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Kouroumalis E, Voumvouraki A. Hepatitis C virus: A critical approach to who really needs treatment. World J Hepatol 2022; 14:1-44. [PMID: 35126838 PMCID: PMC8790391 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction of effective drugs in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global eradication target by 2030. Propositions have been made to screen the general population and treat all HCV carriers irrespective of the disease status. A year ago the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus appeared causing a worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 disease. Huge financial resources were redirected, and the pandemic became the first priority in every country. In this review, we examined the feasibility of the World Health Organization elimination program and the actual natural course of HCV infection. We also identified and analyzed certain comorbidity factors that may aggravate the progress of HCV and some marginalized subpopulations with characteristics favoring HCV dissemination. Alcohol consumption, HIV coinfection and the presence of components of metabolic syndrome including obesity, hyperuricemia and overt diabetes were comorbidities mostly responsible for increased liver-related morbidity and mortality of HCV. We also examined the significance of special subpopulations like people who inject drugs and males having sex with males. Finally, we proposed a different micro-elimination screening and treatment program that can be implemented in all countries irrespective of income. We suggest that screening and treatment of HCV carriers should be limited only in these particular groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Kouroumalis
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion 71500, Crete, Greece
| | - Argyro Voumvouraki
- First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki 54621, Greece
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2
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Sperle I, Steffen G, Leendertz SA, Sarma N, Beermann S, Thamm R, Simeonova Y, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Bremer V, Zimmermann R, Dudareva S. Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C, and D in Germany: Results From a Scoping Review. Front Public Health 2020; 8:424. [PMID: 33014960 PMCID: PMC7493659 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: One of the five strategic directions in the World Health Organization global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-2021 is to generate strong strategic information for focused action to understand the viral hepatitis epidemic and focus the response. Knowledge of national prevalence is a cornerstone of strategic information. Germany is considered to be a low prevalence country for viral hepatitis B, C, and D, however the prevalence is likely to be higher among at-risk groups. Methods: The aim of this work was to give a detailed overview of the prevalence of viral hepatitis B (HBsAg, anti-HBc), C (anti-HCV, HCV RNA), and D (anti-HDV, HDV RNA) in different population groups in Germany. Therefore, we analyzed the results of a comprehensive literature search on various aspects of the epidemiological situation of hepatitis B, C, and D in Germany. Eligible publications including information on hepatitis B, C, and D prevalence were extracted from the overall spreadsheet table and summarized and analyzed based on virus and different population groups. A quality appraisal was performed using a checklist developed by Hoy et al. to assess risk of bias in prevalence studies. Results: Overall, 51 publications were identified through the literature search. The overall prevalence of HBsAg in the general (and proxy) population ranged from 0.3 to 1.6%. Among at-risk groups, including clinical populations and health care workers, the HBsAg prevalence ranged from 0.2% (among rheumatic patients) to 4.5% among HIV positive patients. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV in the general (and proxy) population ranged from 0.2 to 1.9%. Among at-risk groups, including clinical populations and health care workers, the anti-HCV prevalence ranged from 0.04% (among health care workers) to 68.0% among people who inject drugs. Conclusions: The hepatitis B and C prevalence in the general population in Germany is low. Prevalence is high to very high among at-risk populations, however for some groups evidence was incomplete or missing completely. To reach the elimination goals in Germany and implement a targeted response, more research among at-risk groups is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Sperle
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gyde Steffen
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Siv Aina Leendertz
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Navina Sarma
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Beermann
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Centre for International Health Protection, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roma Thamm
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yanita Simeonova
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hanover, Germany
- Thematic Translational Unit Hepatitis of the German Centre for Infection Research, Hanover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Viviane Bremer
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ruth Zimmermann
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Dudareva
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Llamosas-Falcón L, Shield KD, Gelovany M, Manthey J, Rehm J. Alcohol use disorders and the risk of progression of liver disease in people with hepatitis C virus infection - a systematic review. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY 2020; 15:45. [PMID: 32605584 PMCID: PMC7325038 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-020-00287-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases are usually compartmentalized into separate categories based on etiology (e.g., due to alcohol, virus infection, etc.), but it is important to study the intersection of, and possible interactions between, risk factors. The aim of this study is to summarize evidence on the association between alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and decompensated liver cirrhosis and other complications in patients with chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A systematic search of epidemiological studies was conducted using Ovid Medline databases in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. Relative Risk estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analyses. The proportion of cases with liver disease progression that could be avoided if no person with a chronic HCV infection had an AUD was estimated using an attributable fraction methodology. A total of 11 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, providing data from 286,641 people with chronic HCV infections, of whom 63,931 (22.3%) qualified as having an AUD. Using decompensated liver cirrhosis as the outcome for the main meta-analysis (n = 7 unique studies), an AUD diagnosis was associated with a 3.3-fold risk for progression of liver disease among people with a chronic HCV infection (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.8–4.8). In terms of population-attributable fractions, slightly less than 4 out of 10 decompensated liver cirrhosis cases were attributable to an AUD: 35.2% (95% CI: 16.2–47.1%). For a secondary analyses, all outcomes related to liver disease progression were pooled (i.e., liver deaths or cirrhosis in addition to decompensated liver cirrhosis), which yielded a similar overall effect (n = 13 estimates; OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 2.2–5.3) and a similar attributable fraction (39.3%; 95% CI: 21.9–50.4%). In conclusion, AUDs were frequent in people with chronic HCV infections and contributed to worsening the course of liver disease. Alcohol use and AUDs should be assessed in patients who have liver disease of any etiology, and interventions should be implemented to achieve abstinence or to reduce consumption to the greatest possible extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Llamosas-Falcón
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Preventive Medicine, Universitary Hospital "12 de Octubre", Avda de Córdoba s/n 28041, Madrid, Spain.,Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Room T420, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1, Canada
| | - Kevin D Shield
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Room T420, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1P8, Canada
| | - Maya Gelovany
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Room T420, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1, Canada
| | - Jakob Manthey
- Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy & Center of Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Room T420, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1, Canada. .,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1P8, Canada. .,Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy & Center of Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany. .,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S1, Canada. .,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Room 2374, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, 8th floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada. .,Department of International Health Projects, Institute for Leadership and Health Management, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Trubetskaya str., 8, b. 2, Moscow, Russian Federation, 119992.
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Steffen G, Sperle I, Leendertz SA, Sarma N, Beermann S, Thamm R, Bremer V, Zimmermann R, Dudareva S. The epidemiology of Hepatitis B, C and D in Germany: A scoping review. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229166. [PMID: 32150561 PMCID: PMC7062254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germany is considered to be a low prevalence country for viral Hepatitis B, C and D (HBV, HCV, HDV). However, the burden of disease can be high among subpopulations. To meet the world Health Organization (WHO) viral hepatitis (VH) elimination goals, a national strategy was developed by the German government in 2016. We performed a scoping review to understand the baseline epidemiological situation in Germany regarding burden of disease, sequelae and care of HBV, HCV and HDV as a reference to monitor the progress of the national VH elimination and to identify further knowledge gaps and research needs. METHODS The protocol of the systematic review was prepared following the PRISMA statement guidelines for scoping reviews. Relevant search terms were used to identify eligible studies according to the research questions. We searched six online databases for original work published between January 2005 and March 2017. Based on the identified references, a matrix was developed presenting the eligible literature by targeted population group and outcome category. RESULTS 104 publications were eligible for extraction covering 299 outcome results. The population groups targeted in the identified studies included the general population and proxy populations, a range of clinical populations, people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, healthcare workers, people in prisons and different migrant/mobile populations. Other vulnerable populations (e.g. sex workers) were not targeted. Overall, good evidence was found for HBV and HCV prevalence and HBV vaccination coverage in the GP and proxy populations. Evidence for these outcomes was weaker in populations at risk for VH. For HBV and HCV incidence and mortality, we identified large evidence gaps in all population groups. Outcomes on VH sequelae and care were mainly covered by studies in clinical populations of people living with viral hepatitis. For HDV the overall evidence available was scarce. CONCLUSIONS We created a comprehensive evidence-based overview on the current epidemiological situation of viral hepatitis in Germany. We identified knowledge gaps for further research and established a baseline for future monitoring of viral hepatitis elimination goals in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyde Steffen
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ida Sperle
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Siv Aina Leendertz
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Navina Sarma
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Beermann
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Centre for International Health Protection, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roma Thamm
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Viviane Bremer
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ruth Zimmermann
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Dudareva
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Hansen JF, Hallager S, Øvrehus A, Weis N, Brehm Christensen P, Pedersen C. Late Presentation for Care Among Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C: Prevalence and Risk Factors. Open Forum Infect Dis 2017; 5:ofx257. [PMID: 29367939 PMCID: PMC5774505 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with chronic hepatitis C may have advanced fibrosis at first evaluation. Using the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) definition (FibroScan® >9.5 kPa) for “late presenter for care” (LP), we found that 32% (169 of 527) of patients were LP. Being a LP was associated with increasing age and a history of alcohol overuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne Fuglsang Hansen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.,Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
| | - Sofie Hallager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Anne Øvrehus
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.,Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
| | - Nina Weis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peer Brehm Christensen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.,Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
| | - Court Pedersen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.,Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
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Golabi P, Otgonsuren M, Suen W, Koenig AB, Noor B, Younossi ZM. Predictors of Inpatient Mortality and Resource Utilization for the Elderly Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C (CH-C) in the United States. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e2482. [PMID: 26817883 PMCID: PMC4998257 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000002482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
New incidents of chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) have stabilized yet the full impact of CH-C is not realized.Assess inpatient mortality and resource utilization for CH-C patients hospitalized in the United States.Adult CH-C patients were identified from The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2005 to 2009 database using the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis codes (070.51, 070.54, 070.70, 070.71, 070.41, and 070.44) also used to identify comorbidities.324,823 hospitalized CH-C patients were identified. Of these, 13.63% (N = 44,288) were older than 65. The rate of hospitalization for the elderly cohort steadily increased over the study period with Medicare as the payer for the majority (86%). This cohort had higher inpatient charges, approximately a half day longer hospital stay (P < 0.001) and more moderate or severe illness. During the index hospitalization, older CH-C patients were twice more likely to die than the younger age-group (5% versus 2%, P < 0.001). In the adjusted model, older age (OR: 1.02 [95% CI, 1.02-1.03]), severity of illness (OR: 12.06 [95% CI, 10.68-13.62]), and number of diagnoses (OR: 1.10 [95% CI, 1.09-1.11]) were associated with higher in-hospital mortality; severity of illness and having private insurance were significantly associated with charge per hospital stay (P < 0.001).The number of CH-C patients 65 and older increased due to the aging of the baby boomer population. Early treatment of CH-C patients with highly effective, well-tolerated, new anti-HCV regimens may prevent this significant societal burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pegah Golabi
- From the Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated Research, Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA (PG, MO, WS, ABK, BN, ZMY); and Center for Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Inova Fair Falls Church, VA (WS, ZMY)
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