = 1208) at an inner-city health system to assess the influence of HIV and HCV on post-STEMI outcomes. Cox regression was used to compare HIV-monoinfected (n = 22), HCV-monoinfected (n = 26) and HIV-HCV-coinfected patients (n = 8) with the neither-infected group (n = 1152) with regard to death, death or any readmission, and death or CVD readmission. RESULTS The cohort was majority black or Hispanic. Median follow-up was 4.3 years. Compared to the neither-infected group, the HIV-monoinfected group showed near-significantly higher risks of death or any readmission (HR = 1.62, 95% CI = 0.96, 2.74) and death or CVD readmission (HR = 1.82, 95% CI = 0.98, 3.39) after full adjustment. On similar comparison, the HCV-monoinfected group exhibited significantly higher risks of death (HR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.05, 4.15) and death or any readmission (HR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.07, 2.65), whereas the HIV-HCV-coinfected group showed higher risk of death (HR = 6.51, 95% CI = 2.28, 18.61). CONCLUSIONS In this cohort composed mostly of race-ethnic minorities, HIV monoinfection tended to be associated with 1.6-to-1.8-fold higher risk of death or readmission for any cause or CVD over long-term follow-up compared to neither infection, whereas HCV monoinfection was associated with 1.7-to-2.1-fold higher risk of death and death or any readmission, and HIV-HCV coinfection with 6.5-fold higher risk of death. These associations require further study in larger populations, but highlight the importance of identifying and treating HIV and HCV in patients presenting with STEMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanyog G Shitole
- University of California San Francisco and San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA.
| | - Mark H Kuniholm
- University at Albany, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - David B Hanna
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Thomas Boucher
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Angel Y Peng
- Montefiore Health System, 3311 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA
| | - Cecilia Berardi
- Yale-New Haven Hospital, 20 York Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Tina Shah
- Montefiore Health System, 3311 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA
| | - Anna E Bortnick
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Montefiore Health System, 3311 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA
| | - Panagiota Christia
- Mount Sinai Heart-Mount Sinai Medical Center, 1468 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - James Scheuer
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Montefiore Health System, 3311 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA
| | - Jorge R Kizer
- University of California San Francisco and San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
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Falade-Nwulia O, Gicquelais RE, Astemborski J, McCormick SD, Kirk G, Sulkowski M, Thomas DL, Mehta SH. Hepatitis C treatment uptake among people who inject drugs in the oral direct-acting antiviral era. Liver Int 2020; 40:2407-2416. [PMID: 32770638 PMCID: PMC7706292 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased uptake of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID) will be critical to achieve HCV elimination goals. There are limited data on HCV treatment uptake among PWID recruited from community-based settings in the HCV direct-acting antiviral (DAA) era. METHODS We analysed data from PWID with HCV newly recruited into the Baltimore, Maryland-based AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) cohort between 2015 and 2018. We characterized the HCV care continuum and evaluated factors associated with HCV treatment uptake. RESULTS Of the 418 PWID with HCV, the median age was 49 years and most (88%) reported recent injection drug use (IDU). Overall, 23% had ever been evaluated by a provider for HCV treatment, 17% ever initiated DAA treatment and 13% were cured of HCV infection. Treatment uptake approximately doubled between 2015 and 2018 (13% to 26%, P = .01). In multivariable analyses, HIV infection (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 2.5 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.3, 4.8]), current employment (aOR 4.1 [CI 1.2, 14.4]), having a primary care provider (aOR 4.3 [CI 1.2, 14.9) and longer duration of IDU (aOR 1.3 [CI 1.1, 1.6]) were positively associated with HCV treatment. PWID with a lower annual income (≤$5000) were less likely to have initiated HCV treatment (aOR 0.5 [CI 0.3, 0.98]). CONCLUSIONS Although HCV treatment uptake among PWID in this community-based setting in the DAA era remains suboptimal, it is encouraging that treatment uptake has increased in recent years. Innovative strategies are needed to reach all PWID infected with HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel E. Gicquelais
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jacquie Astemborski
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sean D. McCormick
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Greg Kirk
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark Sulkowski
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David L. Thomas
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Liver and Kidney Recipient Selection of Hepatitis C Virus Viremic Donors: Meeting Consensus Report From the 2019 Controversies in Transplantation. Transplantation 2020; 104:476-481. [PMID: 31634329 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of multiple highly effective and safe direct-acting antivirals to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) has resulted in greater ease and confidence in managing HCV infection in transplant recipients that in turn has impacted the solid organ transplant community as well. In the United States, the opioid epidemic has increased the number of overdose deaths with a concomitant increase in younger HCV viremic donors after brain death being identified. At the same time, a decrease in HCV viremic transplant candidates has led to a growing interest in exploring the use of HCV viremic liver and kidney donor allografts in HCV-negative recipients. To date, experience with the use of HCV viremic liver and kidney allografts in HCV-negative recipients is limited to a few small prospective research trials, case series, and case reports. There are also limited data on recipient and donor selection for HCV viremic liver and kidney allografts. In response to this rapidly changing landscape in the United States, experts in the field of viral hepatitis and liver and kidney transplantation convened a meeting to review current data on liver and kidney recipient selection and developed consensus opinions related specifically to recipient and donor selection of HCV viremic liver and kidney allografts.
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Torabi J, Rocca JP, Ajaimy M, Melvin J, Campbell A, Akalin E, Liriano LE, Azzi Y, Pynadath C, Greenstein SM, Le M, Goldstein DY, Fox AS, Carrero J, Weiss JM, Powell T, Racine AD, Reinus JF, Kinkhabwala MM, Graham JA. Commercial insurance delays direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C kidney transplantation into uninfected recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2020; 23:e13449. [PMID: 32810315 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has created an avenue for transplantation of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected donors into uninfected recipients (D+/R-). The donor transmission of HCV is then countered by DAA administration during the post-operative period. However, initiation of DAA treatment is ultimately dictated by insurance companies. METHODS A retrospective chart review of 52 D+/R- kidney recipients who underwent DAA treatment post-transplant was performed. Patients were grouped according to their prescription coverage plans, managed by either commercial or government pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). RESULTS Thirty-nine patients had government PBMs and 13 had commercial PBMs. Demographics were similar between the two groups. All patients developed HCV viremia, but cleared the virus after treatment with DAA. Patients with government PBMs were treated earlier compared to those with commercial PBMs (11 days vs 26 days, P = .01). Longer time to DAA initiation resulted in higher peak viral loads (β = 0.39, R2 = .15, P = .01) and longer time to HCV viral load clearance (β = 0.41, R2 = .17, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS D+/R- transplantation offers patients an alternative strategy to increase access. However, treatment can be profoundly delayed by a third-party payer authorization process that may be subjecting patients to unnecessary risks and worsened outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Torabi
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Juan P Rocca
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Maria Ajaimy
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Alesa Campbell
- Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Enver Akalin
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Luz E Liriano
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yorg Azzi
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Cindy Pynadath
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Stuart M Greenstein
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Marie Le
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Doctor Y Goldstein
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Amy S Fox
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jin Carrero
- Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Weiss
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Tia Powell
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Bioethics, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Andrew D Racine
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - John F Reinus
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Milan M Kinkhabwala
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jay A Graham
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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Sherbuk JE, Knick TK, Canan C, Ross P, Helbert B, Cantrell ES, Cantrell CJ, Stallings R, Barron N, Jordan D, McManus KA, Dillingham R. Development of an Interdisciplinary Telehealth Model of Provider Training and Comprehensive Care for Hepatitis C and Opioid Use Disorder in a High-Burden Region. J Infect Dis 2020; 222:S354-S364. [PMID: 32877562 PMCID: PMC7467249 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the opioid epidemic disproportionately affect the Appalachian region. Geographic and financial barriers prevent access to specialty care. Interventions are needed to address the HCV-opioid syndemic in this region. METHODS We developed an innovative, collaborative telehealth model in Southwest Virginia featuring bidirectional referrals from and to comprehensive harm reduction (CHR) programs and office-based opioid therapy (OBOT), as well as workforce development through local provider training in HCV management. We aimed to (1) describe the implementation process of provider training and (2) assess the effectiveness of the telehealth model by monitoring patient outcomes in the first year. RESULTS The provider training model moved from a graduated autonomy model with direct specialist supervision to a 1-day workshop with parallel tracks for providers and support staff followed by monthly case conferences. Forty-four providers and support staff attended training. Eight providers have begun treating independently. For the telehealth component, 123 people were referred, with 62% referred from partner OBOT or CHR sites; 103 (84%) attended a visit, 93 (76%) completed the treatment course, and 61 (50%) have achieved sustained virologic response. Rates of sustained virologic response did not differ by receipt of treatment for opioid use disorder. CONCLUSIONS Providers demonstrated a preference for an in-person training workshop, though further investigation is needed to determine why only a minority of those trained have begun treating HCV independently. The interdisciplinary nature of this program led to efficient treatment of hepatitis C in a real-world population with a majority of patients referred from OBOTs and CHR programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E Sherbuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Terry Kemp Knick
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Chelsea Canan
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Patrice Ross
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Bailey Helbert
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | | | | | - Rachel Stallings
- Virginia Department of Health, Division of Disease Prevention, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Nicole Barron
- Virginia Department of Health, Division of Disease Prevention, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Diana Jordan
- Virginia Department of Health, Division of Disease Prevention, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Kathleen A McManus
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Rebecca Dillingham
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Pan CQ, Rabinovich C, Gayam V, Normatov M, Fidman B, Wang D. Late presenters among minority patients with chronic hepatitis C infection in the USA. Int J Public Health 2020; 65:1181-1191. [PMID: 32860530 DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01467-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Minority patients are under-screened for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in the USA, and limited data exist for minority patients with advanced fibrosis. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, CHC patients who were prescribed direct-acting antiviral agents were divided into White patients and minority patient groups. Primary measurements were the mean fibrosis scores and percentages of patients with stage III-IV fibrosis (late presenters) for the two groups. RESULTS Among the 1421 patients with self-reported ethnicity, 697 were White patients, and 724 were minority patients (484 Hispanic, 175 Black, 65 Asians). Compared to the White, minority patients had significantly higher mean fibrosis score (p < 0.001) and a higher percentage of late presenters (p < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, the mean fibrosis scores for Hispanic, Black and Asian patients were 2.58 ± 1.38, 2.28 ± 1.41 and 2.28 ± 1.40, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Minority populations with CHC in the USA experience disparities in access to treatment in the early stages of liver fibrosis. Public health strategies are necessitated to address the inequality, as late presenters are at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin Q Pan
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Jingshun East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100015, China.
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, NYU Langone Health, New York University School of Medicine, 132-21 Forty-First Ave, Flushing, NY, 11355, USA.
| | | | - Vijay Gayam
- Interfaith Medical Center, SUNY Downstate University Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Milana Normatov
- Quality Specialty Pharmacy, 1611 University Ave, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Bazhena Fidman
- Quality Specialty Pharmacy, 1611 University Ave, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Dan Wang
- St. John's University, Jamaica, NY, USA
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Spiewak T, Taefi A, Patel S, Li CS, Chak E. Racial disparities of Black Americans hospitalized for decompensated liver cirrhosis. BMC Gastroenterol 2020; 20:245. [PMID: 32727386 PMCID: PMC7391571 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-020-01392-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial disparities have been reported in liver transplantation and chronic hepatitis C treatment outcomes. Determining causes of these disparities is important given the racially diverse American population and the economic burden associated with chronic liver disease. METHODS A retrospective study was performed among 463 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis admitted from (January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2018) to a tertiary care academic medical center. Patients were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) for cirrhosis or its complications. Demographic information, laboratory data, medical comorbidities, insurance and adherence to cirrhosis quality care indicators were recorded to determine their relationship to readmission rates and other healthcare outcomes. RESULTS A total of 463 individual patients with cirrhosis were identified including Whites (n = 241), Hispanics (n = 106), Blacks (n = 50), Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (API, n = 27) and Other (n = 39). A significantly higher proportion of Blacks had Medicaid insurance compared to Whites (40% versus 20%, p = 0.0002) and Blacks had lower median income than Whites ($45,710 versus $54,844, p = 0.01). All groups received high quality cirrhosis care. Regarding healthcare outcomes, Black patients had the highest mean total hospital admissions (6.1 ± 6.3, p = 0.01) and the highest mean number of 30-day re-admissions (2.1 ± 3.7, p = 0.05) compared to all other racial groups. Multivariable proportional odds regression analysis showed that race was a statistically significant predictor of 90-day readmission (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Black Americans hospitalized for complications of cirrhosis may experience significant disparities in healthcare outcomes compared to Whites despite high quality cirrhosis care. Socioeconomic factors may contribute to these disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted Spiewak
- Department of Internal Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Amir Taefi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UC Davis Medical Center, 4150 V Street, PSSB 3500, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Shruti Patel
- Department of Internal Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Chin-Shang Li
- School of Nursing, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Eric Chak
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UC Davis Medical Center, 4150 V Street, PSSB 3500, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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Eckardt P, Niu J, Savage A, Griffin T, Sherman E. Effect of Health Insurance on Hepatitis C Sustained Virologic Response Rates to Sofosbuvir-Based Treatment Regimens in a South Florida Community Hospital. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2020; 18:2325958219835590. [PMID: 30922148 PMCID: PMC6748555 DOI: 10.1177/2325958219835590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The high cost of direct-acting antiviral–based regimens raises concerns about the outcome of treatment in uninsured patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study assessed the relationship between health insurance status and sustained virologic response (SVR) rates in a community hospital in South Florida. Sofosbuvir-based therapy was initiated in 82 patients, of which 73% were uninsured and 28 (34%) were HIV coinfection. The overall SVR rate for those tested was 98%. The SVR rates were similar between HCV mono- and HCV/HIV coinfected patients (96% versus 100%, P = .204). Uninsured patients, with access to patient assistance programs, had comparable SVR rates to insured patients (100% versus 95%, P = .131). However, there was a trend toward a higher rate of loss to follow-up in uninsured compared to insured patients (25% versus 9%, P = .116). Strategies specific to adherence to treatment for uninsured patients are needed to reduce rates of loss to follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Eckardt
- 1 Division of Infectious Diseases, Memorial Physician Group, Hollywood, FL, USA
| | - Jianli Niu
- 2 Office of Human Research, Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, FL, USA
| | - Angela Savage
- 1 Division of Infectious Diseases, Memorial Physician Group, Hollywood, FL, USA
| | - Tara Griffin
- 1 Division of Infectious Diseases, Memorial Physician Group, Hollywood, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth Sherman
- 1 Division of Infectious Diseases, Memorial Physician Group, Hollywood, FL, USA.,3 Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
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Williams-Nguyen J, Hawes SE, Nance RM, Lindström S, Heckbert SR, Kim HN, Mathews WC, Cachay ER, Budoff M, Hurt CB, Hunt PW, Geng E, Moore RD, Mugavero MJ, Peter I, Kitahata MM, Saag MS, Crane HM, Delaney JA. Association Between Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Myocardial Infarction Among People Living With HIV in the United States. Am J Epidemiol 2020; 189:554-563. [PMID: 31712804 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwz236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). Extrahepatic manifestations of HCV, including myocardial infarction (MI), are a topic of active research. MI is classified into types, predominantly atheroembolic type 1 MI (T1MI) and supply-demand mismatch type 2 MI (T2MI). We examined the association between HCV and MI among patients in the Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) Network of Integrated Clinical Systems, a US multicenter clinical cohort of PLWH. MIs were centrally adjudicated and categorized by type using the Third Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction. We estimated the association between chronic HCV (RNA+) and time to MI while adjusting for demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, clinical characteristics, and history of injecting drug use. Among 23,407 PLWH aged ≥18 years, there were 336 T1MIs and 330 T2MIs during a median of 4.7 years of follow-up between 1998 and 2016. HCV was associated with a 46% greater risk of T2MI (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09, 1.97) but not T1MI (aHR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.58, 1.29). In an exploratory cause-specific analysis of T2MI, HCV was associated with a 2-fold greater risk of T2MI attributed to sepsis (aHR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.24). Extrahepatic manifestations of HCV in this high-risk population are an important area for continued research.
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Masson CL, Fokuo JK, Anderson A, Powell J, Zevin B, Bush D, Khalili M. Clients' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to implementing hepatitis C virus care in homeless shelters. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:386. [PMID: 32471376 PMCID: PMC7260732 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05103-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly prevalent among homeless persons, yet barriers continue to impede HCV testing and treatment in this population. We studied the experiences of homeless individuals related to accessing HCV care to inform the design of a shelter-based HCV prevention and treatment program. Methods Homeless shelter clients (10 women and 10 men) of a large shelter in San Francisco participated in gender segregated focus groups. Focus groups followed a semi-structured interview format, which assessed individual, program/system, and societal-level barriers and facilitators to universal HCV testing and linkage to HCV care. Focus group interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results We identified key barriers to HCV testing and treatment at the individual level (limited knowledge and misconceptions about HCV infection, mistrust of health care providers, co-morbid conditions of substance use, psychiatric and chronic medical conditions), system level (limited advocacy for HCV services by shelter staff), and social level (stigma of homelessness). Individual, system, and social facilitators to HCV care described by participants included internal motivation, financial incentives, prior experiences with rapid HCV testing, and availability of affordable direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment, respectively. Conclusions Interrelated individual- and social-level factors were the predominant barriers affecting homeless persons’ decisions to engage in HCV prevention and treatment. Integrated models of care for homeless persons at risk for or living with HCV address many of these factors, and should include interventions to improve patient knowledge of HCV and the availability of effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen L Masson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, Hospital and Trauma Center, 1001 Potrero Avenue, Building 20, Suite 2100, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA.
| | - J Konadu Fokuo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, Hospital and Trauma Center, 1001 Potrero Avenue, Building 20, Suite 2100, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - August Anderson
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, Hospital and Trauma Center, 1001 Potrero Avenue, NH-3D, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Jesse Powell
- Hennepin Healthcare, 715 South 8th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, USA
| | - Barry Zevin
- Street Medicine and Shelter Health, at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, 50 Ivy St, San Francisco, CA, 94102, USA
| | - Dylan Bush
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, 1001 Potrero Avenue, NH-3D, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Mandana Khalili
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Zuckerberg San Francisco General, Hospital and Trauma Center, 1001 Potrero Avenue, NH-3D, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
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