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Roder C, Cosgrave C, Mackie K, McNamara B, Doyle JS, Wade AJ. Missed Opportunities: A Retrospective Study of Hepatitis C Testing in Hospital Inpatients. Viruses 2024; 16:979. [PMID: 38932269 PMCID: PMC11209528 DOI: 10.3390/v16060979] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing testing is key to achieving hepatitis C elimination. This retrospective study aimed to assess the testing cascade of patients at a regional hospital in Victoria, Australia, who inject drugs or are living with hepatitis C, to identify missed opportunities for hepatitis C care. Adult hospital inpatients and emergency department (ED) attendees from 2018 to 2021 with indications for intravenous drug use (IDU) or hepatitis C on their discharge or ED summary were included. Data sources: hospital admissions, pathology, hospital pharmacy, and outpatients. We assessed progression through the testing cascade and performed logistic regression analysis for predictors of hepatitis C care, including testing and treatment. Of 79,923 adults admitted, 1345 (1.7%) had IDU-coded separations and 628 (0.8%) had hepatitis C-coded separations (N = 1892). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) status at the end of the study was unknown for 1569 (82.9%). ED admissions were associated with increased odds of not providing hepatitis C care (odds ratio 3.29, 95% confidence interval 2.42-4.48). More than 2% of inpatients at our hospital have an indication for testing, however, most are not being tested despite their hospital contact. As we work toward HCV elimination in our region, we need to incorporate testing and linkage strategies within hospital departments with a higher prevalence of people at risk of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Roder
- Barwon South West Public Health Unit, Barwon Health, Geelong 3220, Australia;
- Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia
| | - Carl Cosgrave
- Gastroenterology Department, Barwon Health, Geelong 3220, Australia;
| | - Kathryn Mackie
- Pharmacy Department, Barwon Health, Geelong 3220, Australia;
- Pharmacy Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Bridgette McNamara
- Barwon South West Public Health Unit, Barwon Health, Geelong 3220, Australia;
- Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph S. Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia;
- Department of Infectious Disease, Alfred Health, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Amanda J. Wade
- Barwon South West Public Health Unit, Barwon Health, Geelong 3220, Australia;
- Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia;
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Gleriano JS, Krein C, Chaves LDP. Aspects that facilitate access to care for viral hepatitis: An evaluative research. SAO PAULO MED J 2024; 142:e2023078. [PMID: 38477774 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2023.0078.r1.29112023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viral hepatitis is a major public health concern worldwide. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to analyze the factors that facilitate access to care for viral hepatitis. DESIGN AND SETTING Using a sequential mixed method, this evaluation research was conducted in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. METHODS Mapping of references and selection of regions were made based on the quantity and heterogeneity of services. The stakeholders, including the managers of the State Department of Health and professionals from reference services, were identified. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted using content analysis and discussions guided by the dimensions of the analysis model of universal access to health services. RESULTS In the political dimension, decentralizing services and adhering to the Intermunicipal Health Consortium are highly encouraged. In the economic-social dimension, a commitment exists to allocate public funds for the expansion of referral services and subsidies to support users in their travel for appointments, medications, and examinations. In the organizational dimension, the availability of inputs for testing, definition of user flow, ease of scheduling appointments, coordination by primary care in testing, collaboration following the guidelines and protocols, and engagement in extramural activities are guaranteed. In the technical dimension, professionals actively commit to the service and offer different opening hours, guarantee the presence of an infectious physician, expand training opportunities, and establish intersectoral partnerships. In the symbolic dimension, professionals actively listen to the experiences of users throughout their care trajectory and demonstrate empathy. CONCLUSIONS The results are crucial for improving comprehensiveness, but necessitate managerial efforts to enhance regional governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué Souza Gleriano
- PhD. Nurse, Adjunct Professor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Agricultural, Biological, Engineering and Health Sciences, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Tangará da Serra (MT), Brazil
| | - Carlise Krein
- Msc. Nurse, Department of General and Specialized Nursing, Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
| | - Lucieli Dias Pedreschi Chaves
- PhD. Nurse, Associate Professor, Department of General and Specialized Nursing, Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
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Ingram C, MacNamara I, Buggy C, Perrotta C. Priority healthcare needs amongst people experiencing homelessness in Dublin, Ireland: A qualitative evaluation of community expert experiences and opinions. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290599. [PMID: 38096316 PMCID: PMC10720995 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In light of evidence that housing-related disparities in mortality are worsening over time, this study aimed to explore the perspectives of experts working in homeless health and addiction services on priority healthcare needs amongst people experiencing homelessness in Dublin, Ireland, a city facing problematic increases in homelessness. As part of a larger qualitative study, a series of semi-structured interviews were carried out with 19 community experts followed by inductive thematic framework analysis to identify emergent themes and sub-themes relating to priority healthcare needs. At the societal level, community experts identified a need to promote a culture that values health equity. At the policy level, accelerating action in addressing health inequalities was recommended with an emphasis on strategic planning, Housing First, social support options, interagency collaboration, improved data linkage and sharing, and auditing. At the health services level, removing barriers to access will require the provision of more and safer mental health, addiction, women-centred, and general practice services; resolved care pathways in relation to crisis points and multi-morbidity; expanded trauma-informed education and training and hospital-led Inclusion Health programmes; and outreach programmes and peer support for chronic disease management. The voices of people experiencing homelessness, including representatives from specific homeless groups such as migrants, youth, and the elderly, must be thoroughly embedded into health and social service design and delivery to facilitate impactful change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Ingram
- Public Health, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Isobel MacNamara
- Public Health, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Conor Buggy
- Public Health, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Carla Perrotta
- Public Health, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Desai A, O'Neal L, Reinis K, Brown C, Stefanowicz M, Kuang A, Agrawal D, Bhavnani D, Mercer T. Identifying barriers and facilitators along the hepatitis C care cascade to inform human-centered design of contextualized treatment protocols for vulnerable populations in Austin, Texas: a qualitative study. Implement Sci Commun 2023; 4:98. [PMID: 37592306 PMCID: PMC10436407 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-023-00484-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver-related mortality and morbidity. Despite effective direct acting antivirals and a simplified treatment algorithm, limited access to HCV treatment in vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and people who inject drugs (PWID), hinders global elimination. Adapting the evidence-based, simplified HCV treatment algorithm to the organizational and contextual realities of non-traditional clinic settings serving vulnerable populations can help overcome specific barriers to HCV care. The first phase of the Erase Hep C study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators specific to these vulnerable populations to design the site-specific, simplified treatment protocols. METHODS Forty-two semi-structured qualitative interviews, guided by the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) framework, were conducted with clinic staff, community-based organizations providing screening and linkage to care, and patients diagnosed with HCV, to identify contextual barriers and facilitators to treatment at a local community health center's Health Care for the Homeless program in Austin, Texas. Audio-recorded interviews were systematically analyzed using thematic analysis informed by the PRISM framework and design thinking, to anchor barriers and facilitators along the HCV care cascade. Findings were fed into human-centered design workshops to co-design, with clinic staff, site-specific, simplified HCV treatment protocols. RESULTS The specific needs of PEH and PWID patient populations informed barriers and facilitators of HCV care. Barriers included tracking patients who miss critical appointments or labs, medication access and adherence, and patient HCV knowledge. Clinical teams leveraged existing facilitators and incorporated solutions to barriers into clinic workflows to improve care coordination and medication access. Actionable solutions included augmenting existing staff roles, employing HCV care navigation throughout the cascade, and standardizing medication adherence counseling. CONCLUSIONS Clinic staff identified HCV care facilitators to leverage, and designed actionable solutions to address barriers, to incorporate into site-specific treatment protocols to improve patient HCV outcomes. Methods used to incorporate staff and patient experiential knowledge into the design of contextualized treatment protocols in non-traditional clinic settings could serve as a model for future implementation research. The next phase of the study is protocol implementation and patient enrollment into a single-arm trial to achieve HCV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmol Desai
- Department of Population Health, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA
| | - Lauren O'Neal
- The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA
| | - Kia Reinis
- Department of Population Health, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA
| | - Cristal Brown
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA
- CommUnityCare Health Centers, Austin, USA
| | - Michael Stefanowicz
- Department of Population Health, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA
- CommUnityCare Health Centers, Austin, USA
| | - Audrey Kuang
- Department of Population Health, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA
- CommUnityCare Health Centers, Austin, USA
| | - Deepak Agrawal
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA
| | - Darlene Bhavnani
- Department of Population Health, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA
| | - Tim Mercer
- Department of Population Health, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, USA.
- CommUnityCare Health Centers, Austin, USA.
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Su WW, Yang CC, Chang RWJ, Yeh YH, Yen HH, Yang CC, Lee YL, Liu CE, Liang SY, Sung ML, Ko SY, Kuo CY, Chen SLS, Yeh YP, Hu TH. A new collaborative care approach toward hepatitis C elimination in marginalized populations. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:1201-1208. [PMID: 37271101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treating marginalized populations with HCV infection for elimination is faced with the challenge for the integration of HCV screening service offered for patients often moving across multiple settings. We envisaged a novel collaborative care approach to identify to what extent HCV patients overlapped between and within these multiple institutions and reported the findings of treatment coverage of these marginalized populations after HCV care cascades. METHODS We enrolled 7765 patients residing in the Changhua County, Taiwan offered with HCV screening from correctional institutions, HIV clinics, methadone clinics, and the existing HIV surveillance program (four subgroups including police-arrested people, probationers, non-injection drug user, and high-risk behavior people) between 2019 and 2020. The collaborative care and information were integrated through a teamwork of gastroenterologists, psychologists, infectious disease specialists, and nursing coordinators under the auspices of local health authority. RESULTS The overall participation rate in HCV screening was 92.65% (7194/7765). The prevalence rate was the highest in methadone clinics (90.17%) followed by correctional institutions (37.67%), HIV clinics (34.60%), and the surveillance program (18.14%). We found 25.41% (77/303) of methadone clinic patients, 17.65% (129/731) of HIV clinic patients, and various proportions for 44.09% (41/93) of deferred prosecuted or probationers under surveillance program were also recruited into other settings. Individuals' patient flow within setting was more frequent than that between setting. After calibrating the overlap of patient flow, a total of 1700 anti-HCV positives out of 4074 after screening were traced with available follow-up information to complete 92.52% treatment coverage of 1177 RNA-positives (77.23%) diagnosed from 1524 undergoing RNA testing with similar findings across multiple settings. CONCLUSION A new collaborative integrated care was adopted for elucidating patient flow between and within multiple settings in order to calibrate the accurate demand for HCV care cascades and enhance HCV treatment coverage in marginalized populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Wen Su
- Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chao Yang
- Changhua Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Rene Wei-Jung Chang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | - Yu-Lin Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Sun-Yuan Liang
- Changhua Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Man-Li Sung
- Changhua Public Health Bureau, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Yu Ko
- Changhua Public Health Bureau, Changhua, Taiwan
| | | | - Sam Li-Sheng Chen
- School of Oral Hygiene, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Po Yeh
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Changhua Public Health Bureau, Changhua, Taiwan.
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Celeste-Villalvir A, Wilkerson JM, Markham C, Rodriguez L, Schick V. A qualitative investigation of the barriers and facilitators to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening among individuals experiencing homelessness in Houston, Texas. DIALOGUES IN HEALTH 2022; 1:100058. [PMID: 38515888 PMCID: PMC10953933 DOI: 10.1016/j.dialog.2022.100058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals experiencing homelessness may be at a higher risk for hepatitis C infection because many are vulnerable to risk factors related to HCV. Screening is the very first step in the HCV care continuum, but it remains unclear how to improve HCV screening among this hard-to-reach population. Thus, the present study investigated the barriers and facilitators to HCV screening from the perspective of individuals experiencing homelessness within a non-residential social service setting. METHODS Individuals experiencing homelessness (aged 18+) were approached while they were seeking services at two community-based organizations in Houston, Texas, during August 2020. Participants (N = 31) completed an interviewer-administered demographic survey and a semi-structured interview about their experiences with healthcare, homelessness, and HCV screening. Following transcript coding and content analysis, a thematic analysis was conducted to identify HCV screening barriers and facilitators discussed by participants. RESULTS Participants were predominantly male (n = 25, 80.6%), and almost 40% of participants had no form of medical insurance. Participants identified the following as barriers to HCV screening: mistrust of the healthcare system and professionals and lack of knowledge of HCV prevention, harm reduction, and complications. Participants identified the following as facilitators to HCV screening: providing incentives and increasing access and convenience to HCV screening. CONCLUSION Community-based HCV screening programs may wish to account for the lived experiences of individuals experiencing homelessness in order to minimize barriers to screening. Client-centered strategies that reduce wait times and incentivize participation should be considered to eliminate barriers and increase convenience for this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alane Celeste-Villalvir
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), School of Public Health, Division of Management, Policy and Community Health, 1200 Pressler St, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - J. Michael Wilkerson
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), School of Public Health, Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, 7000 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, United States
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, 7000 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Christine Markham
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), School of Public Health, Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, 7000 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, United States
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, 7000 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Lourdes Rodriguez
- St. David's Foundation, 1303 San Antonio St STE 500, Austin, TX 78701, United States
| | - Vanessa Schick
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), School of Public Health, Division of Management, Policy and Community Health, 1200 Pressler St, Houston, TX 77030, United States
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Wang AE, Hsieh E, Turner BJ, Terrault N. Integrating Management of Hepatitis C Infection into Primary Care: the Key to Hepatitis C Elimination Efforts. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:3435-3443. [PMID: 35484367 PMCID: PMC9551010 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07628-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV), a leading cause of liver disease in the USA and globally, has been made possible with the advent of highly efficacious direct acting antivirals (DAAs). DAA regimens offer cure of HCV with 8-12 weeks of a well-tolerated once daily therapy. With increasingly straightforward diagnostic and treatment algorithms, HCV infection can be managed not only by specialists, but also by primary care providers. Engaging primary care providers greatly increases capacity to diagnose and treat chronic HCV and ultimately make HCV elimination a reality. However, barriers remain at each step in the HCV cascade of care from screening to evaluation and treatment. Since primary care is at the forefront of patient contact, it represents the ideal place to concentrate efforts to identify barriers and implement solutions to achieve universal HCV screening and increase curative treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison E Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eric Hsieh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Barbara J Turner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Norah Terrault
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Selfridge M, Barnett T, Lundgren K, Guarasci K, Milne R, Drost A, Fraser C. Treating people where they are: Nurse-led micro-elimination of hepatitis C in supported housing sites for networks of people who inject drugs in Victoria, Canada. Public Health Nurs 2022; 39:1009-1016. [PMID: 35537120 DOI: 10.1111/phn.13092] [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: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To achieve the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating hepatitis C (HCV) by 2030 requires enhanced HCV testing and treatment among people who use drugs (PWUD). Micro-elimination of HCV is a strategy to target HCV testing and treatment efforts to specific segments of the population. From February to December 2018 nurses initiated a "seek & treat" micro-elimination approach, increasing outreach and removing barriers to accessing HCV treatment in a clinic setting by testing and treating individuals, including PWUD, where they live. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of clients with HCV antibodies and HCV RNA and the response to direct acting agent (DAA therapy) among people who live at or have social connections to local supportive housing sites through this nurse-led micro-elimination project in Victoria, Canada. A chart review of electronic medical records and case management documentation was used to collect relevant data of participants treated with DAA therapy, identified through specific housing site testing and outreach interventions. In total, 180 people were tested for HCV antibodies, 72 (40%) were antibody positive: 51 (28%) were RNA positive, 13 (7%) had spontaneously cleared and 8 (4%) had been previously treated. Of the 51 that were currently living with HCV, 43 people were started on treatment, 39 have achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). By providing treatment to clients in their homes and with their friends, clinicians have been able to treat clients, including those with limited contact with the health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Selfridge
- Cool Aid Community Health Centre, Victoria, Canada.,University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Anne Drost
- Cool Aid Community Health Centre, Victoria, Canada
| | - Chris Fraser
- Cool Aid Community Health Centre, Victoria, Canada.,University of British Columbia, Victoria, Canada
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McNeill S, O'Donovan D, Hart N. Access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness in the UK and Ireland: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:910. [PMID: 35831884 PMCID: PMC9281084 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08265-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have poorer physical and mental health than the general population. They are also more likely to have less access to healthcare. These processes of access can be better understood using Levesque’s access framework which addresses both supply (service provision) and demand (user abilities). Methods Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines, electronic peer-reviewed databases were searched in February 2022 for studies published since 2000 related to access to healthcare for PEH ages 16 and older in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland. Retrieved articles were screened and those eligible were selected for data extraction. Qualitative and quantitative studies were included. Results Fifty-six papers out of 538 identified were selected and aliased. Six main themes were identified: staff education, flexibility of systems, service coordination, patient preparedness, complex health needs and holistic care. These relate to the Levesque access framework. Conclusions Improving access to healthcare for PEH requires changes to how services are provided and how service-user abilities are supported. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08265-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah McNeill
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science, Block A, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 6BA.
| | - Diarmuid O'Donovan
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science, Block A, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 6BA
| | - Nigel Hart
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science, Block A, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 6BA
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Nagot N, D’Ottavi M, Quillet C, Debellefontaine A, Castellani J, Langendorfer N, Hanslik B, Guichard S, Baglioni R, Faucherre V, Tuaillon E, Pageaux GP, Laureillard D, Donnadieu-Rigole H. Reaching Hard-to-Reach People Who Use Drugs: A Community-Based Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis C. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac181. [PMID: 35774932 PMCID: PMC9239554 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac181] [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: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who use drugs (PWUD) remains a challenge even in countries in which HCV care is provided free of cost. We assessed whether an innovative community-based, respondent-driven sampling (RDS) survey, coupled with HCV screening and immediate treatment, could be efficient to detect and cure current PWUD with chronic HCV in a large city of Southern France. Methods At a community site with peers, PWUD (cannabis not included) were enrolled after confirmation by a urine drug test. Participants were then screened for hepatitis B virus, HCV, and human immunodeficiency virus and benefited from onsite HCV treatment evaluation and prescription. Peer support was provided during treatment, and a systematic visit was scheduled 12 weeks after the end of treatment. The cost of the intervention was estimated. Results Five hundred fifty-four participants were enrolled. Most were male (78.8%) with a median age of 39 years (interquartile range, 33-46). Cocaine (73.1%) and heroine (46.8%) were the main drugs consumed. Overall, 32.6% of PWUD (N = 181) were HCV seropositive, 49 (27.1%) of which had detectable HCV ribonucleic acid and were thus eligible for treatment. Ten of these patients had severe fibrosis. Hepatitis C virus treatment was initiated for 37 (75.5%) patients, 30 (81.1%) of whom completed their treatment and 27 (73.0%) achieved sustained viral response at week 12. The total cost was 161 euros € per screened patient and 1816€ per patient needing treatment. Conclusions A community-based RDS survey approach, involving peers, proved efficient and cost-effective to reach and cure PWUD for HCV. This innovative strategy could be key for the final step of HCV elimination. Clinical trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04008927.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Nagot
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic & Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Morgana D’Ottavi
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic & Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Catherine Quillet
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic & Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Debellefontaine
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic & Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Groupe SOS Solidarité, Montpellier, France
| | - Joëlle Castellani
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic & Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Langendorfer
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Bertrand Hanslik
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Sylvain Guichard
- Association of Marginality and Drug Addiction (AMT), Montpellier, France
| | - René Baglioni
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Faucherre
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Edouard Tuaillon
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic & Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Georges-Philippe Pageaux
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Didier Laureillard
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic & Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Caremeau University Hospital, Nimes, France
| | - Hélène Donnadieu-Rigole
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic & Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
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Paisi M, Crombag N, Burns L, Bogaerts A, Withers L, Bates L, Crowley D, Witton R, Shawe J. Barriers and facilitators to hepatitis C screening and treatment for people with lived experience of homelessness: A mixed-methods systematic review. Health Expect 2022; 25:48-60. [PMID: 34862710 PMCID: PMC8849376 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People experiencing homelessness have an increased risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, with rates higher than the general population. However, their access to HCV diagnosis is limited and treatment uptake is low. OBJECTIVES To identify and describe the barriers and facilitators for HCV screening and treatment for adults with lived experience of homelessness in highly developed countries. METHODS Bibliographic databases (Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL and SocINDEX) and grey literature (Google, EThOS, the Health Foundation, Social Care Online, the World Health Organisation, Shelter, Crisis and Pathway) were searched. Two reviewers independently screened and appraised all studies. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool and the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist were used. The analysis involved a three-stage process: coding, theme generation and theme mapping under Penchansky and Thomas's modified access model. RESULTS Twelve papers/reports were included in the review. Several interacting factors influence access of people with lived experience of homelessness to HCV testing and treatment. Some mirror those identified for the general population. The precarious conditions associated with the lived experience of homelessness along with the rigidity of hospital settings and lack of awareness emerged as dominant barriers. Flexibility, outreach, effective communication, tailoring and integration of services were found to be important facilitators. Evidence from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups is limited. CONCLUSIONS People experiencing homelessness face multiple barriers in accessing and completing HCV treatment, relating to both their lived experience and characteristics of health systems. Although some barriers are readily amenable to change, others are more difficult to modify. The facilitators identified could inform future targeted measures to improve HCV diagnosis and treatment for people experiencing homelessness. Research is warranted into successful models to promote screening, diagnosis and treatment. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION Our team includes a peer advocate, a hepatology nurse and a community volunteer, all with significant experience in promoting and engaging in HCV care and outreach for people experiencing homelessness. They contributed to the protocol, interpretation and reporting of the review findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Paisi
- School of Nursing and MidwiferyUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthUK
- Peninsula Dental SchoolUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthUK
| | - Neeltje Crombag
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Urogenital, Abdominal and Plastic SurgeryKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Lorna Burns
- Peninsula Dental SchoolUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthUK
| | - Annick Bogaerts
- School of Nursing and MidwiferyUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthUK
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Unit Woman and ChildKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre for Research and Innovation in Care (CRIC)University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | | | - Laura Bates
- Hepatology Nursing TeamUniversity Hospitals Plymouth NHS TrustPlymouthUK
| | | | - Robert Witton
- Peninsula Dental SchoolUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthUK
| | - Jill Shawe
- School of Nursing and MidwiferyUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthUK
- Royal Cornwall NHS TrustCornwallUK
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Hutchison K, Page A, Hayward S. Everyone in: hepatitis C screening for rough sleepers accommodated during the COVID-19 pandemic in Somerset, England. Frontline Gastroenterol 2021; 13:359. [PMID: 35722608 PMCID: PMC9186044 DOI: 10.1136/flgastro-2021-101979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Hutchison
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Services, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Taunton, UK
| | - Anna Page
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Services, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Taunton, UK
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Ryan P, Valencia J, Cuevas G, Torres-Macho J, Troya J, Pueyo Á, José Muñoz-Gómez M, Muñoz-Rivas N, Vázquez-Morón S, Martinez I, Lazarus JV, Resino S. Detection of active hepatitis C in a single visit and linkage to care among marginalized people using a mobile unit in Madrid, Spain. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 96:103424. [PMID: 34429222 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among marginalized people in Spain is high, despite the fact that HCV prevalence has decreased in recent years. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a simplified point-of-care (PoC) model for screening for active HCV infection via a mobile unit and subsequent linkage to care with the assistance of navigators. METHODS We carried out a prospective study on 2001 participants from Madrid, Spain. A nurse and a navigator/educator screened for hepatitis C in a mobile unit, using the OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test and Xpert HCV VL Fingerstick assay. Participants with active HCV were referred to the hospital the same day with a navigator for evaluation and treatment of HCV. RESULTS Overall, 1621 (81%) participants had not been exposed to HCV, 380 (18.9%) were positive for HCV antibodies, and 136 (6.8%) had active hepatitis C. Among the latter, 134 (98.5%) received the HCV screening results, 133 (97.8%) had an appointment at the hospital, 126 (92.8%) were seen by a physician once they were at the hospital, and 105 (77.2%) started HCV treatment. Being over 50 years old and a person who uses drugs, particularly people who inject drugs (PWID), was directly associated with active hepatitis C (p<0.05). PWID were the only patients with HCV reinfection (4.3% in people without recent injecting drug use and 5.9% in people with recent injecting drug use). Among PWID, no income and daily alcohol intake were also directly associated with active hepatitis C. People with recent injecting drug use showed the lowest rates of attendance at the hospital (91.8%) and starting HCV treatment (70.4%). CONCLUSION HCV screening using a two-step PoC-based strategy and its linkage to care was extremely efficient for identifying and treating marginalized people with active hepatitis C, thanks to the use of a mobile unit with personnel and technical equipment, an interdisciplinary team, and collaboration between institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Ryan
- University Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain; Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain; Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Valencia
- University Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain; Harm Reduction Unit "SMASD", Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan Torres-Macho
- University Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain; Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Troya
- University Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Pueyo
- Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation of University Hospital Infanta Leonor and University Hospital Southeast, Madrid, Spain; Heath Science PhD Program. UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia. 30107 Guadalupe de Maciascoque, Murcia, Spain
| | - María José Muñoz-Gómez
- Viral Infection and Immunity Unit, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Sonia Vázquez-Morón
- Viral Infection and Immunity Unit, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isidoro Martinez
- Viral Infection and Immunity Unit, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvador Resino
- Viral Infection and Immunity Unit, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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Alfranca R, Salvans M, López C, Giralt C, Ramírez M, Calvo F. Hepatitis C in homeless people: reaching a hard-to-reach population. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ENFERMEDADES DIGESTIVAS 2021; 113:529-532. [PMID: 33494612 DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.7737/2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE the aim of this study was to analyze the process of detection and treatment of hepatitis C in individuals experiencing homelessness (IEH). METHODS an analytical cross-sectional study was performed in a Primary Care center. The center screened and registered patients with a positive hepatitis C antibody test and referred them to the Digestive Service. RESULTS finally, 8.3 % presented with a positive HCV antibody test, of which six were patients who had already received treatment. Of those who had not received treatment, one patient was successfully treated; 30.8 % of the total could not be located or did not wish to participate. CONCLUSION community coordination and the use of rapid tests would improve detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Alfranca
- Centro de Atención Primaria Santa Clara. Institut Català de la Salut
| | - Mercè Salvans
- Centro de Atención Primaria Santa Clara. Institut Català de la Salut
| | - Carmen López
- Unidad de Hepatitis, Hospital Universitari de Girona Doctor Josep Trueta
| | - Cristina Giralt
- Centro de Atención Primaria Blanes. Institut Català de la Salut
| | - Marissa Ramírez
- Centro de Atención y Seguimiento a las Drogodependencias de Girona. Institut d'Assistència Sanitària
| | - Fran Calvo
- Pedagogia, Institut de Recerca sobre Qualitat de Vida. Universitat de Girona, España
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Generaal E, Logtenberg van der Grient H, Schatz E, van Santen DK, Boyd A, Woods SK, Baak BLC, Prins M. A Feasibility Study to Increase Chronic Hepatitis C Virus RNA Testing and Linkage to Care among Clients Attending Homeless Services in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11071197. [PMID: 34209440 PMCID: PMC8306529 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11071197] [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: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
People who inject drugs (PWID) are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and are frequently homeless. To improve HCV case finding in these individuals, we examined the feasibility of rapid HCV RNA testing in homeless services in Amsterdam. In 2020, we provided a comprehensive service to homeless facilities, which included workshops on HCV for personnel, a “hepatitis ambassador” at each facility, a rapid, onsite HCV RNA fingerstick test service, and assistance with linkage to care. Risk factors for HCV RNA-positive status were examined using Bayesian logistic regression. Of the 152 participants enrolled, 150 (87% men; median age: 47 years) accepted rapid HCV testing. Seven tested HCV RNA positive (4.7%, 95%CrI = 1.31–8.09; 7/150). Of these, five (71%) were linked to care, of whom four (57%, 4/7) initiated treatment and one (14%, 1/7) delayed treatment due to a drug–drug interaction. Of these four people, two completed treatment (50%), of whom one (25%) achieved sustained virologic response after 12 weeks. HCV RNA-positive individuals were more likely to originate from Eastern Europe (posterior-odds ratio (OR) = 3.59 (95% credible interval (CrI) = 1.27–10.04)) and to inject drugs (ever: posterior-OR = 3.89 (95% CrI = 1.37–11.09); recent: posterior-OR = 3.94 (95% CrI = 1.29–11.71)). We identified HCV RNA-positive individuals and linkage to care was relatively high. Screening in homeless services with rapid testing is feasible and could improve HCV case finding for PWID who do not regularly attend primary care or other harm reduction services for people who use drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Generaal
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research and Prevention, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, 1018 WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (D.K.v.S.); (A.B.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-(0)20-555-5043
| | | | - Eberhard Schatz
- De Regenboog Groep, 1013 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (H.L.v.d.G.); (E.S.)
| | - Daniela K. van Santen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research and Prevention, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, 1018 WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (D.K.v.S.); (A.B.); (M.P.)
- Disease Elimination Programs, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Anders Boyd
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research and Prevention, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, 1018 WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (D.K.v.S.); (A.B.); (M.P.)
- Stichting HIV Monitoring, 1105 BD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bert L. C. Baak
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, OLVG Hospital, 1091 AC Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Maria Prins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research and Prevention, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, 1018 WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (D.K.v.S.); (A.B.); (M.P.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity (AII), University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Oru E, Trickey A, Shirali R, Kanters S, Easterbrook P. Decentralisation, integration, and task-shifting in hepatitis C virus infection testing and treatment: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2021; 9:e431-e445. [PMID: 33639097 PMCID: PMC7966682 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30505-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) care and treatment will require simplified service delivery models. We aimed to evaluate the effects of decentralisation and integration of testing, care, and treatment with harm-reduction and other services, and task-shifting to non-specialists on outcomes across the HCV care continuum. METHODS For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, WHO Global Index Medicus, and conference abstracts for studies published between Jan 1, 2008, and Feb 20, 2018, that evaluated uptake of HCV testing, linkage to care, treatment, cure assessment, and sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12) in people who inject drugs, people in prisons, people living with HIV, and the general population. Randomised controlled trials, non-randomised studies, and observational studies were eligible for inclusion. Studies with a sample size of ten or less for the largest denominator were excluded. Studies were categorised according to the level of decentralisation: full (testing and treatment at same site), partial (testing at decentralised site and referral elsewhere for treatment), or none. Task-shifting was categorised as treatment by specialists or non-specialists. Data on outcomes across the HCV care continuum (linkage to care, treatment uptake, and SVR12) were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. FINDINGS Our search identified 8050 reports, of which 132 met the eligibility criteria, and an additional ten reports were identified from reference citations and grey literature. Therefore, the final synthesis included 142 studies from 34 countries (20 [14%] studies from low-income and middle-income countries) and a total of 489 996 patients (239 446 [49%] from low-income and middle-income countries). Rates of linkage to care were higher with full decentralisation compared with partial or no decentralisation among people who inject drugs (full 72% [95% CI 57-85] vs partial 53% [38-67] vs none 47% [11-84]) and among people in prisons (full 94% [79-100] vs partial 50% [29-71]), although the CIs overlap for people who inject drugs. Similarly, treatment uptake was higher with full decentralisation compared with partial or no decentralisation (people who inject drugs: full 73% [65-80] vs partial 66% [55-77] vs none 35% [23-48]; people in prisons: full 72% [48-91] vs partial 39% [17-63]), although CIs overlap for full versus partial decentralisation. The results in the general population studies were more heterogeneous. SVR12 rates were high (≥90%) across different levels of decentralisation in all populations. Task-shifting of care and treatment to a non-specialist was associated with similar SVR12 rates to treatment delivered by specialists. There was a severe or critical risk of bias for 46% of studies, and heterogeneity across studies tended to be very high (I2>90%). INTERPRETATION Decentralisation and integration of HCV care to harm-reduction sites or primary care showed some evidence of improved access to testing, linkage to care, and treatment, and task-shifting of care and treatment to non-specialists was associated with similarly high cure rates to care delivered by specialists, across a range of populations and settings. These findings provide support for the adoption of decentralisation and task-shifting to non-specialists in national HCV programmes. FUNDING Unitaid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ena Oru
- Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Adam Trickey
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Steve Kanters
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Philippa Easterbrook
- Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
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17
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Whiteley D, Speakman E, Elliott L, Davidson K, Hamilton E, Jarvis H, Quinn M, Flowers P. Provider-related barriers and enablers to the provision of hepatitis C treatment by general practitioners in Scotland: A behaviour change analysis. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:528-537. [PMID: 33215781 PMCID: PMC7898327 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The ease of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has provided an opportunity to decentralize HCV treatment into community settings. However, the role of non-specialist clinicians in community-based pathways has received scant attention to date. This study examined barriers and enablers to expanding the role of general practitioners (GPs) in HCV treatment provision, using simple behaviour change theory as a conceptual framework. A maximum variation sample of 22 HCV treatment providers, GPs and HCV support workers participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were inductively coded, and the resulting codes deductively mapped into three principal components of behaviour change: capability, opportunity and motivation (COM-B). By this process, a number of provider- and systemic-level barriers and enablers were identified. Key barriers included the pre-treatment assessment of liver fibrosis, GP capacity and the 'speciality' of HCV care. Enablers included the simplicity of the drugs, existing GP/patient relationships and the provision of holistic care. In addition to these specific factors, the data also exposed an overarching provider understanding of 'HCV treatment' as triumvirate in nature, incorporating the assessment of liver fibrosis, the provision of holistic support and the treatment of disease. This understanding imposes a further fundamental barrier to GP-led treatment as each of these three components needs to be individually addressed. To enable sustainable models of HCV treatment provision by GPs, a pragmatic re-examination of the 'HCV treatment triumvirate' is required, and a paradigm shift from the 'refer and treat' status quo.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Whiteley
- School of Health and Social CareEdinburgh Napier UniversityEdinburghUK
| | | | - Lawrie Elliott
- Department of Nursing and Community HealthSchool of Health and Life SciencesGlasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgowUK
| | | | | | - Helen Jarvis
- Population and Health Sciences InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUK,West Road Medical CentreNewcastleUK
| | | | - Paul Flowers
- School of Psychological Sciences and HealthUniversity of StrathclydeGlasgowUK
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18
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Folch C, Saludes V, Reyes-Ureña J, Antuori A, Ibáñez N, Majó X, Colom J, Matas L, Casabona J, Martró E. The hepatitis C care cascade among people who inject drugs accessing harm reduction services in Catalonia: Major gaps for migrants. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 90:103057. [PMID: 33310634 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.103057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to describe the HCV cascade of care among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Catalonia, as well as to compare the observed gaps in care between Spanish-born and migrant PWID. METHODS A cross-sectional study of PWID (N = 410) attending four harm reduction services (HRS) was performed in 2016-17 (HepCdetect II Study). Participants were tested for both HCV antibodies (rapid testing) and RNA (from dried blood spot samples). The HCV care cascade was estimated from HCV testing results combined with self-reported data on previous testing, diagnosis and treatment collected through a questionnaire. Logistic regressions were used to test for an association between migration status and the proportions observed in each step of the HCV care cascade adjusting for age, sex, years of injection, homelessness, and treatment for drug dependence. RESULTS Overall, 85.4% were men and 28.0% were migrants. Among Spanish-born (n = 295) and migrant (n = 115) PWID participants in the study, 96.6% vs. 88.6% had previously been HCV screened (AOR=3.11; 95% CI: 1.11-8.65), 79.3% vs. 80.9% were antibody positive, and 70.7% vs. 67.6% were HCV-RNA positive or cured with treatment; among the latter, 36.6% vs. 18.2% had started treatment (AOR=2.41; 95% CI: 1.09-5.34), and 20.6% vs. 9.1% had been cured by treatment, respectively. Unawareness of having hepatitis C was more common among migrants than Spanish-born PWID (46.0% and 31.5%, respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSION This study estimates the HCV care cascade among Spanish-born and migrant PWID in Catalonia for the very first time, and highlights a higher attrition of migrant PWID in all HCV care cascade stages. The observed limited linkage to care and treatment by PWID that attend the HRS network warrants future implementation of decentralized diagnosis and antiviral treatment. Strategies focusing on migrants by increasing HCV screening coverage and treatment access will be especially relevant in our setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinta Folch
- Centre for Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Catalonia Public Health Agency (ASPCAT), Badalona, Spain; Group 27, Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Verónica Saludes
- Group 27, Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias Pujol, Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain; Genetics and Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Juliana Reyes-Ureña
- Centre for Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Catalonia Public Health Agency (ASPCAT), Badalona, Spain; Group 27, Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adrián Antuori
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias Pujol, Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain; Genetics and Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Nuria Ibáñez
- Programme for Prevention, Control and Treatment of HIV, STIs and Viral Hepatitis. ASPCAT, Badalona, Spain
| | - Xavier Majó
- Programme for Prevention, Control and Treatment of HIV, STIs and Viral Hepatitis. ASPCAT, Badalona, Spain
| | - Joan Colom
- Programme for Prevention, Control and Treatment of HIV, STIs and Viral Hepatitis. ASPCAT, Badalona, Spain
| | - Lurdes Matas
- Group 27, Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias Pujol, Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain; Genetics and Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jordi Casabona
- Centre for Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Catalonia Public Health Agency (ASPCAT), Badalona, Spain; Group 27, Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Martró
- Group 27, Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias Pujol, Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain; Genetics and Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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O’Kelly B, Cronin C, Connolly SP, Cullen W, Avramovic G, McHugh T, O’Connor E, Cotter A, Doran P, McGinty T, O’Callaghan DS, Gaine S, Sheehan G, Brazil E, Marsh B, Lambert JS. What is the clinical course of patients hospitalised for COVID-19 treatment Ireland: a retrospective cohort study in Dublin’s North Inner City (the ‘Mater 100’). HRB Open Res 2020. [DOI: 10.12688/hrbopenres.13138.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Ireland has experienced an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). While several cohorts from China have been described, there is little data describing the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Irish patients with COVID-19. To improve our understanding of this infection we performed a retrospective review of patient data to examine the clinical characteristics of patients admitted for COVID-19 hospital treatment. Methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data on the first 100 patients admitted to Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for in-patient COVID-19 treatment after onset of the outbreak in March 2020 was extracted from patient records. Results: The median age was 45 years (interquartile range [IQR] =34-64 years), 58% were male, and 63% were Irish nationals. Patients had symptoms for a median of five days before diagnosis (IQR=2.5-7 days), most commonly cough (72%), fever (65%), dyspnoea (37%), fatigue (28%), myalgia (27%) and headache (24%). Of all cases, 54 had at least one pre-existing chronic illness (most commonly hypertension, diabetes mellitus or asthma). At initial assessment, the most common abnormal findings were: C-reactive protein >7.0mg/L (74%), ferritin >247μg/L (women) or >275μg/L (men) (62%), D-dimer >0.5μg/dL (62%), chest imaging (59%), NEWS Score (modified) of ≥3 (55%) and heart rate >90/min (51%). Supplemental oxygen was required by 27 patients, of which 17 were admitted to the intensive care unit - 14 requiring ventilation. Antiviral therapy was administered to 40 patients (most commonly hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir/ritonavir). Four died, 17 were admitted to intensive care, and 74 were discharged home, with nine days the median hospital stay (IQR=6-11). Conclusion: Our findings reinforce the consensus of COVID-19 as an acute life-threatening disease and highlights the importance of laboratory (ferritin, C-reactive protein, D-dimer) and radiological parameters, in addition to clinical parameters. Further cohort studies followed longitudinally are a priority.
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Benitez TM, Fernando SM, Amini C, Saab S. Geographically Focused Collocated Hepatitis C Screening and Treatment in Los Angeles's Skid Row. Dig Dis Sci 2020; 65:3023-3031. [PMID: 31974916 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-020-06073-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inequitable prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in the homeless is a clinical and public health concern. Prior research estimates, at least one-quarter of homeless persons have been infected with HCV, yet linkage to care and treatment uptake remains marginal. AIM To evaluate the feasibility of treating HCV in a homeless population. METHODS Retrospective study of homeless individuals treated for HCV. Demographic information including risk factors was collected. Univariate analyses were performed. The proportion of patients linked to care and sustained viral response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12) was measured. RESULTS During the study period, 6767 individuals were screened for HCV. A total of 769 (11.4%) were found to have detectable HCV antibodies. Of the individuals with detectable HCV antibodies, 443 (57.6%) were viremic. Of the 443 viremic patients, 375 (84.7%) were linked to care. Among them, 59 patients began antiviral treatment and 95% (56/59) completed the course of therapy. The ITT was 83.1% (49/59), and the per-protocol virologic cure rate was 100% (49/49). CONCLUSION The favorable linkage to care and cure outcomes in our study suggests that homeless persons may be more likely to engage in HCV screening and treatment when these services are located in the community for their use. Our study further lends support to the efficacy of care coordination programs to encourage movement through the HCV care continuum in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sammy Saab
- Departments of Medicine, Nursing, and Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Pfleger Liver Institute, UCLA Medical Center, 200 Medical Plaza, Suite 214, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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21
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HEPCARE EUROPE- A case study of a service innovation project aiming at improving the elimination of HCV in vulnerable populations in four European cities. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 101:374-379. [PMID: 32992012 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.1445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a significant cause of chronic liver disease. Among at-risk populations, access to diagnosis and treatment is challenging. We describe an integrated model of care, Hepcare Europe, developed to address this challenge. METHODS Using a case-study approach, we describe the cascade of care outcomes at all sites. Cost analyses estimated the cost per person screened and linked to care. RESULTS A total of 2608 participants were recruited across 218 clinical sites. HCV antibody test results were obtained for 2568(98•5%); 1074(41•8%) were antibody-positive, 687(60•5%) tested positive for HCV-RNA, 650(60•5%) were linked to care, and 319(43•5%) started treatment. 196(61•4%) of treatment initiates achieved a Sustained Viral Response (SVR) at dataset closure, 108(33•9%) were still on treatment, eight (2•7%) defaulted from treatment, and seven (2•6%) had virologic failure or died. The cost per person screened varied from €194 to €635, while the cost per person linked to care varied from €364 to €2035. CONCLUSIONS Hepcare enhanced access to HCV treatment and cure, and costs were affordable in all settings, offering a framework for scale-up and reproducibility.
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22
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Johnson L, Lewer D, Aldridge RW, Hayward AC, Story A. Protocol for a systematic review of treatment adherence for HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis among homeless populations. Syst Rev 2020; 9:211. [PMID: 32921306 PMCID: PMC7488663 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-020-01470-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homelessness is a global issue and HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis are known to be prevalent in this group. Homeless populations face significant barriers to care. We aim to summarise evidence of treatment initiation and completion for homeless populations with these infections, and their associated factors, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS We will search MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL for all study types and conference abstracts looking at either (1) treatment initiation in a cohort experiencing homelessness with at least one of HIV, hepatitis C, active tuberculosis and/or latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI); (2) treatment completion for those who initiated treatment. We will perform a meta-analysis of the proportion of those with each infection who initiate and complete treatment, as well as analysis of individual and health system factors that may affect adherence levels. We will evaluate the quality of research papers using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. DISCUSSION Given the political emphasis on global elimination of these diseases, and the current lack of understanding of effective and equitable treatment adherence strategies in homeless populations, this review will provide insight to policy-makers and service providers aiming to improve homeless healthcare. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42019153150.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Johnson
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HT UK
- Department of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Dan Lewer
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Robert W. Aldridge
- The Farr Institute of Health Informatics Research, University College London, London, NW1 2DA UK
| | - Andrew C. Hayward
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Alistair Story
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HT UK
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23
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Connolly SP, Avramovic G, Cullen W, McHugh T, O'Connor E, Mc Combe G, Crowley D, Naughton AM, Horan A, Lambert JS. HepCare Ireland-a service innovation project. Ir J Med Sci 2020; 190:587-595. [PMID: 32761548 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-020-02324-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major cause of morbidity and death worldwide, with prevalence highest among people who inject drugs (PWID), homeless populations and prisoners. The World Health Organization has published targets to be achieved by 2030 as part of its global health sector strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis. Recent innovations in testing and treatment of HCV mean such goals are achievable with effective infrastructure, political will and funding. 'HepCare Europe' was a 3-year, EU-funded project involving four member states. It sought to develop, implement and evaluate interventions to improve HCV outcomes through multiple-level interventions, running between 2016 and 2019. This paper aims to summarize the methods and present the aggregate cascade of care figures for the Irish components of HepCare. 'HepCare Ireland' contained five integrated work packages: HepCheck, HepLink, HepFriend, HepEd and HepCost. Interventions included intensified screening, community-based assessment, linkage to specialist care, peer training and support, multidisciplinary educational resources and cost-effectiveness analysis. A total of 812 participants were recruited across the three clinical work packages in Ireland. Two hundred and fifty-seven (31.7%) of the tested participants had an HCV antibody-positive result, with 162 (63.0%) testing positive for HCV RNA. At the time of writing (6th of November 2019), 57 (54.8%) of participants put on treatment had achieved SVR12, with 44 (42.3%) still undergoing treatment. In HepCheck, HepLink. HepEd and HepFriend, we demonstrate a series of interventions to improve Irish HCV outcomes. Our findings highlight the benefits of multilevel interventions in HCV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen P Connolly
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland. .,University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | | | | | - Tina McHugh
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | | | | | - Des Crowley
- University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Irish Prison Service, Longford, Ireland
| | | | | | - John S Lambert
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland.,University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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24
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Barror S, Avramovic G, Oprea C, Surey J, Story A, Macías J, Cullen W, Crowley D, Horan A, Naughton AM, Iglesias M, Ianache I, Lazar S, Popa I, McHugh T, Menezes D, Tinago W, Lambert JS. HepCare Europe: a service innovation project. HepCheck: enhancing HCV identification and linkage to care for vulnerable populations through intensified outreach screening. A prospective multisite feasibility study. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:v39-v46. [PMID: 31782499 PMCID: PMC6883392 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Hepatitis C is one of the main causes of chronic liver diseases worldwide. One of the major barriers to effecting EU- and WHO-mandated HCV elimination by 2030 is underdiagnosis. Community-based screening strategies have been identified as important components of HCV models of care. HepCheck Europe is a large-scale intensified screening initiative aimed at enhancing identification of HCV infection among vulnerable populations and linkage to care. Methods Research teams across four European countries were engaged in the study and rolled out screening to high-risk populations in community addiction, homeless and prison services. Screening was offered to 2822 individuals and included a self-administered questionnaire, HCV antibody and RNA testing, liver fibrosis assessment and referral to specialist services. Results There was a 74% (n=2079) uptake of screening. The majority (85.8%, n=1783) were male. In total 44.6% (n=927) of the sample reported ever injecting drugs, 38.4% (n=799) reported ever being homeless and 27.9% (n=581) were prisoners. In total 397 (19%) active HCV infections were identified and 136 (7% of total sample and 34% of identified active infections) were new cases. Of those identified with active HCV infection, 80% were linked to care, which included liver fibrosis assessment and referral to specialist services. Conclusions HepCheck’s screening and linkage to care is a clear strategy for reaching high-risk populations, including those at highest risk of transmission who are not accessing any type of care in the community. Elimination of HCV in the EU will only be achieved by such innovative, patient-centred approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Barror
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gordana Avramovic
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cristiana Oprea
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | | | - Juan Macías
- Hospital Universitario de Valme, Seville, Spain
| | - Walter Cullen
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Des Crowley
- HSE, Cork, Ireland.,Irish Prison Service, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ionut Popa
- University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | - Tina McHugh
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - John S Lambert
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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25
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Maisa A, Semple S, Griffiths A, Ngui SL, Verlander NQ, McCaughey C, Doherty L, Jessop L. Risk behaviours of homeless people who inject drugs during an outbreak of hepatitis C, Northern Ireland, 2016-2017. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1377-1387. [PMID: 31328838 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
From July to August 2016, 4 homeless people who injected drugs (PWID) with acute or recent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were reported in Belfast. A multidisciplinary team including public health, homeless and addiction services undertook an investigation to identify risk behaviours and interrupt transmission chains. Recent HCV cases were defined as negative test within the previous year, or reported injecting for less than 1 year; acute cases had tested negative within the previous 6 months. Contacts in the injecting networks of cases were identified for testing. We undertook a cross-sectional survey using structured questionnaires to elicit risk behaviours for PWID and compare behaviours between self-reported hepatitis C positive and negative subjects. During the outbreak investigation until December 2017, 156 PWID were tested and 45 (29%) cases identified, including 7 (16%) recent and 13 (29%) acute infections. 68 PWID, including 12 cases, were interviewed. All respondents reported using heroin, with 76% injecting once or more daily. Sharing was reported for spoons (58%) and filters (53%), but also needles (27%) and syringes (29%). Hepatitis C positive individuals had higher odds to be injecting in public toilets (AOR 17, 95% CI 0.71-400, P < .05) when compared with hepatitis C negative individuals. Hepatitis C positive individuals were more likely to inject in public spaces, but all respondents indicated concerning risk behaviours. We recommend active surveillance with ongoing testing, expanding existing harm reduction programmes and access to bespoke services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maisa
- Public Health Agency, Health Protection Service Northern Ireland, Belfast, Northern Ireland.,European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susan Semple
- Homeless Public Health Nursing Service, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Alison Griffiths
- Public Health Agency, Health Protection Service Northern Ireland, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Siew Lin Ngui
- Virus Reference Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Colindale, London, UK
| | - Neville Q Verlander
- Statistics, Modelling and Economics Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Conall McCaughey
- Regional Virus Laboratory, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Lorraine Doherty
- Public Health Agency, Health Protection Service Northern Ireland, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Lucy Jessop
- Public Health Agency, Health Protection Service Northern Ireland, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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26
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Avramovic G, Oprea C, Surey J, Story A, Macías J, Cullen W, Iglesias M, Mc Hugh T, Crowley D, Naughton AM, Horan A, Ianache I, Lazar S, Popa I, Menezes D, Lambert JS. HepCare Europe-A service innovation project. HepCheck: Characteristics of the patient population with active infection as defined by HCV RNA. Int J Infect Dis 2019; 91:246-251. [PMID: 31785401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2019.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a main cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and is consistently under-diagnosed. Community-based screening initiatives, such as HepCheck, have been identified as important components of HCV care. HepCheck focuses on screening and identifying HCV RNA-positive cases in high-risk populations and linking them to care as part of a larger European project to improve HCV care (HepCare). METHODS HCV testing with a self-administered questionnaire was offered to 2822 individuals. RESULTS There were 2079 patients screened. Overall, 397 (19%) of the total screened cohort were identified as having active HCV infections as measured by HCV RNA PCR. The patients were mostly male (84%), white (88%), and had a history of injecting drug use (IDU) (86%), homelessness (58%), and tattooing (42%). There were 136 new cases (7% of the total sample and 34% of identified active infections). Romania had the highest proportion of newly identified cases with 87%, then Ireland with 60%, and Spain with 43%; the UK had the lowest proportion of new cases at 10%. CONCLUSIONS For those lost to follow-up, a major strategy is re-engagement. For those newly diagnosed, the 'seek and treat' approach is a key strategy. Thus, different priorities are defined for different countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordana Avramovic
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Ireland; University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cristiana Oprea
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Romania
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tina Mc Hugh
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Irina Ianache
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Romania
| | - Stefan Lazar
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Romania
| | - Ionut Popa
- Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Romania
| | | | - John S Lambert
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Ireland; University College Dublin, Ireland.
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27
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Hutton J, Doyle J, Zordan R, Weiland T, Cocco A, Howell J, Iser S, Snell J, Fry S, New K, Sloane R, Jarman M, Phan D, Tran S, Pedrana A, Williams B, Johnson J, Glasgow S, Thompson A. Point-of-care Hepatitis C virus testing and linkage to treatment in an Australian inner-city emergency department. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 72:84-90. [PMID: 31351752 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Australia, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) treatment is declining, despite broad access to direct-acting antiviral medication. People who inject drugs are proportionally over-represented in emergency department presentations. Emergency department assessment of people who have injected drugs for HCV presents an opportunity to engage this marginalised population with treatment. We describe the outcomes of risk-based screening and point-of-care anti-HCV testing for emergency department patients, and linkage to outpatient antiviral treatment. METHODS During the three-month study period, consecutive adult patients who presented to the emergency department during the study times were screened for risk factors and offered the OraQuick oral HCV antibody test. Those with reactive results were offered venepuncture in the emergency department for confirmatory testing and direct-acting antiviral treatment in clinic. The main outcome measures were the number and proportion of viremic participants that were linked to the hepatitis clinic, commenced treatment and achieved a sustained viral response. Secondary outcome measures were the proportion (%) of presentations screened that were oral antibody reactive, and the prevalence and type of HCV risk factors. RESULTS During the study period, 2408 of the 3931 (61%) presentations to the emergency department were eligible for screening. Of these 2408 patients, 1122 (47%) participated, 307 (13%) declined participation and 977 (41%) could not be approached during their time in the emergency department. Among the 1122 participants, 378 (34%) reported at least one risk factor. Subsequently, 368 (97%) of the 378 participants underwent OraQuick anti-HCV test, and 50 (14%) had a reactive result. A risk factor of ever having injected drugs was present in 44 (88%) of participants who were sero-positive. Of the 45 that had blood tested, 30 (67%) were HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) positive. Three participants died. Of the 27 remaining participants, 10 (37%) commenced treatment and 7 of these 10 (70%) obtained a cure. There was a high rate of homelessness (24%) among anti-HCV positive participants. CONCLUSION Among emergency department participants with a risk factor for HCV, positive serology was common using a rapid point-of-care test. A history of injecting drug use was identified as the risk factor with highest yield for positive HCV serology, and is suitable as a single screening question. However, linkage to care post ED presentation was low in this marginalised population. There is a need for new pathways to improve the care cascade for marginalised individuals living with HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hutton
- Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia.
| | - J Doyle
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; The Alfred and Monash University Department of Infectious Diseases, Melbourne, Australia
| | - R Zordan
- Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - T Weiland
- Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Cocco
- Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Howell
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S Iser
- Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Snell
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S Fry
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - K New
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - R Sloane
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - M Jarman
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - D Phan
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S Tran
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - J Johnson
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S Glasgow
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Thompson
- Gastroenterology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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