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Dunham K, Rivas C, Medina Blanco P, Kolod B, Salvati C, Clark K, Sue KL, Hagaman A, Weiss JJ. "It's Like A Partnership": Exploring the Primary Care Experiences and Patient-Defined Goals of People Who Use Drugs. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:1681-1689. [PMID: 38578536 PMCID: PMC11255174 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08743-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary care is an important yet underutilized resource in addressing the overdose crisis. Previous studies have identified important aspects of primary care for people who use drugs (PWUD) and have found patient involvement in healthcare decisions and goal-setting to be especially critical. However, there has been limited research describing the primary care goals of PWUD. In harm reduction settings, where it is imperative that PWUD set their own goals, this research gap becomes especially relevant. OBJECTIVE To explore how PWUD navigate primary care with a focus on understanding their primary care goals. DESIGN A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. PARTICIPANTS PWUD currently engaged in primary care at the Respectful and Equitable Access to Comprehensive Healthcare (REACH) Program, a harm reduction-based primary care program in New York City. APPROACH Between June 2022 and August 2022, we conducted 17 semi-structured interviews. Informed by phenomenology, transcripts were coded using both inductive and deductive codes and themes were developed using thematic analysis approaches. KEY RESULTS Phenomenological analysis identified four core components that, together, created an experience that participants described as "a partnership" between patient and provider: (1) patient-provider collaboration around patient-defined healthcare goals; (2) support provided by harm reduction-based approaches to primary care anchored in incrementalism and flexibility; (3) care teams' ability to address healthcare system fragmentation; and (4) the creation of social connections through primary care. This holistic partnership fostered positive primary care experiences and supported participants' self-defined care goals, thereby facilitating meaningful care outcomes. CONCLUSIONS To best meet the primary care goals of PWUD, these findings underscore the importance of primary care providers and programs facilitating such partnerships through organizational-level support anchored in harm reduction. Future research should explore how these experiences in primary care affect patient health outcomes, ultimately shaping best practices in the provision of high-quality primary care for PWUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Dunham
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA.
| | - Catherine Rivas
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1087, New York, USA
| | - Paula Medina Blanco
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1087, New York, USA
| | - Betty Kolod
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1087, New York, USA
| | - Carli Salvati
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1087, New York, USA
| | - Katie Clark
- Clark Health Education and Research Solutions, Branford, USA
| | - Kimberly L Sue
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Ashley Hagaman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Weiss
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1087, New York, USA
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2
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Gonzalez Corro LA, Zook K, Landry M, Rosecrans A, Harris R, Gaskin D, Falade-Nwulia O, Page KR, Lucas GM. An Analysis of Social Determinants of Health and Their Implications for Hepatitis C Virus Treatment in People Who Inject Drugs: The Case of Baltimore. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae107. [PMID: 38567197 PMCID: PMC10986855 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sixty-eight percent of the nearly 3.5 million people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States are people who inject drugs (PWID). Despite effective treatments, uptake remains low in PWID. We examined the social determinants of health (SDoH) that affect the HCV care cascade. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data from 720 PWID in a cluster-randomized trial. We recruited PWID from 12 drug-affected areas in Baltimore. Inclusion criteria were injection in the prior month or needle sharing in the past 6 months. Intake data consisted of a survey and HCV testing. Focusing on SDoH, we analyzed self-report of (1) awareness of HCV infection (in those with active or previously cured HCV) and (2) prior HCV treatment (in the aware subgroup). We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression for statistical analyses. Results The 342 participants were majority male and Black with a median age of 52 years. Women were more likely to be aware of their status but less likely to be treated. Having a primary care provider and HIV-positive status were associated with increased awareness and treatment. Unhoused people had 51% lower odds of HCV treatment. People who reported that other PWID had shared their HCV status with them had 2.3-fold higher odds of awareness of their own status. Conclusions Further study of gender disparities in HCV treatment access is needed. Increased social support was associated with higher odds of HCV treatment, suggesting an area for future interventions. Strategies to identify and address SDoH are needed to end HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katie Zook
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Miles Landry
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Amanda Rosecrans
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert Harris
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Darrell Gaskin
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Lopes SS, Pericot-Valverde I, Lum PJ, Taylor LE, Mehta SH, Tsui JI, Feinberg J, Kim AY, Norton BL, Page K, Murray-Krezan C, Anderson J, Karasz A, Arnsten J, Moschella P, Heo M, Litwin AH. Overreporting of adherence to hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral therapy and sustained virologic response among people who inject drugs in the HERO study. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:251. [PMID: 38395747 PMCID: PMC10893697 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09124-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-reported adherence to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) among persons who inject drugs (PWID) is often an overreport of objectively measured adherence. The association of such overreporting with sustained virologic response (SVR) is understudied. This study among PWID aimed to determine a threshold of overreporting adherence that optimally predicts lower SVR rates, and to explore correlates of the optimal overreporting threshold. METHODS This study analyzed per-protocol data of participants with adherence data (N = 493) from the HERO (Hepatitis C Real Options) study. Self-reported and objective adherence to a 12-week DAA regimen were measured using visual analogue scales and electronic blister packs, respectively. The difference (Δ) between self-reported and objectively measured adherence was calculated. We used the Youden index based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to identify an optimal threshold of overreporting for predicting lower SVR rates. Factors associated with the optimal threshold of overreporting were identified by comparing baseline characteristics between participants at/above versus those below the threshold. RESULTS The self-reported, objective, and Δ adherence averages were 95.1% (SD = 8.9), 75.9% (SD = 16.3), and 19.2% (SD = 15.2), respectively. The ≥ 25% overreporting threshold was determined to be optimal. The SVR rate was lower for ≥ 25% vs. < 25% overreporting (86.7% vs. 95.8%, p <.001). The factors associated with ≥ 25% Δ adherence were unemployment; higher number of days and times/day of injecting drugs; higher proportion of positive urine drug screening for amphetamine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone, and negative urine screening for THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)/cannabis. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported DAA adherence was significantly greater than objectively measured adherence among PWID by 19.2%. Having ≥ 25% overreported adherence was associated with optimal prediction of lower SVR rates. PWID with risk factors for high overreporting may need to be more intensively managed to promote actual adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snehal S Lopes
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 29634, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Irene Pericot-Valverde
- Department of Psychology, College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences, Clemson University, 29634, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Paula J Lum
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave, 94110, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lynn E Taylor
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, University of Rhode Island, 7 Greenhouse Road, 02881, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Shruti H Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E6546, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Judith I Tsui
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 325 9th Ave, 98104, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Judith Feinberg
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 930 Chestnut Ridge Road, 26505, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, 26506, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Arthur Y Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, 02114, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brianna L Norton
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 10461, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 10467, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Kimberly Page
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, University of New Mexico, MSC 10, 5550, 87131, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Cristina Murray-Krezan
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jessica Anderson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, University of New Mexico, MSC 10, 5550, 87131, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Alison Karasz
- UMass Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Ave, North, 01605, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Julia Arnsten
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 10461, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 10467, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Phillip Moschella
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Prisma Health, Greenville, SC, USA
- School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 876 W Faris Rd, 29605, Greenville, SC, USA
| | - Moonseong Heo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 29634, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Alain H Litwin
- School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 876 W Faris Rd, 29605, Greenville, SC, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Prisma Health, 29605, Greenville, SC, USA.
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4
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Cheedalla A, Hinely K, Roby L, Hall OT, Malvestutto C, Rood KM. Postpartum Hepatitis C Linkage to Care Program in a Co-located Substance Use Disorders Treatment Model. Matern Child Health J 2023; 27:87-93. [PMID: 37768533 PMCID: PMC10691992 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03770-w] [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] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is increasingly prevalent in pregnancy and among people with substance use disorders (SUD). Highly effective treatments are now available for chronic HCV. Qualifying for HCV treatment often requires preauthorization and several clinical criteria, including laboratory assessment of liver function and other infectious diseases and liver imaging to assess for fibrosis. Linkage to care (LTC) models have been shown to assist with obtaining the necessary clinical information (laboratory assessment/liver imaging) and improving HCV treatment rates in non-pregnant individuals. DESCRIPTION Beginning in December 2020, a specialized LTC team identified patients with HCV viremia who were interested in postpartum treatment. The LTC team assisted patients with completing the necessary clinical criteria (laboratory assessment and liver imaging) for HCV treatment. Patients were then linked to infectious disease specialists who prescribed treatment to patients via telemedicine. Most patients identified with HCV were enrolled in our institution's co-located obstetric and SUD program, which provides continued care until 1 year postpartum. ASSESSMENT In 2019, an internal review identified that none of the 26 pregnant patients with HCV viremia in our co-located obstetric and SUD program were prescribed direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment within 12 months postpartum. Between December 2020 and July 2022, our HCV LTC team identified 34 patients with HCV who were eligible for treatment. Of these patients, 55% (19/34) obtained all necessary laboratory and liver imaging requirements and 79% (15/19) were prescribed DAA treatment after a telehealth visit with an infectious disease specialist. All fifteen patients who were prescribed treatment participated in the co-located obstetric and SUD program. The largest barrier to obtaining treatment was completing the necessary laboratory and liver imaging requirements for prescribing DAA. Only one patient who did not receive care in our co-located obstetric and SUD program had completed the necessary laboratory and liver imaging requirements to proceed with treatment but did not follow up with the infectious disease specialist for DAA treatment. CONCLUSION Our HCV LTC program was successful in treating postpartum patients for HCV if they participated in the co-located obstetric and SUD program at our institution. Creating a partnership with an infectious disease specialist and utilizing telemedicine were beneficial strategies to connect patients to treatment for HCV during the postpartum period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneesha Cheedalla
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McCampbell Hall, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Katherine Hinely
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McCampbell Hall, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Lauren Roby
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McCampbell Hall, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - O Trent Hall
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Talbot Hall, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Carlos Malvestutto
- Department of Infectious Diseases, McCampbell Hall, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kara M Rood
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McCampbell Hall, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
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Ghebremeskel GG, Berhe Solomon M, Achila OO, Mengistu ST, Asmelash RF, Berhane Mesfin A, Hamida ME. Real-world treatment outcome of direct-acting antivirals and patient survival rates in chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Eritrea. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20792. [PMID: 38012181 PMCID: PMC10682448 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47258-7] [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: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Reliable real-world data on direct acting anti-retroviral (DAA) uptake and treatment outcomes are lacking for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in sub-Saharan Africa. This study provides data on HCV DAA-based treatment outcomes, mortality, loss-to-follow up, and associated factors among patients in Eritrea. A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Asmara, Eritrea. A structured checklist was used to collect data from patient's cards. Descriptive and inferential statistics used included means (± Standard deviation (SD), medians (Interquartile range (IQR), chi-squire (χ2), Kaplan-Meier estimates, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. A total of 238 patients with median age of 59 years (IQR 50-69 years) were enrolled in the study. Out of the 227 patients initiated on treatment, 125 patients had viral load measurements at 12 weeks after end of treatment (EOT) whereas 102 patients had no viral load measurements at 12 weeks EOT. Among the patients with HCV RNA data post-EOT 12, 116 (92.8%) had sustained viral response (SVR). The prevalence of death and loss-to-follow up (LTFU) were (7.5%, 95% CI 1.7-4.1) and 67 (28.1%, 95% CI 22.3-33.9) translating into an incidence of 1.1 (95% CI 0.8-1.5) per 10,000 person days. Independent predictors of LTFU included the enrollment year (2020: aHR = 2.2, 95% CI 1-4.7; p value = 0.04); Hospital (Hospital B: aHR = 2.2, 95% CI 1-4.7; p value = 0.03) and the FIB-4 score (FIB-Score < 1.45: aHR = 3.7, 95% CI 1.2-11.5; p value = 0.02). The SVR rates achieved in this cohort were high. However, high LTFU and high mortality driven largely by late presentation and suboptimal population screening/case finding, were uncovered. These challenges can be addressed by test-and-treat programs that simultaneously prioritize programmatic screening, decentralization of care, and better patient tracking in the HCV care cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Oliver Okoth Achila
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, Orotta College of Medicine and Health Sciences (OCMHS), Asmara, Eritrea
| | | | | | - Araia Berhane Mesfin
- National Communicable Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Asmara, Eritrea
| | - Mohammed Elfatih Hamida
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Orotta College of Medicine and Health Sciences (OCMHS), Asmara, Eritrea
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6
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Nguyen I, Moussa K, Gutierrez J. Hepatitis C Virus Elimination in the United States: Challenges, Progress, and Future Steps. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y) 2023; 19:700-707. [PMID: 38405224 PMCID: PMC10882868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health challenge with a simple, highly efficacious, all-oral therapy (direct-acting antivirals) that can achieve cure. Owing to the ease of treatment, the World Health Organization outlined goals to eliminate HCV by the year 2030. However, unforeseen challenges have hampered progress, and few countries are on track to meet these goals. Significant disparities remain among priority populations because of barriers to care on the systemic, provider, and patient levels. In turn, many local, state, and national organizations have been persistent in tackling these barriers, the greatest of which is linkage to care. In 2023, the White House launched a multipronged national initiative to eliminate HCV infection. The resulting economic impact of the national HCV elimination program is estimated to yield a significant net cost savings of $18.1 billion within a 10-year period. This article addresses the barriers to HCV care in different priority populations and discusses innovative models of HCV care that have been introduced in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Nguyen
- Scripps Clinic/Scripps Green Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Karine Moussa
- Scripps Clinic/Scripps Green Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Julio Gutierrez
- Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation, La Jolla, California
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7
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Beiser ME, Shaw LC, Wilson GA, Muse KO, Shores SK, Baggett TP. Factors Associated with Sustained Virologic Response to Hepatitis C Treatment in a Homeless-Experienced Cohort in Boston, 2014-2020. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:865-872. [PMID: 36127534 PMCID: PMC10039192 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07778-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Engaging people experiencing homelessness or unstable housing in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment is critical to achieving HCV elimination. OBJECTIVE To describe HCV treatment outcomes, including factors associated with retention through the treatment cascade, for a cohort of individuals treated in a homeless health center in Boston. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS All individuals who initiated HCV treatment with Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program's HCV treatment program between January 2014 and March 2020 (N = 867). OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was sustained virologic response (SVR), defined as an HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) level ≤ 15 IU/mL at least 12 weeks after treatment completion. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between baseline variables and SVR. Process-oriented outcomes included treatment completion, assessment for SVR, and achievement of SVR. RESULTS Of 867 individuals who started HCV treatment, 796 (91.8%) completed treatment, 678 (78.2%) were assessed for SVR, and 607 (70.0%) achieved SVR. In adjusted analysis, residing in stable housing (OR 3.83, 95% CI 1.85-7.90) and age > 45 years old (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.04-2.26) were associated with a greater likelihood of achieving SVR. Recent drug use (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.41-0.95) was associated with a lower likelihood of SVR. Age, housing status, and drug use status impacted retention at every step in the treatment cascade. CONCLUSION A large proportion of homeless-experienced individuals engaging in HCV treatment in a homeless health center achieved SVR, but enhanced approaches are needed to engage and retain younger individuals, those with recent or ongoing substance use, or those experiencing homelessness or unstable housing. Efforts to achieve HCV elimination in this population should consider the complex and overlapping challenges experienced by this population and aim to address the fundamental harm of homelessness itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marguerite E Beiser
- Institute for Research, Quality, and Policy in Homeless Health Care, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Leah C Shaw
- Institute for Research, Quality, and Policy in Homeless Health Care, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giavanna A Wilson
- Institute for Research, Quality, and Policy in Homeless Health Care, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Khadija O Muse
- Institute for Research, Quality, and Policy in Homeless Health Care, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Savanna K Shores
- Institute for Research, Quality, and Policy in Homeless Health Care, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Travis P Baggett
- Institute for Research, Quality, and Policy in Homeless Health Care, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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8
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Valencia J, Lazarus JV, Ceballos FC, Troya J, Cuevas G, Resino S, Torres-Macho J, Ryan P. Differences in the hepatitis C virus cascade of care and time to initiation of therapy among vulnerable subpopulations using a mobile unit as point-of-care. Liver Int 2022; 42:309-319. [PMID: 34767680 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS People who inject drugs (PWID) and other marginalized populations with high hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rates represent a unique challenge for treatment initiation due to health, administrative and social barriers. We analysed the HCV cascade of care (CoC) in some vulnerable subpopulations in Madrid, Spain, when using a mobile point-of-care (PoC). METHODS From 2019 to 2021, a mobile unit was used to screen active HCV using a linkage-to-care and two-step PoC-based strategy. Viremic participants were grouped into four subgroups: PWID, homeless individuals and people with a mental health disorder (MHD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Logistic regression, and Cox and Aalen's additive models were used to analyse associated factors and differences between groups. RESULTS A prospectively recruited cohort of 214 HCV-infected individuals (73 PWID, 141 homeless, 57 with a MHD and 91 with AUD) participated in the study. The overall HCV CoC analysis found that 178 (83.1%) attended a hospital, 164 (76.6%) initiated direct-acting antiviral therapy and 141 (65.8%) completed therapy, of which 99 (95.2%) achieved sustained virological response (SVR). PWID were significantly less likely to initiate treatment, whereas individuals with AUD waited longer before starting the treatment. Both people with AUD and PWID were significantly less likely to complete HCV treatment. CONCLUSIONS Overall, SVR was achieved in the majority of the participants treated. However, PWID need better linkage to care and treatment, whereas PWID and AUD need more support for treatment completion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Valencia
- Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain.,Harm Reduction Unit 'SMASD', Addictions and Mental Health Department, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco C Ceballos
- Viral Infection and Immunity Unit, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Troya
- Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Cuevas
- Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Resino
- Viral Infection and Immunity Unit, National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Torres-Macho
- Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Ryan
- Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain.,School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
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9
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Ohringer AR, Serota DP, McLean RL, Stockman LJ, Watt JP. Disparities in risk perception and low harm reduction services awareness, access, and utilization among young people with newly reported hepatitis C infections in California, 2018. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1435. [PMID: 34289822 PMCID: PMC8296725 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11492-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Newly reported hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in California increased 50% among people 15–29 years of age between 2014 and 2016. National estimates suggest this increase was due to the opioid epidemic and associated increases in injection drug use. However, most of California’s 61 local health jurisdictions (LHJs) do not routinely investigate newly reported HCV infections, so these individuals’ risk factors for infection are not well understood. We sought to describe the demographics, risk behaviors, and utilization of harm reduction services in California’s fastest-rising age group of people with newly reported hepatitis C infections to support targeted HCV prevention and treatment strategies. Methods California Department of Public Health invited LHJs to participate in enhanced surveillance if they met criteria indicating heightened population risk for HCV infection among people ages 15–29. From June–December 2018, eight LHJs contacted newly reported HCV cases by phone using a structured questionnaire. Results Among 472 total HCV cases who met the inclusion criteria, 114 (24%) completed an interview. Twenty-seven percent of respondents (n = 31) had ever been incarcerated, of whom 29% received a tattoo/piercing and 39% injected drugs while incarcerated. Among people who injected drugs (PWID)—36% (n = 41) of all respondents—68% shared injection equipment and many lacked access to harm reduction services: 37% knew of or ever used a needle exchange and 44% ever needed naloxone during an overdose but did not have it. Heroin was the most frequently reported injected drug (n = 30), followed by methamphetamine (n = 18). Pre-diagnosis HCV risk perception varied significantly by PWID status and race/ethnicity: 76% of PWID vs. 8% of non-PWID (p < 0.001), and 44% of non-Hispanic White respondents vs. 22% of people of color (POC) respondents (p = 0.011), reported thinking they were at risk for HCV before diagnosis. Eighty-nine percent of all respondents reported having health insurance, although only two had taken HCV antiviral medications. Conclusions Among young people with HCV, we found limited pre-diagnosis HCV risk perception and access to harm reduction services, with racial/ethnic disparities. Interventions to increase harm reduction services awareness, access, and utilization among young PWID, especially young PWID of color, may be warranted. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11492-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison R Ohringer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. .,Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch, Division of Communicable Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Building P, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA.
| | - David P Serota
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Rachel L McLean
- Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch, Division of Communicable Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Building P, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA.
| | - Lauren J Stockman
- Office of Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch, Division of Communicable Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Building P, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA
| | - James P Watt
- Division of Communicable Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
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