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Barbati S, Strasser J, Allemann SS, Arnet I. Initiation of oral hepatitis C virus treatment: Which barriers are pertinent for ambulatory individuals with a history of illicit substance use? A qualitative interview study. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e1814. [PMID: 38260184 PMCID: PMC10802086 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1814] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims The World Health Organization has set a goal to eradicate hepatitis C virus (HCV) by the year 2030. Nonadherence to HCV treatment has substantial economic implications due to high treatment costs, among others. Barriers to start HCV treatment may be critical. The aim of this study was to assess pertinent barriers to HCV treatment in ambulatory patients with a history of illicit substance use and to compare them to the literature. Methods Barriers to HCV treatment mentioned by the key risk group (i.e., people who inject drugs) were retrieved from literature through a pragmatic literature search. From 34 published articles, we identified 80 modifiable barriers that were bundled in 23 items within the four topics "Personal difficulties and barriers to treatment," "Personal motivation to be treated," "Knowledge about the disease," and "Received information about the medicine." In-depth semistructured interviews were performed face-to-face with ambulatory patients from the University Psychiatric Clinics in Basel, Switzerland. Transcripts were coded inductively. Results Interviews were performed with seven individuals (mean age: 48.3 years; range: 38-63 years; one woman) treated with oral direct-acting antivirals between 2014 and 2022. Thirteen barriers to start HCV treatment were mentioned that corresponded to the five categories: information, attitudes, swallowing difficulties, social environment, and unfavorable lifestyle. The barrier "swallowing difficulties" emerged exclusively from the statements provided by the interviewees. Conclusion Barriers to the initiation of HCV treatment indicated by our interviewees clearly differed from the literature. Notably, the challenge of swallowing medicines may be particularly relevant for physicians prescribing and pharmacists dispensing HCV medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Barbati
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | | | - Samuel S. Allemann
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Isabelle Arnet
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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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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Coyle CR, Desjardins MR, Curriero FC, Rudolph J, Astemborski J, Falade-Nwulia O, Kirk GD, Thomas DL, Mehta SH, Genberg BL. Geographic variation in HCV treatment penetration among people who inject drugs in Baltimore, MD. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:810-818. [PMID: 37382024 PMCID: PMC10527489 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated geographic heterogeneity in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment penetration among people who inject drug (PWID) across Baltimore, MD since the advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) using space-time clusters of HCV viraemia. Using data from a community-based cohort of PWID, the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) study, we identified space-time clusters with higher-than-expected rates of HCV viraemia between 2015 and 2019 using scan statistics. We used Poisson regression to identify covariates associated with HCV viraemia and used the regression-fitted values to detect adjusted space-time clusters of HCV viraemia in Baltimore city. Overall, in the cohort, HCV viraemia fell from 77% in 2015 to 64%, 49%, 39% and 36% from 2016 to 2019. In Baltimore city, the percentage of census tracts where prevalence of HCV viraemia was ≥85% dropped from 57% to 34%, 25%, 22% and 10% from 2015 to 2019. We identified two clusters of higher-than-expected HCV viraemia in the unadjusted analysis that lasted from 2015 to 2017 in East and West Baltimore and one adjusted cluster of HCV viraemia in West Baltimore from 2015 to 2016. Neither differences in age, sex, race, HIV status, nor neighbourhood deprivation were able to explain the significant space-time clusters. However, residing in a cluster with higher-than-expected viraemia was associated with age, sex, educational attainment and higher levels of neighbourhood deprivation. Nearly 4 years after DAAs became available, HCV treatment has penetrated all PWID communities across Baltimore city. While nearly all census tracts experienced improvements, change was more gradual in areas with higher levels of poverty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catelyn R. Coyle
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Merck & Co. Inc., Rahway, NJ
| | - Michael R. Desjardins
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Spatial Science for Public Health Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Frank C. Curriero
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Spatial Science for Public Health Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline Rudolph
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Jacquie Astemborski
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Gregory D. Kirk
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - David L. Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Becky L. Genberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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Gordon SC, Kaushik A, Chastek B, Anderson A, Yehoshua A. Characteristics associated with receipt of treatment among patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C virus. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:756-764. [PMID: 37377165 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Although current guidelines recommend that nearly all patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection receive treatment, a substantial proportion remain untreated. We conducted an administrative claims analysis to provide real-world data on treatment patterns and characteristics of treated versus untreated patients among individuals with HCV in the United States. Adults with an HCV diagnosis from 01 July 2016 through 30 September 2020 and continuous health plan enrolment for 12 months before and ≥1 month after the diagnosis date were identified in the Optum Research Database. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between patient characteristics and the rate of treatment. Of 24,374 patients identified with HCV, only 30% initiated treatment during follow-up. Factors associated with increased rate of treatment included younger age versus age 75+ (hazard ratio [HR] 1.50-1.83 depending on age group), commercial versus Medicare insurance (HR 1.32), and diagnosis by a specialist versus a primary care physician (HR 2.56 and 2.62 for gastroenterology and infectious disease or hepatology, respectively) (p < .01 for all). Several baseline comorbidities were associated with decreased rate of treatment, including psychiatric disorders (HR 0.87), drug use disorders (HR 0.85) and cirrhosis (HR 0.42) (p < .01 for all). These findings highlight existing HCV treatment inequities, particularly among older patients and those with psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders or chronic comorbidities. Targeted efforts to increase treatment uptake in these populations could mitigate a considerable future burden of HCV-related morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart C Gordon
- Henry Ford Health System and Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - Amy Anderson
- Optum Life Sciences, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA
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Fursa O, Reekie J, Kuzin I, Hetman L, Kryshchuk A, Starychenko O, Hrytsaiuk N, Khodus I, Nyzhnyk A, Rakhuba V, Kovalevska M, Maistat T, Pryhoda I, Ahieieva M, Varvarovska O, Valdenmaiier O, Lundgren J, Peters L. Cross-sectional HIV and HCV cascades of care across the regions of Ukraine between 2019 and 2020: findings from the CARE cohort. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26:e26166. [PMID: 37705358 PMCID: PMC10500257 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Eastern Europe is facing major HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) epidemics, with many people living with HIV (PLHIV) and HIV/HCV coinfection living in Ukraine. Despite the previous progress towards care quality improvement, the ongoing war in Ukraine is disrupting HIV and HCV care. METHODS We described an HIV cascade of care (CoC) in PLHIV from two clinical sites and an HCV CoC for anti-HCV-positive PLHIV from six sites in Ukraine, enrolled in the CARE cohort between 1 January 2019 and 1 June 2020. The cross-sectional HIV CoC and HCV CoC are described at study enrolment. RESULTS Of 1028 PLHIV, 1014 (98.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 97.7-99.3) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 876 (86.4% of those on ART, 95% CI 84.1-88.4) were virologically suppressed. Of 894 participants on ART >6 months, 90.8% (95% CI 88.7-92.6) were virologically suppressed (HIV-RNA <200 copies/ml). Of 2040 anti-HCV-positive PLHIV, 417 (20.4%, 95% CI 18.7-22.3) were ever tested for HCV-RNA prior to enrolment, ranging from 4.9% to 54.4% across sites, and 13.5% were currently HCV-RNA positive. One hundred and eighteen persons (7.3% of ever chronically infected) had received HCV treatment, and 25 persons (1.6% of ever chronically infected) were cured, with variations across sites (0%-7.5%). The site diagnosing 54.4% of people with chronic HCV was the only one providing free RNA testing for all anti-HCV-positive persons, while the intra-country differences in treatment coverage were driven by the number of available direct-acting antiviral (DAA) courses. CONCLUSIONS Over 98% of PLHIV in care in both CARE sites in Ukraine were receiving ART, and the target of 90% virally suppressed was achieved in persons >6 months on ART. Only one of six HIV/HCV study sites tested over 50% anti-HCV-positive PLHIV for HCV-RNA and treated over 25% of eligible persons. While free HCV-RNA testing and DAA treatment are paramount to achieving HCV elimination targets, they remained a challenge in Ukraine in 2019-2020. The extent of the HIV and HCV care disruption during the war will be further assessed in the CARE cohort and compared with the pre-war findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Fursa
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and InfectionsRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Joanne Reekie
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and InfectionsRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Ihor Kuzin
- Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of UkraineKyivUkraine
| | - Larysa Hetman
- Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of UkraineKyivUkraine
| | - Alina Kryshchuk
- Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of UkraineKyivUkraine
| | - Olena Starychenko
- Kyiv City AIDS Prevention and Control Center (Kyiv City Clinical Hospital №5)KyivUkraine
| | - Nana Hrytsaiuk
- Kyiv City AIDS Prevention and Control Center (Kyiv City Clinical Hospital №5)KyivUkraine
| | - Inna Khodus
- Kyiv Regional Center for Public HealthKyivUkraine
| | - Alla Nyzhnyk
- Kyiv Regional Center for Public HealthKyivUkraine
| | | | | | - Tetiana Maistat
- Regional Clinical Center for AIDS Prevention and Control of Kharkiv Regional CouncilKharkivUkraine
| | - Iryna Pryhoda
- Mariupol City Hospital №4 named after I.K. MatsukaMariupolUkraine
| | | | - Olena Varvarovska
- Regional Medical Specialized Center of Zhytomyr Regional CouncilZhytomyrUkraine
| | - Olena Valdenmaiier
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and InfectionsRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jens Lundgren
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and InfectionsRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Lars Peters
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and InfectionsRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - the CARE study group
- Centre of Excellence for Health, Immunity and InfectionsRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
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Sowah LA, Smeaton L, Brates I, Bhattacharya D, Linas B, Kreter B, Wagner-Cardoso S, Solomon S, Sulkowski M, Robbins GK. Perspectives on Adherence From the ACTG 5360 MINMON Trial: A Minimum Monitoring Approach With 12 Weeks of Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir in Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:1959-1968. [PMID: 36694361 PMCID: PMC10249990 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the advent of efficacious oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV), identification of characteristics associated with adherence is critical to treatment success. We examined correlates of sub-optimal adherence to HCV therapy in a single-arm, multinational, clinical trial. METHODS ACTG A5360 enrolled HCV treatment-naive persons without decompensated cirrhosis from 5 countries. All participants received a 12-weeks course of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir at entry. In-person visits occurred at initiation and week 24, sustained virologic response (SVR) assessment. Adherence at week 4 was collected remotely and was dichotomized optimal (100%, no missed doses) versus sub-optimal (<100%). Correlates of sub-optimal adherence were explored using logistic regression. RESULTS In total, 400 participants enrolled; 399 initiated treatment; 395/397 (99%) reported completing at week 24. Median age was 47 years with 35% female. Among the 368 reporting optimal adherence at week 4 SVR was 96.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] [94.1%, 97.9%]) vs 77.8% (95% CI [59.2%, 89.4%]) P value < .001. In the multivariate model age <30 years and being a US participant were independently associated with early sub-optimal adherence. Participants <30 years were 7.1 times more likely to have early sub-optimal adherence compared to their older counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported optimal adherence at week 4 was associated with SVR. Early self-reported adherence could be used to identify those at higher risk of treatment failure and may benefit from additional support. Younger individuals <30 years may also be prioritized for additional adherence support. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT03512210.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard A Sowah
- Therapeutic Research Program, Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Laura Smeaton
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Irena Brates
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Debika Bhattacharya
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Benjamin Linas
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bruce Kreter
- Gilead Sciences Inc, Foster City, California, USA
| | - Sandra Wagner-Cardoso
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia—Laboratorio de Pesquisa Clínica em HIV/AIDS, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sunil Solomon
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark Sulkowski
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gregory K Robbins
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Hyde Z, Roura R, Signer D, Patel A, Cohen J, Saheed M, Brinkley S, Irvin R, Sulkowski MS, Thomas DL, Rothman RE, Hsieh YH. Evaluation of a pilot emergency department linkage to care program for patients previously diagnosed with Hepatitis C. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:129-137. [PMID: 36441638 PMCID: PMC9852079 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
There is a significant number of Emergency Department (ED) patients with known chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who have not been treated with directly acting antivirals. We implemented a pilot ED-based linkage-to-care program to address this need and evaluated the impact of the program using the HCV Care Continuum metrics. Between March 2015 and May 2016, dedicated patient care navigators identified HCV RNA-positive patients in an urban ED and offered expedited appointments with the on-site viral hepatitis clinic. Patient demographics and care continuum outcomes were abstracted from the EMR and analysed to determine significant factors influencing linkage-to-care (LTC) and treatment initiation rates. The ED linkage-to-care program achieved a 43% linkage-to-care rate (165/384), 22% treatment rate (84/384) and 16% sustained virologic response rate (63/384). Significant associations were found between linkage-to-care and increasing age (OR = 1.03), Medicare insurance (OR = 2.21) and having a primary care physician (PCP) (OR = 4.03). For patients who were linked, the odds of initiating treatment were also positively significantly associated with increasing age (OR = 1.04) and having a PCP (OR = 2.77). For patients who initiated treatment, the odds of sustained virologic response were marginally associated with having a PCP (OR = 4.92).Our ED linkage-to-care program utilized care coordination to successfully link nearly half of approached HCV RNA-positive patients to care. This design can be feasibly replicated by other EDs given limited non-clinical training required for linkage-to-care staff. Adoption of similar programs in other EDs may improve the rates of LTC and treatment initiation for previously diagnosed HCV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zak Hyde
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Raúl Roura
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Danielle Signer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anuj Patel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jacob Cohen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mustapha Saheed
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sherilyn Brinkley
- Division Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Risha Irvin
- Division Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark S. Sulkowski
- Division Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David L. Thomas
- Division Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Richard E. Rothman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Division Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yu-Hsiang Hsieh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Brothers S, DiDomizio E, Nichols L, Brooks R, Villanueva M. Perceptions Towards HCV Treatment with Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs): A Qualitative Analysis with Persons with HIV/HCV Co-infection Who Delay or Refuse Treatment. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:119-133. [PMID: 35776253 PMCID: PMC9663279 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03749-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, approximately 25% of people with HIV (PWH) are co-infected with hepatitis C (HCV). Since 2014, highly effective and well-tolerated direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized HCV treatment. Uptake of DAAs by people with HIV/HCV co-infection has improved but remains suboptimal due to system, provider, and patient-level barriers. To explore patient-level issues by better understanding their attitudes towards DAA treatment, we conducted qualitative interviews with 21 persons with HIV/HCV co-infection who did not consent to DAA treatment or delayed treatment for at least 1 year after diagnosis. We found PWH perceived DAA treatment barriers and facilitators on multiple levels of the social-ecological environment: the individual (HCV disease and treatment literacy), interpersonal (peer influence), institutional (media and healthcare provider relationship), and structural levels (treatment cost and adherence support). Recommendations to improve DAA treatment uptake include HCV-treatment adherence support, HCV disease and treatment literacy training (particularly for substance use and DAA treatment interactions), and encouraging PWH who have successfully completed DAA treatment to speak with their peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Brothers
- Department of Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, 316 Oswald Tower, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
- HIV/AIDS Program, Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Elizabeth DiDomizio
- HIV/AIDS Program, Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lisa Nichols
- HIV/AIDS Program, Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ralph Brooks
- HIV/AIDS Program, Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Merceditas Villanueva
- HIV/AIDS Program, Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
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9
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IA Okwor C, Petrosyan Y, Lee C, Cooper C. History of alcohol use does not predict HCV direct acting antiviral treatment outcomes. JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CANADA = JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE L'ASSOCIATION POUR LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE ET L'INFECTIOLOGIE CANADA 2022; 7:233-241. [PMID: 36337601 PMCID: PMC9629724 DOI: 10.3138/jammi-2021-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and excessive alcohol consumption are leading causes of liver disease worldwide. Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) are well-tolerated treatments for HCV infections with high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. There are limited data assessing the influence of alcohol use on DAA uptake and cure. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of patients followed at The Ottawa Hospital Viral Hepatitis Program between January 2014 and May 2020 to investigate the effect of excessive alcohol use history on DAA uptake and SVR rates. Additionally, we evaluated the incidence of concurrent comorbidities and social determinants of health. Predictors of DAA uptake and SVR were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS Excessive alcohol use history was reported in 46.0% (733) of patients. Excessive alcohol use did not predict DAA uptake (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.57), while employment (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.29 to 3.42) and recreational drug use (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.94) were predictors. Employment predicted SVR (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.68 to 3.36) in those starting treatment. Excessive alcohol use history did not predict SVR. CONCLUSIONS History of excessive alcohol use does not influence treatment initiation or SVR. Efforts to improve treatment uptake should shift to focus on the roles of determinants of health such as employment and recreational drug use on treatment initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Craig Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Curtis Cooper
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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10
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Jones AT, Briones C, Tran T, Moreno-Walton L, Kissinger PJ. Closing the hepatitis C treatment gap: United States strategies to improve retention in care. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:588-595. [PMID: 35545901 PMCID: PMC9276641 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13685] [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: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment landscape is shifting given the advent of direct-acting antivirals and a global call to action by the World Health Organization. Eliminating HCV is now an issue of healthcare delivery. Treatment is limited by the complexity of the HCV care continuum, expensive therapy and competing health burdens experienced by an underserved HCV population. The objective of this literature review was to assess strategies to improve retention in HCV care, with particular focus on those implemented in the United States. We identified barriers in HCV care retention and propose solutions to increase HCV treatment delivery. The following recommendations are herein described: improving the cohesion of health services through localized care and integrated case management, expanding the supply of non-specialist HCV treatment providers, leveraging patient navigators and care coordinators, improving adherence through directly observed therapy and reducing cost barriers through value-based payment and pharmaceutical subscription models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin T. Jones
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Christopher Briones
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Torrence Tran
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Moreno-Walton
- Section of Emergency Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
| | - Patricia J. Kissinger
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
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11
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Lau AA, Strebe JK, Sura TV, Hansen LA, Jain MK. Predictors of linkage to hepatitis C virus care among people living with HIV with hepatitis C infection and the impact of loss to HIV follow‐up. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e645. [PMID: 35620551 PMCID: PMC9125878 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Half of the people living with HIV (PLWH) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) remain untreated for HCV. We examined predictors of HCV linkage to care among PLWH and the impact of HIV lost to care. Design and methods We conducted a retrospective review of PLWH/HCV from our HIV clinics between 2014 and 2017, and examined predictors of HCV linkage to care. We used the Kaplan–Meier method to estimate the probability of HIV retention and HCV linkage over time. Results Of 615 PLWH/HCV, 34% linked to HCV care and 21% were cured. Higher odds of linkage to HCV care were among blacks (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.59, 5.47), prior injection drug users (IDUs; aOR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.39, 6.01), Medicare (aOR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.56, 6.11), and cirrhotics (aOR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.52, 5.14). Reduced odds for linkage were in active IDU (aOR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.45) and those seen by an advanced practice provider (aOR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.92). The main reason for failure to link to HCV care was lost to HIV care. At 3 years, the overall probability of being retained in HIV care was 53%; among those who had an HCV evaluation visit, it was 75% vs. 41% with no HCV evaluation visit. Accounting for loss to follow‐up, PLWH/HCV had a 65% probability of having an HCV evaluation at 3 years. HCV is a curable infection in those with or without HIV. Yet, high proportions of people living with HIV with HCV remain untreated for HCV, leading to complications of liver disease and death. Our study found that only one‐third of HIV/HCV patients were linked to HCV care. The main reason for not linking to HCV care was that increasing numbers of patients drop out of HIV care over time. Our study suggests that early focus on HCV treatment would increase the number of patients cured, but it is unclear whether this would impact retention in HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby A. Lau
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USA
- Parkland Health and Hospital System Dallas Texas USA
| | | | - Teena V. Sura
- Population and Data Science, UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USA
| | - Laura A. Hansen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USA
| | - Mamta K. Jain
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas USA
- Parkland Health and Hospital System Dallas Texas USA
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12
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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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13
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Hosseini‐Hooshyar S, Alavi M, Martinello M, Valerio H, Tillakeratne S, Matthews GV, Dore GJ. Evaluation of the hepatitis C cascade of care among people living with HIV in New South Wales, Australia: A data linkage study. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:271-279. [PMID: 35175671 PMCID: PMC9306975 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
People living with HIV (PLHIV) are a priority population to receive hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and treatment. We aimed to characterize the HCV care cascade among PLHIV between 2010 and 2018 and to compare HCV testing and treatment uptake pre- and post-availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Records of all HCV notifications (1993-2017) were linked to HIV notifications, deaths, hospitalizations, incarcerations, opioid agonist therapy, HCV RNA testing and treatment databases. Numbers and proportions were calculated for all stages of the care cascade and factors associated with HCV testing, and DAA treatment uptake were evaluated using logistic regression. From 383 individuals with HCV notification (2009-2017), 349 (91%) were ever HCV RNA tested, 285 (74%) had an indicator of chronic HCV infection, and from those eligible for treatment, 210 (74%) received HCV treatment. HCV testing was recorded for 85% pre-DAA era and reached a cumulative proportion of 90% post-DAA while treatment uptake had a 10-fold increase from 7% pre- to 73% post-DAA era. Younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.98; 95% CI 0.96-0.99), female gender (aOR 1.87; 95% CI 1.10-3.19), and rural region residence at notification (aOR 1.56; 95% CI 1.03-2.36) were associated with not receiving HCV testing. No identified factor was associated with not receiving treatment post-DAA era. Removing barriers to HCV testing, expanding treatment to a variety of settings and continuous education and harm reduction are essential to achieve HCV elimination among PLHIV in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maryam Alavi
- The Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Heather Valerio
- The Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | | | - Gregory J. Dore
- The Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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14
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Le E, Chee G, Kwan M, Cheung R. Treating the Hardest to Treat: Reframing the Hospital Admission as an Opportunity to Initiate Hepatitis C Treatment. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:1244-1251. [PMID: 33770327 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-06941-3] [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: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is traditionally treated in the outpatient setting. Despite the excellent tolerability, shortened treatment duration, and high cure rates of newer direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), many vulnerable patients remain untreated due to issues with linkage to care. AIMS This study sought to reframe and establish the hospital admission as a unique opportunity to initiate antiviral treatment for patients with CHC, particularly those with psychosocial or linkage to care issues. METHODS Patients with untreated CHC were identified either on the Psychiatry or Med/Surg wards at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). If found to be appropriate for treatment initiation, patients were started on antivirals during their hospitalization and followed closely while inpatient and after discharge to assess for sustained virologic response (SVR), treatment tolerability, and treatment completion. RESULTS Overall, 36% (23) of potential treatment candidates were initiated on DAA treatment during their hospitalization. Of these patients, 91.3% had documented treatment completion with an intention-to-treat and modified intention-to-treat SVR rate of 91.3% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We establish the hospital admission as a valuable opportunity for HCV treatment initiation, yielding excellent treatment outcomes in those who would not otherwise be treated and achieved a modified intention-to-treat response rate of 100%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Le
- Department of Medicine, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave (111), Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.
| | - Grace Chee
- Pharmacy Service, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Miki Kwan
- Department of Medicine, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave (111), Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Ramsey Cheung
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, VA Palo Alto Health Care System (111), 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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15
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Gutkind S, Starbird LE, Murphy SM, Teixeira PA, Gooden LK, Matheson T, Feaster DJ, Jain MK, Masson CL, Perlman DC, Del Rio C, Metsch LR, Schackman BR. Cost of Hepatitis C care facilitation for HIV/Hepatitis C Co-infected people who use drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 232:109265. [PMID: 35042101 PMCID: PMC9238179 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using data from a randomized trial, we evaluated the cost of HCV care facilitation that supports moving along the continuum of care for HIV/HCV co-infected individuals with substance use disorder. METHODS Participants were HIV patients residing in the community, initially recruited from eight US hospital sites. They received HCV care facilitation (n = 51) or treatment as usual (n = 62) for up to six months. We used micro-costing methods to evaluate costs from the healthcare sector and patient perspectives in 2017 USD. We conducted sensitivity analyses varying care facilitator caseloads and examined offsetting savings using participant self-reported healthcare utilization. RESULTS The average site start-up cost was $6320 (site range: $4320-$7000), primarily consisting of training. The mean weekly cost per participant was $20 (site range: $4-$30) for care facilitation visits and contacts, $360 (site range: $130- $700) for supervision and client outreach, and $70 (site range: $20-$180) for overhead. In sensitivity analyses applying a weekly caseload of 10 participants per care facilitator (versus 1-6 observed in the trial), the total mean weekly care facilitation cost from the healthcare sector perspective decreased to $110. Weekly participant time and travel costs averaged $7. There were no significant differences in other healthcare service costs between participants in the intervention and control arms. CONCLUSION Weekly HCV care facilitation costs were approximately $450 per participant, but approximately $110 at a real-world setting maximum caseload of 10 participants per week. No healthcare cost offsets were identified during the trial period, although future savings might result from successful HCV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Gutkind
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, 425 E 61st St, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Laura E Starbird
- Columbia University School of Nursing, 560 West 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Sean M Murphy
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, 425 E 61st St, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Paul A Teixeira
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, 425 E 61st St, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Lauren K Gooden
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Tim Matheson
- San Francisco Department of Health, 101 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA.
| | - Daniel J Feaster
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Mamta K Jain
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Carmen L Masson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - David C Perlman
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Carlos Del Rio
- Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Lisa R Metsch
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Bruce R Schackman
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, 425 E 61st St, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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16
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Falade-Nwulia O, Momoh O, Felsher M, Nwulia E, Tofighi B, Ward K, McCormick S, Sulkowski M, Latkin C. Validation of a tool to assess effectiveness of peer-recruitment for hepatitis C testing and linkage to care among people who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 230:109177. [PMID: 34808487 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE People who inject drugs (PWID) have high hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence but low rates of HCV treatment uptake. To better harness the potential of peer-led social network-based interventions to increase HCV treatment uptake among PWID, simple tools that can help identify individuals with the potential to function effectively as peer-mentors who support network members to get HCV tested and linked to care are needed. METHODS Data from a survey administered to index PWID enrolled in a social network-based intervention, in which they were invited to recruit drug use network members for HCV testing and linkage to care, was analyzed. Constructs derived from exploratory factor analysis were validated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We used logistic regression analysis to assess the association between scores in identified constructs and subsequent effectiveness in the peer mentor role, defined as recruiting at least one network member for HCV testing and linkage to care in the 12 weeks following survey completion. RESULTS Among 100 PWID with median age 53 years, 74% male, and 71% Black, CFA resulted in a multidimensional three-factor survey with 4 questions related to opinion leadership, 3 questions related to perceived HCV-related stigma, and 3 questions related to HCV communication comfort and care support willingness. Only self-designated opinion leadership was associated with effectiveness in the peer mentor role (adjusted odds ratio 3.76 (95% Confidence interval CI 1.01, 14.0)). CONCLUSION We developed and validated a simple tool with potential to ease and improve the efficiency of peer-led social network interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marisa Felsher
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Babak Tofighi
- New York University School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, USA; Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, NYU College of Global Public Health, US
| | - Kathleen Ward
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sean McCormick
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark Sulkowski
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carl Latkin
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, US
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17
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Vega-Astudillo P, Basurte-Villamor I, De Ema López I, Olmos Espinos R, Mesías-Pérez B, Szerman N. Results of a Hepatitis C Micro-Elimination Program in Two Addiction Centers Among Subjects With Substance Use Disorder. Subst Abuse 2022; 16:11782218221075058. [PMID: 35153485 PMCID: PMC8829711 DOI: 10.1177/11782218221075058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: We aimed to evaluate a hepatitis C (HCV) micro-elimination program in 2 addiction centers among subjects with substance use disorders (SUD). Methods: The program was based on simplifying the diagnosis of HCV infections by avoiding referral to primary care for the diagnosis and performing the necessary tests at the point of care (ie, the addition center) and simplifying the patient pathway by directly referring patients to the specialized care for treatment. Descriptive and multivariate analyses are presented. Results: Of the 1497 subjects included in the program, 327 reported that they were anti-HCV-positive. Among the 1170 patients who were offered the HCV rapid antibody test, 180 (15.4%) did not perform the test. Performing the HCV rapid antibody test only contributed ten patients (3%) to the 337 who were anti-HCV-positive. A high proportion (147 out of 327 [45%]) of subjects who reported being anti-HCV-positive also reported that they had not been treated for HCV. Among the 67 subjects who were HCV-RNA-positive and were referred for treatment, 53 (79%) ultimately received and completed antiviral treatment. Unfortunately, we did not find any factors associated with not performing dry blood testing, and the factors associated with not performing the HCV rapid antibody test were difficult to interpret, and the model showed low goodness of fit. Conclusions: Our results suggest that a micro-elimination program focused on patients with SUD attending an addiction center is not effective for screening the presence of hepatitis C but is successful for linking patients with hepatitis C to antiviral treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Vega-Astudillo
- Instituto de Adicciones, Madrid-Salud, Madrid, Spain
- Sociedad Española de Patología Dual, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Basurte-Villamor
- Instituto Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Sociedad Española de Patología Dual, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Nestor Szerman
- Instituto Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Sociedad Española de Patología Dual, Madrid, Spain
- World Association of Dual Disorders
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18
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Santos M, Protopopescu C, Delarocque-Astagneau E, Bourlière M, Petrov-Sanchez V, Di Beo V, Larrey D, Baudoin M, Dorival C, Bureau M, Fontaine H, Carrat F, Marcellin F, Pol S, Carrieri P. Late presentation for HCV care: Time to target people with diabetes and/or hazardous alcohol use (ANRS CO22 HEPATHER cohort). Liver Int 2022; 42:38-49. [PMID: 34520614 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Late presentation for care of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection - defined as having severe liver fibrosis when first consulting a specialist for HCV care - increases morbidity and mortality. Identifying the socio-behavioural correlates of late presentation is essential to improve HCV strategies to optimize HCV cascade of care. We investigated clinical and socio-behavioural correlates of late presentation for care in HCV mono-infected individuals. METHODS This study included chronic HCV mono-infected patients participating in the French national cohort ANRS CO22 HEPATHER, starting in 2012. The correlates of late presentation were estimated using a Heckman probit selection model, which takes into account the possible selection bias because of missing data in the outcome. RESULTS Among the 9174 study patients, 1236 had available data on liver fibrosis stage at first presentation for HCV care. Of these, 591 (47.8%) were late presenters. In a multivariable analysis adjusted for age, sex and HCV genotype, having diabetes (adjusted coefficient [95% confidence interval]: 0.55 [0.30; 0.80]), current hazardous alcohol use (0.36 [0.03; 0.69]) and current abstinence but past hazardous alcohol use (0.42 [0.19; 0.64]) (vs. current abstinence and no past hazardous use) were all independently associated with late presentation for HCV care. CONCLUSIONS As late presentation severely affects HCV cascade of care, our findings bring important new evidence about the need to promptly identify and target people with diabetes and/or past or current hazardous alcohol use for HCV screening and treatment within the wider context of the WHO goal to eliminate HCV by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Santos
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Économiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Camelia Protopopescu
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Économiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Elizabeth Delarocque-Astagneau
- UVSQ, Inserm, Anti-Infective Evasion and Pharmacoepidemiology, CESP, Université Paris-Saclay, Montigny, France.,Département Hospitalier d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, AP-HP, GHU Université Paris Saclay, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France
| | - Marc Bourlière
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Hôpital Saint Joseph, Marseille, France
| | - Ventizlava Petrov-Sanchez
- ANRS MIE (France Recherche Nord & Sud Sida-HIV Hépatites, Maladies Infectieuses Emergentes), Unit for Basic and Clinical Research on Viral Hepatitis, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Di Beo
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Économiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Dominique Larrey
- Service des maladies de l'appareil digestif, Hôpital Saint Eloi, IBR-Inserm Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Maël Baudoin
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Économiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Céline Dorival
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Morgane Bureau
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Économiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Hélène Fontaine
- Département d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France.,INSERM U1223, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Fabrice Carrat
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Unité de Santé Publique, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Fabienne Marcellin
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Économiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Stanislas Pol
- Département d'Hépatologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France.,INSERM U1223, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Patrizia Carrieri
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Économiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
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19
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Savchenko AA, Tsukanov VV, Kudryavtsev IV, Tonkih JL, Belenjuk VD, Cherepnin MA, Anisimova AA, Borisov AG. A relation between T cell phenotypic profile and virus genotype in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (before and after treatment with direct antiviral agents). RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND IMMUNITY 2021; 11:1141-1151. [DOI: 10.15789/2220-7619-arb-1550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the phenotype of effector T lymphocytes in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C (CVHC) before and after of treatment with direct antiviral drugs depending on the genotype of the virus. 50 patients with CVHC without signs of liver cirrhosis were examined. The diagnosis was made on the basis of epidemiological and clinical laboratory data as recommended by the European Association for the Study of the Liver when specific serological markers of CHCV and RNA of hepatitis C virus (HCV) were detected (EASL, 2016). The determination of HCV RNA was carried out by the method of quantitative polymerase chain reaction in real time. The degree of liver fibrosis in patients with CVHC was assessed using ultrasound elastography. Patients were treated for 3 months with direct antiviral drugs according to the recommendations of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (2016). The control group included 46 practically healthy individuals with severe chronic diseases of various organs and systems excluded during a routine examination, no health complaints, having normal clinical and biochemical blood tests in the absence of markers for viral hepatitis B and C, antibodies to opisthorchis and denying history of alcohol abuse. The study of the subpopulation composition of helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes was carried out by direct immunofluorescence of whole peripheral blood. We obtained a 100% sustained virological response in patients with 1, 2 and genotypes of CHCV without signs of liver cirrhosis when using therapy with Sofosbuvir (400 mg) and Daclatasvir (60 mg) for 12 weeks. It was found that in CVHC patients were found characteristic features in the phenotypic composition of effector T lymphocytes before and after treatment with direct antiviral drugs in depending on the genotype of HCV. Patients with HCV genotypes 1 and 3 had an increase in the content of terminal differentiated effector (TEMRA) T helpers and effector memory (EM). Only patients with HCV genotype 2 had a decrease in the level of EM T-helper cells in the blood. A decrease in the relative number of T helpers of central memory (СM) was independent of the HCV genotype. The level of effector subpopulations of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients with CVHC was consistent with or exceeded control levels in depending on the genotype of HCV. The level of all investigated subpopulations of effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients with HCV genotype 1 was equal to the control values. The number of naïve cytotoxic T cells and CM in peripheral blood in patients with HCV genotype 2 was increased. The content of naïve cytotoxic T lymphocytes, CM and TEMRA in patients with genotype 3 HCV in the blood was increased. The highest viral load was detected in patients with CVHC with genotype 1 HCV. Liver fibrosis was most pronounced in patients with CVHC infection with HCV genotypes 2 and 3. After 3 months of treatment with direct antiviral drugs the patients with CVHC had a reduced content of CM T helpers regardless of the HCV genotype. In addition, patients with HCV genotypes 1 and 3 had a decrease in the number of naïve T helpers and patients with HCV genotypes 2 and 3 had a normalization of the content of naïve cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
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Del Rosario A, Eldredge JD, Doorley S, Mishra SI, Kesler D, Page K. Hepatitis C virus care cascade in persons experiencing homelessness in the United States in the era of direct-acting antiviral agents: A scoping review. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1506-1514. [PMID: 34314081 PMCID: PMC9829430 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascade has been well characterized in the general United States population and other subpopulations since curative medications have been available. However, information is limited on care cascade outcomes in persons experiencing homelessness. The main objective of this study was to map the available evidence on HCV care cascade outcomes in people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. in the era of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). Primary and secondary outcomes included linkage to care (evaluation by a provider that can treat HCV) and sustained virologic response (SVR) or cure. Exploratory outcomes included other cascade data, like treatment initiation, which precedes SVR. PubMed was the primary database accessed for this scoping review. We characterized the HCV care cascade in people experiencing homelessness using sources of evidence published in 2014 onwards that reported the proportions of persons who were linked to care, achieved SVR, and completed other cascade steps. We synthesized our results into a scoping review. The proportion of persons linked to care among chronically infected cohorts with unstable housing ranged from 29.3% to 88.7%. Among those chronically infected, 5%-58.8% were started on DAAs and 5%-50% achieved SVR. In conclusion, these results show that persons experiencing homelessness achieve high rates of linkage to care in non-specialist community-based settings compared to the general U.S. population pre-DAAs. However, DAA initiation was found to be a rate-limiting step along the care cascade, resulting in commensurate low rates of cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey Del Rosario
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jonathan D Eldredge
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Sara Doorley
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Shiraz I Mishra
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Denece Kesler
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Kimberly Page
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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21
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Lai JCT, Ho AHY, Wu CWK, Wong GLH. HCV elimination in Hong Kong - Non-government organisation (NGO) activities. Glob Health Med 2021; 3:283-287. [PMID: 34782870 DOI: 10.35772/ghm.2021.01049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
World Health Organization (WHO) calls for global hepatitis strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Yet many high-income countries were unable to achieve HCV elimination by 2030. Apart from the tremendous efforts and resources from the governments, many non-government organizations (NGOs) have been working very hard to contribute to HCV elimination. In Hong Kong, the Center for Liver Health of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has been working very closely with various NGOs to educate and screen subjects who previously use intravenous drugs. In this review article, we discussed in details the New Life New Liver Program, and the barriers to HCV elimination, with special highlight the role of NGOs in overcoming the barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy Che-To Lai
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Agnes Hiu-Yan Ho
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Claudia Wing-Kwan Wu
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Grace Lai-Hung Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Medical Data Analytics Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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22
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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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23
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Kapadia SN, Johnson P, Marks K, Schackman BR, Bao Y. Hepatitis C Treatment by Nonspecialist Providers in the Direct-acting Antiviral Era. Med Care 2021; 59:795-800. [PMID: 34081676 PMCID: PMC8384709 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001573] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains under-treated in the United States and treatment by nonspecialist providers can expand access. We compare HCV treatment provision and treatment completion between nonspecialist and specialist providers. METHODS This retrospective study used claims data from the Healthcare Cost Institute from 2013 to 2017. We identified providers who prescribed HCV therapy between 2013 and 2017, and patients enrolled in private insurance or Medicare Advantage who had pharmacy claims for HCV treatment. We measured HCV treatment completion, determined based on prescription fills for the minimum expected duration of the antiviral regimen. Using propensity score-weighted regression, we compared the likelihood of early treatment discontinuation by the type of treating provider. RESULTS The number of providers prescribing HCV treatment peaked in 2015 and then declined. The majority were gastroenterologists, although the proportion of general medicine providers increased to 17% by 2017. Among the 23,463 patients analyzed, 1008 (4%) discontinued before the expected minimum duration. In the propensity score-weighted analysis, patients treated by general medicine physicians had similar odds of treatment discontinuation compared with those treated by gastroenterologists [odds ratio (OR)=1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99-1.01, P=0.45]. Results were similar when comparing gastroenterologists to nonphysician providers (OR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.99-1.01, P=0.53) and infectious diseases specialists (OR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.99-1.01, P=0.71). CONCLUSIONS HCV treatment providers remain primarily gastroenterologists, even in the current simplified treatment era. Patients receiving treatment from general medicine or nonphysician providers had a similar likelihood of treatment completion, suggesting that removing barriers to the scale-up of treatment by nonspecialists may help close treatment gaps for hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi N Kapadia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medicine
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine
| | - Phyllis Johnson
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine
| | - Kristen Marks
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medicine
| | | | - Yuhua Bao
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine
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24
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Metsch LR, Feaster DJ, Gooden LK, Masson C, Perlman DC, Jain MK, Matheson T, Nelson CM, Jacobs P, Tross S, Haynes L, Lucas GM, Colasanti JA, Rodriguez A, Drainoni ML, Osorio G, Nijhawan AE, Jacobson JM, Sullivan M, Metzger D, Vergara-Rodriguez P, Lubelchek R, Duan R, Batycki JN, Matthews AG, Munoz F, Jelstrom E, Mandler R, Del Rio C. Care Facilitation Advances Movement Along the Hepatitis C Care Continuum for Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis C, and Substance Use: A Randomized Clinical Trial (CTN-0064). Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab334. [PMID: 34377726 PMCID: PMC8339611 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab334] [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] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Direct-acting antivirals can cure hepatitis C virus (HCV). Persons with HCV/HIV and living with substance use are disadvantaged in benefiting from advances in HCV treatment. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, participants with HCV/HIV were randomized between February 2016 and January 2017 to either care facilitation or control. Twelve-month follow-up assessments were completed in January 2018. Care facilitation group participants received motivation and strengths-based case management addressing retrieval of HCV viral load results, engagement in HCV/HIV care, and medication adherence. Control group participants received referral to HCV evaluation and an offer of assistance in making care appointments. Primary outcome was number of steps achieved along a series of 8 clinical steps (eg, receiving HCV results, initiating treatment, sustained virologic response [SVR]) of the HCV/HIV care continuum over 12 months postrandomization. Results Three hundred eighty-one individuals were screened and 113 randomized. Median age was 51 years; 58.4% of participants were male and 72.6% were Black/African American. Median HIV-1 viral load was 27 209 copies/mL, with 69% having a detectable viral load. Mean number of steps completed was statistically significantly higher in the intervention group vs controls (2.44 vs 1.68 steps; χ 2 [1] = 7.36, P = .0067). Men in the intervention group completed a statistically significantly higher number of steps than controls. Eleven participants achieved SVR with no difference by treatment group. Conclusions The care facilitation intervention increased progress along the HCV/HIV care continuum, as observed for men and not women. Study findings also highlight continued challenges to achieve individual-patient SVR and population-level HCV elimination. Clinical Trials Registration NCT02641158.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa R Metsch
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel J Feaster
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Lauren K Gooden
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Carmen Masson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - David C Perlman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Mount Sinai Health System, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mamta K Jain
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Tim Matheson
- Center on Substance Use and Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - C Mindy Nelson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Petra Jacobs
- Center for Clinical Trials Network, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Susan Tross
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Louise Haynes
- College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Gregory M Lucas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Allan Rodriguez
- Infectious Disease, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mari-Lynn Drainoni
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Georgina Osorio
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Mount Sinai Health System, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ank E Nijhawan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Jacobson
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Meg Sullivan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David Metzger
- HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Division, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Pamela Vergara-Rodriguez
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division, John H. Stroger, Jr Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ronald Lubelchek
- Infectious Diseases, John H. Stroger, Jr Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Rui Duan
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jacob N Batycki
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Abigail G Matthews
- Data Statistical Center, The Emmes Company, LLC, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Felipe Munoz
- Data Statistical Center, The Emmes Company, LLC, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Eve Jelstrom
- Clinical Coordinating Center, The Emmes Company, LLC, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Raul Mandler
- Clinical/Medical Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Carlos Del Rio
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Boeke CE, Adesigbin C, Agwuocha C, Anartati A, Aung HT, Aung KS, Grover GS, Ngo D, Okamoto E, Ngwije A, Nsanzimana S, Sindhwani S, Singh G, Sun LP, Kinh NV, Waworuntu W, McClure C. Initial success from a public health approach to hepatitis C testing, treatment and cure in seven countries: the road to elimination. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2020-003767. [PMID: 33328200 PMCID: PMC7745326 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With political will, modest financial investment and effective technical assistance, public sector hepatitis C virus (HCV) programmes can be established in low- and middle-income countries as a first step towards elimination. Seven countries, with support from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and partners, have expanded access to HCV treatment by combining programme simplification with market shaping to reduce commodity prices. CHAI has supported a multipronged approach to HCV programme launch in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Rwanda and Vietnam including pricing negotiations with suppliers, policy development, fast-track registrations of quality-assured generics, financing advocacy and strengthened service delivery. Governments are leading programme implementation, leveraging HIV programme infrastructure/financing and focusing on higher-HCV prevalence populations like people living with HIV, people who inject drugs and prisoners. This manuscript aims to describe programme structure and strategies, highlight current commodity costs and outline testing and treatment volumes across these countries. Across countries, commodity costs have fallen from >US$100 per diagnostic test and US$750-US$900 per 12-week pan-genotypic direct-acting antiviral regimen to as low as US$80 per-cure commodity package, including WHO-prequalified generic drugs (sofosbuvir + daclatasvir). As of December 2019, 5900+ healthcare workers were trained, 2 209 209 patients were screened, and 120 522 patients initiated treatment. The cure (SVR12) rate was >90%, including at lower-tier facilities. Programmes are successfully implementing simplified, decentralised public health approaches. Combined with political will and affordable pricing, these efforts can translate into commitments to achieve global targets. However, to achieve elimination, additional investment in scale-up is required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clement Adesigbin
- National AIDS/STIs Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Khin Sanda Aung
- National Hepatitis Control Program, Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Gagandeep Singh Grover
- Department of Health and Family Welfare, National Viral Hepatitis Control Program, Government of Punjab, Chandigarh, India
| | - Dang Ngo
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Emi Okamoto
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Alida Ngwije
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | | | - Grace Singh
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ly Penh Sun
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology, and Infectious Disease, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | - Wiendra Waworuntu
- Directorate of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Craig McClure
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Valerio H, Alavi M, Law M, McManus H, Tillakeratne S, Bajis S, Martinello M, Matthews GV, Amin J, Janjua NZ, Krajden M, George J, Degenhardt L, Grebely J, Dore GJ. Opportunities to enhance linkage to hepatitis C care among hospitalised people with recent drug dependence in New South Wales, Australia: A population-based linkage study. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:2037-2044. [PMID: 34107022 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs are at greater risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and hospitalisation, yet admissions are not utilised for HCV treatment initiation. We aimed to assess the extent to which people with HCV notification, including those with evidence of recent drug dependence, are hospitalised while eligible for direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, and treatment uptake according to hospitalisation in the DAA era. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal, population-based cohort study of people living with HCV in the DAA era (March 2016-December 2018) through analysis of linked databases in New South Wales, Australia. Kaplan Meier estimates were used to report HCV treatment uptake by frequency, length, and cause-specific hospitalisation. RESULTS Among 57,467 people, 14,938 (26%) had evidence of recent drug dependence, 50% (n=7,506) of whom were hospitalised while DAA eligible. Incidence of selected cause-specific hospitalisation was highest for mental health-related (15.84 per 100 person-years [PY]), drug-related (15.20 per 100PY), and injection-related infectious disease (9.15 per 100PY) hospitalisations, and lowest for alcohol use disorder (4.58 per 100PY) and liver-related (3.13 per 100PY). 65% (n=4,898) of those hospitalised had been admitted >2 times and 46% (n=3,437) were hospitalised >7 days. By the end of 2018, DAA therapy was lowest for those hospitalised >2 times, for >7 days, and those whose first admission was for injection-related infectious disease, mental health disorders, and drug-related complications. CONCLUSIONS Among people who have evidence of recent drug dependence, frequent hospitalisation-particularly mental health, drug, and alcohol admissions-presents an opportunity for engagement in HCV care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maryam Alavi
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew Law
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Sahar Bajis
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Janaki Amin
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Health Systems and Populations, Maquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Naveed Z Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Walker S, Wallace J, Latham N, Saich F, Pedrana A, Hellard M, Treloar C, Marukutira T, Higgs P, Doyle J, Stoové M. "It's time!": A qualitative exploration of the acceptability of hepatitis C notification systems to help eliminate hepatitis C. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 97:103280. [PMID: 34058670 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103280] [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: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Australia, the unrestricted and subsidised availability of direct-acting antivirals for people living with hepatitis C has made the elimination of hepatitis C possible. Recent declining treatment uptake, however, may jeopardise the attainment of this goal. Notification data already exist in many jurisdictions but are presently under-utilised. Despite growing interest in the potential use of data to link people diagnosed with hepatitis C to treatment services, little evidence exists on the acceptability and feasibility of this approach. Our study aimed to address this gap and guide future strategies to enhance treatment uptake. METHODS Twenty-seven people with lived experience of injecting drug use and/or hepatitis C participated in two focus groups exploring views on implementing a system of hepatitis C notification follow-up in Australia, that would direct people to treatment and care. Additionally, qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 key informants to examine the ethical, logistical, and regulatory implications of implementation. Data were thematically analysed using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability - which has been used to assess the acceptability of interventions from the perspectives of intervention deliverers and recipients. RESULTS While there were clear reservations, there was consensus that the potential benefits of using notification data to contact people with hepatitis C, outweigh harms. The method of contact (including by whom and how), whether follow-up should include recent versus historical diagnoses, and if record linkage should be used to enhance follow-up were important considerations. Ethical and logistical concerns were raised about the risk that such an approach could exacerbate stigma and discrimination. CONCLUSION Findings highlight potentially significant benefits of using notifications data to increase access to hepatitis C treatment, a novel approach that can contribute to hepatitis C elimination efforts and prevent hepatitis C-related morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley Walker
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
| | - Jack Wallace
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Ned Latham
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Freya Saich
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Level 2, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, John Goodsell Building, University of New South Wales (NSW), Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Tafireyi Marukutira
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Peter Higgs
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Plenty Rd and Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Level 2, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
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Sato K, Inoue J, Kakazu E, Ninomiya M, Iwata T, Sano A, Tsuruoka M, Masamune A. Reactivation of hepatitis C virus with severe hepatitis flare during steroid administration for interstitial pneumonia. Clin J Gastroenterol 2021; 14:1221-1226. [PMID: 33983567 DOI: 10.1007/s12328-021-01432-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus reactivation (HCVr) was defined previously as an increase in HCV RNA level of ≥ 1 log10 IU/mL from baseline HCV RNA level after chemotherapies or immunosuppressive therapies, but HCVr during a steroid monotherapy has rarely been reported. Here we report a 75-year-old Japanese female with chronic hepatitis C (genotype 2a) who developed HCVr after the administration of prednisolone for interstitial pneumonia. She experienced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare with icterus, but after the tapering of prednisolone and a liver supporting therapy, levels of HCV RNA and ALT were gradually decreased. Then, she received an anti-viral therapy with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir. Although HCV relapsed 4 weeks after the therapy, a second therapy with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir was successful. This case suggests that HCVr with hepatitis flare can occur even after a steroid monotherapy, and we should pay attention to HCVr when we administer prednisolone for patients with HCV chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Sato
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Jun Inoue
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan.
| | - Eiji Kakazu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Masashi Ninomiya
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Iwata
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Akitoshi Sano
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Mio Tsuruoka
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
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An intervention to increase hepatitis C virus diagnosis and treatment uptake among people in custody in Iran. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 95:103269. [PMID: 33991887 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103269] [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: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iran is among countries with high opioid agonist therapy (OAT) coverage in prisons, which provides an infrastructure to increase feasibility of HCV programs. We aimed to evaluate the impact of an intervention to improve HCV screening, diagnosis, and treatment, including alongside the provision of OAT, in an Iranian prison. METHODS During July-December 2018, in the Gorgan prison, all incarcerated adults (>18 years) received HCV antibody rapid testing and, if positive, provided a venepuncture sample for HCV RNA testing. Participants with positive RNA received direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy [(Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir) for 24 or 12 weeks, respectively, for those with and without cirrhosis]. Response to treatment was measured by the sustained virological response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12). RESULTS Among 2015 incarcerated people with a median age of 35 years (IQR:29-41), the majority were male (97%), had not finished high school (68%), and had a history of drug use (71%), of whom 15% had ever injected drugs. A third of participants were receiving OAT, including 54% of those who had ever injected. HCV antibody prevalence was 6.7%, and RNA was detected in 4.6% of all participants; this prevalence was 32.6% and 24.7% among those with a history of injection, respectively. Treatment uptake was 82% (75/92) and was similar among people on OAT and those with a history of injection (81%). The majority completed treatment in prison and were available for SVR12 assessment (71%, 53/75). Achieved SVR12 was 100% (53/53) based on the available case analysis; those who did not have available SVR12 were released either prior to treatment initiation or completion (n = 39). CONCLUSION The availability of OAT infrastructure should be considered as an opportunity for enhancing HCV care in prisons. Where resources are limited, the prison harm reduction network could be used to design targeted HCV programs among people who are at higher risk of infection.
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Buggisch P, Heiken H, Mauss S, Weber B, Jung MC, Görne H, Heyne R, Hinrichsen H, Hidde D, König B, Pires dos Santos AG, Niederau C, Berg T. Barriers to initiation of hepatitis C virus therapy in Germany: A retrospective, case-controlled study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250833. [PMID: 33970940 PMCID: PMC8109809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of highly effective and well-tolerated direct-acting antivirals, not all patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection receive treatment. This retrospective, multi-centre, noninterventional, case-control study identified patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection initiating (control) or not initiating (case) treatment at 43 sites in Germany from September 2017 to June 2018. It aimed to compare characteristics of the two patient populations and to identify factors involved in patient/physician decision to initiate/not initiate chronic hepatitis C virus treatment, with a particular focus on historical barriers. Overall, 793 patients were identified: 573 (72%) who received treatment and 220 (28%) who did not. In 42% of patients, the reason for not initiating treatment was patient wish, particularly due to fear of treatment (17%) or adverse events (13%). Other frequently observed reasons for not initiating treatment were in accordance with known historical barriers for physicians to initiate therapy, including perceived or expected lack of compliance (14.5%), high patient age (10.9%), comorbidities (15.0%), alcohol abuse (9.1%), hard drug use (7.7%), and opioid substitution therapy (4.5%). Patient wish against therapy was also a frequently reported reason for not initiating treatment in the postponed (35.2%) and not planned (47.0%) subgroups; of note, known historical factors were also common reasons for postponing treatment. Real-world and clinical trial evidence is accumulating, which suggests that such historical barriers do not negatively impact treatment effectiveness. Improved education is key to facilitate progress towards the World Health Organization target of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Buggisch
- ifi-Institute for Interdisciplinary Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Mauss
- Center for HIV and Hepatogastroenterology, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bernd Weber
- Praxiszentrum Friedrichsplatz / Competence Center Addiction, Kassel, Germany
| | | | - Herbert Görne
- MediZentrum Hamburg, Praxis für Suchtmedizin, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Dennis Hidde
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Bettina König
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | | | - Claus Niederau
- Katholisches Klinikum Oberhausen, St. Josef-Hospital, Klinik für Innere Medizin, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Universität Duisburg-Essen, Oberhausen, Germany
| | - Thomas Berg
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Predictors of progression through the cascade of care to a cure for hepatitis C patients using decision trees and random forests. Comput Biol Med 2021; 134:104461. [PMID: 33975209 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study uses machine learning techniques to identify sociodemographic and clinical predictors of progression through the hepatitis C (HCV) cascade of care for patients in the 1945-1965 birth cohort in the Southern United States. METHODS We compared sociodemographic and clinical variables between groups of patients for three care outcomes: linkage to care, initiation of antiviral treatment, and virologic cure. A decision tree model and random forest model were built for each outcome. RESULTS Patients were primarily male, African American/Black or Caucasian/White, non-Hispanic or Latino, and insured. The average age at first HCV screening was 60 years old, and common medical diagnoses included chronic kidney disease, fibrosis and/or cirrhosis, transplanted liver, diabetes mellitus, and liver cell carcinoma. Variables used in predicting linkage to care included age at first HCV screening, insurance at first HCV screening, race, fibrosis and/or cirrhosis, other liver disease, ascites, and transplanted liver. Variables used in predicting initiation of antiviral treatment included insurance at first HCV screening, gender, other liver cancer, steatosis, and liver cell carcinoma. Variables used in predicting virologic cure included insurance at first HCV screening, transplanted liver, and ethnicity. CONCLUSION These patients have a high hepatic health burden, likely reflecting complications of untreated HCV and highlighting the urgency to cure HCV in this birth cohort. We found differences in HCV care outcomes based on sociodemographic and clinical variables. More work is needed to understand the mechanisms of these differences in care outcomes and to improve HCV care.
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Ledezma-Morales M, Amariles P, Salazar-Ospina A, Duque-Zapata N, Gómez Cárdenas J, Vargas-Peláez CM, Rossi FA. Effect of strategic purchasing of antiviral drugs and the clinical pathway for the treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in Colombia (hepC-STRATEGY): study protocol for a quasi-experimental study. JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jphsr/rmaa032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
Describe a study protocol to establish the effect of DAA's strategic purchase and the clinical pathway in the clinical outcomes, general costs, and quality of healthcare of patients with CHC in Colombia.
Methods
A quasi-experimental study will be carried out to compare clinical outcomes (treatment effectiveness), healthcare quality (access to treatment, time to treatment, patient's satisfaction and barriers/facilitators perceived) and direct costs before/after the implementation of the mentioned strategies. Patients ≥18 years old initiating DAA treatment between January 2015 and December 2019 in an outpatient pharmacist-led center in Colombia will be included. In order to reduce selection bias, the propensity score method will be used. In the bivariate analysis, χ 2 tests and t student will be used to analyse the study outcomes. A regression analysis will be used to explain the association of multiple variables with access to treatment, time to treatment and effectiveness. Descriptive statistics will be used to analyse the patient's satisfaction and barriers/facilitators perceived.
Key findings
Implementing local government policies is necessary to improve access to medicines and decrease disease burden. The strategies adopted by the Colombian Ministry of Health to manage CHC needs to be evaluated. Therefore, studies are required to establish their effects on clinical outcomes, overall costs, and quality of care.
Conclusions
This study will provide evidence on the effect of Colombian strategies to address the problem of HCC. It will provide information to policymakers in low- and middle-income countries that could reduce disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Ledezma-Morales
- Universidad de Antioquia, Grupo Promoción y Prevención Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Pedro Amariles
- Universidad de Antioquia, Grupo Promoción y Prevención Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Andrea Salazar-Ospina
- Universidad de Antioquia, Grupo Promoción y Prevención Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Medellín, Colombia
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Mahale P, Shiels MS, Lynch CF, Chinnakotla S, Wong LL, Hernandez BY, Pawlish KS, Li J, Alverson G, Schymura MJ, Engels EA. The Impact of Liver Transplantation on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mortality in the United States. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021; 30:513-520. [PMID: 33199438 PMCID: PMC8052263 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-20-1188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) carries a poor prognosis. Liver transplantation (LT) is potentially curative for localized HCC. We evaluated the impact of LT on U.S. general population HCC-specific mortality rates. METHODS The Transplant Cancer Match Study links the U.S. transplant registry with 17 cancer registries. We calculated age-standardized incidence (1987-2017) and incidence-based mortality (IBM) rates (1991-2017) for adult HCCs. We partitioned population-level IBM rates by cancer stage and calculated counterfactual IBM rates assuming transplanted cases had not received a transplant. RESULTS Among 129,487 HCC cases, 45.9% had localized cancer. HCC incidence increased on average 4.0% annually [95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.6-4.5]. IBM also increased for HCC overall (2.9% annually; 95% CI = 1.7-4.2) and specifically for localized stage HCC (4.8% annually; 95% CI = 4.0-5.5). The proportion of HCC-related transplants jumped sharply from 6.7% (2001) to 18.0% (2002), and further increased to 40.0% (2017). HCC-specific mortality declined among both nontransplanted and transplanted cases over time. In the absence of transplants, IBM for localized HCC would have increased at 5.3% instead of 4.8% annually. CONCLUSIONS LT has provided survival benefit to patients with localized HCC. However, diagnosis of many cases at advanced stages, limited availability of donor livers, and improved mortality for patients without transplants have limited the impact of transplantation on general population HCC-specific mortality rates. IMPACT Although LT rates continue to rise, better screening and treatment modalities are needed to halt the rising HCC mortality rates in the United States.See related commentary by Zhang and Thrift, p. 435.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parag Mahale
- Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland.
| | - Meredith S Shiels
- Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland.
| | - Charles F Lynch
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | - Linda L Wong
- University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Brenda Y Hernandez
- Population Sciences in the Pacific Program, University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Karen S Pawlish
- Cancer Epidemiology Services, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Jie Li
- Cancer Epidemiology Services, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Georgetta Alverson
- Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, Michigan
| | - Maria J Schymura
- Bureau of Cancer Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York
| | - Eric A Engels
- Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
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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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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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Geddes L, Iversen J, Wand H, Esmaeili A, Tsui J, Hellard M, Dore G, Grebely J, Dietze P, Bruneau J, Prins M, Morris MD, Shoukry NH, Lloyd AR, Kim AY, Lauer G, Cox AL, Page K, Maher L. Sex Discrepancies in the Protective Effect of Opioid Agonist Therapy on Incident Hepatitis C Infection. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 70:123-131. [PMID: 30816419 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While opioid agonist therapy (OAT) reduces the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) acquisition among people who inject drugs (PWID), protective effects may be attenuated in females. We used pooled data from an international collaboration of prospective cohorts to assess sex disparities in HCV incidence among PWID exposed to OAT. METHODS Independent predictors of HCV infection were identified using Cox regression models with random effects after accounting for the clustering effect of study sites. Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are presented in sex-specific analyses. RESULTS Among 701 participants exposed to OAT, HCV incidence was 16.5/100 person-years of observation (PYO) (95% CI, 13.1-20.7) in females and 7.6/100 PYO (95% CI, 6.0-9.5) in males (female:male adjusted HR [aHR], 1.80 [95% CI, 1.37-2.22]; P < .001). Factors associated with HCV acquisition among females exposed to OAT included nonwhite race (aHR, 1.79 [95% CI, 1.25-2.56]; P = .001), unstable housing (aHR, 4.00 [95% CI, 3.62-4.41]; P < .001), daily or more frequent injection (aHR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.01-2.08]; P = .042), and receptive syringe sharing (aHR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.33-1.53]; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Female PWID exposed to OAT are twice as likely as their male counterparts to acquire HCV. While there is a need for better understanding of sex differences in immune function and opioid pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, structural and behavioral interventions that target women are required to bolster the efficacy of OAT in preventing HCV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Geddes
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Jenny Iversen
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Handan Wand
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Aryan Esmaeili
- Clinical Research Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Judith Tsui
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
| | | | - Gregory Dore
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul Dietze
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Le Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maria Prins
- Cluster Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, The Netherlands
| | | | - Naglaa H Shoukry
- Le Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Georg Lauer
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea L Cox
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kimberly Page
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque
| | - Lisa Maher
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
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Fuchs M, Monto A, Bräu N, Charafeddine M, Schmidt W, Kozal M, Naggie S, Cheung R, Schnell G, Yu Y, Richards K, Mullally V, Cohen DE, Toro D. Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir±ribavirin for chronic HCV infection in US veterans with psychiatric disorders. J Med Virol 2020; 92:3459-3464. [PMID: 31829433 PMCID: PMC7687116 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are more common among US veterans receiving care through Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers than among the general population. Historically, HCV therapies had lower efficacy rates in VA patients, possibly due to common comorbidities such as psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. The direct-acting antivirals ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir (OBV/PTV/r+DSV)±ribavirin (RBV) are approved in the US for HCV genotype 1 (GT1)-infected adults with or without cirrhosis. This study prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of OBV/PTV/r+DSV±RBV in VA patients with HCV GT1 infection. TOPAZ-VA was a phase 3b, open-label trial. Adult US veterans with HCV GT1 infection, without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis, were eligible for enrollment. Patients with GT1a infection received OBV/PTV/r +DSV+RBV for 12 weeks or 24 weeks (for those with cirrhosis); GT1b-infected patients without cirrhosis received OBV/PTV/r +DSV for 12 weeks; those with cirrhosis received OBV/PTV/r +DSV with RBV. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response at posttreatment week 12 (SVR12); safety was also assessed. Ninety-nine patients were enrolled at 10 sites from May through November 2015. The majority were male (96%), white (60%), and with GT1a infection (68%); 49% reported ongoing psychiatric disorders. Overall, 94% (93/99) achieved SVR12; three patients had a virologic failure. The most common AEs were fatigue (28%), headache (20%), and nausea (15%); six patients discontinued treatment due to AEs. In US veterans with HCV GT1 infection, OBV/PTV/r +DSV±RBV yielded a 94% overall SVR12 rate and was well tolerated. The presence of psychiatric disorders and/or injection drug use did not impact efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fuchs
- Hepatology Section, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical CenterVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginia
| | - Alexander Monto
- Department of GastroenterologySan Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCalifornia
| | - Norbert Bräu
- Viral Hepatitis ProgramJames J Peters VA Medical CenterNew York CityNew York
| | | | - Warren Schmidt
- Department of Internal MedicineIowa City VA Healthcare SystemIowa CityIowa
| | - Michael Kozal
- Department of Internal Medicine, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Yale School of MedicineYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticut
| | - Susanna Naggie
- Department of MedicineDurham VA Medical CenterDurhamNorth Carolina
| | - Ramsey Cheung
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyVA Palo Alto Healthcare SystemPalo AltoCalifornia
| | | | - Yao Yu
- AbbVie IncNorth ChicagoIllinois
| | | | | | | | - Doris Toro
- Gastroenterology SectionVA Caribbean Healthcare SystemSan JuanPuerto Rico
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Margusino-Framiñán L, Bobadilla-Pérez E, Cid-Silva P, Rodríguez-Sotelo A, Yáñez-Rubal JC, Mena-de-Cea Á, Suárez-López F, Prieto-Pérez A, Giménez-Arufe V, Delgado-Blanco M, Sanclaudio-Luhia AI, Martín-Herranz I, Castro-Iglesias Á. Effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antivirals in hepatitis C infected patients with mental disorders: Results in real clinical practice. J Med Virol 2020; 92:3488-3498. [PMID: 32181917 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in psychiatric patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Secondary objectives included adherence and drug-drug interaction (DDIs) evaluations. Prospective observational comparative study carried out during 3 years. Psychiatric patients were included and mental illness classified by a psychiatric team based on clinical records. Main effectiveness and safety variables were sustained virologic response (SVR) at posttreatment week 12 (SVR12) and rate of on-treatment serious drug-related adverse events (AEs), respectively. A total of 242 psychiatric and 900 nonpsychiatric patients were included. SVR12 by intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis of psychiatric vs nonpsychiatric patients was 92.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.1-96.1) vs 96.2% (95% CI, 94.9-97.5) (P = .02). SVR12 by modified-ITT analysis was 97.8% (95% CI, 95.0-99.3) vs 98.4% (95% CI, 97.5-99.3) (P = .74). 92.2% of psychiatric patients with mental disorders secondary to multiple drug use (MDSDU) and 93.0% of psychiatric patients without MDSDU vs 96.2% of nonpsychiatric patients reached SVR12 (P = .05 and P = .20, respectively). The percentage of adherent patients to DAAs did not show differences between cohorts (P = .08). 30.2% of psychiatric patients and 27.6% of nonpsychiatric patients presented clinically relevant DDIs (P = .47). 1.7% vs 0.8% of psychiatric vs nonpsychiatric patients developed serious AEs (P = .39); no serious psychiatric AEs were present. DAAs have shown a slightly lower effectiveness in psychiatric patients with CHC, as a result of loss of follow up, which justifies the need for integrated and multidisciplinary health care teams. DAAs safety, adherence, and DDIs, however, are similar to that of nonpsychiatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Margusino-Framiñán
- Pharmacy Service, Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
- Division of Clinical Virology, Biomedical Research Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC), Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, SERGAS, University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | | | - Purificación Cid-Silva
- Pharmacy Service, Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
- Division of Clinical Virology, Biomedical Research Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC), Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, SERGAS, University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | | | | | - Álvaro Mena-de-Cea
- Division of Clinical Virology, Biomedical Research Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC), Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, SERGAS, University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Francisco Suárez-López
- Hepatology Unit, Digestive System Service, Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | | | | | - Manuel Delgado-Blanco
- Division of Clinical Virology, Biomedical Research Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC), Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, SERGAS, University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Hepatology Unit, Digestive System Service, Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | | | | | - Ángeles Castro-Iglesias
- Division of Clinical Virology, Biomedical Research Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC), Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, SERGAS, University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Universitary Hospital of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
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Papic N, Radmanic L, Dusek D, Kurelac I, Zidovec Lepej S, Vince A. Trends of Late Presentation to Care in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C during a 10-Year Period in Croatia. Infect Dis Rep 2020; 12:74-81. [PMID: 33187150 PMCID: PMC7768519 DOI: 10.3390/idr12030016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Late presentation to care is the major obstacle to receiving treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Our aim was to analyze the prevalence and trends of late presenters (LP) at first consultations in Croatia during a 10-year period. This retrospective cross-sectional study included all adult CHC patients (n = 854) entering specialist medical care at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases Zagreb between 2009 and 2018. LP was defined as liver stiffness measurement ≥ 9.5 kPa or biopsy METAVIR F ≥ 3. During the study period, mean patients' age increased from 37 to 52 years while HCV genotype distribution changed leading to the replacement of genotype 1b with 1a (g1b 32% to 21%; g1a 19% to 38%). A total of 320 (37.4%) were LP; they were older (47.5, IQR 40.5-57.6), and more commonly infected with g1b (34.1%) and g3 (42.5%). The prevalence of LP significantly increased from 31.9% in 2009 to 46.5% in 2018. Late presentation for care of CHC is increasing in Croatia suggesting a gap of diagnosing strategies in patients over 50 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neven Papic
- Department of Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.P.); (D.D.); (I.K.); (A.V.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Leona Radmanic
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mirogojska 8, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Davorka Dusek
- Department of Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.P.); (D.D.); (I.K.); (A.V.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Kurelac
- Department of Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.P.); (D.D.); (I.K.); (A.V.)
| | - Snjezana Zidovec Lepej
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mirogojska 8, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Adriana Vince
- Department of Viral Hepatitis, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (N.P.); (D.D.); (I.K.); (A.V.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Sherbuk JE, Tabackman A, McManus KA, Kemp Knick T, Schexnayder J, Flickinger TE, Dillingham R. A qualitative study of perceived barriers to hepatitis C care among people who did not attend appointments in the non-urban US South. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:64. [PMID: 32948189 PMCID: PMC7501689 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00409-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most people diagnosed with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have not linked to care, despite the availability of safe and effective treatment. We aimed to understand why people diagnosed with HCV have not pursued care in the non-urban Southern United States. METHODS We conducted a survey and semi-structured interview with participants referred to an HCV clinic who did not attend an appointment between 2014 and 2018. Our clinic is located in a non-urban region of Virginia at a university hospital. Qualitative data collection was guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM). Data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify key factors influencing patient perceptions regarding HCV and pursuit of care. RESULTS Over half of previously referred patients (N = 200) could not be reached by phone. Eleven participants enrolled, including 7 men and 4 women. Based on survey responses, unreliable transportation, unstable housing, substance use, and lack of insurance were common. Participants demonstrated good knowledge of HCV disease, complications, and treatment. On qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews, final themes emerged from within and between HBM constructs. Emerging themes influencing patient perceptions included (1) structural barriers, (2) stigma, (3) prior experiences of HCV disease and treatment, (4) discordance between the recognized severity of HCV and expected impacts on one's own health, and (5) patient-provider relationship. Substance use was not identified to be a barrier to care. CONCLUSIONS Participants perceived individual and structural barriers to linking to care. A strong HCV knowledge base was not sufficient to motivate pursuit of care. Efforts to improve linkage to care must address barriers at multiple levels, and system-level changes are needed. As the majority of previously referred patients could not be contacted by phone, current approaches to patient engagement are not effective for reaching these populations. Expansion of HCV care to primary care settings with an established patient-provider relationship or co-located treatment within substance use treatment programs may serve to increase access to HCV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E Sherbuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Alexa Tabackman
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kathleen A McManus
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Terry Kemp Knick
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Julie Schexnayder
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Tabor E Flickinger
- Division of General, Geriatric, Palliative, and Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Rebecca Dillingham
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Barriers to the Treatment of Hepatitis C among Predominantly African American Patients Seeking Care in an Urban Teaching Hospital in Washington, D.C. J Natl Med Assoc 2020; 113:147-157. [PMID: 32868101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnma.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, it is estimated that 2.4 million people are currently infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). In order to address HCV infection management in the U.S., several government entities collaborated to develop and release a multistep plan for the prevention, care, and treatment of viral hepatitis. Optimal health outcomes from the plan are contingent upon addressing each of the several steps in the HCV care cascade. Among the critical challenging steps is linkage to care and access to treatment. Of the nearly three million people in the U.S. infected with HCV, only 43% have been linked to care, 16% have received treatment, and 9% have had their infection resolved. OBJECTIVE This retrospective study aims to identify predictors within the HCV treatment cascade that contribute to failures in care of HCV-infected patients in an urban hospital setting located in the District of Columbia. SETTING The outpatient clinics of a tertiary-care urban teaching hospital. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted using electronic medical records of persons 18 years and older who were HCV antibody positive and had at least one visit at any of the outpatient clinics from August 1, 2015 to August 1, 2016. Descriptive analysis of HCV positive persons was conducted, and predictors of HCV treatment were assessed. RESULTS A total of 252 patients were included in the study. Overall, patients were predominantly male (63.1%), African American (97.6%), under the age of 65 (71.4%), covered by public insurance (89.3%), and were diagnosed with HCV after the year 2001 (53.2%). Additionally, majority of patients had not been treated for their HCV infection (58%). Multiple barriers resulted in HCV infected patients not obtaining access to treatment. Fibrosis stage (p < 0.001) and prior insurance denial (p < 0.05) were significant predictors of HCV treatment. Age, gender, insurance type, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, and year of HCV diagnosis were not associated with limited access of HCV treatment. CONCLUSION HCV infections remain a major public health concern among patients in the District of Columbia. This study identified fibrosis stage and prior insurance denial as primary barriers to access of HCV treatment. While there are many points in the hepatitis cascade of care in which patients can lose access to or fail treatment completion, the primary point of intervention in our patient population appears to be during the initiation of treatment and insurance prior authorization process.
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Irvin R, Chander G, Ward KM, Manogue S, Falade-Nwulia O, Moon J, Sutcliffe CG, Brinkley S, Haselhuhn T, Katz S, Herne K, Arteaga L, Thomas DL, Mehta SH, Sulkowski MS. Unreported alcohol use was common but did not impact hepatitis C cure in HIV-infected persons who use drugs. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:476-483. [PMID: 31854069 PMCID: PMC7890377 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the prevalence and impact of heavy alcohol use on the hepatitis C virus (HCV) care continuum amongst HIV/HCV co-infected persons who use drugs. In the CHAMPS study, 144 HIV/HCV co-infected persons were randomized to contingent cash incentives, peer mentors and usual care to evaluate the impact on HCV care. Alcohol use was ascertained using the 10-item AUDIT (hazardous: male ≥8, female ≥4) and phosphatidylethanol (PEth) (heavy: ≥50 ng/mL), an alcohol biomarker. Log binomial regression was used to evaluate the association between heavy alcohol use and failure to initiate treatment and to achieve sustained virologic response (SVR). Of the 135 participants with PEth data, median age was 55 years, 59% were male, 92% were Black, 91% reported a history of drug use, and 97% were on antiretroviral therapy. Hazardous drinking was reported on AUDIT by 28% of participants, and 35% had heavy alcohol use by PEth. Of the 47 individuals with a PEth ≥50 ng/mL, 23 (49%) reported no or minimal alcohol use by AUDIT. HCV treatment was initiated in 103 of 135 participants, and SVR was achieved in 92%. PEth ≥50 ng/mL (Relative Risk [RR] 0.72, 95% CI 0.35-1.48) was not significantly associated with failure to initiate HCV treatment or failure to achieve SVR (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.46-1.57).In conclusion, alcohol use was common and frequently not detected by self-report. However, heavy alcohol use, even when measured objectively, was not associated with failure to initiate HCV treatment or to achieve cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risha Irvin
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Geetanjali Chander
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kathleen M. Ward
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sean Manogue
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Juhi Moon
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Catherine G. Sutcliffe
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sherilyn Brinkley
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Taryn Haselhuhn
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Stephanie Katz
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kayla Herne
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lilian Arteaga
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David L. Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mark S. Sulkowski
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Starbird LE, Budhathoki C, Han HR, Sulkowski MS, Reynolds NR, Farley JE. Nurse case management to improve the hepatitis C care continuum in HIV co-infection: Results of a randomized controlled trial. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:376-386. [PMID: 31750598 PMCID: PMC7080578 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) is at hand, but challenges remain that negatively influence progress through the care continuum, particularly for persons co-infected with HIV who are not well engaged in care. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test the effect of nurse case management (NCM) on the HCV continuum among adults co-infected with HIV compared to usual care (UC). Primary outcomes included linkage to HCV care (attendance at an HCV practice appointment within 60 days) and time to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) initiation (censored at 6 months). Sixty-eight participants were enrolled (NCM n = 35; UC n = 33). Participants were 81% Black/African American, 85% received Medicaid, 46% reported illicit drug use, 41% alcohol use, and 43% had an undetectable HIV viral load. At day 60, 47% of NCM participants linked to HCV care compared to 25% of UC participants (P = .031; 95% confidence bound for difference, 3.2%-40.9%). Few participants initiated DAAs (12% NCM; 25% UC). There was no significant difference in mean time to treatment initiation (NCM = 86 days; UC = 110 days; P = .192). Engagement in HCV care across the continuum was associated with drinking alcohol, knowing someone who cured HCV and having a higher CD4 cell count (P < .05). Our results support provision of NCM as a successful strategy to link persons co-infected with HIV to HCV care, but interventions should persist beyond linkage to care. Capitalizing on social networks, treatment pathways for patients who drink alcohol, and integrated substance use services may help improve the HCV care continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Starbird
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA,Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Hae-Ra Han
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Jason E. Farley
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Morgan TR. Hepatitis C Guidance 2019 Update: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases-Infectious Diseases Society of America Recommendations for Testing, Managing, and Treating Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Hepatology 2020; 71:686-721. [PMID: 31816111 PMCID: PMC9710295 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 462] [Impact Index Per Article: 115.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Timothy R. Morgan
- Chief of Hepatology Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System Long Beach CA
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Blackwell JA, Rodgers JB, Franco RA, Cofield SS, Walter LA, Galbraith JW, Hess EP. Predictors of linkage to care for a nontargeted emergency department hepatitis C screening program. Am J Emerg Med 2019; 38:1396-1401. [PMID: 31836342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2019.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We implemented a nontargeted, opt-out HCV testing and linkage to care (LTC) program in an academic tertiary care emergency department (ED). Despite research showing the critical role of ED-based HCV testing programs, predictors of LTC have not been defined for patients identified through the nontargeted ED testing strategy. In order to optimize health outcomes for patients with HCV, we sought to identify predictors of LTC failure. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who were tested for HCV in the ED between August 2015 and September 2018 and were confirmed to have chronic HCV infection through RNA testing. We used logistic regression to assess the relationship between candidate predictors and the primary outcome, LTC failure, which was defined as a patient not being seen by an HCV treating provider after discharge from the ED. RESULTS Of 53,297 patients tested, 1,674 (3.1%) had HCV on confirmatory testing, and 355 (21%) linked to care. Predictors of LTC failure included younger age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95-0.97), white race (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.23-2.22), homelessness (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.19-3.08), substance use (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.34-2.34), and comorbid psychiatric illness (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.59-2.94). Patients with significant medical comorbidities (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.41-0.78) or HIV co-infection (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.03-0.46) were less likely to experience LTC failure. CONCLUSIONS One in five HCV-infected patients identified by ED-based nontargeted testing successfully linked to an HCV treating provider. Predictors of LTC failure may guide the development of targeted interventions to improve LTC success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Blackwell
- University of Alabama School of Medicine, 1670 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; UAB School of Public Health, 1665 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
| | - Joel B Rodgers
- Department of Emergency Medicine, UAB School of Medicine, Old Hillman Building #251, 619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL 35249, USA
| | - Ricardo A Franco
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, UAB School of Medicine, 1900 University Boulevard, THT 229, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Stacey S Cofield
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Blvd #327, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Lauren A Walter
- University of Alabama School of Medicine, 1670 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, UAB School of Medicine, Old Hillman Building #251, 619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL 35249, USA
| | - James W Galbraith
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Erik P Hess
- University of Alabama School of Medicine, 1670 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, UAB School of Medicine, Old Hillman Building #251, 619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL 35249, USA
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Sherbuk JE, McManus KA, Kemp Knick T, Canan CE, Flickinger T, Dillingham R. Disparities in Hepatitis C Linkage to Care in the Direct Acting Antiviral Era: Findings From a Referral Clinic With an Embedded Nurse Navigator Model. Front Public Health 2019; 7:362. [PMID: 31828056 PMCID: PMC6890553 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have simplified and expanded access to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. Only 17% of the 2.4 million Americans with HCV have linked to HCV care. We aimed to evaluate linkage to care (LTC) in a non-urban HCV referral clinic with a nurse navigator model and identify disparities in LTC. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort analysis was performed among all patients referred to an infectious diseases HCV clinic between 2014 and 2018. The primary outcome was LTC, defined as attendance at a clinic appointment. A multivariable Poisson regression model estimated the association of variables with LTC. Results: Among 824 referred patients, 624 (76%) successfully linked to care and 369 (45%) successfully achieved sustained virologic response. Forty-six percent of those referred were uninsured. On multivariable analysis, LTC rates were higher among women (Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR] 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.20, p-value = 0.01) and people with cirrhosis (IRR 1.20, 95% CI 1.11-1.30, p-value < 0.001). Lower LTC rates were found for young people (<40 years; IRR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79-0.98, p-value = 0.02) and uninsured people (IRR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77-0.94, p-value = 0.002). Among those without LTC, 10% were incarcerated. Race, proximity to care, substance use, and HIV status were not associated with LTC. Conclusions: Using an embedded nurse navigator model, high LTC rates were achieved despite the prevalence of barriers, including a high uninsured rate. Disparities in LTC based on age, sex, and insurance status are present. Substance use was not associated with LTC. Future interventions to improve care should include expanded access to insurance and programs bridging care for incarcerated populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E Sherbuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Kathleen A McManus
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Terry Kemp Knick
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Chelsea E Canan
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Tabor Flickinger
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Rebecca Dillingham
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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Garvey CM, Jones R. The role of stigma and trauma in hepatitis C virus treatment in veterans: Applying the common-sense model. Public Health Nurs 2019; 36:829-835. [PMID: 31583773 DOI: 10.1111/phn.12665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), a blood borne pathogen capable of causing severe liver disease, disproportionately affects veterans in the United States. While there are antiviral medications to treat HCV, stigma and trauma in this population may lead to avoidance of care. Those veterans who do undergo treatment have certain illness representations about HCV and its treatment. They undergo treatment even while facing stigma and trauma. The Common-Sense Model may be useful in elucidating how such representations, when matched to an appropriate illness prototype, may inform an action plan of how to respond to HCV. An exploration of the illness representations among veterans with HCV, and the effects of stigma and trauma on these representations, may help to explain how they exercise the choice to undergo treatment and may inform interventions to encourage treatment in veterans who have yet to do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey M Garvey
- School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rachel Jones
- School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
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49
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Irvin R, Chander G, Falade-Nwulia O, Astemborski J, Starbird L, Kirk GD, Sulkowski MS, Thomas DL, Mehta SH. Overlapping epidemics of alcohol and illicit drug use among HCV-infected persons who inject drugs. Addict Behav 2019; 96:56-61. [PMID: 31035079 PMCID: PMC6718047 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use in people who inject drugs (PWID) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection accelerates liver disease progression. This paper describes the prevalence and associated correlates of alcohol use among HCV antibody positive PWID. METHODS In a large cohort of HCV antibody positive PWID (N = 1623) followed from 2005 to 2013, we characterized alcohol use using the AUDIT-C. We used multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimated equations to examine socio-demographic, clinical, and substance use correlates of alcohol use. RESULTS At their initial visit, 41% reported no, 21% reported moderate, and 38% reported heavy alcohol use. The odds of moderate and heavy alcohol use increased with greater intensity of substance use represented by a composite summary variable which ranged from 0 to 3 substances (street-acquired prescription drugs, non-injection cocaine/heroin, and injection drugs) used. Compared to those who used no drugs, those who used 3 substances had 3.71 odds (95% CI: 3.07-4.48) of moderate alcohol use and 3.65 odds (95% CI: 3.20-4.16) of heavy alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of moderate/heavy alcohol use is high among HCV antibody positive PWID and occurs frequently in combination with other drug use. This may contribute to progressive liver fibrosis thus limiting the gains achieved from HCV cure. Public health interventions need to address the overlapping epidemics of HCV, alcohol use, and other substance use in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risha Irvin
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| | - Geetanjali Chander
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jacquie Astemborski
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Laura Starbird
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Gregory D Kirk
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mark S Sulkowski
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David L Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shruti H Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Back D, Belperio P, Bondin M, Negro F, Talal AH, Park C, Zhang Z, Pinsky B, Crown E, Mensa FJ, Marra F. Efficacy and safety of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic HCV infection and psychiatric disorders: An integrated analysis. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:951-960. [PMID: 30977945 PMCID: PMC6852431 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Although direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are highly efficacious and safe, treatment initiation is often limited in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders due to concerns over reduced treatment adherence and drug-drug interactions. Here, we report adherence, efficacy, safety and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from an integrated analysis of registrational studies using the pangenotypic DAA regimen of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (G/P). Patients with chronic HCV genotypes 1-6 infection with compensated liver disease (with or without cirrhosis) receiving G/P for 8, 12 or 16 weeks were included in this analysis. Patients were classified as having a psychiatric disorder based on medical history and/or co-medications. Primary analyses assessed treatment adherence, efficacy (sustained virologic response at post-treatment week 12; SVR12), safety and PROs. Among 2522 patients receiving G/P, 789 (31%) had a psychiatric disorder with the most common diagnoses being depression (64%; 506/789) and anxiety disorders (27%; 216/789). Treatment adherence was comparably high (>95%) in patients with and without psychiatric disorders. SVR12 rates were 97.3% (768/789; 95% CI = 96.2-98.5) and 97.5% (1689/1733; 95% CI = 96.7-98.2) in patients with and without psychiatric disorders, respectively. Among patients with psychiatric disorders, SVR12 rates remained >96% by individual psychiatric diagnoses and co-medication classes. Overall, most adverse events (AEs) were mild-to-moderate in severity with serious AEs and AEs leading to G/P discontinuation occurring at similarly low rates in both patient populations. In conclusion, G/P treatment was highly efficacious, well-tolerated and demonstrated high adherence rates in patients with chronic HCV infection and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pamela Belperio
- U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsVA Palo Alto Healthcare SystemPalo AltoCalifornia
| | | | | | - Andrew H. Talal
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical SciencesUniversity of BuffaloBuffaloNew York
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