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Sheehan Y, Cochrane A, Treloar C, Grebely J, Tedla N, Lloyd AR, Lafferty L. Understanding hepatitis C virus (HCV) health literacy and educational needs among people in prison to enhance HCV care in prisons. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 130:104516. [PMID: 38996643 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104516] [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: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant concern within prison populations. Provision of HCV testing and treatment for people in prison is expanding and a key component of global elimination efforts. Despite growing service availability, several challenges remain in HCV testing and treatment engagement during incarceration. The PIVOT study demonstrated that a 'one-stop-shop' intervention (point-of-care HCV RNA testing, Fibroscan®, nurse-led clinical assessment, and fast-tracked direct-acting antiviral prescription) enhanced HCV testing and treatment at a reception prison in Australia. Utilising Squier et al's Health Literacy Skills Framework, this analysis aimed to understand HCV health literacy and educational needs among people at a reception prison in Australia. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-four male PIVOT study participants. Purposive sampling ensured comparable representation of those with: 1) prior HCV testing history (standard pathology / no prior testing), and 2) injecting drug use history (IDU; ever / never). RESULTS Varied HCV health literacy levels and educational needs were evident amongst people in prison. Whilst those with multiple incarceration episodes and IDU history (prior knowledge) appeared to have stronger HCV health literacy than those without, substantial gaps in HCV health literacy were evident. Knowledge of HCV transmission risks in prison was high, and most understood the importance of HCV testing and treatment in prison (comprehension), but ability to engage with HCV testing and treatment services, participation in safe injecting behaviours (health-related behaviours), and knowledge of re-infection and re-treatment, within the context of the prison environment, were suboptimal. There was a general desire for increased HCV education in prison. CONCLUSION Gaps in HCV health literacy among people in prison were evident, indicating opportunities for improvement. A targeted HCV education program for people in prison, addressing the gaps identified in this analysis, may enhance HCV testing, treatment, and prevention by fostering stronger HCV health literacy among people in prison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Sheehan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Amanda Cochrane
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (Justice Health NSW), Sydney, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicodemus Tedla
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lise Lafferty
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Australia
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Cambianica A, Marchese V, Pennati F, Faustinelli A, Migliorati M, Roda F, Spinetti A, Zaltron S, Fiorentini S, Caruso A, Quiros-Roldan E, Castelli F, Focà E. Chronic Hepatitis C Cascade of Care in Prisoners-Is There Still Some Work to Do? Analysis of Two Large Penitentiaries in Northern Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:104. [PMID: 38248566 PMCID: PMC10815604 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Penitentiaries have a higher burden of communicable diseases compared to the general population. Prisoners should be tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and have direct access to treatment. We analysed the HCV cascade of care in two penitentiaries in Brescia, Northern Italy. At admission, prisoners are offered a voluntary screening for HCV, while patients with known infections are tested with an HCVRNA measurement. We performed an observational retrospective study including all the subjects admitted to the penitentiaries from 1 January 2015 to 31 October 2021. We conducted a descriptive analysis. During the study period, 5378 admissions were registered, and 2932 (54.5%) screenings were performed. Hepatitis C virus antibody positivity was found in 269 tests (9.2%). Hepatitis C virus RNA was detectable in 169 people. During the study period, 77 treatments with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) were administered. Follow-up was available in 45 patients, and sustained virological response (SVR) was documented in 44 of them. Retention in care occurred in less than half of the prisoners after release. Our data demonstrate poor screening adherence that could benefit from educational programs. Treatment rates could be improved with test-and-treat programs. More efforts are needed to eliminate HCV as a public threat by 2030. Dedicated local networks, including infectious diseases (ID) departments, substance abuse services and prisons, could mitigate these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Cambianica
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.P.); (A.F.); (M.M.); (E.Q.-R.); (F.C.); (E.F.)
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (V.M.); (A.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Valentina Marchese
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (V.M.); (A.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Francesca Pennati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.P.); (A.F.); (M.M.); (E.Q.-R.); (F.C.); (E.F.)
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (V.M.); (A.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Alessandro Faustinelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.P.); (A.F.); (M.M.); (E.Q.-R.); (F.C.); (E.F.)
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (V.M.); (A.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Manuela Migliorati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.P.); (A.F.); (M.M.); (E.Q.-R.); (F.C.); (E.F.)
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (V.M.); (A.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Fabio Roda
- Unit of Prison Health, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Angiola Spinetti
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (V.M.); (A.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Serena Zaltron
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (V.M.); (A.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Simona Fiorentini
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Arnaldo Caruso
- Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Eugenia Quiros-Roldan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.P.); (A.F.); (M.M.); (E.Q.-R.); (F.C.); (E.F.)
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (V.M.); (A.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Francesco Castelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.P.); (A.F.); (M.M.); (E.Q.-R.); (F.C.); (E.F.)
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (V.M.); (A.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Emanuele Focà
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.P.); (A.F.); (M.M.); (E.Q.-R.); (F.C.); (E.F.)
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (V.M.); (A.S.); (S.Z.)
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Mongale E, Allen S, Brew I, Ludlow-Rhodes A, Royal N, Waldron J, Alexander H, Christensen L, Dorrington K, Milner A, Missen L, Jones A, Troke PJ. Development and optimisation of a reception testing protocol designed to eliminate HCV in the UK prison population. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:100937. [PMID: 38169900 PMCID: PMC10758963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100937] [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: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Micro-elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in high-risk populations is a feasible approach towards achieving the World Health Organization's targets for viral hepatitis elimination by 2030. Prisons represent an area of high HCV prevalence and so initiatives that improve testing and treatment of residents are needed to eliminate HCV from prisons. This initiative aimed to improve the HCV screening and treatment rates of new residents arriving at prisons in England. Methods A rapid test and treat pathway was developed and implemented in 47 prisons in England between May 2019 and October 2021 as a healthcare service improvement initiative. Prison healthcare staff performed opt-out HCV testing for all new residents at each prison within 7 days of arrival, and those who were positive for HCV RNA were offered treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The Hepatitis C Trust provided peer support for all residents on treatment and those who were released into the community. Results Of 107,260 new arrivals, 98,882 (92.2%) were offered HCV antibody testing, 63,137 (63.9%) were tested and 1,848 were treated. Testing rates increased from 53.7% in Year 1 to 86.0% in Year 3. Between May 2020 and October 2021, 40,727 residents were tested, 2,286 residents were positive for HCV antibodies and 940 residents were HCV RNA positive, giving an antibody prevalence of 5.6% and an RNA prevalence of 2.3%. A total of 921 residents were referred for treatment and 915 initiated DAA treatment (97.3% of whom were HCV RNA positive). Conclusions This initiative showed that an opt-out HCV test and treat initiative in prison receptions is feasible and can be adapted to the needs of individual prisons as a viable way to achieve HCV micro-elimination. Impact and implications Prisons represent an area of high HCV prevalence and so initiatives that improve testing and treatment of residents are needed to eliminate HCV from prisons. The reception testing protocol improved HCV screening in new arrivals across 47 prisons in England and could be a viable way for countries to achieve HCV micro-elimination in their prison systems. The reception testing protocol presented here can be adapted to the individual needs of prisons, globally, to improve HCV screening and treatment in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Mongale
- Practice Plus Group, 5–6 Napier Court, Napier Road, Berkshire RG1 8BW, UK
| | - Samantha Allen
- Practice Plus Group, 5–6 Napier Court, Napier Road, Berkshire RG1 8BW, UK
| | - Iain Brew
- Practice Plus Group, 5–6 Napier Court, Napier Road, Berkshire RG1 8BW, UK
| | | | - Nichola Royal
- Practice Plus Group, 5–6 Napier Court, Napier Road, Berkshire RG1 8BW, UK
| | - Julia Waldron
- Practice Plus Group, 5–6 Napier Court, Napier Road, Berkshire RG1 8BW, UK
| | - Hannah Alexander
- Practice Plus Group, 5–6 Napier Court, Napier Road, Berkshire RG1 8BW, UK
- Defence Primary Healthcare, UK
| | | | | | - Andrew Milner
- Gilead Sciences Ltd, 280 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EE, UK
| | - Louise Missen
- Gilead Sciences Ltd, 280 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EE, UK
| | - Andy Jones
- Gilead Sciences Ltd, 280 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EE, UK
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Halford R, Christensen L, Cox S, Sheehan J, Brew I, Gillyon‐Powell M, Threadgold G, O'Moore É, Troke PJF, Jones A. Chronic hepatitis C elimination prison initiative: HCV-intensive test and treat, a whole prisoner population HCV test-and-treat program in England. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1724. [PMID: 38125280 PMCID: PMC10730947 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Prison residents are at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. HCV test-and-treat initiatives within prisons provide an opportunity to engage with prison residents and achieve HCV micro-elimination. The aim of the prison HCV-intensive test and treat initiative was to screen over 95% of all prison residents for HCV infection within a defined number of days determined by the size of the prison population and to initiate treatment within 7-14 days of a positive HCV RNA diagnosis. Methods An HCV-intensive test and treat toolkit was developed based on learnings from pilot HCV-intensive test and treat events. From January 2020 to September 2021, 13 HCV-intensive test and treat events took place at prisons in England selected based on high levels of reception blood-borne virus testing and good access to peers from The Hepatitis C Trust. Results Among a total of 8487 residents, 8139 (95.9%) underwent testing for HCV. Across the 13 prisons included, HCV antibody and RNA prevalence was 8.2% and 1.5%, respectively. The treatment initiation rate among HCV RNA-positive individuals (n = 124) was 79.0%. Conclusion The HCV-intensive test and treat initiative presented here provides a feasible and rapid test-and-treat process to achieve HCV elimination within individual prisons. The HCV-intensive test and treat toolkit can be adapted for rapid HCV testing and treatment events at other prisons in the United Kingdom and worldwide.
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Kondili LA, Craxì L, Nava F, Babudieri S, D'Ambrosio R, Marcellusi A, Mennini FS, Valle S, Russo P, Olimpieri PP, Andreoni M, Aghemo A. From Prioritization to Universal Treatment: Successes and Challenges of Hepatitis C Virus Elimination in Italy. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S211-S220. [PMID: 37703346 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad038] [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] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Italy has had the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and mortality from HCV-related liver cancer in Europe. Although direct-acting antivirals (DAA) were initially restricted to persons with advanced fibrosis, their use has since been extended to all infected individuals; more than 244 000 persons have been treated to date. HCV liver-related mortality is expected to decline by 75% by 2030, achieving the World Health Organization target for mortality. However, Italy risks failing to meet the overall goal of eliminating HCV infection by 2030. In this light, €71.5 million have been allocated for screening initially specific target populations (persons who inject drugs, prison inmates, and the 1969-1989 birth cohort). Herein, we outline the challenges and recommendations for how to move Italy toward HCV elimination, including expanding screening programs in other populations, increasing awareness through strategic communication, sustaining DAA access, and tailoring care models to meet the needs of key populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loreta A Kondili
- Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
- Degree Course in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Craxì
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Felice Nava
- Health Care and Drug Abuse Unit in Prison, Public Health Agency, Padua, Italy
- Federazione Italiana degli Operatori dei Dipartimenti e dei Servizi delle Dipendenze, Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Babudieri
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Unit, University Hospital of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Italian Society of Penitentiary Health Medicine, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Roberta D'Ambrosio
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Marcellusi
- Economic Evaluation and Health Technology Assessment, Centre for Economic and International Studies, Faculty of Economics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Mennini
- Economic Evaluation and Health Technology Assessment, Centre for Economic and International Studies, Faculty of Economics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Leadership and Management in Health, Kingston Business School, Kingston University, London, United Kingdom
- Italian Society of Health Technology Assessment, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valle
- General Directorate for Health Prevention, Prevention of Communicable Diseases and International Prophylaxis, Italian Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Russo
- Health Economic Evaluations Office, Italian Medicines Agency, Rome, Italy
- Monitoring Registers Office, Italian Medicines Agency, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Andreoni
- Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Hospital Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Prato, Italy
| | - Alessio Aghemo
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, Isituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089, Rozzano, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Italian Association for the Study of the Liver, Rome, Italy
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Huang CF, Chen GJ, Hung CC, Yu ML. HCV Microelimination for High-risk Special Populations. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S168-S179. [PMID: 37703340 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac446] [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] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization has set tremendous goals to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. However, most countries are currently off the track for achieving these goals. Microelimination is a more effective and practical approach that breaks down national elimination targets into goals for smaller and more manageable key populations. These key populations share the characteristics of being highly prevalent for and vulnerable to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Microelimination allows for identifying HCV-infected people and linking them to care more cost-effectively and efficiently. In this review, we discuss the current obstacles to and progress in HCV microelimination in special populations, including uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis, people who inject drugs, incarcerated people, people living in hyperendemic areas, men who have sex with men with or without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, transgender and gender-diverse populations, and sex workers. Scaling up testing and treatment uptake to achieve HCV microelimination may facilitate global HCV elimination by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Feng Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine and Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- PhD Program in Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Academia Sinica, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cohort Study, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Jhou Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Min-Sheng General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ching Hung
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital and College of Medicine and Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Center of Excellence for Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Maggiorella MT, Sernicola L, Picconi O, Pizzi E, Belli R, Fulgenzi D, Rovetto C, Bruni R, Costantino A, Taffon S, Chionne P, Madonna E, Pisani G, Borsetti A, Falvino C, Ranieri R, Baccalini R, Pansera A, Castelvedere F, Babudieri S, Madeddu G, Starnini G, Dell'Isola S, Cervellini P, Ciccaglione AR, Ensoli B, Buttò S. Epidemiological and molecular characterization of HBV and HCV infections in HIV-1-infected inmate population in Italy: a 2017-2019 multicenter cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14908. [PMID: 37689795 PMCID: PMC10492787 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41814-x] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
HBV/HCV co-infection is common in HIV-1-infected prisoners. To investigate the characteristics of HIV co-infections, and to evaluate the molecular heterogeneity of HIV, HBV and HCV in prisoners, we carried-out a multicenter cross-sectional study, including 65 HIV-1-infected inmates enrolled in 5 Italian detention centers during the period 2017-2019. HIV-1 subtyping showed that 77.1% of inmates were infected with B subtype and 22.9% with non-B subtypes. Italian nationals were all infected with subtype B (93.1%), except two individuals, one infected with the recombinant form CRF72_BF1, and the other with the HIV-1 sub-subtype A6, both previously not identified in inmates of Italian nationality. Non-Italian nationals were infected with subtype B (52.6%), CRFs (36.8%) and sub-subtypes A1 and A3 (5.2%). HIV variants carrying resistance mutations to NRTI, NNRTI, PI and InSTI were found in 7 inmates, 4 of which were never exposed to the relevant classes of drugs associated with these mutations. HBV and/or HCV co-infections markers were found in 49/65 (75.4%) inmates, while 27/65 (41.5%) showed markers of both HBV and HCV coinfection. Further, Italian nationals showed a significant higher presence of HCV markers as compared to non-Italian nationals (p = 0.0001). Finally, HCV phylogenetic analysis performed in 18 inmates revealed the presence of HCV subtypes 1a, 3a, 4d (66.6%, 16.7% and 16.7%, respectively). Our data suggest the need to monitor HIV, HBV and HCV infections in prisons in order to prevent spreading of these viruses both in jails and in the general population, and to implement effective public health programs that limit the circulation of different genetic forms as well as of viral variants with mutations conferring resistance to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Maggiorella
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - L Sernicola
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - O Picconi
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - E Pizzi
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - R Belli
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - D Fulgenzi
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - C Rovetto
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - R Bruni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A Costantino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - S Taffon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - P Chionne
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - E Madonna
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - G Pisani
- National Center for Immunobiologicals, Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A Borsetti
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - C Falvino
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - R Ranieri
- Infectious Diseases Service, Penitentiary Health System, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - S Babudieri
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Madeddu
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Starnini
- Belcolle Hospital, ASL Viterbo, Viterbo, Italy
| | | | | | - A R Ciccaglione
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - B Ensoli
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - S Buttò
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Lo CC, Lei WY, Huang YC, Hwang JJ, Lo CY, Lin CH, Cheng HS, Liao YT, Liang PC, Chiou MJ, Bair MJ, Dai CY, Yu ML. Micro-elimination of hepatitis C virus infection in the rural and remote areas of Taiwan - A multi-center collaborative care model. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2023; 56:680-687. [PMID: 36822945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2023.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Taiwan has several hepatitis C virus (HCV) hyper-endemic areas. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a collaborative HCV care system with an outreach decentralized strategy among the resource-constrained rural/remote areas of Taiwan. METHODS The pilot study was conducted in four high HCV-endemic townships in the rural/remote areas of Taoyuan, Alishan, Zhuoxi and Xiulin. Registered residents who worked or lived in the four areas and were aged 30-75 years were invited to participate in this program. Multidisciplinary HCV care teams provided outreach decentralized services of anti-HCV screening, link-to-diagnosis, and link-to-treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA). The primary end-point was sustained virological response (SVR). RESULTS Of 8291 registered residents who were invited as the target population, 7807 (94.2%) subjects received anti-HCV screening, with the average anti-HCV prevalence rate of 14.2% (1108/7807) (range among four areas: 11.8%-16.7%). The rate of link-to-diagnosis was 94.4% (1046/1108) of anti-HCV-positive subjects (range: 90.9%-100%) with an average HCV-viremic rate of 55.1% (576/1046) (range: 50.0%-64.3%). The link-to-treat rate was 94.4% (544/576) in HCV-viremic subjects (range from 92.7% to 97.2%). Overall, 523 (96.1%) patients achieved an SVR (range: 94.7%-97.6%). Eventually, the overall effectiveness was 80.7% (range: 74.6%-93.1%). The presence of hepatocellular carcinoma at baseline was the only factor associated with DAA failure. The DAA regimens were well-tolerated. CONCLUSION The outreach decentralized community-based care system with DAA therapy was highly effective and safe in the achievement of HCV micro-elimination in the resource-constrained rural and remote regions, which could help us to tackle the disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Chu Lo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Yi Lei
- Department of Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddihist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Che Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital Yuli Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jow-Jyh Hwang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yu Lo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management, Chiayi, Taiwan; Eberly College of Science, Department of Biology, Schreyer Honors College, Pennsylvania State University, United States
| | - Chien-Hung Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Hsu-Sheng Cheng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Yee-Tam Liao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Po-Cheng Liang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine and Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Jau Chiou
- Taoyuan District Public Health Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jong Bair
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taitung Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taitung, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Yen Dai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine and Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Center of Excellence for Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine and Center for Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Center of Excellence for Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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9
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Fiore V, Manca V, Colpani A, De Vito A, Maida I, Madeddu G, Babudieri S. Facing HCV as a Major Public Healthcare Threat in Italy: Epidemiology and Micro-Elimination Pathways among Underserved Populations. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2109. [PMID: 37510549 PMCID: PMC10379370 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11142109] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Underserved populations have a wide heterogeneity on healthcare provision and use. They also represent the key populations according to WHO 2030 goals for HCV micro-elimination. Our review evaluated the available literature on HCV diagnosis, staging, and treatment among underserved populations, such as incarcerated people, patients with psychiatric disorders, and migrants. A narrative review of literature was performed using key electronic databases (Scopus, Pubmed-MEDLINE) and search engines (Google Scholar). Peer-reviewed publications, grey literature on HCV, and recent models proposed for micro-elimination in underserved populations were included. An insight into the COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on HCV micro-elimination pathways will be also provided. Regarding prison settings, a progressive reduction in HCV epidemiology among incarcerated people in the last years was found (one-third of the level it had been before). People suffering from psychiatric disorders have a high anti-HCV prevalence, but there is a lack of data on active infections. A bidirectional relationship between HCV and psychiatric disorders was found. Migrants showed a very inconsistent assessment of HCV. Furthermore, available studies recorded data from populations with high heterogeneity of anti-HCV prevalence, Therefore, the reported results need caution in their evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Fiore
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Valentina Manca
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Agnese Colpani
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Andrea De Vito
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Ivana Maida
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giordano Madeddu
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Sergio Babudieri
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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10
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Lafferty L, Sheehan Y, Cochrane A, Grebely J, Lloyd AR, Treloar C. Reducing barriers to the hepatitis C care cascade in prison via point-of-care RNA testing: a qualitative exploration of men in prison using an integrated framework. Addiction 2023; 118:1153-1160. [PMID: 36683132 PMCID: PMC10952703 DOI: 10.1111/add.16137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly prevalent within the prison setting. Although HCV testing and treatment are available within prisons, system barriers can impede progress along the HCV care cascade for those who are incarcerated. The PIVOT intervention used a 'one-stop-shop' model (i.e. point-of-care HCV RNA testing, Fibroscan-based liver disease assessment and treatment) at a reception prison in New South Wales, Australia. This analysis sought to understand the role of point-of-care HCV RNA testing at intake in reducing barriers to the HCV care cascade within the male prison setting. DESIGN AND SETTING Qualitative analysis using semi-structured interviews in a reception prison in Australia. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-four men enrolled in the PIVOT study; all participants had undergone HCV point-of-care testing in the intervention arm. MEASUREMENTS Høj's Integrated Framework informed this analysis. FINDINGS Participants widely expressed the view that point-of-care HCV RNA testing on entry was beneficial for care engagement. Point-of-care testing was perceived as timely (compared with standard pathology) and reduced opportunities for adjudication by correctional officers due to fewer clinic visits for testing and results. Adoption of routine opt-out testing at prison intake was regarded as an important strategy for normalising HCV testing (and likely to increase pathways to treatment uptake) and fostered patient candidacy (i.e. self-perceived eligibility to access care). CONCLUSION Twenty-four men in prison in New South Wales, Australia, who underwent opt-out point-of-care HCV RNA testing on entry into prison, widely supported the programme as a means of overcoming barriers to HCV testing and treatment in the prison setting, as well as providing public health benefits through early detection of HCV infection among people entering into custody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Lafferty
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- The Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Yumi Sheehan
- The Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Amanda Cochrane
- The Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health NetworkNSW HealthMatravilleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Andrew R. Lloyd
- The Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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11
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Rosati S, Wong A, Marco VD, Pérez-Hernandez P, Macedo G, Brixko C, Ranieri R, Campanale F, Basciá A, Fernández-Rodríguez C, Lédinghen VD, Maida I, Teti E, Mangia A, Vanstraelen K, Hernández C, Mertens M, Ntalla I, Ramroth H, Jiménez E. Real-world effectiveness of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for the treatment of hepatitis C virus in prison settings. Future Virol 2022. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2022-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background: People in prison are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and often have a history of injection drug use and mental health disorders. Simple test-and-treat regimens which require minimal monitoring are critical. Methods: This integrated real-world analysis evaluated the effectiveness of once daily sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) in 20 prison cohorts across Europe and Canada. The primary outcome was sustained virological response (SVR) in the effectiveness population (EP), defined as patients with a valid SVR status. Secondary outcomes were reasons for not achieving SVR, adherence and time between HCV RNA diagnosis and SOF/VEL treatment. Results: Overall, 526 people in prison were included with 98.9% SVR achieved in the EP (n = 442). Cure rates were not compromised by drug use or existence of mental health disorders. Conclusion: SOF/VEL for 12 weeks is highly successful in prison settings and enables the implementation of a simple treatment algorithm in line with guideline recommendations and test-and-treat strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Roberto Ranieri
- Penitentiary Health Service, San Paolo University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Basciá
- Polyclinic “Cittadella della Salute” ASL Lecce & Infectious Disease Consultant of San Borgo San Nicola Detention Center, Lecce, Italy
| | | | - Victor de Lédinghen
- Hepatology Unit, CHU Bordeaux, & INSERM U1053, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Elena Jiménez
- University Hospital of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
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12
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Yu ML, Huang CF, Wei YJ, Lin WY, Lin YH, Hsu PY, Hsu CT, Liu TW, Lee JJ, Niu SW, Huang JC, Hung TS, Yeh ML, Huang CI, Liang PC, Hsieh MY, Chen SC, Huang JF, Chang JM, Chiu YW, Dai CY, Hwang SJ, Chuang WL. Establishment of an outreach, grouping healthcare system to achieve microelimination of HCV for uremic patients in haemodialysis centres (ERASE-C). Gut 2021; 70:2349-2358. [PMID: 33303567 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-323277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE HCV prevails in uremic haemodialysis patients. The current study aimed to achieve HCV microelimination in haemodialysis centres through a comprehensive outreach programme. DESIGN The ERASE-C Campaign is an outreach programme for the screening, diagnosis and group treatment of HCV encompassing 2323 uremic patients and 353 medical staff members from 18 haemodialysis centres. HCV-viremic subjects were linked to care for directly acting antiviral therapy or received on-site sofosbuvir/velpatasvir therapy. The objectives were HCV microelimination (>80% reduction of the HCV-viremic rate 24 weeks after the end of the campaign in centres with ≥90% of the HCV-viremic patients treated) and 'No-C HD' (no HCV-viremic subjects at the end of follow-up). RESULTS At the preinterventional screening, 178 (7.7%) uremic patients and 2 (0.6%) staff members were HCV-viremic. Among them, 146 (83.9%) uremic patients received anti-HCV therapy (41 link-to-care; 105 on-site sofosbuvir/velpatasvir). The rates of sustained virological response (SVR12, undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after the end of treatment) in the full analysis set and per-protocol population were 89.5% (94/105) and 100% (86/86), respectively, in the on-site treatment group, which were comparable with the rates of 92.7% (38/41) and 100% (38/38), respectively, in the link-to-care group. Eventually, the HCV-viremic rate decreased to 0.9% (18/1,953), yielding an 88.3% reduction from baseline. HCV microelimination and 'No-C HD' were achieved in 92.3% (12/13) and 38.9% (7/18) of the haemodialysis centres, respectively. CONCLUSION Outreach strategies with mass screenings and on-site group treatment greatly facilitated HCV microelimination in the haemodialysis population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER NCT03803410 and NCT03891550.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan .,Faculty of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cohort Study,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
| | - Chung-Feng Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cohort Study,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ju Wei
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yi Lin
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine,Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hung Lin
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Yao Hsu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ting Hsu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ta Wei Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
| | - Jia-Jung Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Wen Niu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Chi Huang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Sui Hung
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Lun Yeh
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cohort Study,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
| | - Ching-I Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cohort Study,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
| | - Po-Cheng Liang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yen Hsieh
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
| | - Szu-Chia Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jee-Fu Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cohort Study,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
| | - Jer-Ming Chang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Chiu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yen Dai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cohort Study,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
| | - Shang-Jyh Hwang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Long Chuang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan .,Faculty of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cohort Study,Kaohsiung Medical University,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
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13
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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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14
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Palmateer NE, McAuley A, Dillon JF, McDonald S, Yeung A, Smith S, Barclay S, Hayes P, Shepherd SJ, Gunson RN, Goldberg DJ, Hickman M, Hutchinson SJ. Reduction in the population prevalence of hepatitis C virus viraemia among people who inject drugs associated with scale-up of direct-acting anti-viral therapy in community drug services: real-world data. Addiction 2021; 116:2893-2907. [PMID: 33651446 DOI: 10.1111/add.15459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS There has been little empirical evidence to show the 'real-world' impact of scaling-up direct-acting anti-viral (DAA) treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID) on hepatitis C virus (HCV) viraemia at a population level. We aimed to assess the population impact of rapid DAA scale-up to PWID delivered through community services-including drug treatment, pharmacies, needle exchanges and prisons-in the Tayside region of Scotland, compared with Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) and the Rest of Scotland (RoS). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Natural experiment, evaluated using data from national biennial surveys of PWID and national clinical data. Services providing injecting equipment (2010-18) and HCV treatment clinics (2017-18) across Scotland. A total of 12 492 PWID who completed a questionnaire and provided a blood spot (tested for HCV-antibodies and RNA); 4105 individuals who initiated HCV treatment. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR, MEASUREMENTS The intervention was rapid DAA scale-up among PWID, which occurred in Tayside. The comparator was GGC/RoS. Trends in HCV viraemia and uptake of HCV therapy over time; sustained viral response (SVR) rates to therapy by region and treatment setting. FINDINGS Uptake of HCV therapy (last year) among PWID between 2013-14 and 2017-18 increased from 15 to 43% in Tayside, 6 to 16% in GGC and 11 to 23% in RoS. Between 2010 and 2017-18, the prevalence of HCV viraemia (among antibody-positives) declined from 73 to 44% in Tayside, 67 to 58% in GGC and 64 to 55% in RoS. The decline in viraemia was greater in Tayside [2017-18 adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.30-0.75, P = 0.001] than elsewhere in Scotland (2017-18 aOR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.74-1.07, P = 0.220) relative to the baseline of 2013-14 in RoS (including GGC). Per-protocol SVR rates among PWID treated in community sites did not differ from those treated in hospital sites in Tayside (97.4 versus 100.0%, P = 0.099). CONCLUSIONS Scale-up of direct-acting anti-viral treatment among people who inject drugs can be achieved through hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment in community drug services while maintaining high sustained viral response rates and, in the Tayside region of Scotland, has led to a substantial reduction in chronic HCV in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah E Palmateer
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK.,Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK.,Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Scott McDonald
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK
| | - Alan Yeung
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK.,Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Shanley Smith
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK.,Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Stephen Barclay
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK.,Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Rory N Gunson
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Glasgow, UK
| | - David J Goldberg
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK.,Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK.,Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
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15
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Chronic Viral Hepatitis in the Italian Prison Setting: Prevalence, Outcomes, Literature Needs and Perspectives. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9091186. [PMID: 34574960 PMCID: PMC8467805 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9091186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Compared with the general population, incarcerated people have a higher prevalence of several communicable diseases, including viral hepatitis. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of literature in field. Our review aims to shed the actual knowledge on viral hepatitis among incarcerated people in Italy. We performed a comprehensive literature search, through key electronic databases (Scopus, Pubmed–MEDLINE) and search engines (Google Scholar), of peer-reviewed publications (articles and reviews), grey literature on viral hepatitis prevalence, and models proposed for active case finding and control strategies in prison settings. We found that viral hepatitis epidemiology drastically changed in the last five years, particularly on hepatitis C virus (HCV), reporting an HCV antibody (HCV-Ab) prevalence decrease from up to 38% to ˂20% in penitentiary institutes, as well as an even more important reduction in active infections. Probably, the availability of direct-acting antivirals is contributing to this scenario. However, there is a lack of data available regarding incarcerated women. For this reason, more tailored interventions are needed for this sub-population. Judiciary and regulatory bodies should be prompted to discuss and define specific regulations to optimize case active finding strategies, guarantee wide access to effective preventive and treatment options for viral hepatitis and enhance treatment management.
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16
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Wong YJ, Thurairajah PH, Kumar R, Fock KM, Law NM, Chong SY, Manejero FG, Ang TL, Teo EK, Tan J. The impact of unrestricted access to direct-acting antiviral among incarcerated hepatitis C virus-infected patients. Clin Mol Hepatol 2021; 27:474-485. [PMID: 33601868 PMCID: PMC8273645 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2021.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Despite the disproportionally high prevalence rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) amongst the incarcerated population, eradication remains challenging due to logistic and financial barriers. Although treatment prioritization based on disease severity is commonly practiced, the efficacy of such approach remained uncertain. We aimed to compare the impact of unrestricted access to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) among incarcerated HCV-infected patients in Singapore. METHODS In this retrospective study, we reviewed all incarcerated HCV-infected patients treated in our hospital during the restricted DAA era (2013-2018) and unrestricted DAA access era (2019). Study outcomes included the rate of sustained virological response (SVR), treatment completion and treatment default. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the presence of liver cirrhosis, HCV genotype and HCV treatment types. RESULTS A total of 1,001 HCV patients was followed-up for 1,489 person-year. They were predominantly male (93%) with genotype-3 HCV infection (71%), and 38% were cirrhotic. The overall SVR during the restricted DAA access era and unrestricted DAA access era were 92.1% and 99.1%, respectively. Unrestricted access to DAA exponentially improved the treatment access among HCV-infected patients by 460%, resulting in a higher SVR rate (99% vs. 92%, P=0.003), higher treatment completion rate (99% vs. 93%, P<0.001) and lower treatment default rate (1% vs. 9%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION In this large cohort of incarcerated HCV-infected patients, we demonstrated that unrestricted access to DAA is an impactful strategy to allow rapid treatment up-scale in HCV micro-elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jun Wong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Kwong Ming Fock
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Ngai Moh Law
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sin-Yoong Chong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Tiing-Leong Ang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Eng Kiong Teo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jessica Tan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
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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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Hajarizadeh B, Grebely J, Byrne M, Marks P, Amin J, McManus H, Butler T, Cunningham EB, Vickerman P, Martin NK, McHutchison JG, Brainard DM, Treloar C, Chambers GM, Grant L, Mcgrath C, Lloyd AR, Dore GJ. Evaluation of hepatitis C treatment-as-prevention within Australian prisons (SToP-C): a prospective cohort study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 6:533-546. [PMID: 33965006 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(21)00077-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited empirical evidence exists for the effectiveness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment-as-prevention. The Surveillance and Treatment of Prisoners with hepatitis C (SToP-C) study aimed to assess the effect of HCV treatment-as-prevention in the prison setting. METHODS SToP-C was a prospective study, including a before-and-after analysis, within a cohort of people incarcerated in two maximum-security prisons (male) and two medium-security prisons (one male, one female) in New South Wales, Australia. All prison inmates aged at least 18 years were eligible for enrolment. After HCV testing, participants were monitored for risk behaviours and HCV infection, among three sub-populations: uninfected (HCV antibody-negative); previously infected (HCV antibody-positive, HCV RNA-negative); and infected (HCV antibody and HCV RNA-positive). Uninfected participants were followed up every 3-6 months to detect HCV primary infection and previously infected participants were followed up every 3-6 months to detect re-infection. Participants with HCV infection were assessed for treatment, initially standard-of-care treatment (administered by prison health services) from 2014 to mid-2017, then direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment scale-up from mid-2017 onwards (12 weeks of sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir, administered through SToP-C). Participants were followed up until study closure in November, 2019. The primary study outcome was HCV incidence before and after DAA treatment scale-up among participants at risk of HCV primary infection or re-infection. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02064049. FINDINGS Between Oct 30, 2014, and Sept 30, 2019, 3691 participants were enrolled in the SToP-C study. 719 (19%) participants had detectable HCV RNA, 2240 (61%) were at risk of primary HCV infection, and 725 (20%) were at risk of re-infection at baseline. DAA treatment was initiated in 349 (70%) of 499 eligible participants during the treatment scale-up period. The HCV incidence analysis comprised 1643 participants at risk of HCV infection or re-infection during longitudinal follow-up (median age 33 years [IQR 27-42]; 1350 [82%] male). 487 (30%) of 1643 participants reported injecting drugs in prison. HCV incidence decreased from 8·31 per 100 person-years in the pre-treatment scale-up period to 4·35 per 100 person-years in the post-treatment scale-up period (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0·52 [95% CI 0·36-0·78]; p=0·0007). The incidence of primary infection decreased from 6·64 per 100 person-years in the pre-treatment scale-up period to 2·85 per 100 person-years in the post-treatment scale-up period (IRR 0·43 [95% CI 0·25-0·74]; p=0·0019), whereas the incidence of re-infection decreased from 12·36 per 100 person-years to 7·27 per 100 person-years (0·59 [0·35-1·00]; p=0·050). Among participants reporting injecting drugs during their current imprisonment, the incidence of primary infection decreased from 39·08 per 100 person-years in the pre-treatment scale-up period to 14·03 per 100 person-years in the post-treatment scale-up period (IRR 0·36 [95% CI 0·16-0·80]; p=0·0091), and the incidence of re-infection decreased from 15·26 per 100 person-years to 9·34 per 100 person-years (0·61 [0·34-1·09]; p=0·093). The adjusted analysis (adjusted for age, Indigenous Australian ethnicity, duration of stay in prison, previous imprisonment, injecting drug use status, and prison site) indicated a significant reduction in the risk of HCV infection between the pre-DAA treatment scale-up and post-DAA treatment scale-up periods (adjusted hazard ratio 0·50 [95% CI 0·33-0·76]; p=0·0014). INTERPRETATION DAA treatment scale-up was associated with reduced HCV incidence in prison, indicative of a beneficial effect of HCV treatment-as-prevention in this setting. These findings support broad DAA treatment scale-up within incarcerated populations. FUNDING Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Partnership Project Grant and Gilead Sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marianne Byrne
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Pip Marks
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Janaki Amin
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hamish McManus
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tony Butler
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Division of Infectious Diseases & Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Luke Grant
- Corrective Services NSW, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Colette Mcgrath
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, NSW Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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19
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Gallacher J, McPherson S. Progress towards micro-elimination of hepatitis C in the custodial setting. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:300-301. [PMID: 33131191 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Gallacher
- Liver Unit, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Stuart McPherson
- Liver Unit, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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