Efficacy of DAAs in the Treatment of Chronic HCV: Real-World Data from the Private Health-Care Sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Hepatitis C epidemiology and treatment outcomes in Italy: Impact of the DAA era and the COVID-19 pandemic

HCV infection poses a global health threat, with significant morbidity and mortality. This study examines HCV trends in a large Italian region from 2015 to 2022, considering demographic changes, evolving clinical profiles, treatment regimens and outcomes, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This multicentre retrospective study analysed demographics, clinical histories and risk factors in 6882 HCV patients. The study spanned before and after the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) era, and the COVID-19 period, focusing on treatment outcomes (SVR12, non-SVR12 and patients lost to follow-up). Statistical methods included ANOVA, multinomial logistic regression, Kruskal-Wallis test and chi-square analysis, and were conducted adhering to the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. The cohort, mainly Italian males (average age 58.88), showed Genotype 1 dominance (56.6%) and a high SVR12 rate (97.5%). The pandemic increased follow-up losses, yet SVR12 rates remained stable, influenced by factors like age, gender, cirrhosis and comorbidities. Despite COVID-19 challenges, the region sustained high SVR12 rates in HCV care, emphasising the importance of sustained efforts in HCV care. Continuous screening and targeted interventions in high-risk populations are crucial for achieving WHO elimination targets. The study highlights the resilience of HCV care during the pandemic and provides insights for future public health strategies.

Screening for hepatitis C as part of an opioid stewardship quality improvement initiative: Identifying infected patients and analyzing linkage to care

Screening patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) for HCV can potentially decrease morbidity and mortality if HCV-infected individuals are linked to care. We describe a quality improvement initiative focused on patients with OUD, incorporating an electronic health record decision-support tool for HCV screening across multiple health care venues, and examining the linkage to HCV care. Of 5829 patients with OUD, 4631 were tested for HCV (79.4%), (compared to a baseline of 8%) and 1614 (27.7%) tested positive. Two hundred and thirty patients had died at the study onset. Patients tested in the acute care and emergency department settings were more likely to test positive than those in the ambulatory setting (OR = 2.21 and 2.49, p < 0.001). Before patient outreach, 279 (18.2%) HCV-positive patients were linked to care. After patient outreach, 326 (23.0%) total patients were linked to care. Secondary end points included mortality and the number of patients who were HCV-positive who achieved a cure. The mortality rate in patients who were HCV-positive (12.2%) was higher than that in patients who were HCV-negative (7.4%) (OR = 1.72, p < 0.001) or untested patients (6.2%) (OR = 2.10, p<0.001). Of the 326 with successful linkage to care, 113 (34.7%) had a documented cure. An additional 55 (16.9%) patients had a possible cure, defined as direct acting antiviral ordered but no follow-up documented, known treatment in the absence of documented sustained viral response lab draw, or documentation of cure noted in outside medical records but unavailable laboratory results. A strategy utilizing electronic health record decision-support tools for testing patients with OUD for HCV was highly effective; however, linking patients with HCV to care was less successful.

Role of hepatitis c virus in hepatocellular carcinoma and neurological disorders: an overview

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes serious issues, affecting 71 million people globally. The most common manifestations range from chronic hepatitis to liver cirrhosis, leading to hepatocellular carcinoma. Many mechanisms are known to play an important role in HCV-induced HCC. The interaction of viral proteins with host cells results in oxidative stress damage, liver inflammation, and irregularities in signaling pathways. These results in the activation of oncogenes and metabolic disturbances, liver fibrosis, and angiogenesis. Additionally, some non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and toll-like receptors have been identified and play a significant role in HCC development. This virus is also associated with impairment of the central nervous system, resulting in acute or sub-acute encephalopathy and inflammatory disorders. Neurological disorders are associated with the inflammatory responses of many cells, including microglia and astrocytes. Additionally, there are many other extrahepatic manifestations, including neurological disorders such as depression and fatigue, in 50% of infected patients. These manifestations include neuro-invasion, immune-mediated damage, neurotransmitter alterations, sensory-motor polyneuropathy, sensitivity loss, weakness of the leg, and cryoglobulinemia, which significantly results in a reduced quality of life. HCV infection may be improved using an appropriate diagnosis and direct antiviral therapy for sustained virological response. However, the success of therapy depends on the symptoms and organ damage, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies applied. Some published reports have discussed that HCV is associated with both HCC and neurological disorders. Additionally, it has also been observed that individuals with HCC also develop neurological disorders compared with individuals with HCV alone. This review aims to provide an overview of the latest information about the relationship between HCV-induced HCC and their role in neurological disorders. Additionally, we have also discussed the progress made in the diagnosis, physio-pathological mechanisms, and strong antiviral therapies developed for HCV infection and HCC, as well as the latest advancements made in the study of the neurological disorders associated with HCV infection.

Impact of Drug Use Policy on the Appropriate Use of Direct Acting Antiviral Agents for Hepatitis C in Saudi Arabia

Background:

Ministry of National Guard–Health Affairs in Saudi Arabia developed a new policy for the use of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) for hepatitis C. The present study was conducted to evaluate prescribers' compliance and the impact of the policy on DAAs appropriate use.

Materials and Methods:

This study was conducted at King Abdul Aziz Medical City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study compares patients' data during 1 year before and 1 year after policy initiation. The primary outcomes were compliance to monitoring parameters, appropriateness of treatment and treatment eligibility. Secondary outcomes included sustained virologic response at 12 weeks, documentation of potential drug–drug interactions and treatment costs. Independent samples t-test and Chi-square test were used when applicable. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

One hundred and three patients were included in analysis (46 before and 57 after policy). Prescriber compliance to baseline monitoring parameters was 67.4% before policy and 82.5% after-policy (P = 0.076). International normalized ratio (INR) was requested in 84.8% of cases before policy compared to 96.5% after-policy (P = 0.036). Treatment options offered to patients were appropriate in 52.2% of cases before policy and in 82.5% after-policy (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

There is a significant improvement in the baseline monitoring of INR. Treatment options offered after policy implementation were significantly more appropriate.

Developing a multidisciplinary HCV direct-acting antivirals utilization management and assessment program

BACKGROUND

The introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections has revolutionized outcomes for patients with HCV. Cost-effective use of these antivirals in addition to ensuring patient adherence is of paramount importance.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this article is to describe the processes by which a tertiary care, multisite institution managed the complexities involved in administering DAA treatment and managing the increased cost of therapy. Specifically, the objectives of this article are to describe the development of a multidisciplinary HCV management program and the role of pharmacists in this program, including formulary management strategies and monitoring of DAAs use in our institution, development of guidelines, electronic prescribing protocols and order sets, and specific outcomes based on a concurrent medication use evaluation.

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre is a tertiary care referral hospital. As a tertiary referral hospital, it offers primary and highly specialized inpatient and outpatient medical care. The process of selecting and developing institutional HCV management program is described.

PRACTICE INNOVATION

This article provides key details regarding how a multidisciplinary HCV program using DAAs can be implemented successfully at a tertiary care facility. Key facets of our innovation include establishing formulary guidelines, setting up eligibility criteria for patients, and establishing an HCV taskforce and multidisciplinary HCV program clinic.

EVALUATION

Medication use evaluations were regularly conducted to monitor sustained virologic response rates, adherence to guidelines, adverse reactions, and drug interactions.

METHODS

Formulary guidelines, setting up an eligibility criterion for patients, and an HCV taskforce and multidisciplinary HCV program clinic were established.

RESULTS

The involvement of pharmacists in a multidisciplinary HCV program in outpatient settings resulted in improved formulary decision making, reduction of costs, and improvement of adherence to institutional guidelines.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The role of a pharmacist in the management of patients with HCV with DAAs is important. Pharmacists play an integral part in medication management and overall reduction in health care expenditure. Many disease management programs can be complemented with pharmacists to improve patient care and reduce cost.

CONCLUSION

HCV treatment is challenging, and a multidisciplinary approach to treat HCV is critical. It is a rapidly evolving field; therefore, it requires dynamic formulary management and collaborative practice approaches to monitor pharmacotherapy carefully and efficiently. Clinical pharmacists play a pivotal role within the multidisciplinary team by providing support to both patients and health care providers with regard to the treatment of HCV.