The patient experience of treatment for hepatitis C

Hepatitis C in a new therapeutic era: Recontextualising the lived experience

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore the experience of adults living with hepatitis C in a new era of interferon-free treatment.

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, posing a significant challenge to global public health. Historically, the treatment of hepatitis C was poorly efficacious and highly demanding; however, more effective and tolerable therapies have become available in high-income nations in recent years. This is the first study to explore how these significant developments in the treatment of hepatitis C may have influenced the experience of those living with the virus, and their understanding of the disease.

DESIGN

A qualitative study underpinned by social phenomenological theory.

METHODS

Data were generated through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 20 hepatitis C positive adults living in a large city in Scotland.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis identified three overriding themes. "Positioning hepatitis C" illustrated how the disease was understood within wider sociocultural, medical and politico-economic contexts. "Beyond a physical burden" emphasised the emotional aspect of infection, and "a new uncertainty" revealed participants' cautious response to the advances in hepatitis C therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Interthematic discourse portrayed the new era of hepatitis C treatment as holding little sway over constructions of the illness, as narratives resonated with previous studies. Such unmoving "lay" understandings of hepatitis C may pose potential barriers to the new therapeutic era from reaching its full potential.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

How people living with the virus perceive and understand hepatitis C can have an adverse impact on their engagement with care and treatment. Whilst global medical discourse eulogises the arrival of a new era of therapy, there remain significant challenges for nurses engaging those with hepatitis C in therapeutic pathways.

Meaning of Adherence in Hepatitis C-Infected Military Veterans

Among United States (U.S.) veterans, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection is three times that of the general U.S. population. Treatment success is proportionate to the degree of treatment adherence. There has been little research dedicated to the systematic exploration of issues related to treatment adherence. The purpose of this study was to describe factors that influenced adherence in infected military veterans. Phenomenological research emphasizes a rich description. A convenience sample of 21 veterans was recruited from a clinic in north Texas. One-time in-depth interviews explored reasons for remaining in treatment despite difficult side effects. Analysis included immersion, data transformation, thematic analysis, and summary. Cognitive strategies to stay on medication include making a commitment to treatment, "not ready to leave this world," conserving energy and staying busy, looking forward, and starting over. Veterans utilize previously learned military discipline to stay on medications and follow providers' orders. They are not ready to die and have plans for life after treatment. Patient education should focus on side effect management, rather than on genotypes or viral load. Treatment teams should include substance abuse specialists and gastroenterology providers. Future studies need to develop a measurement tool for adherence during antiviral treatment.

Impact of Education Provided by Nurses on Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients Receiving Hepatitis C Virus Therapy

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of education provided by a nurse on quality of life, anxiety, and depression in patients receiving hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy. The total number of patients receiving HCV treatment was 25 patients (18 females and 7 males). Organized patient lectures addressed transmission routes of HCV, effects of virus on the liver, interferon treatment, treatment complications and care, and psychosocial problems faced by patients with HCV and their families. Lectures were followed by interviews in small groups including 3-4 patients each and repeated 3 months after. Data were collected by patient surveys, Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, and Short Form (SF)-36 Health Survey (SF-36). There were no significant differences between pre- and posteducation for the SF-36 domains, namely role physical, health perception, social functioning, role emotion, and mental health, whereas there were significant differences between pre- and posteducation for the SF-36 domains, namely physical function, bodily pain, and vitality. Pre-education depression and anxiety scores were higher than posteducation depression and anxiety scores. Specific educational programs provided by nurses improved patients' quality of life and decreased anxiety and depression in patients receiving HCV therapy. These findings support the importance of educational programs provided by nurses for HCV patients.

The lived experience of interferon-free treatments for hepatitis C: A thematic analysis

BACKGROUND

International discourse concerning the evolution in hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy has tended to focus on improving outcomes, shortened treatment length and reduced side-effects of interferon-free regimens. How these treatments are being understood and experienced by the people receiving them has so far been overlooked. This study therefore aimed to explore the lived experience of individuals taking interferon-free HCV therapies.

METHODS

Data were generated through 16 semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of eight participants, recruited from a university hospital in Scotland. The interviews took place between June 2015 and March 2016, before and after a period of interferon-free HCV treatment. The data were interrogated using a thematic analysis, underpinned by social phenomenological theory.

RESULTS

Three overriding themes were identified. 'Expectations and realisations' characterised the influence that interferon continued to cast over interferon-free treatment, contrasting the practicalities of taking interferon-free therapy with preconceived notions. 'An honour and a pleasure' portrayed a positive experience of an undemanding therapy, yet among those with a history of drug use, was also positioned as a privilege, associated with feelings of luck and guilt. 'Treatment needs' illustrated the strategies participants used to search for treatment efficacy, and the value those with a significant history of drug use placed on support. One nonconforming case is then discussed to enhance rigour and trustworthiness.

CONCLUSION

This is the first qualitative exploration of the experience of interferon-free HCV treatment reported globally. The results from this study suggest a cultural lag exists between the pharmacological developments which have been witnessed, and societal understandings of them. This has implications for the way services meet the needs of, and offer therapy to, HCV positive individuals.

How hepatitis C patients manage the treatment process of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global public health issue. Adequate treatment for hepatitis C patients is important, but anticipated side effects make patients fearful of receiving treatment. Little is known about the experiences of hepatitis C patients who have completed treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of hepatitis C patients who had undergone therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and gain an understanding of what factors contributed to completion of treatment.

METHOD

This was a qualitative study with 21 adult hepatitis C patients purposively sampled from outpatient liver clinics of a medical university hospital in Taichung City, Taiwan. Participants had completed 6-12 months of therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Data were collected through individual, face-to-face, in-depth interviews conducted in the participants' homes from June-October 2013. Data were analysed using conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

Data analysis revealed three themes that described the strategies employed to alleviate and ease symptoms and manage the processes involved: restructuring their lifestyle, adopting a positive attitude, and seeking support.

CONCLUSION

Hepatitis C patients face many challenges during treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. These findings provide knowledge that can be used in designing effective programs to help other Hepatitis C patients manage the side effects of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy, complete treatment and improve quality of life.

Development of a conceptual model of health-related quality of life among hepatitis C patients: A systematic review of qualitative studies

AIM

The Food and Drug Administration guidelines emphasize that patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments used in clinical trials must be developed based on a conceptual model, yet existing PRO instruments currently used in clinical trials of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients are not based on a predetermined model. The purpose of this study was to identify a comprehensive list of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) themes that may be unique to HCV by reviewing qualitative research articles of HCV patients. The information collected from the review was used to develop a preliminary model of HRQoL in HCV patients.

METHODS

Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Ovid PsycINFO and PubMed were searched for peer-reviewed journals from 1989 to 2012. Set inclusion/exclusion criteria were utilized with a focus on HRQoL among HCV patients. Eligible articles that met quality assessment criteria were analyzed using meta-synthesis to generate categories and themes to propose a conceptual model.

RESULTS

Ten articles that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and the quality assessment criteria were reviewed. Eleven themes were identified: physical symptoms, physical activities, guilt, stigma, emotional distress, psychological behavior, social relationship, social activities, work function, sexual function and cognitive function. These were further grouped into six HRQoL domains: physical, psychological/emotional, social, work, sexual and cognitive functionality.

CONCLUSION

The systematic review and the proposed model represent a useful starting point in the critical appraisal of the conceptual underpinnings of PRO instruments used in HCV patients.

Hepatitis C treatment access and uptake for people who inject drugs: a review mapping the role of social factors

Background

Evidence documents successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment outcomes for people who inject drugs (PWID) and interest in HCV treatment among this population. Maximising HCV treatment for PWID can be an effective HCV preventative measure. Yet HCV treatment among PWID remains suboptimal. This review seeks to map social factors mediating HCV treatment access.

Method

We undertook a review of the social science and public health literature pertaining to HCV treatment for PWID, with a focus on barriers to treatment access, uptake and completion. Medline and Scopus databases were searched, supplemented by manual and grey literature searches. A two step search was taken, with the first step pertaining to literature on HCV treatment for PWID and the second focusing on social structural factors. In total, 596 references were screened, with 165 articles and reports selected to inform the review.

Results

Clinical and individual level barriers to HCV treatment among PWID are well evidenced. These include patient and provider concerns regarding co-morbidities, adherence, and side effect management. Social factors affecting treatment access are less well evidenced. In attempting to map these, key barriers fall into the following domains: social stigma, housing, criminalisation, health care systems, and gender. Key facilitating factors to treatment access include: combination intervention approaches encompassing social as well as biomedical interventions, low threshold access to opiate substitution therapy, and integrated delivery of multidisciplinary care.

Conclusion

Combination intervention approaches need to encompass social interventions in relation to housing, stigma reduction and systemic changes in policy and health care delivery. Future research needs to better delineate social factors affecting treatment access.

Review of patient-reported outcome measures in chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and its treatment are associated with a variety of patient-reported symptoms and impacts. Some CHC symptoms and impacts may be difficult to evaluate through objective clinical testing, and more easily measured through patient self-report. This literature review identified concepts raised by CHC patients related to symptoms, impacts, and treatment effects, and evaluated integration of these concepts within patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. The goal of this work was to provide recommendations for incorporation of PRO measurement of concepts that are relevant to the CHC experience into CHC clinical trial design.

METHODS

A three-tiered literature search was conducted. This included searches on concepts of importance, PRO measures used in clinical trials, and existing PRO measures. The PRO Concept Search focused on reviewing issues raised by CHC patients about CHC symptoms, disease impact, and treatment effects. The CHC Trials with PRO Endpoints Search reviewed clinical trials with PRO endpoints to assess differences between treatments over time. The PRO Measure Search reviewed existing PRO measures associated with the concepts of interest.

RESULTS

This multi-tiered approach identified five key concepts of interest: depression/anxiety, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, cognitive function, insomnia. Comparing these five concepts of interest to the PRO measures in published CHC clinical trials showed that, while treatment of CHC may decrease health-related quality of life in a number of mental and physical domains, the PRO measures that were utilized in published clinical trials inadequately covered the concepts of interest. Further review of 18 existing PRO measures of the concepts of interest showed only four of the 18 were validated in CHC populations.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified several gaps in the literature regarding assessment of symptoms and outcomes reported as important by CHC patients. Further research is needed to ensure that CHC clinical trials evaluate concepts that are important to patients and include measures that have evidence supporting content validity, reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness.

Patients' perceptions of information and support received from the nurse specialist during HCV treatment

AIM

To identify patients' perceptions of support received from the nurse specialist during Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment.

BACKGROUND

HCV is a worldwide health problem. However, it is a treatable disease and treatment success rates are high. Unfortunately, treatment comes with a multitude of adverse side effects and patients require informational and psychological support from specialist nurses while on treatment. To date, there is little nursing research on support received from this specialist nursing care.

DESIGN

This study used a quantitative descriptive design.

METHOD

A 59-item questionnaire collected data from 106 patients with a diagnosis of HCV attending a HCV outpatient clinic.

RESULTS

Overall, patients were very satisfied with support received. Advice on contraception was well received. However, many patients did not feel supported with regard to advice on sleep management. There were no statistically significant differences between overall satisfaction and gender, age, genotype and risk factor. However, there were significant correlations found between support received and reported genotype. Those patients presenting with genotype 1, who are mostly infected through blood or blood products, indicated that they require more support in relation to information on side effects of treatment, quality of life and support groups. Specific approaches to support and advice for this cohort may need to be incorporated into current services.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study reinforce the need for the ongoing use of specialist nurse services and development of this service where no such facilities exist. In addition, the service may need to further recognise and support the information and psychological needs of patients with differing modes of HCV infection.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Findings provide information to practising nurse specialists about patient's views of information and support received from nurse specialists in HCV treatment centres and identify where deficits exist.

Patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing watchful waiting: Exploring trajectories of illness uncertainty and fatigue

We identified trajectories of illness uncertainty in chronic hepatitis C patients and examined their association with fatigue levels during 12 months of disease monitoring without treatment (watchful waiting). Sixty-two men and 63 women completed uncertainty and fatigue measures. Groups were formed by uncertainty scores (high, medium, and low) at baseline. Baseline fatigue levels were higher in the high uncertainty group than in the medium and low groups. Over time, uncertainty levels did not change. Fatigue levels in the low uncertainty group remained constant, increased in the medium, and decreased in the high groups. Findings suggest that uncertainty and fatigue do not remit spontaneously. Being aware of this may help nurses identify those patients needing support for these two concerns.

Psychosocial issues and mental health treatment recommendations for patients with hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

Mental health needs of patients with HCV are increasingly being addressed in medical contexts.

OBJECTIVE

The authors review the psychosocial issues relevant to patients with hepatitis C and provide mental health treatment recommendations.

FINDINGS

Patients with HCV are faced with a number of challenges, including adjustment to a chronic medical illness, management of symptoms and treatment side effects, and making and maintaining lifestyle changes. Given these issues, mental health clinicians have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to patient care.

CONCLUSION

After reviewing the relevant research on these psychosocial issues, the authors have identified areas in which clinicians can intervene; these include adjustment to having a chronic medical illness, coping with stigma and relationship changes, management of side effects, and implementing healthy lifestyle changes.

Relapse to Injecting Drug Use: A Hepatitis C Treatment Concern

In light of current initiatives to increase hepatitis C treatment uptake amongst current and former injectors, this article aims to explore the barriers and facilitators to treatment uptake from the patient's perspective. Semistructured interviews were conducted with people living with hepatitis C in Auckland, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia in 2004 and 2006. This article explores in detail one significant issue that has not so far been addressed in the social research literature about decision making for hepatitis C treatment. This is the concern expressed by a quarter of the 34 ex-injecting participants regarding the potential for hepatitis C treatment to cause a relapse to injecting drug use. The connection between hepatitis C treatment and relapse to injecting drug use is supported by a substantial clinical literature. Thus the proposed expansion of hepatitis C treatment into alcohol and other drug settings needs to be undertaken with caution.

Living with hepatitis C: qualitative interviews with hepatitis C-infected veterans

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection affects millions of people in the USA and prevalence rates are higher in US veterans. The consequences of HCV infection include reduced quality of life, liver damage, and reduced longevity.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to describe the experiences of US veterans living with chronic HCV infection and use this information in the development of an HCV self-management intervention.

METHODS

Twenty-two male HCV-infected veterans completed qualitative interviews. Participants were recruited via flyers and hepatitis C clinic providers at a major VA medical center. Participants were asked about their medical history, being diagnosed with HCV, and general experiences living with HCV.

RESULTS

The study gathered the following findings: the impact of HCV on interpersonal relationships was pronounced, recovery from substance use disorders and getting care for HCV were connected, receiving the HCV diagnosis was more troubling to non-IV drug users, participants had misconceptions about HCV and its treatment, psychological problems were prevalent as were barriers to participating in antiviral treatment and HCV care in general.

CONCLUSION

The themes derived from our analysis indicate that affected veterans may benefit from interventions or support to improve HCV-related health education, social/relationship issues, psychological issues, and exploration of the connection between substance use recovery and motivation to get care for HCV infection.