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Lee JS, Lee HW, Kim MN, Kim BK, Park JY, Kim DY, Ahn SH, Kim SU. Hepatitis C virus infection in patients undergoing surgery in a single tertiary academic center. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 39:1155-1163. [PMID: 38357836 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16506] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Lack of awareness disturbs proper care for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in patients undergoing surgery. We investigated the status of HCV screening, confirmation, and treatment in patients who underwent surgery. METHODS Patients who underwent surgery at a tertiary academic center between 2019 and 2021 were eligible for this retrospective study. RESULTS Between 2019 and 2021, 96 894 patients (40 121 males; 41.4%) who underwent surgery under general anesthesia were recruited. The median age of the participants was 55.0 years. Of the 83 920 (86.6%) patients who tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies, 576 (0.7%) showed positive results, with a higher proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus (32.6% vs 18.5%), hypertension (50.5% vs 28.6%), liver cirrhosis (13.2% vs 1.7%), and unfavorable laboratory test results when compared with those with negative results (all P < 0.05). HCV RNA was tested in 215 patients (37.3%), with a positivity rate of 20.5% (n = 44). Of the 44 patients, 42 (95.5%) were referred for antiviral treatment, and 29 (69.0%) were successfully treated with direct-acting antiviral therapy. HCV RNA confirmation rates were higher in the Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery (76.6%) than in the other surgical departments (25.0-33.5%) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of patients who were positive for anti-HCV antibodies and failed to receive proper management after surgery was not negligible. Increased awareness of HCV infection among surgeons through appropriate education may be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Seung Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hye Won Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Mi Na Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Beom Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jun Yong Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Do Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Up Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
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Taha G, Ezra L, Abu-Freha N. Hepatitis C Elimination: Opportunities and Challenges in 2023. Viruses 2023; 15:1413. [PMID: 37515101 PMCID: PMC10386528 DOI: 10.3390/v15071413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a leading etiology of liver cirrhosis and its associated complications, namely, decompensated cirrhosis. As such, hepatitis C potentially necessitates liver transplantation and may result in death. Recently, HCV treatment has evolved. Current HCV treatment is effective in curing HCV; some of the agents are pan-genotypic. Numerous countries have adopted an initiative to eliminate HCV. Achieving elimination poses many challenges; it requires improved availability and accessibility of pan-genotypic therapy. Barriers exist at the level of the collective healthcare system and at the level of the individual healthcare providers and patients. Therefore, organized national and local efforts are needed. Surmounting these barriers calls for interventions concerning screening, linkage to care, and treatment delivery. Pertinent barriers include inadequate availability of screening, ill-equipped laboratory testing before treatment, and insufficient access to treatment. Interventions should seek to decentralize laboratory testing and treatment provision, increase funding for resources and personnel, and spread awareness. Special consideration should be allocated to at-risk populations, such as intravenous drug users, refugees, and prisoners. Computerized medical filing and telemedicine have the potential to refine HCV management by enhancing detection, availability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gadeer Taha
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Levy Ezra
- Medical School for International Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel
| | - Naim Abu-Freha
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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