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Grebely J, Robaeys G, Bruggmann P, Aghemo A, Backmund M, Bruneau J, Byrne J, Dalgard O, Feld JJ, Hellard M, Hickman M, Kautz A, Litwin A, Lloyd AR, Mauss S, Prins M, Swan T, Schaefer M, Taylor LE, Dore GJ. Recommandations pour la prise en charge de l'infection par le virus de l'hépatite C chez les usagers de drogues par injection. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 111:101669. [PMID: 26847504 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Geert Robaeys
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Genk, Belgium; Department of Hepatology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Limburg Clinical Research Program, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Alessio Aghemo
- A.M. Migliavacca Center for Liver Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Markus Backmund
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Praxiszentrum im Tal Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jude Byrne
- International Network of People who Use Drugs, Canberra, Australia
| | - Olav Dalgard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | | | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Achim Kautz
- European Liver Patients Association, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alain Litwin
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stefan Mauss
- Center for HIV and Hepatogastroenterology, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maria Prins
- Department of Research, Cluster Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, CINIMA, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tracy Swan
- Treatment Action Group, New York, United States
| | - Martin Schaefer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Addiction Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy-CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lynn E Taylor
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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Grebely J, Robaeys G, Bruggmann P, Aghemo A, Backmund M, Bruneau J, Byrne J, Dalgard O, Feld JJ, Hellard M, Hickman M, Kautz A, Litwin A, Lloyd AR, Mauss S, Prins M, Swan T, Schaefer M, Taylor LE, Dore GJ. Empfehlungen zur Hepatitis Versorgung bei Drogenkonsumierenden. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 111:101670. [PMID: 26749563 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Geert Robaeys
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Genk, Belgium; Department of Hepatology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Limburg Clinical Research Program, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Alessio Aghemo
- A.M. Migliavacca Center for Liver Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Markus Backmund
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Praxiszentrum im Tal Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jude Byrne
- International Network of People who Use Drugs, Canberra, Australia
| | - Olav Dalgard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | | | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Achim Kautz
- European Liver Patients Association, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alain Litwin
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stefan Mauss
- Center for HIV and Hepatogastroenterology, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maria Prins
- Department of Research, Cluster Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, CINIMA, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tracy Swan
- Treatment Action Group, New York, United States
| | - Martin Schaefer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Addiction Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy-CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lynn E Taylor
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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Rashidi A, Higgs P, Carruthers S. Factors affecting hepatitis C treatment intentions among Aboriginal people in Western Australia: a mixed-methods study. AUST HEALTH REV 2021; 44:755-762. [PMID: 32854816 DOI: 10.1071/ah19194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to identify the hepatitis C treatment intentions of Aboriginal people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Western Australia. Methods This study used a mixed-methods design. In the cross-sectional survey, 123 Aboriginal people who inject drugs and self-report as living with hepatitis C completed a purpose-designed questionnaire. In the qualitative phase, 10 participants were interviewed about the factors influencing their future intentions to undertake hepatitis C treatment. Results Analysis of the survey data revealed significant associations between an intention to undertake hepatitis C treatment and support, community attachment, stable housing and stigma. In addition, there was a high overall level of expressed intention to undertake HCV treatment, with 54% of participants responding positively. Analysis of the qualitative data supported quantitative findings, revealing concerns about stigma, lack of social support and unstable housing as factors affecting the intention to undertake hepatitis C treatment. Conclusion This mixed methods study with Aboriginal people living with self-reported HCV indicates interventions focused on reducing stigma and unstable housing could positively affect hepatitis C treatment intentions. These findings have implications for developing holistic programs to promote and support people on hepatitis C treatment. What is known about the topic? Substantial knowledge gaps need to be resolved if HCV elimination among Aboriginal Australians is to be achieved. Current research has prioritised non-Aboriginal communities. What does this paper add? This study found that stigma and unstable housing require attention if Aboriginal Australians are to obtain the full benefits of direct acting antiviral (DAA) hepatitis C treatment. What are the implications for practitioners? Reducing stigma (in the primary healthcare setting) and providing access to stable housing are vital components of supportive, non-judgemental and culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal people. This study highlights the importance of education for nurses and other primary care providers to increase engagement in the hepatitis cascade of care. To achieve this, scaling-up of HCV treatment engagement, trained Aboriginal community healthcare workers and HCV treatment advocates must mobilise and support Aboriginal people to avoid the negative effects of stigma, build positive and enabling relationships and reinforce positive attitudes towards DAA hepatitis C treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amineh Rashidi
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Building 21, Room 409, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, WA 6207, Australia; and Corresponding author.
| | - Peter Higgs
- Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Plenty Road, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia.
| | - Susan Carruthers
- Peer Based Harm Reduction WA, Bunbury Site, Suite 21 & 22, 7 Aberdeen Street,Perth, WA 6230, Australia.
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Rashidi A, Higgs P, Carruthers S. Aboriginal people with chronic HCV: The role of community health nurses for improving health-related quality of life. Collegian 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colegn.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Eugenia SOCÍAS M, TI L, WOOD E, NOSOVA E, HULL M, HAYASHI K, DEBECK K, Milloy MJ. Disparities in uptake of direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C among people who inject drugs in a Canadian setting. Liver Int 2019; 39:1400-1407. [PMID: 30653809 PMCID: PMC6640076 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Despite the high burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among people who inject drugs (PWID), uptake of interferon-based therapies has been extremely low. Increasing availability of direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based therapies offers the possibility of rapid treatment expansion with the goal of controlling the HCV epidemic. We evaluated DAA-based treatment uptake among HCV-positive PWID in Vancouver after introduction of DAAs in the government drug formulary. METHODS Using data from three cohorts of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, we investigated factors associated with DAA-therapies uptake among participants with HCV between April 2015 and November 2017. RESULTS Of the 915 HCV-positive PWID, 611 (66.8%) were recent PWID and 369 (40.3%) had HIV coinfection. During the study period, 146 (16.0%) initiated DAA-therapies, a rate of 6.0 per 100 person-year, with higher initiation rates among non-recent PWID and an increasing trend over time. In multivariable analysis, HIV coinfection (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.29, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.55-3.40), white race (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.05-2.35), and engagement in HCV care (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.31-2.90) were positively associated with DAA-therapies uptake, while high-risk drinking (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.23-0.88) and daily crack use were negatively associated (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.17-0.85). Among recent PWID, engagement in opioid agonist therapy emerged as an independent correlate of DAA uptake. CONCLUSIONS Despite increases in HCV treatment uptake among PWID after the introduction of DAAs in our setting, disparities in access remain. Social-structural and behavioural barriers to HCV care should be addressed for the success of any HCV elimination strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Eugenia SOCÍAS
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, CANADA,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | - Lianping TI
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CANADA,British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | - Evan WOOD
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, CANADA,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | | | - Mark HULL
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CANADA,British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, CANADA
| | - Kanna HAYASHI
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, CANADA,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, CANADA
| | - Kora DEBECK
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, CANADA,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, CANADA
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, CANADA,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CANADA
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Tompkins CNE, Neale J, Strang J. Opioid users' willingness to receive prolonged-release buprenorphine depot injections for opioid use disorder. J Subst Abuse Treat 2019; 104:64-71. [PMID: 31370986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Prolonged-release implantable and depot injection formulations of buprenorphine are very recent developments in the treatment of opioid use disorder. Such formulations remove the need for daily dosing and provide patients with sustained concentrations of buprenorphine over a period of weeks or months. We explored opioid users' personal willingness to receive prolonged-release buprenorphine depot injections and factors influencing their interest. METHODS The study took place in London during 2018, before depot buprenorphine was licensed for use in Europe. Thirty-six face-to-face, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with people who were: i) using heroin daily and not receiving any treatment for opioid use (n = 12); or ii) prescribed daily oral buprenorphine (n = 12); or iii) prescribed daily oral methadone (n = 12). Participants were asked about their willingness to receive depot buprenorphine and were encouraged to discuss factors that might alter their opinions. Interview data were analysed following the stages of Iterative Categorization. FINDINGS Participants expressed a high level of willingness to receive depot buprenorphine. Their views were influenced both positively and negatively by six key features of depot buprenorphine: i) reduced contact with pharmacies and drug treatment services; ii) impact on illicit drug use and recovery; iii) the perceived effectiveness of depot buprenorphine; iv) the duration and dosage of depot buprenorphine injections; v) clinical administration of the depot buprenorphine injection; and vi) potential for side effects associated with the depot buprenorphine injection. CONCLUSIONS Willingness to receive a given medication is complex, individual and changeable. Opioid users seem likely to welcome greater choice and flexibility in respect of opioid agonist medications and appear more likely to accept and adhere to depot buprenorphine if it enables them to reduce their illicit drug use and facilitates their recovery. Research is now needed to assess whether patients' reported willingness to receive depot buprenorphine translates into actual uptake and adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte N E Tompkins
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, 4 Windsor Walk, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
| | - Joanne Neale
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, 4 Windsor Walk, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; South London & Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8BB, United Kingdom; Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - John Strang
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, 4 Windsor Walk, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; South London & Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8BB, United Kingdom
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7
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He Q, Du X, Xu H, Fan L, Maimaitijiang R, Wu Y, Hao C, Li J, Hao Y, Gu J. Intention to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV in China under the scaling-up of ART: the role of healthcare workers' recommendations. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:314. [PMID: 31096967 PMCID: PMC6524228 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4143-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV (PLWH) benefits both individuals and societies. However, little is known about the intention to initiate ART among PLWH in China in the context of a scaling-up of treatment or how the recommendations of healthcare workers affect this intention. METHODS A total of 451 ART-naïve PLWH were recruited from communities in Guangzhou, China for this study. Data were collected by trained physicians via face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression models were fitted for the data analyses. RESULTS Of the participants, 93.8% were male, 72.7% were infected via homosexual behaviour and 68.5% reported an intention to initiate ART. In the latter category, 77.8, 41.9 and 20.0% of respondents received strong recommendations to initiate ART from healthcare workers at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), community healthcare centres and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, depression, anxiety and strong recommendations from healthcare workers at the CDC and NGOs correlated significantly with ART intention. In the adjusted final hierarchical logistic regression model, the duration of infection [multivariate odds ratio (ORm) = 0.30, p < 0.001], route of HIV infection (ORm = 0.18, p < 0.01), infection status of the current spouse/regular sex partner (ORm = 0.21-0.23, p < 0.01), anxiety (ORm = 2.44-2.65, p < 0.05) and strong recommendations from CDC physicians (ORm = 3.67, p < 0.01) or NGOs workers (ORm = 3.67, p < 0.01) were independently associated with the ART intention, whereas a recommendation from a community healthcare centre physician was not. CONCLUSIONS In Guangzhou, the prevalence of ART intention was below the 90-90-90 targets. Further studies aimed at an in-depth understanding and encouragement of health care workers' perceptions regarding early ART are warranted as a means of scaling up new ART strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangsheng He
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Du
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Huifang Xu
- Department of HIV Prevention, Guangzhou Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510440, People's Republic of China
| | - Lirui Fan
- Department of HIV Prevention, Guangzhou Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 510440, People's Republic of China
| | - Remina Maimaitijiang
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanan Wu
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Hao
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Institute of State Governance, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinghua Li
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Institute of State Governance, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuantao Hao
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Institute of State Governance, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Gu
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. .,Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Institute of State Governance, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China.
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Høj SB, Jacka B, Minoyan N, Artenie AA, Bruneau J. Conceptualising access in the direct-acting antiviral era: An integrated framework to inform research and practice in HCV care for people who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 72:11-23. [PMID: 31003825 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
As direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy costs fall and eligibility criteria are relaxed, people who inject drugs (PWID) will increasingly become eligible for HCV treatment. Yet eligibility does not necessarily equate to access. Amidst efforts to expand treatment uptake in this population, we seek to synthesise and clarify the conceptual underpinnings of access to health care for PWID, with a view to informing research and practice. Integrating dominant frameworks of health service utilisation, care seeking processes, and ecological perspectives on health promotion, we present a comprehensive theoretical framework to understand, investigate and intervene upon barriers and facilitators to HCV care for PWID. Built upon the concept of Candidacy, the framework describes access to care as a continually negotiated product of the alignment between individuals, health professionals, and health systems. Individuals must identify themselves as candidates for services and then work to stake this claim; health professionals serve as gatekeepers, adjudicating asserted candidacies within the context of localised operating conditions; and repeated interactions build experiential knowledge and patient-practitioner relationships, influencing identification and assertion of candidacy over time. These processes occur within a complex social ecology of interdependent individual, service, system, and policy factors, on which other established theories provide guidance. There is a pressing need for a deliberate and nuanced theory of health care access to complement efforts to document the HCV 'cascade of care' among PWID. We offer this framework as an organising device for observational research, intervention, and implementation science to expand access to HCV care in this vulnerable population. Using practical examples from the HCV literature, we demonstrate its utility for specifying research questions and intervention targets across multiple levels of influence; describing and testing plausible effect mechanisms; and identifying potential threats to validity or barriers to research translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Bordier Høj
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), 900 rue St-Denis, Montréal, Québec, H2X 0A9, Canada.
| | - Brendan Jacka
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), 900 rue St-Denis, Montréal, Québec, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Nanor Minoyan
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), 900 rue St-Denis, Montréal, Québec, H2X 0A9, Canada; École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montréal, Québec, H3N 1X9, Canada
| | - Andreea Adelina Artenie
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), 900 rue St-Denis, Montréal, Québec, H2X 0A9, Canada; École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, Montréal, Québec, H3N 1X9, Canada
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), 900 rue St-Denis, Montréal, Québec, H2X 0A9, Canada; Département de Médicine Familiale et Médecine d'Urgence, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada.
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Determinants of hepatitis C antiviral effectiveness awareness among people who inject drugs in the direct-acting antiviral era. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 52:115-122. [PMID: 29414462 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Although people who inject drugs (PWID) are at greatest risk of hepatitis C (HCV), treatment uptake in this population has historically been low. Highly effective direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for HCV have recently become available. Our aim was to assess the awareness among PWID of these new therapies and their effectiveness. METHODS A national survey of PWID attending injecting equipment provision sites in Scotland during 2015-2016 included questions to gauge the awareness in this population of antiviral treatment and the high cure rates associated with new therapies (defined here as >80%). RESULTS Among 2623 PWID, 92% had ever been tested for HCV. After excluding those ever treated for HCV (n = 226), 79% were aware of HCV treatment. Awareness was more likely among those who had ever been tested and self-reported either a positive (adjusted odds ratio: 16.04, 95%CI 10.57-24.33) or negative (3.11, 2.30-4.22) test result, compared to those who were never tested. The minority of all respondents (17%) were aware of high cure rates. This awareness was more likely among those who had ever been in HCV specialist care (9.76, 5.13-18.60) and those who had not been in specialist care but had been tested and self-reported either a positive (3.91, 2.20-7.53) or negative (2.55, 1.35-4.81) test result, compared to those who had never been tested. CONCLUSION We found poor awareness of the high cure rates associated with DAAs among PWID in Scotland, despite relatively high rates of HCV testing in this population. Increased effort is needed to ensure population groups with high risk of HCV infection are fully informed of the highly effective antiviral medications now available to treat this chronic disease.
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Burton MJ, Voluse AC, Anthony V. Integrating comprehensive hepatitis C virus care within a residential substance use disorder treatment program. J Subst Abuse Treat 2018; 98:9-14. [PMID: 30665610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although central to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic, many patients with both substance use disorders (SUD) and HCV have difficultly engaging in treatment for either condition. To facilitate HCV care in Veterans with active SUD, a comprehensive HCV screening, education, referral, and treatment program was integrated into a VA residential SUD treatment program. METHODS Evaluation of HCV screening, education, referral, and treatment initiative among admissions to a residential SUD treatment program from December 2014 to April 2018. RESULTS To date, 97.49% (582/597) of admissions to the program have been screened for HCV infection, with 12.71% (74/582) of the cases confirmed HCV-positive, and 100% (74/74) of the positive cases being connected or re-connected to the infectious disease clinic for further evaluation and, if appropriate, to begin HCV pharmacotherapy. Importantly, 18.92% (14/74) of the HCV-positive cases were newly diagnosed and would have likely gone undetected without this program. Of the HCV-positive cases, 78.38% (58/74) have received pharmacotherapy, with a sustained virologic response rate of 82.76% (48/58). CONCLUSIONS Integrating comprehensive HCV care within a residential SUD treatment program using a collaborative care model can substantially increase the detection of previously undiagnosed infections, facilitate linkage to care, and promote HCV treatment uptake among HCV-infected Veterans with SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jane Burton
- G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA; University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
| | - Andrew C Voluse
- G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
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Hepatitis C care continuum and associated barriers among people who inject drugs in Chennai, India. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2018; 57:51-60. [PMID: 29679811 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known regarding barriers to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID) in low-resource settings, particularly in the era of direct-acting antiviral therapies. METHODS Between March, 2015-August, 2016, a cross-sectional survey was administered to community-based PWID in Chennai, India to examine the HCV care continuum and associated barriers. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) were estimated by multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS All participants were male (n = 541); 152 participants had HCV mono-infection and 61 participants had HIV/HCV co-infection. Only one HCV mono-infected and one HIV/HCV co-infected participant was linked to HCV care. Overall, there was moderate knowledge of HCV disease but poor knowledge of HCV treatment. Higher total knowledge scores were negatively associated with HIV/HCV co-infection (vs. HCV mono-infection), though this was not statistically significant in adjusted analysis (APR = 0.71 [95%CI = 0.47-1.06]). Participants ≥45 years (APR = 0.73 [95%CI = 0.58-0.92]) and participants with HIV/HCV co-infection (APR = 0.64 [95%CI = 0.47-0.87]) were less willing to take weekly interferon injections for 12 weeks. Willingness to undergo HCV treatment improved with decreasing duration of therapy, higher perceived efficacy, and use of pills vs. interferon, though willingness to use interferon improved with decreasing duration of therapy. Most participants preferred daily visits to a clinic for HCV treatment versus receiving a month's supply. Participants ≥45 years (vs. <45 years; APR = 0.70 [95%CI = 0.56-0.88]) and participants with HIV/HCV co-infection (APR = 0.75 [95%CI = 0.57-0.98]) were less likely to intend on seeking HCV care. Common reasons for not having already seen a provider for HCV treatment differed by HIV status, and included low perceived need for treatment (HCV-mono-infected), competing money/health priorities and costs/fears about treatment (HIV/HCV-co-infected). CONCLUSION Residual gaps in HCV knowledge and continuing negative perceptions related to interferon-based therapy highlight the need to scale-up educational initiatives. Readiness for HCV treatment was particularly low among HIV/HCV co-infected and older PWID, emphasizing the importance of tailored treatment strategies.
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Salmon D, Mondelli MU, Maticic M, Arends JE. The benefits of hepatitis C virus cure: Every rose has thorns. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:320-328. [PMID: 29112304 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To examine mid-term benefits on hepatic complications, extrahepatic clinical syndromes and quality of life associated with HCV cure; to review the few safety issues linked to oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs); and to discuss the potential population benefits of reducing the burden of HCV infection. DAAs cure HCV infection in more than 95% of patients. The halting of liver inflammation and fibrosis progression translates into both hepatic and extrahepatic benefits and reduces the need for liver transplantation. A reduction in the frequency of extrahepatic manifestations such as mixed cryoglobulinaemia and vasculitis and improvements in quality of life and fatigue have also been described. A few safety issues linked to DAAs such as the potential recurrence of aggressive HCC, the flares of hepatitis B virus in patients with overt or occult HBV infection are been discussed. Curing HCV infection also has a high potential to reduce the burden of HCV infection at the population level. With widespread scaling up of HCV treatment, several modeling studies suggest that major reductions in HCV prevalence and incidence are possible, and that elimination of viral hepatitis is an achievable target by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Salmon
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Center for Diagnosis, Paris Centre University Hospitals, APHP, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - M U Mondelli
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - M Maticic
- Faculty of Medicine, Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - J E Arends
- Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious diseases section, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Socías ME, Ti L, Dong H, Shoveller J, Kerr T, Montaner J, Milloy MJ. High prevalence of willingness to use direct-acting antiviral-based regimens for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among HIV/HCV coinfected people who use drugs. HIV Med 2017; 18:647-654. [PMID: 28294492 PMCID: PMC5819997 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite the high burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related morbidity and mortality among HIV-positive people who use illicit drugs (PWUD), uptake of interferon-based treatments for HCV infection has been negligible among this group. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies offer an opportunity to expand treatment access among this population. The aim of this study was to explore willingness to use DAA-based regimens among HIV/HCV-coinfected PWUD in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Data were drawn from the AIDS Care Cohort to evaluate Exposure to Survival Services (ACCESS), a prospective cohort of HIV-positive PWUD. Using logistic regression analyses, we investigated factors associated with willingness to use DAA-based regimens among HIV/HCV-coinfected participants. RESULTS Of 418 HIV/HCV-coinfected PWUD surveyed between June 2014 and May 2015, 295 (71%) were willing to use DAA-based regimens. In multivariable analysis, participants enrolled in methadone maintenance therapy [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-2.51], those with a recent assessment by an HCV specialist (AOR 2.02; 95% CI 1.28-3.19) and those who perceived that HCV infection was affecting their health (AOR 2.49; 95% CI 1.41-4.37) were more likely to be willing to use DAA-based regimens. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study found a high prevalence of willingness to use DAA-based regimens among HIV/HCV-coinfected PWUD in Vancouver. Importantly, enrolment in methadone maintenance therapy was positively associated with willingness, suggesting that integrated models of HIV, HCV and addiction care should be explored as a way to address HCV-related morbidity and mortality among HIV/HCV-coinfected PWUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Eugenia Socías
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
| | - Lianping Ti
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
| | - Huiru Dong
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
| | - Jean Shoveller
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3
| | - Thomas Kerr
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
| | - Julio Montaner
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
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14
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Martin NK, Vickerman P, Hickman M. How to eliminate HCV infection by antiviral treatment. J Hepatol 2017; 67:5-6. [PMID: 28323120 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natasha K Martin
- Division of Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, United States; School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
| | - Peter Vickerman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Hickman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
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15
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Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among People With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection and a History of Injecting Drug Use in New South Wales, Australia. J Addict Med 2017; 11:10-18. [DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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16
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Dillon JF, Lazarus JV, Razavi HA. Urgent action to fight hepatitis C in people who inject drugs in Europe. HEPATOLOGY, MEDICINE AND POLICY 2016; 1:2. [PMID: 30288305 PMCID: PMC5918492 DOI: 10.1186/s41124-016-0011-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, is curable in most people. Injecting drug use currently accounts for 80 % of new HCV infections with a known transmission route in the European Union (EU). HCV has generally received little attention from the public or policymakers in the EU, with major gaps in national-level strategies, action plans, guidelines and the evidence base. Specifically, people who inject drugs (PWID) are often excluded from treatment owing to various patient, healthcare provider and health system factors. All policymakers responsible for health services in EU countries should ensure that prevention, treatment, care and support interventions addressing HCV in PWID are developed and implemented. According to current best practice, PWID should have access to comprehensive, evidence-based multiprofessional harm reduction (especially opioid substitution therapy and clean needles and syringes) and support/care services based in the community and modified with community involvement to accommodate this hard-to-reach population. Other recommended components of care include vaccination against hepatitis B and other infections; peer support interventions; HIV testing, prevention and treatment; drug and alcohol services; psychological care as needed; and social support services. HCV testing should be performed regularly in PWID to identify infected persons and engage them in care. HCV-infected PWID should be considered for antiviral treatment (based on an individualised assessment and delivered within multidisciplinary care/support programmes) both to cure infected individuals and prevent onward transmission. Modelling data suggest that the HCV disease burden can only be cut substantially if antiviral treatment is scaled up together with prevention programmes. Measures should be taken to reduce stigma and discrimination against PWID at the provider and institutional levels. In conclusion, strategic action at the policy level is urgently needed to increase access to HCV prevention, testing and treatment among PWID, the group at highest risk of HCV infection. Such action has the potential to substantially reduce the number of infected persons, along with the disease burden and related care costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F. Dillon
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK
| | - Jeffrey V. Lazarus
- Centre for Health and Infectious Disease Research (CHIP) and WHO Collaborating Centre on HIV and Viral Hepatitis, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Grebely J, Alavi M, Micallef M, Dunlop AJ, Balcomb AC, Phung N, Weltman MD, Day CA, Treloar C, Bath N, Haber PS, Dore GJ. Treatment for hepatitis C virus infection among people who inject drugs attending opioid substitution treatment and community health clinics: the ETHOS Study. Addiction 2016; 111:311-9. [PMID: 26451534 DOI: 10.1111/add.13197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To estimate adherence and response to therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among people with a history of injecting drug use. A secondary aim was to identify predictors of HCV treatment response. DESIGN Prospective cohort recruited between 2009 and 2012. Participants were treated with peg-interferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for 24 (genotypes 2/3, G2/3) or 48 weeks (genotype 1, G1). SETTING Six opioid substitution treatment (OST) clinics, two community health centres and one Aboriginal community-controlled health organization providing drug treatment services in New South Wales, Australia. PARTICIPANTS Among 415 people with a history of injecting drug use and chronic HCV assessed by a nurse, 101 were assessed for treatment outcomes (21% female). MEASUREMENTS Study outcomes were treatment adherence and sustained virological response (SVR, undetectable HCV RNA >24 weeks post-treatment). FINDINGS Among 101 treated, 37% (n = 37) had recently injected drugs (past 6 months) and 62% (n = 63) were receiving OST. Adherence ≥ 80% was 86% (n = 87). SVR was 74% (75 of 101), with no difference observed by sex (males: 76%, females: 67%, P = 0.662). In adjusted analysis, age < 35 (versus ≥ 45 years) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.47, 17.40] and on-treatment adherence ≥ 80% independently predicted SVR (aOR = 19.41, 95% CI = 3.61, 104.26]. Recent injecting drug use at baseline was not associated with SVR. CONCLUSIONS People with a history of injecting drug use and chronic hepatitis C virus attending opioid substitution treatment and community health clinics can achieve adherence and responses to interferon-based therapy similar to other populations, despite injecting drugs at baseline. Younger age and adherence are predictive of improved response to hepatitis C virus therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maryam Alavi
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Adrian J Dunlop
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Anne C Balcomb
- Clinic 96, Kite St Community Health Centre, Orange, NSW, Australia
| | - Nghi Phung
- Drug Health Services, Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW, Australia
| | - Martin D Weltman
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nepean Hospital, Kingswood, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolyn A Day
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Drug Health Service, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Paul S Haber
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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18
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Fortier E, Alavi M, Micallef M, Dunlop AJ, Balcomb AC, Day CA, Treloar C, Bath N, Haber PS, Dore GJ, Bruneau J, Grebely J. The effect of social functioning and living arrangement on treatment intent, specialist assessment and treatment uptake for hepatitis C virus infection among people with a history of injecting drug use: The ETHOS study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2015; 26:1094-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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19
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Grebely J, Robaeys G, Bruggmann P, Aghemo A, Backmund M, Bruneau J, Byrne J, Dalgard O, Feld JJ, Hellard M, Hickman M, Kautz A, Litwin A, Lloyd AR, Mauss S, Prins M, Swan T, Schaefer M, Taylor LE, Dore GJ. Recomendaciones para el manejo de la infección por el virus de la hepatitis C entre usuarios de drogas por vía parenteral. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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20
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Grebely J, Robaeys G, Bruggmann P, Aghemo A, Backmund M, Bruneau J, Byrne J, Dalgard O, Feld JJ, Hellard M, Hickman M, Kautz A, Litwin A, Lloyd AR, Mauss S, Prins M, Swan T, Schaefer M, Taylor LE, Dore GJ. Recommendations for the management of hepatitis C virus infection among people who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2015; 26:1028-38. [PMID: 26282715 PMCID: PMC6130980 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In high income countries, the majority of new and existing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections occur among people who inject drugs (PWID). In many low and middle income countries large HCV epidemics have also emerged among PWID populations. The burden of HCV-related liver disease among PWID is increasing, but treatment uptake remains extremely low. There are a number of barriers to care which should be considered and systematically addressed, but should not exclude PWID from HCV treatment. The rapid development of interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for HCV infection has brought considerable optimism to the HCV sector, with the realistic hope that therapeutic intervention will soon provide near optimal efficacy with well-tolerated, short duration, all oral regimens. Further, it has been clearly demonstrated that HCV treatment is safe and effective across a broad range of multidisciplinary healthcare settings. Given the burden of HCV-related disease among PWID, strategies to enhance HCV assessment and treatment in this group are urgently needed. These recommendations demonstrate that treatment among PWID is feasible and provide a framework for HCV assessment and care. Further research is needed to evaluate strategies to enhance testing, linkage to care, treatment, adherence, viral cure, and prevent HCV reinfection among PWID, particularly as new interferon-free DAA treatments for HCV infection become available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Geert Robaeys
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Genk, Belgium; Department of Hepatology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Limburg Clinical Research Program, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Alessio Aghemo
- A.M. Migliavacca Center for Liver Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Markus Backmund
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Praxiszentrum im Tal Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jude Byrne
- International Network of People who Use Drugs, Canberra, Australia
| | - Olav Dalgard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | | | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Achim Kautz
- European Liver Patients Association, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alain Litwin
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Inflammation and Infection Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stefan Mauss
- Center for HIV and Hepatogastroenterology, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maria Prins
- Department of Research, Cluster Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, CINIMA, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tracy Swan
- Treatment Action Group, New York, United States
| | - Martin Schaefer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Addiction Medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy-CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lynn E Taylor
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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Marshall AD, Micallef M, Erratt A, Telenta J, Treloar C, Everingham H, Jones SC, Bath N, How-Chow D, Byrne J, Harvey P, Dunlop A, Jauncey M, Read P, Collie T, Dore GJ, Grebely J. Liver disease knowledge and acceptability of non-invasive liver fibrosis assessment among people who inject drugs in the drug and alcohol setting: The LiveRLife Study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2015; 26:984-91. [PMID: 26256938 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with baseline knowledge of HCV and liver disease, acceptability of transient elastography (TE) assessment (FibroScan(®)), and willingness and intent to receive HCV treatment among persons with a history of injection drug use participating in a liver health promotion campaign. METHODS The LiveRLife campaign involved three phases: (1) campaign resource development; (2) campaign resource testing; and (3) campaign implementation. Participants were enrolled in an observational cohort study with recruitment at four clinics - one primary health care facility, two OST clinics, and one medically supervised injecting centre - in Australia between May and October 2014. Participants received educational material, nurse clinical assessment, TE assessment, dried blood spot testing, and completed a knowledge survey. RESULTS Of 253 participants (mean age 43 years), 68% were male, 71% had injected in the past month, and 75% self-reported as HCV positive. Median knowledge score was 16/23. In adjusted analysis, less than daily injection (AOR 5.01; 95% CI, 2.64-9.51) and no daily injection in the past month (AOR 3.54; 95% CI, 1.80-6.94) were associated with high knowledge (≥16). TE was the most preferred method both pre- (66%) and post-TE (89%) compared to liver biopsy and blood sample. Eighty-eight percent were 'definitely willing' or 'somewhat willing' to receive HCV treatment, and 56% intended to start treatment in the next 12 months. Approximately 68% had no/mild fibrosis (F0/F1, ≥2.5 to ≤7.4kPa), 13% moderate fibrosis (F2, ≥7.5 to ≤9.4kPa), 10% severe fibrosis (F3, ≥9.5 to ≤12.4kPa), and 9% had cirrhosis (F4, ≥12.5kPa). CONCLUSION Liver disease and HCV knowledge was moderate. High acceptability of TE by PWID provides strong evidence for the inclusion of TE in HCV-related care, and could help to prioritise HCV treatment for those at greatest risk of liver disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Marshall
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia.
| | - M Micallef
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia
| | - A Erratt
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia
| | - J Telenta
- Centre for Health and Social Research, Australian Catholic University, VIC, Australia
| | - C Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia
| | - H Everingham
- NSW Users and AIDS Association, Inc., NSW, Australia
| | - S C Jones
- Centre for Health and Social Research, Australian Catholic University, VIC, Australia
| | - N Bath
- NSW Users and AIDS Association, Inc., NSW, Australia
| | - D How-Chow
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - J Byrne
- Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League, ACT, Australia
| | | | - A Dunlop
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - M Jauncey
- Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League, ACT, Australia
| | - P Read
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia; Kirketon Road Centre, NSW, Australia
| | - T Collie
- Coffs Harbour Drug and Alcohol Service, NSW, Australia
| | - G J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia
| | - J Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, NSW, Australia
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