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Sohn W, Park SY, Lee TH, Chon YE, Kim IH, Lee BS, Yoon KT, Jang JY, Lee YR, Yu SJ, Choi WM, Kim SG, Jun DW, Jeong J, Kim JH, Jang ES, Kim HY, Cho SB, Jang BK, Park JG, Lee JW, Seo YS, Lee JI, Song DS, Kim MY, Yim HJ, Sinn DH, Ahn SH, Kim YS, Jang H, Kim W, Han S, Kim SU. Effect of direct-acting antivirals on disease burden of hepatitis C virus infection in South Korea in 2007-2021: a nationwide, multicentre, retrospective cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 73:102671. [PMID: 38881570 PMCID: PMC11176940 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background It is unclear whether direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) treatment improves the disease burden in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DAA treatment on the reduction of disease burden in patients with HCV infection using individual participant data. Methods This nationwide multicentre retrospective cohort study recruited patients with HCV infection from 29 tertiary institutions in South Korea. The data collection was done from medical records in each institution. The study included the untreated patients and the DAAs-treated patients and excluded those with a history of interferon-based treatments. Disease burden was the primary outcome, as represented by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Improvement in fibrosis after DAA treatment was assessed using APRI, FIB-4 index, and liver stiffness (LS) as assessed by transient elastography. Clinical outcomes were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), decompensation, and mortality. Findings Between January 1, 2007, and February 17, 2022, data from 11,725 patients with HCV infection, 8464 (72%) of whom were treated with DAAs, were analysed. DAA treatment significantly improved APRI- (median 0.64 [interquartile range (IQR), 0.35-1.31]-0.33 [0.23-0.52], p < 0.0001), FIB-4- (median 2.42 [IQR, 1.48-4.40]-1.93 [1.31-2.97], p < 0.0001), and liver LS-based fibrosis (median 7.4 [IQR, 5.3-12.3]-6.2 [4.6-10.2] kPa, p < 0.0001). During the median follow-up period of 27.5 months (IQR, 10.6-52.4), 469 patients died (4.0%), 586 (5.0%) developed HCC, and 580 (4.9%) developed decompensation. The APRI-based DALY estimate was significantly lower in the DAA group than in the untreated group (median 4.55 vs. 5.14 years, p < 0.0001), as was the FIB-4-based DALY estimate (median 5.43 [IQR, 3.00-6.44] vs. 5.79 [3.85-8.07] years, p < 0.0001). The differences between the untreated and DAA groups were greatest in patients aged 40-60 years. In multivariable analyses, the DAA group had a significantly reduced risk of HCC, decompensation, and mortality compared with the untreated group (hazard ratios: 0.41 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34-0.48], 0.31 [95% CI, 0.30-0.38], and 0.22 [95% CI, 0.17-0.27], respectively; p < 0.0001). Interpretation Our findings suggest that DAA treatment is associated with the improvement of liver-related outcomes and a reduction of liver fibrosis-based disease burden in patients with HCV infection. However, further studies using liver biopsy are needed to clarify the effect of DAA treatment on the reduction in the exact fibrosis-based disease burden beyond noninvasive tests. Funding The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Sohn
- Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soo Young Park
- Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Tae Hee Lee
- Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Young Eun Chon
- CHA Bundang Medical Centre, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - In Hee Kim
- Chonbuk National University Hospital, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Byung-Seok Lee
- Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ki Tae Yoon
- Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Jae Young Jang
- Institute for Digestive Research, Digestive Disease Center, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yu Rim Lee
- Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Su Jong Yu
- Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won-Mook Choi
- Liver Centre, Asan Medical Centre, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Gyune Kim
- Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, South Korea
| | - Dae Won Jun
- Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joonho Jeong
- Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Ulsan, South Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Kim
- Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Sun Jang
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Hwi Young Kim
- College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung Bum Cho
- Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University, Hwasun, South Korea
| | | | - Jung Gil Park
- Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jin-Woo Lee
- Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Yeon Seok Seo
- Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Il Lee
- Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Do Seon Song
- St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Moon Young Kim
- Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, South Korea
| | - Hyung Joon Yim
- Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, South Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Sinn
- Samsung Medical Centre, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Liver Centre, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Seok Kim
- Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, South Korea
| | - Heejoon Jang
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Centre, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won Kim
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Centre, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seungbong Han
- Department of Biostatistics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Up Kim
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Liver Centre, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
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Walker JG, Tskhomelidze I, Shadaker S, Tsereteli M, Handanagic S, Armstrong PA, Gamkrelidze A, Vickerman P. Insights from a national survey in 2021 and from modelling on progress towards hepatitis C virus elimination in the country of Georgia since 2015. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2200952. [PMID: 37498534 PMCID: PMC10375834 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.30.2200952] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundBetween May 2015 and February 2022, 77,168 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected people in Georgia have been treated through an HCV elimination programme. To project the programme's long-term impacts, an HCV infection model was initially developed, based on data from surveys among people who inject drugs and a national serosurvey in 2015.AimAccounting for follow-up surveys in 2021, we validate and update projections of HCV infection prevalence and incidence.MethodWe assessed the initial model projections' accuracy for overall prevalence, by age, sex, and among people who ever injected drugs, compared with 2021 serosurvey data. We used 2021 results to weight model fits and to recalculate the national programme's impact leading up to March 2022 on HCV infection incidence rates. Cases and deaths averted were estimated. The impact of reduced treatment rates during the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed.ResultsThe original model overpredicted adult (≥ 18 years old) chronic HCV infection prevalence for 2021 (2.7%; 95% credible interval (CrI): 1.9-3.5%) compared with a 2021 serosurvey (1.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-2.4%). Weighted model projections estimated a 60% decrease in HCV infection incidence by March 2022, with an absolute incidence of 66 (95% CrI: 34-131) per 100,000 person-years (overall population). Between May 2015 and March 2022, 9,186 (95% CrI: 5,396-16,720) infections and 842 (95% CrI: 489-1,324) deaths were averted. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 13,344 (95% CrI: 13,236-13,437) fewer treatments and 438 (95% CrI: 223-744) fewer averted infections by March 2022.ConclusionResults support the programme's high effectiveness. At current treatment rate (406/month), 90% reductions in prevalence and incidence in Georgia are achievable by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine G Walker
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Shaun Shadaker
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States
| | - Maia Tsereteli
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Senad Handanagic
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States
| | - Paige A Armstrong
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States
| | - Amiran Gamkrelidze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Ezzat S, Gamkrelidze I, Osman A, Gomaa A, Roushdy A, Esmat G, Razavi H, Blach S, Abdel-Razek W, El-Akel W, Waked I. Impacts of the Egyptian national screening and treatment programme for viral hepatitis C: A cost-effectiveness model. Liver Int 2023; 43:1417-1426. [PMID: 37073160 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15584] [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: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Egypt used to have one of the highest prevalences of HCV infection worldwide. The Egyptian Ministry of Health launched a national campaign for the detection and management of HCV to reduce its burden. This study aims to carry out a cost-effectiveness analysis to evaluate the costs and benefits of the Egyptian national screening and treatment programme. METHODS A disease burden and economic impact model was populated with the Egyptian national screening and treatment programme data to assess direct medical costs, health effects measured in disability-adjusted life years and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. The scenario was compared to a historical base case, which assumed that no programme had been conducted. RESULTS Total number of viremic cases is expected to decrease in 2030 by 86% under the national screening and treatment programme, versus by 41% under the historical base case. Annual discounted direct medical costs are expected to decrease from $178 million in 2018 to $81 million by 2030 under the historical base case, while annual direct medical costs are estimated to have peaked in 2019 at $312 million before declining to $55 million by 2030 under the national screening and treatment programme. Under the programme, annual disability-adjusted life years are expected to decline to 127 647 by 2030, leading to 883 333 cumulative disability-adjusted life years averted over 2018-2030. CONCLUSIONS The national screening and treatment programme is highly cost-effective by the year 2021, cost-saving by 2029 and expected to save about $35 million in direct costs and $4705 million in indirect costs by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameera Ezzat
- Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Department, National Liver Institute, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
| | | | - Alaa Osman
- Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Department, National Liver Institute, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Gomaa
- Hepatology, National Liver Institute, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
| | - Ayat Roushdy
- Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Department, National Liver Institute, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
- Family and Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gamal Esmat
- Endemic Medicine Department, Cairo University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation, Lafayette, USA
| | - Sarah Blach
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation, Lafayette, USA
| | | | - Wafaa El-Akel
- Hepatology and Endemic Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Imam Waked
- Hepatology, National Liver Institute, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
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Taha G, Ezra L, Abu-Freha N. Hepatitis C Elimination: Opportunities and Challenges in 2023. Viruses 2023; 15:1413. [PMID: 37515101 PMCID: PMC10386528 DOI: 10.3390/v15071413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a leading etiology of liver cirrhosis and its associated complications, namely, decompensated cirrhosis. As such, hepatitis C potentially necessitates liver transplantation and may result in death. Recently, HCV treatment has evolved. Current HCV treatment is effective in curing HCV; some of the agents are pan-genotypic. Numerous countries have adopted an initiative to eliminate HCV. Achieving elimination poses many challenges; it requires improved availability and accessibility of pan-genotypic therapy. Barriers exist at the level of the collective healthcare system and at the level of the individual healthcare providers and patients. Therefore, organized national and local efforts are needed. Surmounting these barriers calls for interventions concerning screening, linkage to care, and treatment delivery. Pertinent barriers include inadequate availability of screening, ill-equipped laboratory testing before treatment, and insufficient access to treatment. Interventions should seek to decentralize laboratory testing and treatment provision, increase funding for resources and personnel, and spread awareness. Special consideration should be allocated to at-risk populations, such as intravenous drug users, refugees, and prisoners. Computerized medical filing and telemedicine have the potential to refine HCV management by enhancing detection, availability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gadeer Taha
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Levy Ezra
- Medical School for International Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel
| | - Naim Abu-Freha
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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Babigumira JB, Karichu JK, Clark S, Cheng MM, Garrison LP, Maniecki MB, Hamid SS. Assessing the potential cost-effectiveness of centralised versus point-of-care testing for hepatitis C virus in Pakistan: a model-based comparison. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e066770. [PMID: 37142306 PMCID: PMC10163545 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pakistan has a hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence of 6%-9% and aims to achieve World Health Organisation (WHO) targets for elimination of HCV by the year 2030. We aim to evaluate the potential cost-effectiveness of a reference laboratory-based (centralised laboratory testing; CEN) confirmatory testing approach versus a molecular near-patient point-of-care (POC) confirmatory approach to screen the general population for HCV in Pakistan. STUDY DESIGN We used a decision tree-analytic model from a governmental (formal healthcare sector) perspective. STUDY SETTING Individuals were assumed to be initially screened with an anti-HCV test at home, followed by POC nucleic acid test (NAT) at nearby district hospitals or followed by NAT at centralised laboratories. PARTICIPANTS We included the general testing population for chronic HCV in Pakistan. INTERVENTION Screening with an anti-HCV antibody test (Anti-HCV) followed by either POC NAT (Anti-HCV-POC), or reference laboratory NAT (Anti-HCV-CEN), was compared, using data from published literature and the Pakistan Ministry of Health. MEASURES Outcome measures included: number of HCV infections identified per year, percentage of individuals correctly classified, total costs, average costs per individual tested, and cost-effectiveness (assessed as cost per additional HCV infection identified). Sensitivity analysis was also performed. RESULTS At a national level (25 million annual screening tests), the Anti-HCV-CEN strategy would identify 142 406 more HCV infections in 1 year and increase correct classification of individuals by 0.57% compared with the Anti-HCV-POC strategy. The total annual cost of HCV testing was reduced using the Anti-HCV-CEN strategy by US$7.68 million (US$0.31/person). Thus, incrementally, the Anti-HCV-CEN strategy costs less and identifies more HCV infections than Anti-HCV-POC. The incremental difference in HCV infections identified was most sensitive to the probability of loss to follow-up (for POC confirmatory NAT). CONCLUSIONS Anti-HCV-CEN would provide the best value for money when scaling up HCV testing in Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B Babigumira
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Samantha Clark
- The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics (CHOICE) Institute, University of Washington Seattle Campus, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mindy M Cheng
- Roche Molecular Systems Inc, Pleasanton, California, USA
| | - Louis P Garrison
- The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics (CHOICE) Institute, University of Washington Seattle Campus, Seattle, Washington, USA
- VeriTech Corporation, Mercer Island, Washington, USA
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Characterizing trends and associations for hepatitis C virus antibody prevalence in the Middle East and North Africa: meta-regression analyses. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20637. [PMID: 36450850 PMCID: PMC9712517 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25086-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study characterized population-level trends and associations with hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab) prevalence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Data source was the standardized and systematically gathered MENA HCV Epidemiology Synthesis Project Database. Random-effects univariable and multivariable meta-regressions were conducted. 2,621 HCV Ab prevalence measures on 49,824,108 individuals were analyzed. In the analysis including all populations, 71% of the variation in prevalence was explained, mostly by at-risk population type. Compared to the general population, prevalence was 23-fold higher among people who inject drugs, and 14-fold higher among high-risk clinical populations. In the analysis including only the general population, 67% of the variation in prevalence was explained, mostly by country/subregion. Compared to Afghanistan, prevalence was highest in Egypt and Pakistan. Prevalence in the general population was declining at a rate of 4% per year, but outside the general population, the decline was at only 1% per year. HCV Ab prevalence in MENA is declining rapidly, but this decline is largely occurring in the general population following introduction of blood and injection safety measures. The decline in populations at higher risk of exposure is slow and below the level needed to achieve HCV elimination by 2030.
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