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Martinez A, Cheng WH, Marx SE, Manthena S, Dylla DE, Wilson L, Thomas E. Shorter Duration Hepatitis C Virus Treatment is Associated with Better Persistence to Prescription Refills in People Who Inject Drugs: A Real-World Study. Adv Ther 2023; 40:3465-3477. [PMID: 37285080 PMCID: PMC10329950 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-023-02539-5] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is highly effective in curing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in people who inject drugs (PWID). Previous studies showed declining persistence to DAA therapy over the course of treatment. This study compares real-world medication persistence to prescription refills for 8- versus 12-week DAA in treatment-naïve PWID with chronic HCV with compensated cirrhosis or without cirrhosis. METHODS Symphony Health's claims database was used to collect data from patients with chronic HCV aged ≥ 12 years who were prescribed 8- or 12-week DAA therapy between August 2017 and November 2020 and had a diagnosis of addicted drug use within 6 months prior to index date. Eligible patients had medical/pharmacy claims in the 6 months before and 3 months after the first index medication fill date (i.e., index date). Patients completing all refills (8-week = 1 refill, 12-week = 2 refills) were deemed persistent. The percentage of persistent patients in each group, and at each refill step, was determined; outcomes were also assessed in a subgroup of Medicaid-insured patients. RESULTS This study assessed 7203 PWID with chronic HCV (8-week, 4002; 12-week, 3201). Patients prescribed 8-week DAA treatment were younger (42.9 ± 12.4 vs 47.5 ± 13.2, P < 0.001) and had fewer comorbidities (P < 0.001). Patients receiving 8- versus 12-week DAA had greater refill persistence (87.9% vs 64.4%, P < 0.001). Similar percentages of patients missed their first refill (8-week, 12.1% vs 12-week, 10.8%); nearly 25% of patients receiving 12-week DAA missed their second refill. After baseline characteristics were controlled, patients prescribed 8- versus 12-week DAA were more likely to be persistent (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 4.3 [3.8, 5.0]). Findings in the Medicaid-insured subgroup were consistent. CONCLUSION Patients prescribed 8- vs 12-week DAA therapy had significantly greater prescription refill persistence. Most nonpersistence was due to missed second refills, highlighting the potential benefit of shorter treatment durations in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Martinez
- Department of Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY, 14215, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emmanuel Thomas
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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Alventosa Mateu C, Ocete Mochón MD, Urquijo Ponce JJ, Latorre Sánchez M, Castelló Miralles I, García Deltoro M, Ortega González E, Bonet Igual MJ, Gimeno Cardona C, Diago Madrid M. Outcomes of an automated alert system from Microbiology to link diagnosis to treatment in patients with hepatitis C virus. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ENFERMEDADES DIGESTIVAS 2023; 115:181-187. [PMID: 36043540 DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8716/2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION simplification strategies for the care circuit of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are key to achieve eradication. An electronic identification system was set up for HCV serology to link diagnosis to specialist management, aimed to reduce patient loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS a retrospective, single-center study was performed in patients with HCV identified from 15/3/2020 to 15/12/2021, using an alert system from Microbiology that notified specialists of positive cases. The patient was contacted and appointed a Fibroscan® and viral load measurement, with antiviral therapy prescribed on the same day. Origin, public health data, patient location rate and antiviral therapy prescription were recorded. RESULTS of 174 patients identified, 171 had positive viremia, with a mean age of 59.6 ± 15.9 years, 61.5 % were males and 81.2 % were Spanish nationals. Origin in the outpatient setting predominated (57.9 %, 99/171), particularly Primary Care (51/171), penitentiaries (21/171) and addiction units (14/171). Overall, 43.3 % (74/171) were aware of their diagnosis; 19.4 % (20/103) of patients had F3 fibrosis and 25.2 % (26/103) had F4 fibrosis. Also, 78.4 % (134/171) were deemed candidates for treatment. Of these, 74.6 % (100/134) were located and treatment was initiated, and all those who completed their treatment achieved a sustained viral response (96/96). This system managed 58.5 % (100/171) of the patients identified. The only association found between antiviral therapy and patient variables was comorbidities with being untreated (OR, 7.14; p ˂ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS this alert system allows to minimize patient loss in the care circuit and provides high rates of treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Enrique Ortega González
- Fundación del Hospital General Valencia, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia
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Krekulová L, Damajka T, Krumphanslová Z, Řehák V. Pilot Outreach Program in Remedis-The Promising Step toward HCV Elimination among People Who Inject Drugs. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:501. [PMID: 36612821 PMCID: PMC9819867 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The global effort to eliminate HCV infection requires new approaches to accessing and testing the affected population in a setting with as low of a threshold as possible. The focus should be on socially marginalized people who inject drugs (PWIDs) and who are not willing or able to visit standard medical services. With this vision, we established an outreach service-a testing point in an ambulance in the park in front of the Main Railway Station of the capital city of Prague-to provide bloodborne disease testing and treatment. The service was available every week on Wednesday afternoon. Over the initial two years of our experience, 168 unique people were tested. Of them, 82 (49%) were diagnosed with chronic HCV infection and were eligible for treatment with antivirals. Of these, 24 (29%) initiated antiviral treatment over the study period, and 17 (71%) of these individuals achieved a documented sustained virological response. Offering medical services in PWIDs' neighborhoods helps overcome barriers and increase the chances that they will become patients and begin HCV treatment. The described outcomes appear promising for reaching the vision of linkage to the care of such a hard-to-reach population and can serve as a feasible model of care for further expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Krekulová
- Remedis, s.r.o., Vladimírova 10, 140 00 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Kateřinská 32, 128 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Damajka
- Remedis, s.r.o., Vladimírova 10, 140 00 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | | | - Vratislav Řehák
- Remedis, s.r.o., Vladimírova 10, 140 00 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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Sælør KT, Carlsen SEL, Fadnes LT, Lorås L. Experiences of Hope after Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection-A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15732. [PMID: 36497807 PMCID: PMC9738947 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of hope people had after undergoing treatment for a hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). Between October 2019 and May 2020, 19 one-on-one interviews were conducted with people who inject drugs and had undergone HCV treatment. All participants had completed treatment and were documented as being virus-free. Data were audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim and analysed; a method inspired by reflexive thematic analysis. Those interviewed conveyed rich and nuanced descriptions of experiences of a life with HCV. Through the course of the analysis we developed four themes. The themes were formulated as metaphors aimed at capturing commonalities about how the participants seemed to "turn their gaze" after receiving HCV treatment: (1) turning their gaze backward; (2) turning their gaze inwards; (3) turning their gaze toward others and (4) turning their gaze forward. Participants' descriptions of their experiences relating to HCV were somewhat gloomy, and HCV treatment seemed to inspire hope and a brighter outlook on several areas of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut Tore Sælør
- Department of Health, Social and Welfare Studies, Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3007 Drammen, Norway
| | | | - Lars Thore Fadnes
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Lennart Lorås
- Department of Welfare and Participation, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway
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Evon DM, Hurt CB, Carpenter DM, Rhea SK, Hennessy CM, Zule WA. Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers' Knowledge and Opinions Toward Testing and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in Rural North Carolina. RURAL MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 46:162-173. [PMID: 35967261 PMCID: PMC9371459 DOI: 10.1037/rmh0000200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Poor access to care has made western North Carolina vulnerable to an outbreak of hepatitis C viral infection (HCV), particularly among persons who inject drugs (PWID). As substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers could potentially improve linkage to HCV testing and treatment, we sought to understand SUD providers, clinic and client characteristics; referral patterns; HCV knowledge; willingness to participate in additional trainings; and local linkage-to-care pathways for treatment of substance use and HCV. Online survey data were collected from 78 SUD providers serving PWID in eight western rural North Carolina counties. Providers' attitudes toward working with HCV+ clients were very positive. One-third of providers reported a low fund of knowledge regarding HCV, HCV treatment, and financial assistance opportunities. Non-prescribing providers rarely initiated discussions about HCV testing/treatment, but were receptive to training. Respondents indicated that HCV testing and treatment were best delivered at local health departments or primary care clinics but were open to other venues where PWID access care. The vast majority of prescribing and non-prescribing providers expressed interest in obtaining training in HCV treatments, how to obtain HCV medications and topics on advanced liver disease. Data from prescribing and non-prescribing SUD providers suggest opportunities to develop or expand integrated care models for HCV testing/treatment in PWID in rural Appalachian North Carolina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna M. Evon
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christopher B. Hurt
- Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Delesha M. Carpenter
- Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Pericot-Valverde I, Heo M, Niu J, Rennert L, Norton BL, Akiyama MJ, Arnsten J, Litwin AH. Relationship between depressive symptoms and adherence to direct-acting antivirals: Implications for Hepatitis C treatment among people who inject drugs on medications for opioid use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 234:109403. [PMID: 35306390 PMCID: PMC9278790 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interferon-based regimens exacerbated depressive symptoms, which interfered with treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID). Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) are not associated with worsening depressive symptoms; however, the impact of depressive symptoms on adherence remains little known. We examined the association between depressive symptoms and adherence to DAA among HCV-infected PWID. A secondary aim was to identify the optimal cut-off for major depressive disorder for this population. METHODS Participants were 150 HCV-infected PWID on maintenance treatment enrolled in a randomized clinical trial testing three HCV care models. Severity of depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) at baseline and every 4 weeks during treatment. Current major depressive disorder at baseline was diagnosed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Adherence was measured during treatment (weeks 1-12) using electronic blister packs RESULTS: BDI-II scores ≥ 18 were identified as the optimal threshold for diagnosing major depressive disorder. Participants with BDI scores ≥ 18 at baseline had significantly lower adherence rates at weeks 1-4 of treatment compared to those with BDI scores < 18 (b = -0.23, 95% CI: 0.45-0.01, p = 0.044), but not in any other time intervals (weeks 5-8, b = -0.03, 95% CI: -0.32, 0.26, p = 0.825; weeks 9-12, b = -0.33, 95% CI -0.70, 0.02, p = 0.066). CONCLUSIONS Elevated depressive symptoms were associated with lower adherence to DAA only during the first 4 weeks of HCV treatment. Neither severe depressive symptoms nor major depressive disorder appears to be a barrier to DAA adherence among PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Pericot-Valverde
- Prisma Health Addiction Research Center, Greenville, SC, USA; Clemson University School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
| | - Moonseong Heo
- Prisma Health Addiction Research Center, Greenville, SC, USA,Clemson University School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA,Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Jiajing Niu
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Lior Rennert
- Clemson University School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Brianna L. Norton
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Matthew J. Akiyama
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Julia Arnsten
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Alain H. Litwin
- Prisma Health Addiction Research Center, Greenville, SC, USA,Clemson University School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA,University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Greenville, SC, USA,Corresponding author: Alain H. Litwin, MD, MS, MPH, Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, SC, USA Department of Internal Medicine, Prisma Health, 605 Grove Road, Suite 205, Greenville, SC 29605, USA. 1-864-455-6658,
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Fadnes LT, Aas CF, Vold JH, Leiva RA, Ohldieck C, Chalabianloo F, Skurtveit S, Lygren OJ, Dalgård O, Vickerman P, Midgard H, Løberg EM, Johansson KA. Integrated treatment of hepatitis C virus infection among people who inject drugs: A multicenter randomized controlled trial (INTRO-HCV). PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003653. [PMID: 34061883 PMCID: PMC8205181 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The standard pathways of testing and treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in tertiary healthcare are not easily accessed by people who inject drugs (PWID). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of integrated treatment of chronic HCV infection among PWID. METHODS AND FINDINGS INTRO-HCV is a multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial. Participants recruited from opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and community care clinics in Norway over 2017 to 2019 were randomly 1:1 assigned to the 2 treatment approaches. Integrated treatment was delivered by multidisciplinary teams at opioid agonist treatment clinics or community care centers (CCCs) for people with substance use disorders. This included on-site testing for HCV, liver fibrosis assessment, counseling, treatment, and posttreatment follow-up. Standard treatment was delivered in hospital outpatient clinics. Oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications were administered in both arms. The study was not completely blinded. The primary outcomes were time-to-treatment initiation and sustained virologic response (SVR), defined as undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after treatment completion, analyzed with intention to treat, and presented as hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Among 298 included participants, 150 were randomized to standard treatment, of which 116/150 (77%) initiated treatment, with 108/150 (72%) initiating within 1 year of referral. Among those 148 randomized to integrated care, 145/148 (98%) initiated treatment, with 141/148 (95%) initiating within 1 year of referral. The HR for the time to initiating treatment in the integrated arm was 2.2 (1.7 to 2.9) compared to standard treatment. SVR was confirmed in 123 (85% of initiated/83% of all) for integrated treatment compared to 96 (83% of initiated/64% of all) for the standard treatment (OR among treated: 1.5 [0.8 to 2.9], among all: 2.8 [1.6 to 4.8]). No severe adverse events were linked to the treatment. CONCLUSIONS Integrated treatment for HCV in PWID was superior to standard treatment in terms of time-to-treatment initiation, and subsequently, more people achieved SVR. Among those who initiated treatment, the SVR rates were comparable. Scaling up of integrated treatment models could be an important tool for elimination of HCV. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov.no NCT03155906.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars T. Fadnes
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Christer Frode Aas
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Jørn Henrik Vold
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Christian Ohldieck
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
| | - Fatemeh Chalabianloo
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Svetlana Skurtveit
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole Jørgen Lygren
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
- ProLAR Nett, Norway
| | - Olav Dalgård
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Håvard Midgard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Else-Marie Løberg
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
| | - Kjell Arne Johansson
- Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
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Norton BL, Akiyama MJ, Arnsten JH, Agyemang L, Heo M, Litwin AH. High HCV cure rates among people who inject drugs and have suboptimal adherence: A patient-centered approach to HCV models of care. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 93:103135. [PMID: 33667826 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Though people who inject drugs (PWID) make up the majority of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic, concerns about adherence often exclude PWID from receiving direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medication. The most effective models of HCV care to promote sustained virologic response (SVR) and high adherence need to be evaluated. METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study in three opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in the Bronx, NY. Participants, in collaboration with providers, chose one of three models of onsite care: directly observed therapy (mDOT), group treatment (GT), or self-administered individual treatment (SIT). SVR12, daily adherence, and participant characteristics were compared between groups. RESULTS Of 61 participants, the majority were male (62%) and Latino (67%), with a mean age of 53 (SD 9). Participants received DAAs via one of three models of care: mDOT (21%), GT (25%), or SIT (54%). The majority (59%) used illicit drugs during treatment. Overall, SVR12 was 98% with no differences between models of care: mDOT (100%), GT (100%), and SIT (97%) (p = 1.0). Overall, daily adherence was 73% (SD 16); 86% among those who chose mDOT compared to 71% among those who chose GT (p<0.01) and 73% among those who chose SIT (p<0.01). CONCLUSION Despite ongoing illicit drug use and suboptimal adherence, SVR12 was high among PWID treated onsite at an OTP using any one of three models of care. Shared decision making in real world settings may be key to choosing the appropriate model of care for PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna L Norton
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States.
| | - Matthew J Akiyama
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Julia H Arnsten
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Linda Agyemang
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Moonseong Heo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States; School of Mathematical Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Alain H Litwin
- Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Greenville, Greenville, SC, United States; Department of Medicine, Prisma Health-Upstate, Greenville, SC, United States; Clemson University School of Health Research, Clemson, SC, United States
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Fabbiani M, Lombardi A, Colaneri M, Del Poggio P, Perini P, D'Ambrosio R, Degasperi E, Dibenedetto C, Giorgini A, Pasulo L, Maggiolo F, Castelli F, Brambilla P, Spinelli O, Re T, Lleo A, Rumi M, Uberti-Foppa C, Soria A, Aghemo A, Lampertico P, Baiguera C, Schiavini M, Fagiuoli S, Bruno R. High rates of sustained virological response despite premature discontinuation of directly acting antivirals in HCV-infected patients treated in a real-life setting. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:558-568. [PMID: 33306247 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In routine clinical practice, hepatitis C virus-infected patients can prematurely discontinue the prescribed regimen for several reasons. The aim of our study was to investigate sustained virological response (SVR12) rates in patients who prematurely discontinued directly acting antiviral (DAA) regimens and to assess the shortest effective duration of DAA able to lead to SVR12. We retrospectively collected the SVR rates of patients, registered in the NAVIGATORE-Lombardia Network database from January 2015, who discontinued DAAs before the predefined end of treatment. Overall, we included 365 patients, males were the majority (213, 58.4%), mean age was 60.5 years, and 53 (14.5%) patients were HIV-co-infected. Liver cirrhosis was observed in 251 (68.8%) subjects, and the most represented genotypes were 1b (n = 168, 46%) and 3 (n = 59, 16.2%). DAA was discontinued a median of 1 (IQR 1-4) weeks before the predefined EOT, with 164 (44.9%) patients stopping DAAs at least 2 weeks before the planned schedule. In patients with F0-F3 liver fibrosis, lower rates of SVR12 were observed in patients treated for <4 weeks: 50% (n = 2/4) vs. 99.1% (n = 109/110) for ≥4 weeks, p = 0.003. In patients with liver cirrhosis, lower rates of SVR12 were observed in patients treated <8 weeks: 83.3% (n = 25/30) vs. 94.6% (n = 209/221) for ≥8 weeks, p = 0.038. Despite premature discontinuation of DAA, high SVR12 rates were observed in a real-life setting for treatment lasting at least 4 weeks in patients with liver fibrosis F0-F3 and 8 weeks in those with liver cirrhosis. On this basis, feasibility of reducing DAA treatment duration should be explored in randomized clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Fabbiani
- U.O. Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.,UOC Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Lombardi
- U.O. Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marta Colaneri
- U.O. Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Perini
- Divisione di Medicina, Policlinico San Pietro, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Roberta D'Ambrosio
- Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,UOC Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, CRC 'AM e A Migliavacca' per lo studio e la cura delle malattie del fegato, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Degasperi
- Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,UOC Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, CRC 'AM e A Migliavacca' per lo studio e la cura delle malattie del fegato, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Dibenedetto
- Unità di Epatologia e Gastroenterologia, Ospedale San Paolo, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Giorgini
- Unità di Epatologia e Gastroenterologia, Ospedale San Paolo, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Pasulo
- Unità di Gastroenterologia, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Franco Maggiolo
- U.O. Malattie Infettive, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Paola Brambilla
- U.O. Malattie Infettive, Istituti Ospitalieri, Cremona, Italy
| | | | - Tiziana Re
- U.O. Malattie Infettive, ASST Ovest Milanese, Legnano, Italy
| | - Ana Lleo
- Medicina Interna ed Epatologia, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Rumi
- U.O. Epatologia, Ospedale San Giuseppe Multimedica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Uberti-Foppa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Milan, Italy.,Division of Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Soria
- UO Malattie Infettive, Ospedale San Gerardo, ASST Monza, Monza, Italy
| | - Alessio Aghemo
- Medicina Interna ed Epatologia, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,UOC Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, CRC 'AM e A Migliavacca' per lo studio e la cura delle malattie del fegato, Milan, Italy.,Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Baiguera
- UO Malattie Infettive, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Schiavini
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Ospedale Luigi Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- Unità di Gastroenterologia, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Raffaele Bruno
- U.O. Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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10
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Del Pino Bellido P, Guerra Veloz MF, Cordero Ruíz P, Bellido Muñoz F, Vega Rodriguez F, Caunedo Álvarez Á, Carmona Soria I. CHRONIC HEPATITIS C PATIENTS LOST IN THE SYSTEM: PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF NON-REFERRAL OR LOSS OF FOLLOW UP TO HEPATOLOGY UNITS. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ENFERMEDADES DIGESTIVAS 2021; 113:833-839. [PMID: 33393328 DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7573/2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several barriers remain in the hepatitis C care cascade, which need to be removed in order to eliminate Chronic Hepatitis C. These barriers include deficiencies in screening and confirmatory diagnosis as well as difficulties in accessing treatment. AIMS To identify factors associated with the non-referral of patients with positive HCV-antibody and to identify factors associated with loss of follow-up or non-attendance of these patients to specialist consultation after their referral. METHODS Observational and retrospective single-centre-study, including all positive HCV serologies performed between January 2013 and May 2018 in the Virgen Macarena health area before implementing the one-step diagnosis. Non-referred patients and patients who were lost to follow-up after being referred were identified. RESULTS A total of 54 (77.4%) patients diagnosed in PC and 54 (22.2%) from hospital specialists were not referred (p <0.001). Predictors for non-referral were: stay in prison/ institutionalized (p = 0.04), suffering COPD (p = 0.07), a normal AST value (p = 0.034) or test requested by PCP (p = 0.004). Patients referred from PC were more likely to be lost to follow-up than those referred from hospital specialists (p <0.001). Predictors for loss of follow-up included: opioid replacement therapy (p = 0.034), absence of high blood pressure (p = 0.039) and test requested by PCP (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS A high percentage of patients with positive HCV serology were not referred or lost follow-up, mainly those belonging to high risk social groups or those with associated comorbidities. Patients with average values of transaminases or those diagnosed in primary care were also less referred.
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11
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Reported Low Uptake of HCV Testing among People Who Inject Drugs in Urban Vietnam. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:3701379. [PMID: 33274205 PMCID: PMC7700019 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3701379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Background HCV testing is an important first step for treatment and prevention, particularly for those who are highly vulnerable to HCV infection such as people who inject drugs (PWID). In settings where direct-acting antiretroviral medicines are becoming more available, limited information exists about who and where to target to increase the prevalence of HCV testing among PWID. This study is aimed at understanding the prevalence of HCV testing uptake and its determinants of medical services and risk behaviors. Methods From February 2016 to April 2017, a sample of 509 PWID was interviewed using a structured questionnaire on their history of HCV testing, confirmation, services using in the previous year as well as HCV-related knowledge, and risk behaviors. Multiple logistic regression identified factors associated with ever being tested for HCV before enrollment in the program. Results Approximately 33% reported ever testing for HCV. Most cited sources of testing are public hospitals and general clinics (68.9%) and outpatient clinics (18.9%). Having ever tested for HCV was positively associated with accessing health services within the prior 12 months (aOR = 2.25; 95% CI 1.11-4.58), being currently enrolled in a methadone treatment program (aOR = 2.35; 95% CI 1.34-4.08), and/or on ART treatment (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI 1.30-4.08). Those who ever delayed in seeking healthcare services for any reason were less likely to get tested for HCV (aOR = 0.54; 95% CI 0.35-0.84). Conclusion HCV testing prevalence is low among PWID in Hanoi despite a very high prevalence of HCV infection. To improve the cascade of HCV testing, it is critical that intervention programs scale up linkages among methadone, outpatient clinics, and HCV services, take steps to reduce stigma and discrimination in both community and, especially, in health care settings, and increase awareness of HCV for PWID by integrating HCV into routine counseling at health care services.
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12
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Sarmento-Castro R, Méndez J, Horta A, Gonçalves C, Vasconcelos O, Seabra J, Abreu M, Gonçalves MJ, Santos MJ, Tavares AP. Hepatitis C treatment outcome in former or current intravenous drug users coinfected with HIV, with or without directly observed therapy. Infect Dis (Lond) 2020; 53:9-18. [PMID: 32820689 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2020.1806352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intravenous drug users (IDUs) with hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-coinfection are recognised as a high-risk, vulnerable group. METHODS Between February 2015 and April 2018, a single-centre, non-interventional cohort study was conducted in an outpatient setting, to evaluate the sustained virologic response (SVR12) and assess treatment uptake models. The study included 385 former or recent IDUs divided into two groups: A-without use of opioid substitution treatment (OST) and B-patients taking opioid substitution; patients in group B received OST and self-administered therapy (B1) or OST and therapy under DOT (B2). Patients were characterised by demographic and clinical features and compared for treatment response. Correlations between SVR12 and independent variables were determined by logistic regression. RESULTS Patients were mostly males (88.3%) with a mean age of 46 ± 5 years and HCV genotype 1a (63.7%). Approximately 28% were treatment-experienced and 84.9% received sofosbuvir/ledipasvir. The mean CD4+T count was 649 cells/mm3, and most individuals were on antiretroviral therapy with undetectable viral loads (97.4%). SVR12 was achieved in 94.8%, and only eight patients relapsed. No significant differences were found in treatment effect between individuals taking opioid substitutes under different treatment models. Correlations were found between HCV viral response and both HIV suppression and albumin levels. CONCLUSIONS IDU with HCV/HIV coinfection, including individuals on self-administration of HCV therapy and opioid substitution treatments or in DOT programmes, are no longer considered a difficult-to-treat group, as they achieve high rates of SVR12.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sarmento-Castro
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto - Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Méndez
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto - Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Horta
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto - Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Gonçalves
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto - Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal
| | - O Vasconcelos
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto - Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Seabra
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto - Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Abreu
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto - Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal
| | - M J Gonçalves
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto - Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal
| | - M J Santos
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto - Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal.,ARSN - Administração Regional De Saúde Do Norte I.P, Porto, Portugal
| | - A P Tavares
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto - Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal
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13
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Versfeld A, McBride A, Scheibe A, Spearman CW. Motivations, facilitators and barriers to accessing hepatitis C treatment among people who inject drugs in two South African cities. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:39. [PMID: 32522210 PMCID: PMC7288602 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00382-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) is a critical component of efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis. A recent study found high HCV prevalence among PWID in two cities, Pretoria (84%) and Cape Town (44%). Very few (< 5%) HCV-infected individuals attended follow-up appointments. This sub-study explores differences between stated desire for cure and appointment attendance in light of perceived facilitators and barriers to HCV treatment and care access among PWID. Method Two sets of semi-structured interviews were implemented in a group of HCV-infected participants opportunistically sampled and recruited at harm reduction service sites. Initial interviews, conducted before the planned hospital appointment date, asked participants (N = 17, 9 in Pretoria and 8 in Cape Town) about past experiences of healthcare provision, plans to attend their referral appointment and perceived barriers and facilitators to seeking hepatitis treatment. Second interviews (n = 9, 4 in Pretoria, 5 in Cape Town), conducted after the planned referral appointment date, asked about appointment attendance and treatment experience. Trained social scientists with experience with PWID conducted the interviews which were recorded in detailed written notes. Data was thematically analysed in NVivo 11. Results Despite routine experiences of being stigmatised by the healthcare system in the past, most participants (n = 16, 94%) indicated a desire to attend their appointments. Attendance motivators included the desire to be cured, fear of dying and the wish to assist the research project. Perceived barriers to appointment attendance included fear of again experiencing stigmatisation and concerns about waiting periods and drug withdrawal. Perceived facilitators included the knowledge they would be treated quickly, and with respect and access to opioid substitution therapy. In the end, very few participants (n = 5) went to their appointment. Actual barriers to attendance included lack of finances, lack of urgency and forgetting and fatalism about dying. Conclusions South Africa can learn from other countries implementing HCV treatment for PWID. Successful linkage to care will require accessible, sensitive services where waiting time is limited. Psychosocial support prior to initiating referrals that focuses on building and maintaining a sense of self-worth and emphasising that delayed treatment hampers health outcomes is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Versfeld
- Department of Anthropology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. .,TB HIV Care, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa.
| | - Angela McBride
- TB HIV Care, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa.,South African Network of People Who Use Drugs, 34 Constantia Road, Wynberg, 7800, South Africa
| | - Andrew Scheibe
- TB HIV Care, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa.,Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - C Wendy Spearman
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
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14
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Molina M, Carmona I, Fuentes LJ, Plaza V, Estévez AF. Enhanced learning and retention of medical information in Alzheimer's disease after differential outcomes training. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231578. [PMID: 32298362 PMCID: PMC7162503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adherence to treatment is a crucial factor for patients who have chronic illnesses or multiple morbidities and polypharmacy, which is frequently found in older adults. The non-adherence to medications has important economic and social consequences as well as impacts on the health of the patients. One of the reasons that can explain the low adherence to treatment, is the memory deficits that are characteristics of this population and that are even more evident in cases that involve neurodegenerative diseases. METHODS AND FINDINGS In this study, we explore whether the differential outcomes procedure (DOP), which has been shown to be useful in improving discriminative learning and memory in different populations, may facilitate learning and retention of medical recommendations in older adults who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The results demonstrate that when this procedure was applied, the patients showed improvements in learning and long-term retention of two pill/time of day associations in a situation that simulates adherence to medical prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS These findings contribute new data about the potential benefits of the DOP in patients with neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting the important role that this procedure could play in addressing important issues related to the health and quality of life of older adults, with or without neurodegenerative diseases, such as low adherence to medical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Molina
- Escuela de Educación, Facultad de Humanidades, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Isabel Carmona
- Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Luis J. Fuentes
- Departamento de Psicología Básica y Metodología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Victoria Plaza
- Departamento de Psicología Básica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (AFE); (VP)
| | - Angeles F. Estévez
- Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Almería, Almería, Spain
- CERNEP Research Center, Universidad de Almería, Almería, Spain
- * E-mail: (AFE); (VP)
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15
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Lygren OJ, Bjørnestad R, Løberg EM, Bonnier ML, Buljovcic VB, Johansson KA, Fadnes LT. Peer involvement and cross-sector efforts in establishing integrated treatment of hepatitis C virus infection for people with substance use disorders: experiences from Norway. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY 2019; 14:58. [PMID: 31864396 PMCID: PMC6925489 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-019-0245-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background For people with opioid dependence in Norway, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections contribute to high mortality and high morbidity. Around 50% of patients in medically assisted rehabilitation (MAR) have been shown to have HCV, and the current prevention and control efforts have been mostly unsuccessful. Thus, there is a need for new strategies for people-centred service delivery and innovative methods to improve health outcomes. Methods Over the last few years, the city of Bergen, Norway, has developed a cross-sector collaboration with substantial peer involvement in research and health provision related to substance use. User group representatives for people receiving MAR, addiction medicine health personnel, infectious disease specialists, policy makers in the municipality, low-threshold health care centres for people with substance use disorders in Bergen Municipality and researchers in the INTRO-HCV project have made concerted efforts in this regard. We will present here some of the strategies and steps we have taken. Results We have established an integrated HCV treatment scheme for people who inject drugs or who have opioid dependence. More than 800 persons have been tested for HCV within these frames, and more than 250 persons have been given treatment for HCV within the project. The integrated treatment of HCV is offered both in MAR outpatient clinics, municipal low-threshold healthcare centres, and local and regional prisons. The preliminary results indicate an increase in HCV treatment uptake among those receiving integrated treatment (96% initiating treatment compared to 75%). The user group organisation ProLAR Nett has established an outreach service to screen for HCV, increase awareness and reduce the proportion of people unknowingly living with HCV while informing and motivating people to receive treatment. Together with the other stake holders, peer user group, health care, research planning, concert events, and policy panels have been held. Conclusions Peer involvement seems to have increased testing rates for HCV and acknowledgment of its importance. This seems to have improved health care for people with opioid dependence in Bergen over the last few years, particularly relating to the treatment of HCV. These experiences might be helpful in the planning of integrated policies in other settings that seek to eliminate the HCV endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Jørgen Lygren
- ProLAR Nett, Søgne, Norway.,Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Avdeling for rusmedisin, Postboks 1400, 5021, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ronny Bjørnestad
- ProLAR Nett, Søgne, Norway.,Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Avdeling for rusmedisin, Postboks 1400, 5021, Bergen, Norway
| | - Else-Marie Løberg
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Avdeling for rusmedisin, Postboks 1400, 5021, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Psychology, Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,NORMENT Center of Excellence, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Vibeke Bråthen Buljovcic
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Avdeling for rusmedisin, Postboks 1400, 5021, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kjell Arne Johansson
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Avdeling for rusmedisin, Postboks 1400, 5021, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars T Fadnes
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Avdeling for rusmedisin, Postboks 1400, 5021, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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16
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Liu Y, Zou X, Chen W, Gong C, Ling L. Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Status and Barriers among Patients in Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clinics in Guangdong Province, China: A Cross-Sectional, Observational Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16224436. [PMID: 31726750 PMCID: PMC6888391 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the status and barriers related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment among Chinese methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clients, and the willingness and barriers of patients to accept directly observed treatment (DOT) service and oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We conducted a cross-sectional survey from July to October 2017 in Guangdong Province, China, involving 678 HCV antibody-positive MMT patients. If they reported being infected with HCV, then their HCV treatment experience, willingness to use DOT and DAAs, along with any barriers, were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the correlates of initiating HCV treatment. Among those reporting HCV infection (54%, 366/678), 39% (144/366) initiated treatment; however, 38% (55/144) interrupted and 55% (79/135) delayed treatment for 15 months. Seventy-five percent (273/366) and 53% (195/366) were willing to use DOT and DAAs, respectively. Unaffordable medical costs and insignificant symptoms were the major barriers to HCV treatment and accepting DOT or DAAs. The lack of a stable residence, being a woman, and having ever injected drugs were all associated with a low probability of initiating treatment (p < 0.05). This study highlights a limited uptake of HCV treatment among MMT patients, and a need to strengthen the popularity of DOT and DAAs and integrate them into Chinese MMT clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Li Ling
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-020-873-3319
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17
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Fadnes LT, Aas CF, Vold JH, Ohldieck C, Leiva RA, Chalabianloo F, Skurtveit S, Lygren OJ, Dalgård O, Vickerman P, Midgard H, Løberg EM, Johansson KA. Integrated treatment of hepatitis C virus infection among people who inject drugs: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (INTRO-HCV). BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:943. [PMID: 31703669 PMCID: PMC6839172 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4598-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A large proportion of people who inject drugs (PWID) living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have not been treated. It is unknown whether inclusion of HCV diagnostics and treatment into integrated substance use disorder treatment and care clinics will improve uptake and outcome of HCV treatment in PWID. The aim is to assess the efficacy of integrating HCV treatment to PWID and this paper will present the protocol for an ongoing trial. Methods INTRO-HCV is a multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trial that will compare the efficacy of integrated treatment of HCV in PWID with the current standard treatment. Integrated treatment includes testing for HCV, assessing liver fibrosis with transient elastography, counselling, treatment delivery, follow-up and evaluation provided by integrated substance use disorder treatment and care clinics. Most of these clinics for PWID provide opioid agonist therapy while some clinics provide low-threshold care without opioid agonist therapy. Standard care involves referral to further diagnostics, treatment and treatment follow-up given in a hospital outpatient clinic with equivalent medications. The differences between the delivery platforms in the two trial arms involve use of a drop-in approach rather than specific appointment times, no need for additional travelling, less blood samples taken during treatment, and treatment given from already known clinicians. The trial will recruit approximately 200 HCV infected individuals in Bergen and Stavanger, Norway. The primary outcomes are time to treatment initiation and sustained virologic response, defined as undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after end of treatment. Secondary outcomes are cost-effectiveness, treatment adherence, changes in quality of life, fatigue and psychological well-being, changes in drug use, infection related risk behaviour, and risk of reinfection. The target group is PWID with HCV diagnosed receiving treatment and care within clinics for PWID. Discussion This study will inform on the effects of an integrated treatment program for HCV in clinics for PWID compared to standard care aiming to increase access to treatment and improving treatment adherence. If the integrated treatment model is found to be safe and efficacious, it can be considered for further scale-up. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov.no. NCT03155906.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars T Fadnes
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Christer Frode Aas
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jørn Henrik Vold
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Christian Ohldieck
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Fatemeh Chalabianloo
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Svetlana Skurtveit
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole Jørgen Lygren
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,ProLAR Nett, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Dalgård
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Håvard Midgard
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Else-Marie Løberg
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Psychology Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kjell Arne Johansson
- Bergen Addiction Research Group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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18
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Lazarus JV, Pericàs JM, Picchio C, Cernosa J, Hoekstra M, Luhmann N, Maticic M, Read P, Robinson EM, Dillon JF. We know DAAs work, so now what? Simplifying models of care to enhance the hepatitis C cascade. J Intern Med 2019; 286:503-525. [PMID: 31472002 DOI: 10.1111/joim.12972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- J V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J M Pericàs
- Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Territorial Direction, Translational Research Group on Infectious Diseases of Lleida (TRIDLE), Biomedical Research Institute Dr Pifarré Foundation, Lleida, Spain
| | - C Picchio
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Cernosa
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - M Hoekstra
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Luhmann
- Médecins du Monde France, Paris, France
| | - M Maticic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - P Read
- Kirketon Road Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - E M Robinson
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - J F Dillon
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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19
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Read P, Gilliver R, Kearley J, Lothian R, Cunningham EB, Chronister KJ, Dore GJ. Treatment adherence and support for people who inject drugs taking direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C infection. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1301-1310. [PMID: 31299127 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A community-based public health facility in Sydney, Australia, the Kirketon Road Centre (KRC), provides health care to people who inject drugs (PWID), homeless and other marginalized people. Since March 2016, KRC has provided treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We aimed to evaluate treatment adherence amongst clients taking DAAs in a highly marginalized population. All clients who commenced DAA therapy prior to March 2018 at KRC were included in this observational cohort with a subset of clients attending daily or weekly for enhanced adherence support and dosing. Demographic, behavioural, clinical measures and medication dosing were recorded, and adherence was calculated as the proportion of doses taken during the expected treatment duration. Factors associated with adherence were examined using logistic regression. A total of 242 individuals commenced DAA therapy, of whom 79 (32%) received enhanced adherence support. Enhanced support was associated with homelessness, daily injecting, Aboriginality, mental health co-morbidity and poly-drug use (all P < .001). Overall adherence was 86%, and 92% of patients missed one or more doses (median 10, IQR 4-24). At least 90% adherence during planned duration was seen in 38%, but increased to 66% by continuing therapy beyond planned duration. Intention-to-treat SVR12 was 68% and 66% in the enhanced adherence support sub-population, with 29% lost to follow-up by SVR12 testing. There were only 2 (0.8%) documented virological failures. Per-protocol SVR12 was 99% and 96% in the enhanced adherence support sub-population. In conclusion, adherence support may benefit those with multiple markers of marginalization. Extension of therapy beyond planned duration is a pragmatic strategy to enhance completion. Strategies to improve follow-up, particularly post-treatment are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Read
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rosie Gilliver
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John Kearley
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca Lothian
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Karen J Chronister
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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20
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Zhang JY, Li ZB, Zhang L, Wang J, Huang LP, Zhan GL, Li Z, Du J, Zhao M. DOES IT WORK? -a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of HCV and HIV-related education on drug users in MMT, China. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:774. [PMID: 31488064 PMCID: PMC6727322 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4421-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HCV (Hepatitis C virus) is a prevalent chronic disease with potentially deadly consequences, especially for drug users. However, there are no special HCV or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-related intervention programs that are tailored for drug users in China; to fill this gap, the purpose of this study was to explore HCV and HIV-related knowledge among drug users in MMT (methadone maintenance treatment) sites of China and to investigate the effectiveness of HCV and HIV-related education for improving the knowledge of IDUs (injection drug users) and their awareness of infection. METHODS The study was a randomized cluster controlled trial that compared a usual care group to a usual care plus HCV/HIV-REP (HCV/HIV-Reduction Education Program) group with a 24-week follow-up. The self-designed questionnaires, the HCV- and HIV-related knowledge questionnaire and the HIV/HCV infection awareness questionnaire, were used to collect the data. Four MMT clinics were selected for this project; two MMT clinics were randomly assigned to the research group, with subjects receiving their usual care plus HCV/HIV-REP, and the remaining two MMT clinics were the control group, with subjects receiving their usual care over 12 weeks. Sixty patients were recruited from each MMT clinic. A total of 240 patients were recruited. Follow-up studies were conducted at the end of the 12th week and the 24th week after the intervention. RESULTS At baseline, the mean score (out of 20 possible correct answers) for HCV knowledge among the patients in the group receiving the intervention was 6.51 (SD = 3.5), and it was 20.57 (SD = 6.54) for HIV knowledge (out of 45 correct answers) and 8.35 (SD = 2.8) for HIV/HCV infection awareness (out of 20 correct answers). At the 12-week and 24-week follow-up assessments, the research group showed a greater increase in HCV-/HIV-related knowledge (group × time effect, F = 37.444/11.281, P < 0.05) but no difference in their HIV/HCV infection awareness (group × time effect, F = 2.056, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION An MMT-based HCV/HIV intervention program could be used to improve patient knowledge of HCV and HIV prevention, but more effort should be devoted to HIV/HCV infection awareness. TRIAL REGISTRATION Protocols for this study were approved by institution review board (IRB) of Shanghai Mental Health Center (IRB:2009036), and registered in U.S national institutes of health (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01647191 ). Registered 23 July 2012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ying Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 South Wanping Road, Shanghai, 200030 China
| | - Zhi Bin Li
- Mental Health Center of Jiading District in Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 South Wanping Road, Shanghai, 200030 China
| | - Jun Wang
- Mental Health Center of Yangpu District in Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Le Ping Huang
- Mental Health Center of Hongkou District in Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Gui Lai Zhan
- Mental Health Center of Xuhui District in Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhu Li
- Songnan Community Health Service Center, Baoshan District, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Du
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 South Wanping Road, Shanghai, 200030 China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 South Wanping Road, Shanghai, 200030 China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
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21
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Morales-Arraez D, Alonso-Larruga A, Diaz-Flores F, García Dopico JA, de Vera A, Quintero E, Hernández-Guerra M. Predictive factors for not undergoing RNA testing in patients found to have hepatitis C serology and impact of an automatic alert. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1117-1123. [PMID: 31077515 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The process of diagnosis and linkage to care in cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains an obstacle to disease control. The aims of this study were to evaluate predictive factors for not undergoing RNA testing among patients with positive HCV serology and impact of incorporating an automated electronic alert with recommendations in clinical practice. We collected HCV antibody tests requested from October 2011 to September 2014 to evaluate the rate of RNA testing and predictive factors for not undergoing RNA testing. Since October 2014, an automated alert notification has been implemented to remind physicians for testing RNA after a positive HCV test and referral to specialist care. 41 403 HCV antibody tests were requested from 34 073 patients. 870 (2.55%) patients tested positive. After a median of follow-up of 57.0 months (range 45.6-82.1), 37.6% did not have RNA testing. The independent predictors for not undergoing RNA testing were primary care serology requests (P < 0.001), no history of drug use (P = 0.005) and a lack of social support (P = 0.015). The intervention impact was evaluated in a pre-alert cohort (October 2011-September 2014) and a post-alert cohort (October 2014-September 2015). After the incorporation of the alert, the rate of RNA testing increased from 62.4% to 77.7% (P < 0.001). Incomplete assessment of HCV infection is a challenge in primary care. The implementation of an automated alert for recommending RNA testing after a positive HCV antibody test is feasible in clinical practice and increases the rate of patients with RNA testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Morales-Arraez
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Tecnologías Biomédicas CIBICAN, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Psiquiatría y Dermatología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ana Alonso-Larruga
- Central Laboratory Department, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - Jose A García Dopico
- Central Laboratory Department, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Antonia de Vera
- Central Laboratory Department, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Enrique Quintero
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Tecnologías Biomédicas CIBICAN, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Psiquiatría y Dermatología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Manuel Hernández-Guerra
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Tecnologías Biomédicas CIBICAN, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Psiquiatría y Dermatología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
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22
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Brezzi M, Bertisch B, Roelens M, Moradpour D, Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Semmo N, Müllhaupt B, Semela D, Negro F, Keiser O. Impact of geographic origin on access to therapy and therapy outcomes in the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218706. [PMID: 31233524 PMCID: PMC6590815 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Late diagnosis and treatment may increase morbidity and mortality among persons with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We included all participants of the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study (SCCS). We used unadjusted and adjusted logistic and Cox regressions to determine the association between the geographic origin of the participants and the following outcomes: antiviral treatment status; sustained virologic response; cirrhosis at enrolment; incident cirrhosis; loss to follow-up (LTFU); and mortality. The analyses were adjusted for sex, baseline age, education, source of income, alcohol consumption, injection drug use (IDU), HCV genotype, HIV or HBV coinfection, duration of HCV infection, time since enrolment, cirrhosis, (type of) HCV treatment, and centre at enrolment. Among 5,356 persons, 1,752 (32.7%) were foreign-born. IDU was more common among Swiss- (64.1%) than foreign-born (36.6%) persons. Cirrhosis at enrolment was more frequent among foreign- than Swiss-born persons, reflecting the high frequency of cirrhosis among Italian-born persons who acquired HCV between 1950 and 1970 in Italian healthcare settings. Although antiviral treatment coverage was similar, the sustained viral response rate was increased and the mortality was lower among foreign-vs. Swiss-born persons, with the lowest mortality in persons from Asia/Oceania. LTFU was more frequent in persons from Germany, Eastern and Southern Europe, and the Americas. In conclusion, in Switzerland, a country with universal healthcare, geographic origin had no influence on hepatitis C treatment access, and the better treatment outcomes among foreign-born persons were likely explained by their lower prevalence of IDU and alcohol consumption than among Swiss-born persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Brezzi
- Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Bertisch
- Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maroussia Roelens
- Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Darius Moradpour
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Nasser Semmo
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Beat Müllhaupt
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center and Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David Semela
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Negro
- Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and of Clinical Pathology, University Hospitals Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Keiser
- Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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23
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Anagnostou O, Fotiou A, Kanavou E, Antaraki A, Terzidou M, Richardson C, Kafetzopoulos E. Factors associated with HCV test uptake in heroin users entering substitution treatment in Greece. HIV Med 2019; 19 Suppl 1:34-39. [PMID: 29488704 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES People who inject drugs (PWID) represent the main risk group for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in most middle and high-income countries. Testing PWID is considered as an important prevention measure. Identification of PWID characteristics associated with HCV testing may contribute to strategies targeting the containment of the HCV and HIV epidemics in Greece. METHODS Anonymous behavioural data from 2747 heroin users were collected upon entry in 38 opioid substitution treatment (OST) clinics in Greece during the period 2013-2015. HCV test uptake was the dependent variable while covariates included sociodemographic and addiction-related variables, mostly derived from the EMCDDA treatment demand indicator protocol. RESULTS Among 2299 cases with complete data on HCV testing, 83.5% reported any HCV testing uptake, with 61.2% reporting a recent test (< 12 months). In the multivariate analyses, any previous HCV testing uptake was associated with age ≥ 25 years, past drug treatment attempt, injecting or sniffing the primary substance, injection history ≥ 5 years, and syringe sharing earlier than the past 12 months. Past HCV test uptake was higher among those reporting full-time employment and 2-4 years injecting histories, and lower among residents of Athens. Recent testing was positively associated with female gender and polysubstance use. CONCLUSION Any previous HCV testing uptake is high among PWID entering OST in Greece and is associated with older age, longer injecting histories and past drug-related treatment attempts. Efforts to prevent and mitigate the ongoing HCV test epidemic among PWID in Greece should combine treatment with scaling up of screening, targeting especially those younger than 25 years and at the beginning of their hazardous use.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Anagnostou
- Greek Organisation Against Drugs (OKANA), Athens, Greece
| | - A Fotiou
- Greek Reitox Focal Point of the EMCDDA, Athens University Mental Health Research Institute (UMHRI), Athens, Greece
| | - E Kanavou
- Greek Reitox Focal Point of the EMCDDA, Athens University Mental Health Research Institute (UMHRI), Athens, Greece
| | - A Antaraki
- Greek Reitox Focal Point of the EMCDDA, Athens University Mental Health Research Institute (UMHRI), Athens, Greece
| | - M Terzidou
- Greek Reitox Focal Point of the EMCDDA, Athens University Mental Health Research Institute (UMHRI), Athens, Greece
| | - C Richardson
- Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece
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24
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Chikovani I, Ompad DC, Uchaneishvili M, Sulaberidze L, Sikharulidze K, Hagan H, Van Devanter NL. On the way to Hepatitis C elimination in the Republic of Georgia-Barriers and facilitators for people who inject drugs for engaging in the treatment program: A formative qualitative study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216123. [PMID: 31034530 PMCID: PMC6488087 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant public health concern worldwide. Georgia is among the countries with a high burden of HCV infection. People who inject drugs (PWID) have the highest burden of infection in Georgia. In 2015, the Government of Georgia, with partners' support, initiated one of the world's first Hepatitis C Elimination Programs. Despite notable progress, challenges to achieving targets persist. This qualitative study is aimed to better understand some of the barriers and facilitators to HCV testing and treatment services for PWID to inform HCV treatment policies and practices. The study instrument examined social, structural, and individual factors influencing HCV testing and treatment practices. We started with key informant interviews to guide the study instrument development and compare the study findings against health care planners' and health care providers' views. Forty PWID with various HCV testing and treatment experiences were recruited through the snowball method. The study found that along with structural factors such as political commitment, co-financing of diagnostic and monitoring tests, and friendly clinic environments, knowledge about HCV infection and elimination program benefits, and support from family and peers also play facilitating roles in accessing testing and treatment services. On the other hand, inability to co-pay for diagnostic tests, fear of side effects associated with treatment, poor knowledge about HCV infection, and lack of social support hampered testing and treatment practices among PWID. Findings from this study are important for increasing the effectiveness of this unique program that targets a population at high risk of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danielle C. Ompad
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Holly Hagan
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Nancy L. Van Devanter
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
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25
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Chronister KJ, Lothian R, Gilliver R, Kearley J, Read P. Feasibility and acceptability of adherence support for direct acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C in a low-threshold primary health-care opioid agonist treatment program. Drug Alcohol Rev 2019; 38:185-189. [DOI: 10.1111/dar.12903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karen J. Chronister
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District; Sydney Australia
- Kirby Institute; UNSW Sydney; Sydney Australia
| | - Rebecca Lothian
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District; Sydney Australia
| | - Rosie Gilliver
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District; Sydney Australia
| | - John Kearley
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District; Sydney Australia
| | - Phillip Read
- Kirketon Road Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District; Sydney Australia
- Kirby Institute; UNSW Sydney; Sydney Australia
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26
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Strada L, Schmidt CS, Rosenkranz M, Verthein U, Scherbaum N, Reimer J, Schulte B. Factors associated with health-related quality of life in a large national sample of patients receiving opioid substitution treatment in Germany: A cross-sectional study. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY 2019; 14:2. [PMID: 30606188 PMCID: PMC6318871 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-018-0187-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients receiving opioid substitution treatment (OST) is limited and fragmented. The present study examines the HRQOL of a large national sample of OST patients in Germany and sociodemographic and clinical correlates. METHODS Cross-sectional data on the HRQOL of 2176 OST patients was compared with German general population norms. Patients were recruited from 63 OST practices across Germany. To identify correlates of HRQOL, as measured with the SF-12, we performed bi- and multivariate analyses with sociodemographic and clinical variables, including patient- and clinician-reported outcomes on physical and mental health. RESULTS Patients' HRQOL was significantly poorer than in the general population, especially their mental HRQOL. Factors associated with lower physical HRQOL were older age, longer duration of opioid dependence, hepatitis C virus infection, and HIV infection. Benzodiazepine use was associated with lower mental HRQOL, and amphetamine use with higher physical HRQOL, compared to non-use of these substances. For both mental and physical HRQOL, the factor with the strongest positive association was employment and the factors with the strongest negative associations were physical and mental health symptom severity, psychiatric diagnosis, and psychopharmacological medication. CONCLUSIONS Compared to the general population, we found substantially lower HRQOL in OST patients, especially in their mental HRQOL. OST programs can benefit from further improvement, particularly with regard to mental health services, in order to better serve their patients' needs. Clinicians may consider the use of patient-reported outcome measures to identify patients' subjective physical and psychological needs. Further research is needed to determine if employment is a cause or consequence of improved HRQOL. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02395198 , retrospectively registered 16/03/2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Strada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Sybille Schmidt
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Moritz Rosenkranz
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Uwe Verthein
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Norbert Scherbaum
- LVR-Hospital Essen, Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jens Reimer
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Gesundheit Nord, Kurfürstenallee 130, 28211, Bremen, Germany
| | - Bernd Schulte
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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Chahal HS, Peters MG, Harris AM, McCabe D, Volberding P, Kahn JG. Cost-effectiveness of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Screening and Treatment or Vaccination in 6 High-risk Populations in the United States. Open Forum Infect Dis 2018; 6:ofy353. [PMID: 30931346 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Two million individuals with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in the United States are at risk for premature death due to liver cancer and cirrhosis. CHB can be prevented by vaccination and controlled with treatment. Methods We created a lifetime Markov model to estimate the cost-effectiveness of strategies to prevent or treat CHB in 6 high-risk populations: foreign-born Asian/Pacific Islanders (API), Africa-born blacks (AbB), incarcerated, refugees, persons who inject drugs (PWID), and men who have sex with men (MSM). We studied 3 strategies: (a) screen for HBV infection and treat infected ("treatment only"), (b) screen for HBV susceptibility and vaccinate susceptible ("vaccination only"), and (c) screen for both and follow-up appropriately ("inclusive"). Outcomes were expressed in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), clinical outcomes, and new infections. Results Vaccination-only and treatment-only strategies had ICERs of $6000-$21 000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, respectively. The inclusive strategy added minimal cost with substantial clinical benefit, with the following costs per QALY gained vs no intervention: incarcerated $3203, PWID $8514, MSM $10 954, AbB $17 089, refugees $17 432, and API $18 009. Clinical complications dropped in the short/intermediate (1%-25%) and long (0.4%-16%) term. Findings were sensitive to age, discount rate, health state utility in immune or susceptible stages, progression rate to cirrhosis or inactive disease, and tenofovir cost. The probability of an inclusive program costing <$50 000 per QALY gained varied between 61% and 97% by population. Conclusions An inclusive strategy to screen and treat or vaccinate is cost-effective in reducing the burden of hepatitis B virus among all 6 high-risk, high-prevalence populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harinder S Chahal
- Consortium to Assess Prevention Economics, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Marion G Peters
- Consortium to Assess Prevention Economics, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Aaron M Harris
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Devon McCabe
- Consortium to Assess Prevention Economics, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Paul Volberding
- Consortium to Assess Prevention Economics, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - James G Kahn
- Consortium to Assess Prevention Economics, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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28
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Tookey P, Mason K, Broad J, Behm M, Bondy L, Powis J. From client to co-worker: a case study of the transition to peer work within a multi-disciplinary hepatitis c treatment team in Toronto, Canada. Harm Reduct J 2018; 15:41. [PMID: 30107808 PMCID: PMC6092784 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-018-0245-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the integration of peer workers into harm reduction services, there is little documentation regarding the experience of this integration or of models in which peers are fully integrated as members of health care teams. The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the transition from client to support worker from the perspective of two individuals who received treatment for hepatitis C at a multi-disciplinary, community-based program, grounded in a harm reduction approach to substance use. METHODS A participatory case study design was selected. Interviews were conducted with two current peer workers who were also involved in the study design, analysis and writing. Data was coded and analyzed using an inductive approach to identify emergent themes. RESULTS Five primary themes emerged during our analysis of the facilitators and challenges of the transition from client to support worker: (1) the role of prior experience, (2) changes in substance use practices, (3) shifts in relationships with community members and friends, (4) supportive organizational and structural factors, and (5) role transition as a journey. In some cases, themes overlapped and contained elements that were both facilitating and challenging. CONCLUSIONS The transition from client to co-worker is a gradual process and one that is supported by, and in turn helps to support, a number of other personal transitions. The cases examined here suggest that a model of peer employment with broad qualification criteria, sufficient transition timelines, flexible job responsibilities, a solid investment in the inclusion of people with lived experience, and a harm reduction framework will support successful integration of current and/or former clients into health care teams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Tookey
- South Riverdale Community Health Centre, 955 Queen St East, Toronto, ON M4M 3P3 Canada
| | - Kate Mason
- South Riverdale Community Health Centre, 955 Queen St East, Toronto, ON M4M 3P3 Canada
| | - Jennifer Broad
- South Riverdale Community Health Centre, 955 Queen St East, Toronto, ON M4M 3P3 Canada
| | - Marty Behm
- South Riverdale Community Health Centre, 955 Queen St East, Toronto, ON M4M 3P3 Canada
| | - Lise Bondy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University. St. Joseph’s Health Care, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2 Canada
| | - Jeff Powis
- Michael Garron Hospital, 835 Coxwell Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 3E7 Canada
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Yaya I, Roux P, Marcellin F, Wittkop L, Esterle L, Spire B, Dominguez S, Elegbe BA, Piroth L, Sogni P, Salmon-Ceron D, Carrieri MP. Evolution of patients' socio-behavioral characteristics in the context of DAA: Results from the French ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH cohort of HIV-HCV co-infected patients. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199874. [PMID: 29975764 PMCID: PMC6033422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) have dramatically increased HCV cure rates with minimal toxicity in HIV-HCV co-infected patients. This study aimed to compare the socio-behavioral characteristics of patients initiating pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN)-based HCV treatment with those of patients initiating DAA-based treatment. METHODS ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH is a national multicenter prospective cohort started in 2005, which enrolled 1,859 HIV-HCV co-infected patients followed up in French hospital outpatient units. Both clinical/biological and socio-behavioral data were collected during follow-up. We selected patients with socio-behavioral data available before HCV treatment initiation. RESULTS A total of 580 patients were included in this analysis. Of these, 347 initiated PEG-IFN-based treatment, and 233 DAA-based treatment. There were significant differences regarding patient mean age (45 years±6 for the PEG-IFN group vs. 52 years±8 for the DAA group, p<0.001), unstable housing (21.4% vs. 11.2%, p = 0.0016), drug use (44.7% vs. 29.6%, p = 0.0003), regular or daily use of cannabis (24.3% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.0002), a history of drug injection (68.9% vs 39.0%, p<0.0001) and significant liver fibrosis (62.4% vs 72.3%, p = 0.0293). In multivariable analysis, patients initiating DAA-based treatment were older than their PEG-IFN-based treatment counterparts (aOR = 1.17; 95%CI [1.13; 1.22]). Patients receiving DAA treatment were less likely to report unstable housing (0.46 [0.24; 0.88]), cannabis use (regular or daily use:0.50 [0.28; 0.91]; non-regular use: 0.41 [0.22; 0.77]), and a history of drug injection (0.19 [0.12; 0.31]). CONCLUSION It is possible that a majority of patients who had socio-economic problems and/or a history of drug injection and/or a non-advanced disease stage were already treated for HCV in the PEG-IFN era. Today, patients with unstable housing conditions are prescribed DAA less frequently than other populations. As HCV treatment is prevention, improving access to DAA remains a major clinical and public health strategy, in particular for individuals with high-risk behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issifou Yaya
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Perrine Roux
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Fabienne Marcellin
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Linda Wittkop
- Univ. Bordeaux, ISPED, INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team MORPH3EUS, UMR 1219, CIC-EC 1401, Bordeaux, France
- CHU de Bordeaux, Pole de sante publique, Service d’information medicale, Bordeaux, France
| | - Laure Esterle
- Univ. Bordeaux, ISPED, INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, team MORPH3EUS, UMR 1219, CIC-EC 1401, Bordeaux, France
| | - Bruno Spire
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Stéphanie Dominguez
- INSERM U955, AP-HP, Groupe Henri-Mondor Albert-Chenevier, Immunologie Clinique et Maladies Infectieuses, Créteil, France
| | - Boni Armand Elegbe
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Lionel Piroth
- Département d'Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire and INSERM CIC 1432, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Philippe Sogni
- Université Paris Descartes, INSERM U-1223, Institut Pasteur, Service d'Hépatologie, hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Salmon-Ceron
- Université Paris Descartes, Service Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, AP-HP, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Maria Patrizia Carrieri
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
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The Mexican consensus on the treatment of hepatitis C. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGÍA DE MÉXICO (ENGLISH EDITION) 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmxen.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
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Aiza-Haddad I, Ballesteros-Amozurrutia A, Borjas-Almaguer OD, Castillo-Barradas M, Castro-Narro G, Chávez-Tapia N, Chirino-Sprung RA, Cisneros-Garza L, Dehesa-Violante M, Flores-Calderón J, Flores-Gaxiola A, García-Juárez I, González-Huezo MS, González-Moreno EI, Higuera-de la Tijera F, Kershenobich-Stalnikowitz D, López-Méndez E, Malé-Velázquez R, Marín-López E, Mata-Marín JA, Méndez-Sánchez N, Monreal-Robles R, Moreno-Alcántar R, Muñoz-Espinosa L, Navarro-Alvarez S, Pavia-Ruz N, Pérez-Ríos AM, Poo-Ramírez JL, Rizo-Robles MT, Sánchez-Ávila JF, Sandoval-Salas R, Torre A, Torres-Ibarra R, Trejo-Estrada R, Velarde-Ruiz Velasco JA, Wolpert-Barraza E, Bosques-Padilla F. The Mexican consensus on the treatment of hepatitis C. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGÍA DE MÉXICO 2018; 83:275-324. [PMID: 29803325 DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmx.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the Mexican Consensus on the Treatment of HepatitisC was to develop clinical practice guidelines applicable to Mexico. The expert opinion of specialists in the following areas was taken into account: gastroenterology, infectious diseases, and hepatology. A search of the medical literature was carried out on the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases through keywords related to hepatitisC treatment. The quality of evidence was subsequently evaluated using the GRADE system and the consensus statements were formulated. The statements were then voted upon, using the modified Delphi system, and reviewed and corrected by a panel of 34 voting participants. Finally, the level of agreement was classified for each statement. The present guidelines provide recommendations with an emphasis on the new direct-acting antivirals, to facilitate their use in clinical practice. Each case must be individualized according to the comorbidities involved and patient management must always be multidisciplinary.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - O D Borjas-Almaguer
- Hospital Universitario «Dr. José Eleuterio González», Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | | | - G Castro-Narro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | | | - L Cisneros-Garza
- Centro de Enfermedades Hepáticas del Hospital San José, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | | | - J Flores-Calderón
- Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - I García-Juárez
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - E I González-Moreno
- Hospital Universitario «Dr. José Eleuterio González», Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | | | | | - E López-Méndez
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - R Malé-Velázquez
- Instituto de Salud Digestiva y Hepática, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
| | | | - J A Mata-Marín
- Hospital de Infectología del Centro Médico Nacional «La Raza», Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - R Monreal-Robles
- Hospital Universitario «Dr. José Eleuterio González», Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | | | - L Muñoz-Espinosa
- Hospital Universitario «Dr. José Eleuterio González», Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | | | - N Pavia-Ruz
- Hospital Infantil de México «Federico Gómez», Ciudad de México, México
| | - A M Pérez-Ríos
- Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
| | - J L Poo-Ramírez
- Clínica San Jerónimo de Salud Hepática y Digestiva, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - J F Sánchez-Ávila
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - A Torre
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
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Ng X, Nwankwo C, Arduino JM, Corman S, Lasch KE, Lustrino JM, Patel S, Platt HL, Qiu J, Sperl J. Patient-reported outcomes in individuals with hepatitis C virus infection treated with elbasvir/grazoprevir. Patient Prefer Adherence 2018; 12:2631-2638. [PMID: 30587935 PMCID: PMC6294167 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s172732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE People chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have diminished patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This study aimed to compare the impact of elbasvir/grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) treatment versus sofosbuvir with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (SOF/PR) on changes in PROs: 1) during the treatment period and 2) at posttreatment follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS PRO data collected during the Phase III C-EDGE Head-2-Head (H2H) open-label study was analyzed. In this trial, patients infected with HCV were randomized 1:1 to receive either EBR/GZR or SOF/PR for 12 weeks. Patients self-administered the Short Form-36 version 2 (SF-36v2®) Health Survey Acute (1-week recall) Form and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) Scale at baseline, during treatment, and posttreatment. Between-group differences in mean change of PRO scores from baseline were estimated during the treatment period and also at the posttreatment follow-up. Effect sizes were calculated to evaluate if the detected change in mean PRO scores is clinically meaningful between groups. RESULTS There were 255 patients (99.2% White, 54.1% female, 74.9% treatment naïve) included in the analysis. During the treatment period, significant declines in SF-36v2 scores were observed across all domains for the SOF/PR group. Compared to the SOF/PR group, the EBR/GZR group reported more improvement in scores across all SF-36v2 domain scores at the end of the treatment period. At treatment week 12, the between-group differences for 6 out of the 8 domain scores for these patients reflected at least moderate effects (effect sizes >0.5). No significant between-group differences in change in SF-36v2 scores from baseline were detected posttreatment. The decline in SF-36v2 scores observed during the treatment period for the SOF/PR group returned to near baseline scores or above posttreatment. Treatment with EBR/GZR did not impact fatigue scores, but treatment with SOF/PR led to increased fatigue scores during treatment which resolved by posttreatment follow-up week 12. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that HCV treatment with EBR/GZR resulted in a significantly better PRO profile as compared to SOF/PR. PROs are an important consideration as worsening PROs experienced during treatment may negatively influence adherence and ultimately contribute to an unfavorable clinical outcome. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER NCT02358044.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Ng
- Pharmerit International, LP, Bethesda, MD, USA,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jan Sperl
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
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Stephens DB, Young AM, Havens JR. Healthcare contact and treatment uptake following hepatitis C virus screening and counseling among rural Appalachian people who use drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 47:86-94. [PMID: 28648353 PMCID: PMC5592138 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Since 2009, Kentucky has led the United States in cases of acute HCV, driven largely by injection drug use in rural areas. Improved treatment regimens hold promise of mitigating the impact and transmission of HCV, but numerous barriers obstruct people who inject drugs (PWID) from receiving care, particularly in medically underserved settings. METHODS 503 rural people who use drugs were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and received HCV screening and post-test counseling. Presence of HCV antibodies was assessed using enzyme immunoassay of dried blood samples. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected using computer-based questionnaires. Predictors of contacting a healthcare provider for follow-up following HCV-positive serotest and counseling were determined using discrete-time survival analysis. RESULTS 150 (59%) of 254 participants reported contacting a healthcare provider within 18 months of positive serotest and counseling; the highest probability occurred within six months of serotesting. 35 participants (14%) reported they were seeking treatment, and 21 (8%) reported receiving treatment. In multivariate time-dependent modeling, health insurance, internet access, prior substance use treatment, meeting DSM-IV criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, and recent marijuana use increased the odds of making contact for follow-up. Participants meeting criteria for major depressive disorder and reporting prior methadone use, whether legal or illegal, were less likely to contact a provider. CONCLUSION While only 8% received treatment after HCV-positive screening, contacting a healthcare provider was frequent in this sample of rural PWID, suggesting that the major barriers to care are likely further downstream. These findings offer insight into the determinants of engaging the cascade of medical treatment for HCV and ultimately, treatment-as-prevention. Further study and increased resources to support integrated interventions with effectiveness in other settings are recommended to mitigate the impact of HCV in this resource-deprived setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin B Stephens
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Science, 845 Angliana Ave., Lexington, KY 40508, USA.
| | - April M Young
- University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 111 Washington Avenue, Office 211C, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, 845 Angliana Ave., Lexington, KY 40508, USA.
| | - Jennifer R Havens
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, 845 Angliana Ave., Lexington, KY 40508, USA.
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Ward T, Gordon J, Jones B, Bennett H, Webster S, Kalsekar A, Yuan Y, Brenner M, McEwan P. Value of Sustained Virologic Response in Patients with Hepatitis C as a Function of Time to Progression of End-Stage Liver Disease. Clin Drug Investig 2017; 37:61-70. [PMID: 27587071 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-016-0458-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeted intervention in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) closest to end-stage liver disease (ESLD) progression may offer an approach to treatment prioritisation whilst delivering benefits for patients and the healthcare system. In contrast to previous HCV economic analyses, this study aimed to estimate the health economic value of sustained virologic response (SVR) stratified by the patient's propensity to progress to ESLD. METHODS An HCV natural history model was adapted to estimate the value of avoiding ESLD complications following SVR, assessed as cost offsets and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gains, as a function of time to ESLD at treatment initiation. These outcomes were used to estimate the financial value of achieving SVR, defined as the maximum investment that could be allocated without exceeding a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000/QALY. RESULTS Regardless of time to ESLD onset, achieving SVR was beneficial, resulting in cost offsets and QALY gains, due to avoidance of ESLD complications. The value of achieving SVR was greatest in patients closest to ESLD onset, resulting in increased cost offsets and QALY gains (up to £50,901 and 9.56 QALYs). In patients closest to ESLD onset, the financial value of achieving SVR was £242,051, compared with £127,116 in patients furthest from onset. CONCLUSIONS Standard cost-effectiveness evaluations may underestimate the value of treatment in HCV patients closest to ESLD development. Targeted intervention would promote efficient allocation of limited healthcare resources and reconcile concerns surrounding the affordability of new direct-acting antivirals, by minimising the number-needed-to-treat to maximise health benefit, whilst minimising healthcare expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Ward
- HEOR, Health Economics and Outcomes Research Ltd, 9 Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate Business Park, CF23 8RS, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Jason Gordon
- HEOR, Health Economics and Outcomes Research Ltd, 9 Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate Business Park, CF23 8RS, Cardiff, UK.,Department of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Beverley Jones
- HEOR, Health Economics and Outcomes Research Ltd, 9 Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate Business Park, CF23 8RS, Cardiff, UK
| | - Hayley Bennett
- HEOR, Health Economics and Outcomes Research Ltd, 9 Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate Business Park, CF23 8RS, Cardiff, UK
| | - Samantha Webster
- HEOR, Health Economics and Outcomes Research Ltd, 9 Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate Business Park, CF23 8RS, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anupama Kalsekar
- World Wide Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Princeton, USA
| | - Yong Yuan
- World Wide Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Princeton, USA
| | - Michael Brenner
- UK HEOR, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Phil McEwan
- HEOR, Health Economics and Outcomes Research Ltd, 9 Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate Business Park, CF23 8RS, Cardiff, UK.,School of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
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Gilman M, Littlewood R. A Pilot Survey of Hepatitis C Knowledge and Awareness of Novel Treatment Options Engaged with Narcotics Anonymous: How Can Group Therapy Help? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/1556035x.2016.1258684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Lewis H, Kunkel J, Axten D, Dalton J, Gardner H, Tippett A, Wynne S, Wilkinson M, Foster GR. Community nurse-led initiation of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C in people who inject drugs does not increase uptake of or adherence to treatment. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 28:1258-63. [PMID: 27487966 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000000711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C is common in people who inject drugs (PWID) and this population serves as a reservoir for infection. Treatment levels are low among this group, ranging from 1 to 19%. We explored whether a nurse-initiated community treatment model increased uptake of and adherence to interferon-based therapies. METHODS This was a cluster randomized trial of nurse-initiated versus physician-initiated antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for hepatitis C virus in community clinics (trial registration: ISRCTN07774040). RESULTS The proportion of participants initiating treatment during follow-up was 10% with nurse-initiated (6/62) and 9% with physician-initiated (6/76) therapy. Adherence was similar in both groups, with only one patient in each arm not adhering to therapy. There were no serious adverse events, but interferon-related side effects were common. Drug and alcohol use did not change during therapy. CONCLUSION Despite easy access to antiviral therapy, uptake of treatment was poor, with no significant difference between the groups. Nurse-led initiation of interferon-based antiviral therapy in PWID did not lead to increased uptake of, response to or adherence with treatment. Further service improvement is unlikely to increase the proportion of PWID undergoing antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus and early adoption of interferon-free regimens may increase the proportion initiating and completing treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Lewis
- aDepartment of Gastroenterology, Frimley Health Foundation Trust, Surrey bHepatology Unit, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London cBlood Borne Virus Team, Tower Hamlets Specialist Addiction Unit, East London NHS Foundation Trust, Beaumont House, Mile End Hospital, London, UK
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Marinho RT, Costa A, Pires T, Raposo H, Vasconcelos C, Polónia C, Borges J, Soares M, Vilar G, Nogueira AM. A multidimensional education program at substance dependence treatment centers improves patient knowledge and hepatitis C care. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:565. [PMID: 27733137 PMCID: PMC5062838 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1883-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HCV treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID) is low. Education programs may be suitable strategies to improve patients’ knowledge about their condition and to overcome barriers to access treatment. Methods The Health Educational Program (HEP) consisted of patient workshops and educational videos and leaflets, and healthcare professionals’ workshops. HEP was implemented at seven substance dependence treatment centers (STDC) in Portugal. The study comprised two cross-sectional evaluations conducted before and after HEP. At both evaluations, adult patients with confirmed HCV diagnosis and registered in the STDC were consecutively included. For patients that completed both evaluations, the overall knowledge score were calculated and compared with McNemar test. Linear regression modelling was used to evaluate factors associated with baseline knowledge. Rates of referral and attendance to referral specialist, treatment proposal, initiation and retention at both evaluations were also compared with McNemar test. Results Overall, 504 patients with chronic hepatitis C were included: 78 % male, mean age 42.3 ± 6.6 years, 14 % school education ≤ 4 years, disease duration 11.0 ± 6.0 years and 26 % HIV co-infected. A higher baseline knowledge was independently associated with educational level ≥ 10 years (regression coefficient [B] =15.13, p < 0.001), current use of intravenous drugs (B = 7.99, p = 0.038), previous referral for treatment (B = 4.26, p = 0.008) and previous HCV treatment (B = 5.40, p = 0.003). Following HEP, mean knowledge score increased from 69 % to 79 % (p < 0.001). The rate of patient referral to a liver specialist increased from 56.2 % to 67.5 % (p < 0.001). Conclusions An HEP conducted at STDCs improved significantly patient knowledge about hepatitis C, even among patients with a high baseline knowledge. The HEP has also increased the rate of referral to the liver specialist and showed a great potential to support healthcare professionals in managing HCV. Education programs may promote treatment access among PWID, a population that represents the majority of HCV infected patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1883-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Tato Marinho
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Hospital Santa Maria - Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, 1649-035, Portugal.
| | - António Costa
- UD Centro das Taipas, Parque de Saúde de Lisboa - Av. Brasil n.° 53, Pavilhão 2, 1° andar, 1749-002, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Teodomiro Pires
- ETET de Almada, Rua das Terras dos Cortes Reais n°1, 2805-025, Almada, Portugal
| | - Helena Raposo
- ETET do Barreiro, Rua Almirante Reis n°50, 2830-326, Barreiro, Portugal
| | - Carlos Vasconcelos
- ETET de Gondomar, Rua Caminho de Pevidal, R/C - S/N, 4420-264, Gondomar, Portugal
| | - Cristina Polónia
- ETET de Setúbal, Praça da República, 2900-587, Setúbal, Portugal
| | - Joaquim Borges
- ETET da Figueira da Foz, Rua Doutor Calado 2, Figueira da Foz, 3080-153, Figueira da Foz, Portugal
| | - Mariana Soares
- ETET Eixo Oeiras Cascais, Rua Professor Orlando Ribeiro, n.°3A, B, n.° 5A, B e n.° 7, 2740-222, Porto Salvo, Portugal
| | - Graça Vilar
- SICAD- General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies, Avenida da República, n° 61, 3° piso, 1050-189, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Maria Nogueira
- MSD Portugal, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Quinta da Fonte, Edifício Vasco da Gama, 19, 2770-192, Paço de Arcos, Portugal
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Facilitators of HCV treatment adherence among people who inject drugs: a systematic qualitative review and implications for scale up of direct acting antivirals. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:994. [PMID: 27645935 PMCID: PMC5029046 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3671-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background While the public health benefits of new HCV treatments depend on treatment adherence, particularly among people who inject drugs (PWID), several social and medical factors can jeopardize treatment adherence. The aim of this study is to examine the qualitative literature on facilitators to HCV treatment adherence among PWID. Methods We searched six databases to identify qualitative research studies on HCV treatment adherence facilitators among PWID. Two reviewers independently extracted and analyzed data using PRISMA guidelines and the CASP tool to evaluate study quality. Results From ten studies representing data from 525 participants, three major themes emerged across studies: logistical facilitators within health systems enhanced HCV treatment adherence, positive social interactions between PWID and staff provided positive feedback during treatment, and HCV treatment may complicate the addiction recovery process. Conclusions Although PWID face several barriers to adherence, we identified treatment adherence facilitators that could be incorporated into clinical practice. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3671-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Zippel-Schultz B, Specka M, Cimander K, Eschenhagen T, Gölz J, Maryschok M, Nowak M, Poehlke T, Stöver H, Helms TM, Scherbaum N. Outcomes of Patients in Long-Term Opioid Maintenance Treatment. Subst Use Misuse 2016; 51:1493-503. [PMID: 27355105 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1188946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the importance of duration of opioid maintenance treatment (OMT), only few studies have reported outcomes of long-term OMT. OBJECTIVES To describe outcomes of long-term (> 5 years) OMT patients with respect to substance use, physical and mental health, and socioeconomic characteristics. METHODS Patients (n = 160) were recruited from 15 OMT offices in different regions of Germany. Data were collected using a structured interview at baseline, and clinical recordings, including urine drug screenings, during 12 monhts follow-up. RESULTS Patients had a mean age of 44 years. During follow-up, 23% of patients showed indications of an alcohol problem. Cannabis was used by 56%, often frequently. Heroin was used by 28%, mostly infrequently. Three quarters of patients either had a non-substance related mental disorder (48.1%, most frequently affective and anxiety disorders) or somatic diagnosis (61.3%, frequently hepatitis C, HIV, or cardiovascular diseases), or both. Unemployment rate was 43.1% at baseline (27% for patients without comorbidity) and remained generally stable during follow-up. No arrests or incarcerations were recorded. During follow-up, 2.5% of patients prematurely terminated OMT, 2.5% regularly completed OMT. CONCLUSIONS The sample as a whole was characterized by stable living conditions, high unemployment, low illicit opiate use, and a high retention rate. Continuation of OMT could enable further treatment of comorbidity and prevent resumption of a drug-dominated lifestyle. But it may well be asked how within the context of OMT further improvements can be achieved, especially with regard to further decrease of alcohol use and the treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Specka
- b Klinik für abhängiges Verhalten und Suchtmedizin, LVR-Klinikum Essen, Kliniken/Institut der Universität Duisburg-Essen , Essen , Germany
| | - Konrad Cimander
- c Praxis für Allgemeinmedizin/Suchtmedizin , Hannover , Germany
| | - Thomas Eschenhagen
- d Institut für klinische und experimentelle Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Jörg Gölz
- e Praxiszentrum Kaiserdamm/Allgemeinmedizin , Berlin , Germany
| | | | - Manfred Nowak
- f Therapieverbund Ludwigsmühle , Landau/Pfalz , Germany
| | | | - Heino Stöver
- h Soziale Arbeit & Gesundheit, Frankfurt University of Applied Science , Frankfurt am Main , Germany
| | - Thomas M Helms
- a Deutsche Stiftung für chronisch Kranke , Berlin , Germany
| | - Norbert Scherbaum
- b Klinik für abhängiges Verhalten und Suchtmedizin, LVR-Klinikum Essen, Kliniken/Institut der Universität Duisburg-Essen , Essen , Germany
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Giudici F, Bertisch B, Negro F, Stirnimann G, Müllhaupt B, Moradpour D, Cerny A, Keiser O. Access to therapy and therapy outcomes in the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study: a person-centred approach. J Viral Hepat 2016; 23:697-707. [PMID: 27006320 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics are associated with delayed diagnosis and disease progression in HCV-infected persons. However, many analyses focused on single variables rather than groups defined by several variables. We used latent class analysis to study all 4488 persons enrolled in the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study. Groups were identified using predefined variables at enrolment. The number of groups was selected using the Bayesian information criterion. Mortality, loss to follow-up, cirrhosis, treatment status and response to antivirals were analysed using Laplace and logistic regressions. We identified five groups and named them according to their characteristics: persons who inject drugs, male drinkers, Swiss employees, foreign employees and retirees. Two groups did not conform to common assumptions about persons with chronic hepatitis C and were already in an advanced stage of the disease at enrolment: 'male drinkers' and 'retirees' had a high proportion of cirrhosis at enrolment (15% and 16% vs <10.3%), and the shortest time to death (adjusted median time 8.7 years and 8.8 years vs >9.0). 'Male drinkers' also had high substance use, but they were well educated and were likely to be employed. This analysis may help identifying high-risk groups which may benefit from targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Giudici
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - B Bertisch
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Bern, Switzerland.,Checkpoint Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - F Negro
- Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and of Clinical Pathology, University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - G Stirnimann
- University Clinic of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - B Müllhaupt
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center and Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - D Moradpour
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - A Cerny
- Epatocentro Ticino Foundation, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - O Keiser
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
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Myles A. The Role of Physicians’ Attitudes and the Provision of Hepatitis C Virus Treatment to People Who Inject Drugs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.2174/1874220301603010104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate hepatitis C virus (HCV) assessment and treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID) is a result of patient, provider and health system level barriers. Low HCV treatment rates continue even though guidelines have been revised to consider HCV treatment among PWID on a case-by-case basis. If accessibility to HCV treatment were increased, especially to PWID this would greatly decrease the pool of communicable disease. In order to successfully control and prevent HCV infection PWID must be actively engaged in the treatment process. Physicians’ attitudes towards HCV treatment can be represented in studies as views that are directly perceived by the physician or indirectly as perceived by the patient who is under the care of the physician. The current review focuses on examining both the indirect and direct views of physician’s attitudes in treating HCV-infected PWID and examines how this influences and impacts provision of HCV treatment. A review of the literature suggests that physician’s have varied attitudes towards their patients who use recreational drugs and who are HCV positive. Moreover it is the negative associations between HCV and drug use that can impact HCV treatment accessibility and affect the number of people who can actively begin treatment.
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Younossi ZM, Stepanova M, Henry L, Nader F, Younossi Y, Hunt S. Adherence to treatment of chronic hepatitis C: from interferon containing regimens to interferon and ribavirin free regimens. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e4151. [PMID: 27428205 PMCID: PMC4956799 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000004151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients' experience during treatment may affect treatment adherence. Our aim was to assess the impact of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) on adherence to different anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) regimens.Clinical, demographic, and PRO data (short form-36 [SF-36], chronic liver disease questionnaire-hepatitis C version [CLDQ-HCV], functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue [FACIT-F], work productivity and activity impairment: specific health problem [WPAI:SHP]) from 13 multinational clinical trials of anti-HCV treatment were available. Treatment adherence was defined as >80% of prescribed doses taken.Included were 4825 HCV patients. Regimens were grouped into: interferon- and ribavirin (RBV)-containing (±sofosbuvir [SOF]), interferon-free RBV-containing (RBV + SOF ± ledipasvir [LDV]), and interferon-free RBV-free (LDV/SOF). The adherence to these regimens were 77.6%, 84.3%, and 96.2%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Nonadherent patients were more likely to be unemployed and to have a greater PRO impairment at baseline (up to -5.3% lower PRO scores, P < 0.0001). During treatment with interferon- or RBV-based regimens, nonadherent patients experienced lower PROs and had larger decrements from their baseline PRO scores. In contrast, there were no significant declines in PRO scores (all P > 0.05) for the small number of patients who were nonadherent to LDV/SOF. In multivariate analysis, being treatment-naive, longer treatment duration, and receiving an interferon- or RBV-containing regimen were associated with a lower likelihood of adherence (all P < 0.003). Better baseline and on-treatment PRO scores were associated with a higher likelihood of adherence to interferon and RBV.The use of interferon and/or RBV, longer duration of treatment, and lower baseline and on-treatment PRO scores were linked to a decreased likelihood of being adherent to interferon + RBV-containing or interferon-free RBV-containing antiviral regimens. Interferon- and RBV-free regimens were associated with excellent adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zobair M. Younossi
- Center for Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA, USA
- Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated Research, Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA, USA
- Correspondence: Zobair M. Younossi, Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated Research, Claude Moore Health Education and Research Building, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA 22042, USA (e-mail: )
| | - Maria Stepanova
- Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, Washington, DC
| | - Linda Henry
- Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, Washington, DC
| | - Fatema Nader
- Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, Washington, DC
| | | | - Sharon Hunt
- Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, Washington, DC
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Poll R, Allmark P, Tod AM. Reasons for missed appointments with a hepatitis C outreach clinic: A qualitative study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2016; 39:130-137. [PMID: 27939298 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-attendance in drug service hepatitis C outreach clinics means clients miss the opportunity of being given lifestyle advice and referral to hospital for assessment and treatment. A similar problem is experienced in other services throughout the UK. A qualitative study was undertaken to investigate the problem. METHODS Clients with a history of not attending the outreach clinic were invited to participate during a routine drug clinic appointment. A contact details sheet with a preferred telephone number was completed by those agreeing to take part. Verbal consent was taken and a telephone interview took place. The participants were remunerated for taking part with a five pounds high street voucher. The 'framework method' was used to analyse the data with key themes identified. RESULTS Twenty-eight telephone interviews were undertaken from April to June 2012. All the clients gave 'prima-facie' reasons for non-attendance including 'not a priority' and 'forgot'. However, the study indicates these are insufficient to explain the various experiences and influences. Underlying reasons that impacted upon attendance were identified. These reasons relate to (i) client characteristics e.g. 'priority' to score drugs and the 'cost of travel' and (ii) clinic service e.g. 'difficult journey' to the clinic and timing of the 'appointment'. The reasons operated within a complex context where other factors had an impact including addiction, welfare policy, stigma and the nature of hepatitis C itself. CONCLUSION The study revealed that beneath apparently simple explanations for non-attendance, such as clients' chaotic lifestyle resulting in them forgetting or not being bothered to attend, there were far more complex and varied underlying reasons. This has important implications for drug policy including the need to better incorporate clients' perspectives. Policy that is based only on the simple, surface reasons is unlikely to be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray Poll
- Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, England, United Kingdom.
| | - Peter Allmark
- Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Montgomery House, 32 Collegiate Crescent, Collegiate Campus, Sheffield S10 2BP, England, United Kingdom
| | - Angela M Tod
- Faculty of Human and Medical Sciences, Room 5.319, Jean McFarlane Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, England, United Kingdom
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Strada L, Schulte B, Schmidt CS, Verthein U, Cremer-Schaeffer P, Krückeberg S, Reimer J. Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection among people receiving opioid substitution therapy (ECHO): study protocol. BMC Infect Dis 2015; 15:563. [PMID: 26653754 PMCID: PMC4676160 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1307-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus infection is highly prevalent among people who inject drugs. Opioid substitution therapy, the standard treatment for opioid dependence, provides an excellent opportunity for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection due to the close and regular contact between patients and clinicians. However, there is little research on the impact of opioid substitution therapy on the prevalence of the hepatitis C virus at a national level. This paper describes the protocol for the Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among People Receiving Opioid Substitution Therapy (ECHO) study. The aim of this study is to estimate the national prevalence and incidence of hepatitis C virus infection among people receiving opioid substitution therapy in Germany and to describe factors associated with hepatitis C treatment uptake and seroconversion. METHODS/DESIGN An observational, longitudinal, multicentre study is being conducted between 2014 and 2016 in a representative sample of approximately 2500 people receiving opioid substitution therapy from about 100 clinicians providing opioid substitution therapy in Germany. Data will be collected during routine patient care and by means of patient and clinician questionnaires at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Stratified sampling will be performed to obtain a representative sample of clinicians providing opioid substitution therapy. The strata will be constructed based on the distribution of the total sample of clinicians providing opioid substitution therapy in Germany according to German Federal State and the number of patients per clinician. DISCUSSION Opioid substitution therapy may be an important strategy to prevent the spread of hepatitis C virus in opioid dependent populations, but its effectiveness may be diminished by our limited understanding of factors associated with treatment uptake and seroconversion. The present study will provide important information for developing strategies to address hepatitis C virus-related disease burden in people receiving opioid substitution therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02395198.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Strada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Bernd Schulte
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Christiane Sybille Schmidt
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Uwe Verthein
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Peter Cremer-Schaeffer
- Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Allee 3, 53175, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Sabine Krückeberg
- Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Allee 3, 53175, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Jens Reimer
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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Milne R, Price M, Wallace B, Drost A, Haigh-Gidora I, Nezil FA, Fraser C. From principles to practice: Description of a novel equity-based HCV primary care treatment model for PWID. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2015; 26:1020-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Safo SA, Batchelder A, Peyser D, Litwin AH. The common sense model applied to hepatitis C: a qualitative analysis of the impact of disease comparison and witnessed death on hepatitis C illness perception. Harm Reduct J 2015; 12:20. [PMID: 26092261 PMCID: PMC4477484 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-015-0054-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounts for 15,000 deaths in the United States yearly because people living with HCV are not identified in time to seek treatment, are ineligible for or refuse treatment, or face structural impediments to obtaining treatment such as lack of access to health care or lack of insurance. People who inject drugs (PWID) comprise a large proportion-estimates of up to 60-70%-of current and new HCV infected individuals and face many barriers to completing HCV treatment. METHODS We conducted 30 qualitative semi-structured interviews of current and former PWID seeking HCV treatment at an opioid-agonist treatment facility in New York City. We used thematic analysis, informed by grounded theory, to examine perceptions of HCV and decisions to initiate HCV treatment. We analyzed the themes that emerged via the common sense model (CSM) of illness perception theoretical framework. RESULTS Using thematic analyses, two major themes emerged related to engagement in HCV treatment. First, participants independently compared HCV to HIV, and in so doing, emphasized the potential fatality of HCV and the need for treatment. Second, participants described witnessing others suffer or die from untreated HCV and expressed how these recollections impacted their desire to undergo treatment themselves. Together, these themes contributed to the way participants perceived HCV and informed their decisions to initiate treatment. Both themes reflect the CSM's "self-regulation" process, which posits that understanding the causes and consequences of an illness impacts one's ability to seek treatment to overcome this illness state. CONCLUSIONS This paper offers insight into how clinicians can better understand and utilize HCV illness perceptions to evaluate willingness to engage in HCV treatment among PWID considering antiviral treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella A Safo
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210 St., Bronx, NY, 10467, USA.
| | - Abigail Batchelder
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210 St., Bronx, NY, 10467, USA. .,University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Deena Peyser
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210 St., Bronx, NY, 10467, USA. .,Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA.
| | - Alain H Litwin
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210 St., Bronx, NY, 10467, USA.
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Younossi Z, Henry L. Systematic review: patient-reported outcomes in chronic hepatitis C--the impact of liver disease and new treatment regimens. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2015; 41:497-520. [PMID: 25616122 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) is rapidly changing and moving away from an interferon and ribavirin-based therapy to interferon-free ribavirin-free all oral regimens. These regimens are simpler and shorter to administer with very high efficacy rates and better side effect profiles. As advances in the treatment of CH-C occur, it is imperative to capture both clinical outcomes (efficacy and safety) as well as patient-reported outcomes (PROs). In fact, PROs assesses and quantifies the impact of these regimens on patient experience. PROs assess patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) especially in the realms of fatigue and neuropsychiatric issues such as depression which can affect treatment adherence and work productivity. AIM To review the literature related to PRO's in HCV patients and summarise the impact of CH-C and its treatment on PROs. METHODS Databases Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed were searched from 1990 to October 2014 using a combination of MEsh, thesaurus terms and relevant text words: hepatitis C, CH-C, treatment, quality of life, health-related quality of life, fatigue, work productivity, adherence, patient-reported outcomes, direct acting anti-viral agents and second generation direct acting anti-viral agents. Each manuscript was assessed for pertinence to the issue of PROs in CH-C as well as the quality of study design and publications. RESULTS From the literature, it is evident that CH-C patients have baseline PRO impairment. Furthermore, treatment with interferon with or without ribavirin and first generation DAAs causes additional PRO burden which can negatively impact treatment adherence and indirectly, treatment efficacy and work productivity. The new treatment regimens with interferon- and ribavirin-free regimens not only have very high efficacy, but also result in the improvement of PRO scores as early as 2 weeks into treatment as well as possibly better adherence to treatment regimens. CONCLUSIONS CH-C and its treatment have been associated with patient-reported outcome impairment. The new IF-free and RBV-free regimens are associated with high efficacy and substantial improvement of patient-reported outcomes in clinical trial setting. Although very encouraging, more data are needed to assess patient-reported outcomes, adherence and work productivity of CH-C patients in the real world setting of clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Younossi
- Department of Medicine, Center for Liver Diseases, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA, USA; Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated Research, Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA, USA
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Sublette VA, Smith SK, George J, McCaffery K, Douglas MW. The Hepatitis C treatment experience: Patients' perceptions of the facilitators of and barriers to uptake, adherence and completion. Psychol Health 2015; 30:987-1004. [PMID: 25622699 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2015.1012195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explores the perceptions of patients receiving treatment for Hepatitis C to determine what factors influence their decision to commence treatment, ability to maintain adherence and complete their treatment program. DESIGN Semi-structured interview techniques were used in a qualitative study of 20 patients undergoing treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES To explore patients' perceived barriers and facilitators of Hepatitis C treatment adherence and completion. RESULTS Analysis of patient interviews identified four key themes: (1) motivations for commencing CHC treatment - fear of death and ridding themselves of stigma and shame; (2) the influential role of provider communication - patients reported that information and feedback that was personalised to their needs and lifestyles was the most effective for improving adherence to treatment; (3) facilitators of treatment adherence and completion - social, emotional and practical support improved adherence and completion, as did temporarily ceasing employment; (4) barriers to treatment adherence and completion - these included side effects, stigma, a complicated dosing schedule and limitations of the public healthcare system. CONCLUSION To increase treatment adherence and completion rates, a patient-centred approach is required that addresses patients' social, practical, and emotional support needs and adaptive coping strategies.
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McAllister G, Innes H, Mcleod A, Dillon JF, Hayes PC, Fox R, Barclay ST, Templeton K, Aitken C, Gunson R, Goldberg D, Hutchinson SJ. Uptake of hepatitis C specialist services and treatment following diagnosis by dried blood spot in Scotland. J Clin Virol 2014; 61:359-64. [PMID: 25264306 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dried blood spot (DBS) testing for hepatitis C (HCV) was introduced to Scotland in 2009. This minimally invasive specimen provides an alternative to venipuncture and can overcome barriers to testing in people who inject drugs (PWID). OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to determine rates and predictors of: exposure to HCV, attendance at specialist clinics and anti-viral treatment initiation among the DBS tested population in Scotland. STUDY DESIGN DBS testing records were deterministically linked to the Scottish HCV Clinical database prior to logistic regression analysis. RESULTS In the first two years of usage in Scotland, 1322 individuals were tested by DBS of which 476 were found to have an active HCV infection. Linkage analysis showed that 32% had attended a specialist clinic within 12 months of their specimen collection date and 18% had begun anti-viral therapy within 18 months of their specimen collection date. A significantly reduced likelihood of attendance at a specialist clinic was evident amongst younger individuals (<35 years), those of unknown ethnic origin and those not reporting injecting drug use as a risk factor. CONCLUSION We conclude that DBS testing in non-clinical settings has the potential to increase diagnosis and, with sufficient support, treatment of HCV infection among PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina McAllister
- East of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
| | - Hamish Innes
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Rd, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Allan Mcleod
- Health Protection Scotland, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - John F Dillon
- NHS Tayside, Medical Research Institute, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Peter C Hayes
- Division of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Ray Fox
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Kate Templeton
- East of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Celia Aitken
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Rory Gunson
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - David Goldberg
- Health Protection Scotland, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK; Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Rd, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK
| | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Rd, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
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