Urgent action to fight hepatitis C in people who inject drugs in Europe

Non-disclosure of drug injection practices as a barrier to HCV testing: results from the PrebupIV community-based research study

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence is particularly high in people who inject drugs (PWID), a population that faces many barriers to HCV testing and care. A better understanding of the determinants of access to HCV testing is needed to improve their engagement in the HCV care cascade. We used data from a cross-sectional survey of people who inject drugs, mainly opioids, to identify factors associated with recent HCV testing.

METHODS

Self-reported data on HCV antibody testing were analyzed for 550 of the 557 PWID enrolled in PrebupIV, a French cross-sectional community-based survey which assessed PWID acceptability of injectable buprenorphine as a treatment. Factors associated with recent (i.e., in the previous six months) HCV antibody testing were identified performing multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among the study sample, 79% were men and 31% reported recent HCV antibody testing. Multivariable analysis found that PWID who did not disclose their injection practices to anyone (aOR [95% CI] 0.31 [0.12,0.82], p = 0.018), older PWID (aOR [95% CI] 0.97 [0.95,1.00], p = 0.030) and employed respondents (aOR [95% CI] 0.58 [0.37,0.92], p = 0.019) were all less likely to report recent HCV testing. No association was found between opioid agonist therapy and HCV testing.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that non-disclosure of injection practices, employment and age were all barriers to HCV antibody testing. Preventing stigma around injection practices, developing the HCV testing offer in primary care and addiction care services, and training healthcare providers in HCV care management could improve HCV testing and therefore, the HCV care cascade in PWID.

Hepatitis C Virus Dynamic Transmission Models Among People Who Inject Drugs

Background

Transmission dynamic model is a concrete structure to describe and investigate the complex system of host-pathogen interactions. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne virus that is transmitted from infectious to susceptible individuals when they come into contact with HCV-contaminated equipment. Injecting drug use is the most known transmission route, and about 80% of new HCV cases have been confirmed as having acquired HCV infection via drug injection.

Objective

The main objective of this review paper was to review the importance of HCV dynamic transmission model, that enables the readers to understand the mechanism how HCV is transmissible from infectious to susceptible hosts and the effective controlling strategies.

Methods

PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and Web of Science electronic databases have been used to search data by using key terms like "HCV transmission model among people who inject drug (PWID)", HCV potential herd immunity", and "basic reproductive number for HCV transmission in PWID." Data from research findings other than English version have been excluded from being used, and the most recently published data have been considered to be included.

Conclusion

HCV belongs to the Hepacivirus genus within the Flaviviridae family. HCV infection is acquired when the susceptible individuals in populations come into contact with medical equipment such as shared syringes and needles, or swabs contaminated with infected blood. Construction of HCV transmission dynamic model is very significant in order to predict the duration and magnitude of its epidemic and to evaluate the potential impact of intervention. Comprehensive harm reduction and care/support service strategies are the best approach for intervention regarding HCV infection transmission among PWID.

Need for integration of hepatitis C (HCV) services in community-based settings for people who inject drugs: results from a global values and preferences survey

BACKGROUND

To inform the development of updated World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on simplified service delivery for HCV infection, a global survey was undertaken among people affected or infected by HCV. The objective of this analysis is to identify specific needs and preferences among people who inject drugs.

METHODS

A multi-country, anonymous, self-administered online survey conducted in 2021 was developed by Coalition PLUS and the World Hepatitis Alliance in partnership with the WHO. Preferences for test and treat locations and simplifying HCV care were collected among people affected or infected by HCV. Chi-square tests were used to compare respondents who identified with current or former injection drug users through identification with key population to other respondents who did not identify with this key population.

RESULTS

Among 202 respondents, 62 (30.7%) identified with current/former injection drug users. Compared to other respondents, they were: older [median (IQR): 48 (36-57) vs. 39 (31-51) years, p = 0.003]; more likely to have been tested for HCV (90.2% vs. 64.3%, p = 0.001); more likely to prefer testing in a community-based centre (CBC) (55.4% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.005); or in a support centres for people who use drugs (SCPUD)(50.0% vs. 9.8%, p < 0.001). The most important considerations regarding testing locations among people identified with current/former injection drug users (compared to the other respondents) were: non-judgemental atmosphere (p < 0.001), anonymity (p = 0.018) and community worker (CW) presence (p < 0.001). People identified with current/former injection drug users were more likely to prefer to receive HCV treatment in a CBC (63.0% vs. 44.8%, p = 0.028) or in a SCPUD (46.3% vs. 9.5%, p < 0.001), compared to the other respondents. The most important considerations regarding treatment locations among people identified with current/former injection drug users were the non-stigmatising/non-judgemental approach at the site (p < 0.001) and the presence of community-friendly medical personnel or CW (p = 0.016 and 0.002), compared to the other respondents.

CONCLUSION

The preferences of people identified with current/former injection drug users indicated specific needs concerning HCV services. Integration of HCV services in community-based risk reduction centres may be an important element in the development of adapted services to increase uptake and retention in HCV care among this population.

HCV Cure and Cannabis Abstinence Facilitate Tobacco Smoking Quit Attempts in HIV-HCV Co-Infected Patients (ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH Cohort Study)

In Western countries, tobacco smoking is highly prevalent among patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). In the era of antiretrovirals and HCV cure, smoking-related health damages contribute greatly to morbidity and mortality in HIV-HCV co-infected patients. We used longitudinal data from the ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH cohort to identify the correlates of tobacco smoking quit attempts (TSQA) in HIV-HCV co-infected patients. TSQA were modelled using a multivariable discrete-time Cox proportional hazards model in 695 HIV-HCV co-infected tobacco smokers. HCV cure was associated with a 76% higher chance of TSQA (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.76 [1.06-2.93], p = 0.029), and cannabis use with a 37% lower chance (0.63 [0.40-1.00], p = 0.049), independently of the mode of HIV transmission, other psychoactive substance use, and body mass index. Patients should be screened for tobacco and cannabis use at HCV treatment initiation and during follow-up. They should also be provided with comprehensive counselling and referral to addiction services. Non-smoking routes of cannabis administration should be promoted for cannabis users who wish to quit smoking tobacco.

Integration of community-based testing data into national HIV surveillance in Poland, Serbia and Slovakia within the framework of INTEGRATE project

BACKGROUND

Community-based voluntary counselling and testing contributes to early HIV diagnoses among key populations. Testing data from such decentralized services is however often not standardized nor linked to national surveillance systems. This study aimed to support the integration of community testing data into respective national surveillance and monitoring and evaluation systems for those infections. We present results from three national pilots, focused on improved data collection and transfer.

METHODS

 Within the Joint Action INTEGRATE different pilot activities were planned and implemented according to the local context. In Slovakia, standardised data collection tools were implemented in three community testing services. The data generated was used to calculate the proposed indicators. In Poland, positive test results from the community testing database were linked to the national case-based surveillance database using confirmatory test number, to improve the completeness of behavioural data in the national database. In Serbia, voluntary counselling and testing forms were improved enabling identification of community-based testing. A system to generate unique client identifiers was initiated in the National registry of HIV cases to monitor linkage to care.

RESULTS

All three sites were able to estimate most of the agreed indicators. In Slovakia during the study period 675 people were tested for HIV, 410 for hepatitis C and 457 for syphilis, with reactivity rates of 0.4, 2.5 and 1.8%, respectively. For HIV, 66.7% of reactive cases were confirmed and linked to care. In Poland, 28.9% of the community testing sites' records were linked to the national surveillance database (and accounted for 14.3% of all new diagnoses registered here during 2017-2018). Reactivity rate ranged between 1.9% and 2.1%. In Serbia, 80 persons were tested at community sites, from which two had a reactive HIV test result. By linking unique client identifiers from voluntary counselling and testing and National Registry of HIV cases databases, linkage to care within a two-month period was observed for one of two people with reactive HIV test result.

CONCLUSIONS

 Pilot activities in the three countries demonstrate that integration of community-based testing data into surveillance systems is feasible and can help improve national surveillance data by providing key information.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Hepatitis C Prevention and Care in People Who Inject Drugs: The State of Play

Safe and effective treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has ushered in an era in which hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination, as set out by the World Health Organization, is possible. However, alcohol use disorder (AUD) has the potential to reduce the benefits of prevention interventions and reduce access to and continuity of HCV care in at-risk populations, such as people who inject drugs (PWID). We review the literature on the consequences of AUD on the effectiveness of HCV prevention and the cascade of care in PWID and provide recommendations for future research in the field of alcohol use and HCV.

Current and future strategies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C infection is a major cause of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. While hepatitis C has been treated for decades with some success, the introduction of direct acting antiviral agents has revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C with finite, highly effective, well-tolerated therapy and there are few populations that cannot be successfully treated now or are complicated to manage. The World Health Organization has released elimination targets in an effort to eliminate viral hepatitis and reduce dramatically the morbidity and mortality caused by both viral hepatitis. While hepatitis C is straightforward to treat, it remains problematic to eliminate on a global scale. Diagnosis of hepatitis C remains the major gap in the cascade of care and numerous screening strategies will be required to reduce this gap. While historically, treatment of hepatitis C has been centralized, decentralized approaches will be required to diagnose, evaluate, and link to care the large population of individuals worldwide with hepatitis C across low-, middle-, and high-income countries. With the introduction of multiple pangenotypic treatment options and reduced cost for these therapies, assessment and treatment for those with hepatitis C has been simplified and made more accessible worldwide. There are multiple populations for whom care models are being developed and refined, including those when inject drugs, those who are incarcerated, those who present with sexually transmitted disease including the men who have sex with men population, amongst many others. While a vaccine for hepatitis C remains elusive these efforts continue. Multiple successful elimination efforts have been reported.

Cannabis use is associated with a lower risk of diabetes in chronic hepatitis C-infected patients (ANRS CO22 Hepather cohort)

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a risk factor of insulin resistance, and HCV-infected patients are at a high risk of developing diabetes. In the general population, research has shown the potential benefit of cannabis use for the prevention of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. We aimed to test whether cannabis use is associated with a lower risk of diabetes in chronic HCV-infected patients. Chronic HCV-infected patients (n = 10 445) were selected from the French national, multicenter, observational ANRS CO22 Hepather cohort. Cross-sectional data collected at cohort enrollment were used to assess the association between patients' clinical and behavioural characteristics and the risk of diabetes. Logistic regression model was performed with cannabis use as the main independent variable and a significance level set at 5%. A similar model stratified by the presence of advanced liver fibrosis (FIB-4 > 3.25) was also run. After multivariable adjustment, current (AOR [95%CI]: 0.49 [0.38-0.63]) and former (0.81 [0.67-0.98], P < .001) cannabis use were both associated with a reduced odds of diabetes. Conversely, male gender, tobacco use, elevated BMI, poverty, being a migrant and advanced fibrosis were associated with increased odds of diabetes. The association between cannabis use and diabetes was maintained in the stratified analysis. In this large cross-sectional study of chronic HCV-infected patients, cannabis use was associated with a lower risk of diabetes independently of clinical and socio-behavioural factors. Further studies are needed to elucidate a potential causal link and shed light on cannabis compounds and mechanisms involved in this relationship.

Beyond clinical outcomes: the social and healthcare system implications of hepatitis C treatment

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in people who inject drugs (PWID) can now be treated and cured. However, the impact that HCV treatment has on drug-user health, practices and wellbeing is not known. The aim of this research was to understand the non-clinical impact that HCV treatment has in PWID and their reasons for accessing and completing treatment.

Methods

Participants aged 25–67 years who had injected opioids or stimulants (currently or in the past) and had completed direct-acting antiviral treatment were recruited from seven European countries. Participants completed a 30-min online survey administered face-to-face between September 2018 and April 2019. The questionnaire responses were used to assess the mental and physical impact of having completed treatment.

Results

Of the 124 participants who completed the survey questionnaire, 75% were male, 69% were over 45 years old and 65% were using opioids and/or stimulants at the start of HCV treatment. Participants reported improvements in the following areas after completing HCV treatment: outlook for the future (79%); self-esteem (73%); ability to plan for the future (69%); belief in their abilities (68%); confidence (67%); empowerment (62%); energy levels (59%); and ability to look after themselves (58%). The most common reasons for starting HCV treatment were: becoming aware of treatments that were well tolerated (77%) and effective (75%); and understanding the potentially severe consequences of HCV (75%).

Conclusions

The benefits of HCV treatment go beyond clinical outcomes and are linked to improved drug-user health and wellbeing. Sharing information about well-tolerated and effective HCV treatments, and raising awareness about the potentially severe consequences of untreated HCV are likely to increase the number of PWID who are motivated to access and complete HCV treatment in future.

Telemedicine successfully engages marginalized rural hepatitis C patients in curative care

BACKGROUND

Rurally located individuals living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) face barriers to engagement and retention in care. Telemedicine technologies coupled with highly curative direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatments may increase accessibility to HCV care while achieving high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. We compared clinical and socio-economic characteristics, SVR, and loss to follow-up among telemedicine (TM), mixed delivery (MD), and outpatient clinic (OPC) patients receiving care through The Ottawa Hospital Viral Hepatitis Program (TOHVHP).

METHODS

TOHVHP clinical database was used to evaluate patients engaging HCV care between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016. SVR rates by HCV care delivery method (TM versus OPC versus MD) were calculated.

RESULTS

Analysis included 1,454 patients who engaged with TOHVHP at least once. Patients were aged almost 50 years on average and were predominately male and Caucasian. A greater proportion of TM patients were rurally based, were Indigenous, had a history of substance use, and had previously been incarcerated. Per-protocol DAA SVR rates for TM, OPC, and MD patients were 100% (26/26), 93% (440/472), and 94% (44/47), respectively. Loss-to-follow-up rates for HCV-treated TM and MD patients were higher (27% [10/37], 95% CI 0.58 to 0.88, and 11% [7/62], 95% CI 0.81 to 0.97, respectively) than for those followed exclusively in the OPC (5% [39/800], 95% CI 0.94 to 0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

TM can successfully engage, retain, and cure rurally based HCV patients facing barriers to care. Strategies to improve TM retention of patients initiating HCV antiviral treatment are key to optimizing the impact of this model of care.

Untreated alcohol use disorder in people who inject drugs (PWID) in France: a major barrier to HCV treatment uptake (the ANRS-FANTASIO study)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Although people who inject drugs (PWID) are the core at-risk population in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic in industrialized countries, few initiate treatment. Alcohol use disorder (AUD), common within this population, has been identified as a barrier to HCV treatment uptake in the general population. We investigated whether the arrival of new and well-tolerated HCV treatments (direct-acting antivirals: DAA) has improved HCV treatment uptake in French PWID compared with former treatments (pegylated interferon-based treatments: Peg-IFN).

DESIGN

Using discrete-time Cox proportional hazards models based on exhaustive care delivery data, we tested for associations between AUD (defined by AUD-related long-term illness status, diagnosis coding during hospitalization and/or AUD pharmacological treatment) and first HCV treatment delivery, after adjusting for gender, age, complementary universal health cover, liver disease severity and type of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) received. Separate analyses were performed for 2012-13 (Peg-IFN era) and 2014-16 (DAA era).

SETTING

France.

PARTICIPANTS

All French people chronically HCV-infected who received OAT at least once during 2012-16 and were covered by the national health insurance (n = 24 831).

MEASUREMENTS

Incidence rate of HCV treatment uptake, hazard ratios associated with AUD and other covariates.

FINDINGS

Incidence rate (IR) of HCV treatment uptake per 100 person-years was 6.56, confidence interval (CI) = 6.30-6.84; and IR = 5.70, 95% CI = 5.51-5.89 for Peg-IFN-based treatment (2012-13) and DAA (2014-16), respectively. After multiple adjustment, people with AUD not receiving related medication had 30 and 14% lower Peg-IFN-based treatment and DAA uptake, respectively, than those without AUD [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.62-0.80 and HR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.78-0.94]. No difference was observed between those treated for AUD and those without AUD.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the benefits of direct-acting antiviral treatment, untreated alcohol use disorder appears to remain a major barrier to hepatitis C virus treatment access for people who inject drugs in France.

From peer-based to peer-led: redefining the role of peers across the hepatitis C care pathway: HepCare Europe

BACKGROUND

HCV infection disproportionately affects underserved populations such as homeless individuals, people who inject drugs and prison populations. Peer advocacy can enable active engagement with healthcare services and increase the likelihood of favourable treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This observational study aims to assess the burden of disease in these underserved populations and describe the role of peer support in linking these individuals to specialist treatment services.

METHODS

Services were identified if they had a high proportion of individuals with risk factors for HCV, such as injecting drug use or homelessness. Individuals were screened for HCV using point-of-care tests and a portable FibroScan. All positive cases received peer support for linkage to specialist care. Information was gathered on risk factors, demographics and follow-up information regarding linkage to care and treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 461 individuals were screened, of which 197 (42.7%) were chronically infected with HCV. Referral was made to secondary care for 176 (89.3%) and all received peer support, with 104 (52.8%) individuals engaged with treatment centres. Of these, 89 (85.6%) started treatment and 76 (85.4%) had a favourable outcome. Factors associated with not being approved for treatment were recent homelessness, younger age and current crack cocaine injecting.

CONCLUSIONS

Highly trained peer support workers working as part of a specialist outreach clinical team help to identify a high proportion of individuals exposed to HCV, achieve high rates of engagement with treatment services and maintain high rates of treatment success amongst a population with complex needs.

We know DAAs work, so now what? Simplifying models of care to enhance the hepatitis C cascade

Globally, some 71 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Marginalized populations, particularly people who inject drugs (PWID), have low testing, linkage to care and treatment rates for HCV. Several models of care (MoCs) and service delivery interventions have the potential to improve outcomes across the HCV cascade of care, but much of the relevant research was carried out when interferon-based treatment was the standard of care. Often it was not practical to scale-up these earlier models and interventions because the clinical care needs of patients taking interferon-based regimens imposed too much of a financial and human resource burden on health systems. Despite the adoption of highly effective, all-oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies in recent years, approaches to HCV testing and treatment have evolved slowly and often remain rooted in earlier paradigms. The effectiveness of DAAs allows for simpler approaches and has encouraged countries where the drugs are widely available to set their sights on the ambitious World Health Organization (WHO) HCV elimination targets. Since a large proportion of chronically HCV-infected people are not currently accessing treatment, there is an urgent need to identify and implement existing simplified MoCs that speak to specific populations' needs. This article aims to: (i) review the evidence on MoCs for HCV; and (ii) distil the findings into recommendations for how stakeholders can simplify the path taken by chronically HCV-infected individuals from testing to cure and subsequent care and monitoring.

Changes to the national strategies, plans and guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C in people who inject drugs between 2013 and 2016: a cross-sectional survey of 34 European countries

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. In Europe, people who inject drugs (PWID) represent the majority of HCV infections, but are often excluded from treatment. The aim of this study was to report on national HCV strategies, action plans and guidelines in European countries that include HCV treatment for the general population as well as for PWID. Data on access to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) were also collected.

METHODS

In 2016, 38 non-governmental organisations, universities and public health institutions that work with PWID in 34 European countries were invited to complete a 16-item online survey about current national HCV treatment policies and guidelines. Data from 2016 were compared to those from 2013 for 33 European countries, and time trends are presented. Differences in the data were analysed. Data from 2016 on general access to DAAs in PWID are presented separately.

RESULTS

The response rate was 100%. Fourteen countries (42%) reported having a national HCV strategy covering HCV treatment; 12 of these addressed HCV treatment for PWID. Respondents from ten countries (29%) reported having a national HCV action plan. PWID were specifically included in seven of them. Twenty-nine countries (85%) reported having national HCV treatment guidelines. PWID were specifically included in 23 (79%) of them. Compared to 2013, respondents reported that an additional seven countries (25%) had national strategies, an additional eight countries (29%) had action plans and an additional six countries (19%) had HCV treatment guidelines. However, PWID were not included in two, four and six of those countries, respectively. DAAs were reported to be available in 91% of the study countries, with restrictions reported in 71% of them.

CONCLUSION

Respondents reported that fewer than half of the European countries in this study had a national HCV strategy and/or action plan, with even fewer including PWID. However, when compared to 2013, the number of such countries had slightly increased. Although PWID are often addressed in clinical guidelines, strategic action is needed to increase access to HCV treatment for this group and the situation should be regularly monitored.

Aiming towards hepatitis C virus elimination in Greece

There are estimated to be 74,000-134,000 patients living with chronic hepatitis C in Greece, but only 20-30% of them are aware of their disease status. In July 2017, the Hellenic National Plan for Hepatitis C was announced in alignment with the World Health Organization goals for the eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by the year 2030. This article discusses the epidemiology and current treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Greece. Additionally the authors propose actions on how to bring back to care diagnosed patients lost to follow up, optimize access to care for HCV-infected people who inject drugs, and increase HCV screening in the general population. The medical community in Greece can play a pivotal role in the implementation of the HCV National Plan and in the efforts to reach the goal of HCV elimination.

The benefits of hepatitis C virus cure: Every rose has thorns

To examine mid-term benefits on hepatic complications, extrahepatic clinical syndromes and quality of life associated with HCV cure; to review the few safety issues linked to oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs); and to discuss the potential population benefits of reducing the burden of HCV infection. DAAs cure HCV infection in more than 95% of patients. The halting of liver inflammation and fibrosis progression translates into both hepatic and extrahepatic benefits and reduces the need for liver transplantation. A reduction in the frequency of extrahepatic manifestations such as mixed cryoglobulinaemia and vasculitis and improvements in quality of life and fatigue have also been described. A few safety issues linked to DAAs such as the potential recurrence of aggressive HCC, the flares of hepatitis B virus in patients with overt or occult HBV infection are been discussed. Curing HCV infection also has a high potential to reduce the burden of HCV infection at the population level. With widespread scaling up of HCV treatment, several modeling studies suggest that major reductions in HCV prevalence and incidence are possible, and that elimination of viral hepatitis is an achievable target by 2030.

Developing a community HCV service: project ITTREAT (integrated community-based test - stage - TREAT) service for people who inject drugs

Background and aims Majority of the individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in England are people who inject drugs, a vulnerable and disenfranchised cohort with poor engagement with secondary care. Our aim is to describe our experiences in setting up a successful nurse led HCV service at a substance misuse service (SMS).

METHODS

We justify the need for a community HCV service and review the different community based models. Our experiences in engaging with stakeholders, obtaining funding, service set up, challenges faced and key recommendations are discussed. Finally, a summary of interim clinical outcomes is presented.

RESULTS

A successful community based "one-stop" nurse led HCV service was set up in Dec 2013 at a large SMS. It provides all aspects of care (blood borne virus screening, non-invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis, Hepatology input, HCV treatment, peer mentor, social and psychiatrist support, and opiod substitution) at one site. Interim clinical data indicate high service uptake with HCV treatment outcomes comparable to secondary care.

CONCLUSIONS

The advent of direct acting antivirals provides a unique opportunity for HCV elimination in England by 2030. Our "one-stop" integrated and multidisciplinary community HCV model suggests that HCV care can be successfully delivered outside of a hospital setting and warrants national adoption.

Policy responses to hepatitis C in the Nordic countries: Gaps and discrepant reporting in the Hep-Nordic study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden), the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is relatively low in the general population, but is much higher among people who inject drugs (PWID). We conducted an exploratory study to investigate the extent to which these countries have policies supporting key elements of the public health response that is necessary to achieve the global goal of eliminating HCV as a public health threat.

METHODS

Fourteen stakeholders representing government agencies, medical societies, and civil society organisations (CSOs) in the Nordic countries completed a cross-sectional online survey that included 21 policy questions related to national coordination, prevention, testing, linkage to care, and treatment. We summarised the findings in a descriptive analysis, and noted discrepant responses from stakeholders within the same country.

RESULTS

Stakeholders reported that three of the five study countries have national viral hepatitis strategies, while only Iceland has a national HCV elimination goal. The availability of harm reduction services varies, with opioid substitution therapy provided for the general population throughout all countries, but not needle and syringe programmes. No country has access to anonymous HCV testing in all parts of the country. National HCV treatment guidelines are available in all countries except Finland, and all countries provide publicly funded direct-acting antiviral treatment. Disagreement regarding policies was observed across countries, and CSOs were the stakeholder group that most frequently answered survey questions incorrectly.

CONCLUSION

The Nordic region as a whole has not consistently expressed its commitment to tackling HCV, despite the existence of large HCV epidemics among PWID in these countries. Stakeholder alignment and an established elimination goal with an accompanying strategy and implementation plan should be recognised as the basis for coordinated national public health efforts to achieve HCV elimination in the Nordic region and elsewhere.

Global elimination of hepatitis C virus infection: Progresses and the remaining challenges

Today, with the introduction of interferon-free direct-acting antivirals and outstanding progresses in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the elimination of HCV infection seems more achievable. A further challenge is continued transmission of HCV infection in high-risk population specially injecting drug users (IDUs) as the major reservoir of HCV infection. Considering the fact that most of these infections remain undiagnosed, unidentified HCV-infected IDUs are potential sources for the rapid spread of HCV in the community. The continuous increase in the number of IDUs along with the rising prevalence of HCV infection among young IDUs is harbinger of a forthcoming public health dilemma, presenting a serious challenge to control transmission of HCV infection. Even the changes in HCV genotype distribution attributed to injecting drug use confirm this issue. These circumstances create a strong demand for timely diagnosis and proper treatment of HCV-infected patients through risk-based screening to mitigate the risk of HCV transmission in the IDUs community and, consequently, in the society. Meanwhile, raising general awareness of HCV infection, diagnosis and treatment through public education should be the core activity of any harm reduction intervention, as the root cause of failure in control of HCV infection has been lack of awareness among young drug takers. In addition, effective prevention, comprehensive screening programs with a specific focus on high-risk population, accessibility to the new anti-HCV treatment regimens and public education should be considered as the top priorities of any health policy decision to eliminate HCV infection.

Chronic hepatitis C and individuals with a history of injecting drugs in Spain: population assessment, challenges for successful treatment

In Spain, there is a need to improve chronic hepatitis C care among people who inject drugs (PWID). Injecting drug use is an important risk behaviour for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Review of 28 sources of the relevant published literature mapped the size of the addiction-HCV population in Spain. Experts in opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment in Spain completed a consensus to define the population size, HCV prevalence and access or barriers to hepatitis C treatment for PWID populations. In Spain, over 300 000 individuals have a lifetime history of injecting drugs. Currently, 150 000 individuals in Spain have OUD; many have injected drugs. Each year, 80 000 individuals engage with treatment services for OUD. A proportion of this group continues to inject drugs. There is a high HCV prevalence in PWID - estimates of 60-80% in Spain. Uptake of hepatitis C therapy in PWID in Spain is limited; barriers include awareness of treatment pathways, advocacy for regular screening and effective joint care. There is an urgent need to address barriers to effective hepatitis C care for PWID in Spain. Practical and specific strategies including peer-led solutions, patient buddy systems and joint working models at the local level can make important short-term differences.

Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment in Patients with Drug Injection History: Findings of the INTEGRATE Prospective, Observational Study

Introduction

People who inject drugs represent an under-treated chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patient population.

Methods

INTEGRATE was a prospective, observational study investigating the effectiveness, safety, and adherence in routine clinical practice to telaprevir in combination with peg-interferon and ribavirin (Peg-IFN/RBV) in patients with history of injecting drug use chronically infected with genotype 1 HCV.

Results

A total of 46 patients were enrolled and included in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. Among heroin and/or cocaine users (n = 37; 80%), 22% reported use in the past month; 74% (34/46) of patients were on opioid substitution therapy in the pre-treatment phase, and 43% (20/46) discontinued HCV treatment prematurely. Sustained virologic response rate was 54% (25/46) in the ITT population and 74% (25/34) in the per protocol (evaluable-for-effectiveness) population. The main reason for failure in the ITT analysis was loss to follow-up (n = 8; 17%). Adverse events occurred in 91% (42/46) of patients. Mean patient-reported adherence to study drugs was >89% at Week 4, Week 12 and end of treatment.

Conclusion

Despite a high rate of treatment discontinuation (including loss to follow-up), self-reported adherence to treatment was good and virologic cure rates were similar to those reported in large real-world cohorts. Our findings suggest that people with a history of injecting drug use should be considered for treatment of chronic HCV infection, and highlight the need for improvements in patient support to boost retention in care and, in turn, help to prevent reinfection and transmission.

Clinical trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT01980290.

Funding

Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Efficacy of a 12-Week Simeprevir Plus Peginterferon/Ribavirin (PR) Regimen in Treatment-Naïve Patients with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Genotype 4 (GT4) Infection and Mild-To-Moderate Fibrosis Displaying Early On-Treatment Virologic Response

BACKGROUND

HCV GT4 accounts for up to 20% of HCV infections worldwide. Simeprevir, given for 12 weeks as part of a 24- or 48-week combination regimen with PR is approved for the treatment of chronic HCV GT4 infection. Primary study objectives were assessment of efficacy and safety of simeprevir plus PR in treatment-naïve patients with HCV GT4 treated for 12 weeks. Primary efficacy outcome was sustained virologic response 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12). Additional objectives included investigation of potential associations of rapid virologic response and baseline factors with SVR12.

METHODS

This multicentre, open-label, single-arm study (NCT01846832) evaluated efficacy and safety of simeprevir plus PR in 67 patients with HCV GT4 infection. Patients were treatment-naïve, aged 18-70 years with METAVIR F0-F2 fibrosis. Patients with early virologic response (HCV RNA <25 IU/mL [detectable/undetectable in IL28B CC patients or undetectable in IL28B CT/TT patients] at Week 2 and undetectable at Weeks 4 and 8) were eligible to stop all treatment at the end of Week 12, otherwise PR therapy was continued to Week 24.

RESULTS

Of 67 patients treated, 34 (51%) qualified for 12-week treatment including all but one patient with IL28B CC genotype (14/15). All patients in the 12-week group had undetectable HCV RNA at end of treatment, and 97% (33/34) achieved SVR12. No new safety signals with simeprevir plus PR were identified. The proportion of patients experiencing Grade 3-4 adverse events was lower in the 12-week group than in the 24-week group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings on simeprevir plus PR therapy shortened to 12 weeks in patients with HCV GT4 infection with favourable baseline characteristics and displaying early on-treatment virologic response are encouraging. No new safety signals were associated with simeprevir plus PR in this study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01846832.