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D'Ambrosio R, Anolli MP, Pugliese N, Masetti C, Aghemo A, Lampertico P. Prevalence of HCV infection in Europe in the DAA era: Review. Liver Int 2024; 44:1548-1563. [PMID: 38804727 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
In 2016, the Global Health Sector Strategy, ratified by the 69th World Health Assembly, set the ambitious goal of eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus infections by 2030, emphasizing the importance of national screening programmes. Achieving this goal depends on each country's ability to identify and treat 80% of chronic hepatitis C cases, a critical threshold set by the World Health Organization. Traditionally, estimates of HCV prevalence have been based on interferon era studies that focused on high-risk subgroups rather than the general population. In addition, the incomplete data available from national registries also limited the understanding of HCV prevalence. The 2016 report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control highlighted that HCV rates varied across European counties, ranging from .1% to 5.9%. However, data were only available for 13 countries, making the overall picture less clear. Additionally, the epidemiological data may have underestimated the true burden of HCV due to lack of awareness among those with chronic infection. The main objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of HCV epidemiology in Europe in the current era of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The data included in the analysis range from the end of 2013 to December 2023 and have been categorised according to the United Nations Geoscheme. The resulting synthesis underscores the noteworthy impact of DAA treatment on the epidemiological situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta D'Ambrosio
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria P Anolli
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Pugliese
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Masetti
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessio Aghemo
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, CRC "A. M. and A. Migliavacca" Centre for Liver Disease, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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2
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D'Ambrosio R, Piccinelli S, Beccalli B, Spinetti A, Puoti M, Fagiuoli S, Magni CF, Vavassori A, Sacchi P, Castaldi S, Bombardieri G, Farina C, Buoro S, Amorosi A, Corradin M, Cereda D, Lampertico P. A territory-wide opportunistic, hospital-based HCV screening in the general population from northern Italy: The 1969-1989 birth-cohort. Liver Int 2023; 43:2645-2656. [PMID: 37715524 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The World Health Organization (WHO) goal of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) elimination by 2030 rose awareness about the need of screening plans, worldwide. In Italy, graduated screening starting from people born in 1969-1989 might be the most-effective strategy. We performed an opportunistic HCV screening study in the general population attending health facilities in Lombardy region, Northern Italy. METHODS This is a prospective, multicenter, territory-wide, opportunistic study supported by the Regional Government of Lombardy, Italy. Between June 2022 and December 2022, all subjects born in 1969-1989, hospitalized or accessing blood collection centres were offered anti-HCV and HCV-RNA tests. Patients with known anti-HCV positivity and/or previous anti-HCV treatment were excluded. Demographic features were uploaded into a regional web-based platform. RESULTS In total, 120 193 individuals were screened in 75 centres. Mean age was 44 (±6) years, 65.2% were females, 83.7% were tested at blood collection centres. Anti-HCV tested positive in 604 (0.50%) subjects: mean age 47 (±5), 51.1% females. HCV seroprevalence was higher in males (p < 0.00001), elderly (p < 0.00001) and in- vs. outpatients (p = 0.0009). HCV-RNA was detectable in 125 out of 441 (28.3%) anti-HCV positive subjects. Actively infected patients were 46 (±6) years old, mainly males (56.8%). The overall prevalence of active HCV infection was 0.10%, higher in elderly (p = 0.0003) and in in-patients (p = 0.0007). Among 93 HCV-RNA positive patients, the median age was 48 years, 58% males, 62% Italian born, median HCV-RNA levels were 6,1 log IU/mL, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values 5.5 (3.1-29.9) kPa and ALT levels 48 U/L. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of active HCV infection in the 1969-1989 population attending health facilities in Lombardy was low. Most viremic patients were Italian-born, with mild liver disease but high-HCV-RNA levels. Due to the higher prevalence in the elderly, the extension of such opportunistic screening programs to lower birth cohorts would be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta D'Ambrosio
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Piccinelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Angiola Spinetti
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, AAST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Massimo Puoti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST GOM Niguarda, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- Department of Medicine, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | | | - Paolo Sacchi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Matteo di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvana Castaldi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Quality Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Bombardieri
- Microbiology and Virology Laboratory, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Claudio Farina
- Microbiology and Virology Laboratory, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, CRC "A. M. and A. Migliavacca" Centre for Liver Disease, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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3
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Torre P, Coppola R, Masarone M, Persico M. Country-Wide HCV Elimination Strategies Need to Reach Older Patients in the General Population: The Italian Experience. Viruses 2023; 15:2199. [PMID: 38005877 PMCID: PMC10674437 DOI: 10.3390/v15112199] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
HCV infection is still a major burden worldwide, and most countries are not on track to meet the WHO 2030 elimination goal. The current challenge is to identify individuals to be treated. In this study, we will describe the trend of new DAA prescriptions and the changes over time in terms of the characteristics of patients starting antiviral therapy in our unit. Data of 1646 hepatitis C patients who started therapy during the period of 2015-2022 regarding annual number of prescriptions, age, gender, nationality, HCV genotype, provenance, and liver disease severity were analyzed. We observed a peak in the number of new prescriptions in 2018 and a downward trend starting in 2019. Patients from the general population, centers for addictions, and prison differed significantly. The mean age in the general population remained above 60 years, the percentage of patients from centers for addictions and prison increased and, after 2016, there was no significant change in the percentage of patients with F3-F4 fibrosis. As HCV screening and linkage-to-care pathways seem to be already well implemented and successful in centers for addictions and in prisons, efforts need to be focused on those of older age in the general population. To carry this out, the more structured involvement of different health professionals must be figured out.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marcello Persico
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Largo Città d’Ippocrate, 84131 Salerno, Italy; (P.T.); (R.C.); (M.M.)
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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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5
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Lazarus JV, Villota-Rivas M, Ryan P, Buti M, Grau-López L, Cuevas G, Espada JL, Morón W, Palma-Álvarez RF, Feld JJ, Valencia J. Combined COVID-19 vaccination and hepatitis C virus screening intervention in marginalised populations in Spain. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:66. [PMID: 37173456 PMCID: PMC10180614 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00292-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 has hindered hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV screening, particularly in marginalised groups, who have some of the highest rates of these conditions and lowest rates of COVID-19 vaccination. We assessed the acceptability of combining HCV testing with COVID-19 vaccination in a centre for addiction services (CAS) in Barcelona and a mobile testing unit (MTU) in Madrid, Spain. METHODS From 28/09/2021 to 30/06/2022, 187 adults from marginalised populations were offered HCV antibody (Ab) testing along with COVID-19 vaccination. If HCV Ab+, they were tested for HCV-RNA. MTU participants were also screened for HIV. HCV-RNA+ and HIV+ participants were offered treatment. Data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS Findings show how of the 86 CAS participants: 80 (93%) had been previously vaccinated for COVID-19, of whom 72 (90%) had the full first round schedule; none had a COVID-19 vaccine booster and all received a COVID-19 vaccine; 54 (62.8%) were tested for HCV Ab, of whom 17 (31.5%) were positive, of whom all were tested for HCV-RNA and none were positive. Of the 101 MTU participants: none had been vaccinated for COVID-19 and all received a COVID-19 vaccine; all were tested for HCV Ab and HIV and 15 (14.9%) and 9 (8.9%) were positive, respectively; of those HCV Ab+, 9 (60%) were HCV-RNA+, of whom 8 (88.9%) have started treatment; 5 (55.6%) of those HIV+ had abandoned antiretroviral therapy, of whom 3 (60%) have re-started it. CONCLUSIONS The intervention was accepted by 54 (62.8%) CAS participants and all MTU participants and can be used in marginalised communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Marcela Villota-Rivas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Ryan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERhd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lara Grau-López
- Department of Psychiatry, Addiction and Dual Diagnosis Section, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychiatry Group, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillermo Cuevas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Raul Felipe Palma-Álvarez
- Department of Psychiatry, Addiction and Dual Diagnosis Section, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychiatry Group, Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jorge Valencia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
- Harm reduction Unit "SMASD", Madrid, Spain
- Mobile testing unit, Madrid, Spain
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6
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Aldinio G, D'Ambrosio R, Perrone PM, Castaldi S. 2022 open day in the University of Milan: An opportunity for HCV screening. Liver Int 2023; 43:945-946. [PMID: 36715094 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Aldinio
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta D'Ambrosio
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Pier M Perrone
- Quality Department, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvana Castaldi
- Quality Department, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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7
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Conti F, Beltrami M, Pagani G, Giacomelli A. Opportunistic HCV screening in the general population: New insights for a graduated birth cohort approach. Liver Int 2023; 43:737-738. [PMID: 36689312 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Conti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Alessandro Manzoni Hospital, ASST Lecco, Lecco, Italy
| | - Martina Beltrami
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Pagani
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Nuovo di Legnano, ASST Ovest Milanese, Legnano, Italy
| | - Andrea Giacomelli
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
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8
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Safety and effectiveness of 8 weeks of Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir in challenging HCV patients: Italian data from the CREST study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280165. [PMID: 36730135 PMCID: PMC9894491 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) has demonstrated high rates (>95%) of sustained virologic response at posttreatment Week 12 (SVR12) in treatment-naïve (TN) patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and compensated cirrhosis (CC). Here, in a key real-world subset of TN Italian patients with CC, we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of 8-week G/P treatment, including subgroups of interest such as those with genotype 3 (GT3) infection, elderly patients, and those with more advanced liver disease. METHODS Subanalysis of Italian patients enrolled in the CREST study. The full analysis set (FAS) included all patients enrolled in the study; the modified analysis set (MAS) excluded patients who discontinued G/P for nonvirologic failure or who had missing SVR12 results. Primary and secondary endpoints included SVR12 and safety, respectively. RESULTS Of 42 patients included in the FAS, 1 discontinued for unknown reasons, and 2 had missing SVR12 data, leaving 39 patients included in the MAS. At treatment initiation, 74% of patients had ≥1 comorbidity, and 62% were receiving concomitant medications, including some that may potentially interact with G/P. SVR12 was achieved in 100% of patients in the MAS, and in 95% in the FAS. In subgroups of interest, the proportion of patients achieving SVR12 in the MAS (and FAS) was: 100% (94%) for patients ≥65 years, 100% (86%) for GT3, and 100% (100%) for patients with platelet count <150 × 109/L and FibroScan® >20 kPa. Overall, 2 (5%) patients had an adverse event and neither were serious. CONCLUSION Results from this real-world Italian cohort demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of 8-week G/P, with SVR12 rate >95%, even in elderly patients. These findings further support real-world evidence of the use of short-course G/P treatment in all patients with CC, including those with GT3, and those with advanced liver disease.
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Wedemeyer H, Tergast TL, Lazarus JV, Razavi H, Bakoyannis K, Baptista-Leite R, Bartoli M, Bruggmann P, Buşoi CS, Buti M, Carballo M, Castera L, Colombo M, Coutinho RS, Dadon Y, Esmat G, Esteban R, Farran JC, Gillyon-Powell M, Goldberg D, Hutchinson S, Janssen HLA, Kalamitsis G, Kondili LA, Lambert JS, Marinho RT, Maticic M, Patricello A, Peck-Radosavljevic M, Pol S, Poljak M, Pop C, Sokol T, Sypsa V, Tözün N, Younossi Z, Aghemo A, Papatheodoridis GV, Hatzakis A. Securing wider EU commitment to the elimination of hepatitis C virus. Liver Int 2023; 43:276-291. [PMID: 36196744 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In 2016, the Hepatitis B and C Public Policy Association (HepBCPPA), gathered all the main stakeholders in the field of hepatitis C virus (HCV) to launch the now landmark HCV Elimination Manifesto, calling for the elimination of HCV in the EU by 2030. Since then, many European countries have made progress towards HCV elimination. Multiple programmes-from the municipality level to the EU level-were launched, resulting in an overall decrease in viremic HCV infections and liver-related mortality. However, as of 2021, most countries are not on track to reach the 2030 HCV elimination targets set by the WHO. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decrease in HCV diagnoses and fewer direct-acting antiviral treatment initiations in 2020. Diagnostic and therapeutic tools to easily diagnose and treat chronic HCV infection are now well established. Treating all patients with chronic HCV infection is more cost-saving than treating and caring for patients with liver-related complications, decompensated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. It is more important than ever to reinforce and scale-up action towards HCV elimination. Yet, efforts urgently need the dedicated commitment of policymakers at all governmental and policy levels. Therefore, the third EU Policy Summit, held in March 2021, featured EU parliamentarians and other key decision makers to promote dialogue and take strides towards securing wider EU commitment to advance and achieve HCV elimination by 2030. We have summarized the key action points and reported the 'Call-to-Action' statement supported by all the major relevant European associations in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tammo L Tergast
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation, Lafayette, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Ricardo Baptista-Leite
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Institute of Health Sciences, Católica University of Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and CIBERHED del Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Carballo
- International Centre for Migration, Health and Development, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Castera
- Department of Hepatology, Hôpital Beaujon AP-HP-University of Paris-VII, Clichy, France
| | | | | | | | - Gamal Esmat
- Endemic Medicine and Department of HepatoGastroenterology Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rafael Esteban
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and CIBERHED del Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Sharon Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - John S Lambert
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, and UCD School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rui Tato Marinho
- Serviço de Gastrenterologia e Hepatologia, Hospital Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mojca Maticic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Markus Peck-Radosavljevic
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology (IMuG) Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Nephrology with Centralized Emergency Department (ZAE), Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Stanislas Pol
- Department of Hepatology, Université de Paris, APHP, Hopital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Mario Poljak
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Cora Pop
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Vana Sypsa
- Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Nurdan Tözün
- Department of Gastroenterology, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zobair Younossi
- Department of Medicine, Inova Health Fairfax Medical Campus, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Alessio Aghemo
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - George V Papatheodoridis
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
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10
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Beltrami M, Pagani G, Conti F, Pezzati L, Casalini G, Rondanin R, Prina A, Zagari A, Galli M, Giacomelli A. HCV point of care screening in people tested for SARS-CoV-2 in a social-housing neighbourhood of Milan, Italy. Liver Int 2023; 43:251-255. [PMID: 35869660 PMCID: PMC9467641 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Beltrami
- Malattie Infettive III Divisione, ASST FBF-Sacco, Milan, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Pagani
- Malattie Infettive, Ospedale Nuovo di Legnano, ASST Ovest Milanese, Legnano, Italy
| | - Federico Conti
- Malattie Infettive III Divisione, ASST FBF-Sacco, Milan, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Pezzati
- Malattie Infettive III Divisione, ASST FBF-Sacco, Milan, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Casalini
- Malattie Infettive III Divisione, ASST FBF-Sacco, Milan, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Massimo Galli
- Malattie Infettive III Divisione, ASST FBF-Sacco, Milan, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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11
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Viganò M, Cerini F, Ridolfo S, Rumi MG. Hepatitis C virus screening in the 1969-1989 birth cohort: Is not enough! Liver Int 2022; 42:1915. [PMID: 35596923 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Viganò
- Division of Hepatology, Ospedale San Giuseppe MultiMedica IRCCS, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Cerini
- Division of Hepatology, Ospedale San Giuseppe MultiMedica IRCCS, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sofia Ridolfo
- Division of Hepatology, Ospedale San Giuseppe MultiMedica IRCCS, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Rumi
- Division of Hepatology, Ospedale San Giuseppe MultiMedica IRCCS, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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12
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Torre P, Coppola C, Masarone M, Persico M. Screening for hepatitis C at the time of the pandemic: Need to adjust the shot. Liver Int 2022; 42:1918-1919. [PMID: 35624534 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Torre
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Carmine Coppola
- Department of Internal Medicine - Unit of Hepatology and Interventional Ultrasonography, OORR Area Stabiese, Plesso Nuovo Gragnano, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Masarone
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Marcello Persico
- Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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13
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Kondili LA, Craxì L, Andreoni M, Mennini FS, Razavi H. Opportunistic co-screening for HCV and COVID-19-related services: A creative response with a need for thoughtful reflection. Liver Int 2022; 42:960-962. [PMID: 35447008 PMCID: PMC9115188 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucia Craxì
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.)University of PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Massimo Andreoni
- Infectious Disease Unit, Department of System MedicineTor Vergata University and HospitalRomeItaly
| | - Francesco S. Mennini
- Economic Evaluation and HTA (EEHTA), CEIS, Faculty of EconomicsUniversity of Rome "Tor Vergata" and Institute of Leadership and Management in Health, Kingston Business School, Kingston UniversityLondonUK
| | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis FoundationLafayetteColoradoUSA
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