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Alenzi M, Almeqdadi M. Bridging the gap: Addressing disparities in hepatitis C screening, access to care, and treatment outcomes. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:1091-1098. [PMID: 39221096 PMCID: PMC11362903 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i8.1091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant public health challenge globally, with substantial morbidity and mortality due to chronic liver disease. Despite the availability of highly effective and well-tolerated direct-acting antiviral therapies, widespread disparities remain in hepatitis C screening, access to treatment, linkage to care, and therapeutic outcomes. This review article synthesizes evidence from various studies to highlight the multifactorial nature of these disparities, which affects ethnic minorities, people with lower socioeconomic status, individuals with substance use disorders, and those within correctional facilities. The review also discusses policy implications and targeted strategies needed to overcome barriers and ensure equitable care for all individuals with HCV. Recommendations for future research to address gaps in knowledge and evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce disparities are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maram Alenzi
- Department of Medicine, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston University, MA 02135, United States
| | - Mohammad Almeqdadi
- Department of Transplant and Hepatobiliary Disease, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, United States.
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Falade-Nwulia O, Kelly SM, Amanor-Boadu S, Nnodum BN, Lim JK, Sulkowski M. Hepatitis C in Black Individuals in the US: A Review. JAMA 2023; 330:2200-2208. [PMID: 37943553 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.21981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In the US, the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is 1.8% among people who are Black and 0.8% among people who are not Black. Mortality rates due to HCV are 5.01/100 000 among people who are Black and 2.98/100 000 among people who are White. OBSERVATIONS While people of all races and ethnicities experienced increased rates of incident HCV between 2015 and 2021, Black individuals experienced the largest percentage increase of 0.3 to 1.4/100 000 (367%) compared with 1.8 to 2.7/100 000 among American Indian/Alaska Native (50%), 0.3 to 0.9/100 000 among Hispanic (200%), and 0.9 to 1.6/100 000 among White (78%) populations. Among 47 687 persons diagnosed with HCV in 2019-2020, including 37 877 (79%) covered by Medicaid (7666 Black and 24 374 White individuals), 23.5% of Black people and 23.7% of White people with Medicaid insurance initiated HCV treatment. Strategies to increase HCV screening include electronic health record prompts for universal HCV screening, which increased screening tests from 2052/month to 4169/month in an outpatient setting. Awareness of HCV status can be increased through point-of-care testing in community-based settings, which was associated with increased likelihood of receiving HCV test results compared with referral for testing off-site (69% on-site vs 19% off-site, P < .001). Access to HCV care can be facilitated by patient navigation, in which an individual is assigned to work with a patient to help them access care and treatments; this was associated with greater likelihood of HCV care access (odds ratio, 3.7 [95% CI, 2.9-4.8]) and treatment initiation within 6 months (odds ratio, 3.2 [95% CI, 2.3-4.2]) in a public health system providing health care to individuals regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay compared with usual care. Eliminating Medicaid's HCV treatment restrictions, including removal of a requirement for advanced fibrosis or a specialist prescriber, was associated with increased treatment rates from 2.4 persons per month to 72.3 persons per month in a retrospective study of 10 336 adults with HCV with no significant difference by race (526/1388 [37.8%] for Black vs 2706/8277 [32.6%] for White patients; adjusted odds ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.8-1.3]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In the US, the prevalence of HCV is higher in people who are Black than in people who are not Black. Point-of-care HCV tests, patient navigation, electronic health record prompts, and unrestricted access to HCV treatment in community-based settings have potential to increase diagnosis and treatment of HCV and improve outcomes in people who are Black.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sharon M Kelly
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | | | - Mark Sulkowski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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Essex W, Mera J, Comiford A, Winters A, Feder MA. Assessing the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness of a Pilot Hepatitis C Screening Program at Food Distribution Sites in Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma. J Community Health 2023; 48:982-993. [PMID: 37531046 PMCID: PMC10558369 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01264-y] [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] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Compared with other racial and ethnic groups in the United States, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people experience the highest incidence of acute hepatitis c (HCV). Cherokee Nation Health Services (CNHS) implemented a pilot health screening program from January through May 2019 to assess whether conducting HCV and other preventive health screenings at food distribution sites is a feasible, acceptable, and effective strategy to increase health screening among underserved community members. Data were collected among 340 eligible participants. Most (76%) participants reported being very comfortable receiving health screenings at food distribution sites and that getting screened at food distribution sites is very easy (75.4%). Most (92.1%, n = 313) participants received HCV screening, with 11 (3.5%) individuals testing positive for HCV antibodies. Of the 11 HCV seropositive individuals, six were confirmed to have active HCV infection of which four initiated treatment. Most (55.7%) participants exhibited a body mass index in the obese range, 33.1% exhibited high hemoglobin A1C (> 6.0), 24.5% exhibited high (> 200) cholesterol, 44.6% exhibited high blood pressure ( > = 140/90), and 54.8% did not have a current primary care provider. This project demonstrated that conducting HCV and other health screenings at food distribution sites within Cherokee Nation was an effective strategy to engage AI/AN people in preventive health screenings. Future programs are needed to scale-up preventive health screenings outside of traditional medical facilities as these types of screenings may help to decrease the HCV disparities among AI/AN people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Essex
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center, Cherokee Nation Health Services, 19600 East Ross St, Tahlequah, Ok, 74464, USA.
| | - Jorge Mera
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center, Cherokee Nation Health Services, 19600 East Ross St, Tahlequah, Ok, 74464, USA
| | - Ashley Comiford
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center, Cherokee Nation Health Services, 19600 East Ross St, Tahlequah, Ok, 74464, USA
| | - Amanda Winters
- Cardea Services, 1809 7th Ave #600, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Molly A Feder
- Cardea Services, 1809 7th Ave #600, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
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Wang MC, Bangaru S, Zhou K. Care for Vulnerable Populations with Chronic Liver Disease: A Safety-Net Perspective. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2725. [PMID: 37893800 PMCID: PMC10606794 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11202725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Safety-net hospitals (SNHs) and facilities are the cornerstone of healthcare services for the medically underserved. The burden of chronic liver disease-including end-stage manifestations of cirrhosis and liver cancer-is high and rising among populations living in poverty who primarily seek and receive care in safety-net settings. For many reasons related to social determinants of health, these individuals often present with delayed diagnoses and disease presentations, resulting in higher liver-related mortality. With recent state-based policy changes such as Medicaid expansion that impact access to insurance and critical health services, an overview of the body of literature on SNH care for chronic liver disease is timely and informative for the liver disease community. In this narrative review, we discuss controversies in the definition of a SNH and summarize the known disparities in the cascade of the care and management of common liver-related conditions: (1) steatotic liver disease, (2) liver cancer, (3) chronic viral hepatitis, and (4) cirrhosis and liver transplantation. In addition, we review the specific impact of Medicaid expansion on safety-net systems and liver disease outcomes and highlight effective provider- and system-level interventions. Lastly, we address remaining gaps and challenges to optimizing care for vulnerable populations with chronic liver disease in safety-net settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark C Wang
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Saroja Bangaru
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Los Angeles General Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Kali Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Los Angeles General Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Research Center for Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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DiDomizio E, Chandra DK, Nichols L, Villanueva M, Altice FL. Challenges to Achieving HCV Micro-Elimination in People With HIV in the United States: Provider Perspectives and the Role of Implicit Bias. Health Promot Pract 2023; 24:998-1008. [PMID: 37440258 DOI: 10.1177/15248399231169928] [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] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of HIV/HCV (hepatitis C virus) co-infection is high particularly in persons who inject drugs (PWID) and is increasing because of the evolving opioid epidemic in the United States. The introduction of effective antiviral medications for HCV has raised the strategic goal of HCV micro-elimination, and efforts to understand the barriers to treatment are critical. In this study, we explored the provider perspective of factors that inhibit HCV micro-elimination efforts in people with HIV (PWH), including the role of implicit bias and related stigma in providers' health care decision making. We used the mixed-methods approach of nominal group technique (NGT) with 14 participants from 11 different clinics engaged in two virtual focus group sessions (n = 5 and n = 9). Responses from the NGTs were rank ordered during the sessions to identify providers' perspectives of major barriers and facilitators, then identified possible implicit bias after the NGTs concluded. There were 12 responses given for micro-elimination barriers with the three most prioritized being housing instability, medication nonadherence concerns, and inability to motivate patients. Of these, eight were categorized as potential implicit biases. Among the 14 responses given for facilitators of treatment, the three major solutions included distributive models of care, improved provider knowledge, and increased patient engagement. Although the solutions offered were insightful, there was consensus that the individual lives of patients were the root cause of most barriers to care. We recommend further research on behavioral design interventions that promote patients' involvement in decision making and focus on patients' eligibility criteria for HCV treatment as opposed to providers' perceived barriers to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Divya K Chandra
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Lisa Nichols
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Bakillah E, Brown D, Syvyk S, Wirtalla C, Kelz RR. Barriers and facilitators to surgical access in underinsured and immigrant populations. Am J Surg 2023; 226:176-185. [PMID: 37156680 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marginalized communities are at risk of receiving inequitable access to surgical care. We aimed to examine the barriers and facilitators to access to surgery in underinsured and immigrant populations. METHODS A systematic review of disparities in access to surgical care was performed between January 1, 2000-March 2, 2022. Methodological quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A convergent integrated approach was used to code common themes between studies. RESULTS Of 1315 publications, a total of 66 studies were included for systematic review. Eight studies specifically discussed immigrant patient populations. Barriers and facilitators to surgical access were categorized by patient and health systems related factors. CONCLUSIONS Established facilitators to improve surgical access are centered on patient-level factors while interventions to address systems-related barriers are limited and may be an area for further investigation. Research focused on access to surgery in immigrant populations remains sparse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emna Bakillah
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Surgery and Health Economics, Department of Surgery, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Danielle Brown
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Surgery and Health Economics, Department of Surgery, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Solomiya Syvyk
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Surgery and Health Economics, Department of Surgery, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christopher Wirtalla
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Surgery and Health Economics, Department of Surgery, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel R Kelz
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Surgery and Health Economics, Department of Surgery, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Austin EJ, Gojic AJ, Bhatraju EP, Pierce KA, Pickering EI, Tung EL, Scott JD, Hansen RN, Glick SN, Stekler JD, Connolly NC, Villafuerte S, McPadden M, Deutsch S, Ninburg M, Kubiniec R, Williams EC, Tsui JI. Barriers and facilitators to implementing a Pharmacist, Physician, and Patient Navigator-Collaborative Care Model (PPP-CCM) to treat hepatitis C among people who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 111:103924. [PMID: 36521197 PMCID: PMC9868078 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) offer an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, yet barriers among people who inject drugs (PWID) remain. Having pharmacists provide care through collaborative drug therapy agreements (CDTAs) offers a promising solution. We developed and piloted a Pharmacist, Physician, and Patient Navigator-Collaborative Care Model (PPP-CCM) which utilized pharmacists to directly deliver HCV care at community organizations serving PWID. We conducted formative evaluation of the PPP-CCM pilot to characterize implementation experiences. METHODS The PPP-CCM was implemented from November of 2020 through July of 2022. Formative evaluation team members observed implementation-related meetings and conducted multiple site visits, taking detailed fieldnotes. Fieldnotes were iteratively reviewed to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation and used to inform 7 key informant interviews conducted with programmatic staff at the end of the pilot. All data were analyzed using a Rapid Assessment Process (RAP) guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The formative evaluation team shared results with program stakeholders (pharmacists, physicians, and other site staff) to verify and expand on learnings. RESULTS Evaluation of PPP-CCM revealed 5 themes, encompassing all CFIR domains: 1) PPP-CCM was feasible but challenging to deliver efficiently; 2) the pharmacist role and characteristics (e.g., being flexible, available, and patient-centered) were key to PPP-CCM successes; 3) the PPP-CCM team met challenges engaging patients over time, but some team-based strategies helped; 4) community site characteristics (e.g., existing trusting relationships with PWID and physical space that enabled program visibility) were important contributors; and 5) financial barriers may limit PPP-CCM scale-up and sustainability. CONCLUSION PPP-CCM is a novel and promising approach to HCV care delivery for PWID who may previously lack engagement in traditional care models, but careful attention needs to be paid to financial barriers to ensure scalability and sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Austin
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States.
| | - Alexander J Gojic
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Elenore P Bhatraju
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Kathleen A Pierce
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States; Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Eleanor I Pickering
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, United States
| | - Elyse L Tung
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States; Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle WA, United States
| | - John D Scott
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Ryan N Hansen
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States; Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Sara N Glick
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States; HIV/STD Program, Public Health - Seattle & King County, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Joanne D Stekler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Nancy C Connolly
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Sarah Villafuerte
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle WA, United States (affiliation at the time of research)
| | - Madison McPadden
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle WA, United States (affiliation at the time of research)
| | - Sarah Deutsch
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle WA, United States (affiliation at the time of research)
| | - Michael Ninburg
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle WA, United States (affiliation at the time of research)
| | | | - Emily C Williams
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States; Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Health Services Research & Development, VA Puget Sound, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Judith I Tsui
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
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Halket D, Dang J, Phadke A, Jayasekera C, Kim WR, Kwo P, Downing L, Goel A. Targeted Electronic Patient Portal Messaging Increases Hepatitis C Virus Screening in Primary Care: a Randomized Study. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:3318-3324. [PMID: 35230622 PMCID: PMC9551157 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07460-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Electronic health record (EHR) tools such as direct-to-patient messaging and automated lab orders are effective at improving uptake of preventive health measures. It is unknown if patient engagement in primary care impacts efficacy of such messaging. OBJECTIVE To determine whether more engaged patients, defined as those who have an upcoming visit scheduled, are more likely to respond to a direct-to-patient message with an automated lab order for hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening. DESIGN Randomized trial PARTICIPANTS: One thousand six hundred randomly selected Stanford Primary Care patients, 800 with an upcoming visit within 6 months and 800 without, born between 1945 and 1965 who were due for HCV screening. Each group was randomly divided into cohorts of 400 subjects each. Subjects were followed for 1 year. INTERVENTION One 400 subject cohort in each group received a direct-to-patient message through the EHR portal with HCV antibody lab order. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE The EHR was queried on a monthly basis for 6 months after the intervention to monitor which subjects completed HCV screening. For any subjects screened positive for HCV, follow-up through the cascade of HCV care was monitored, and if needed, scheduled by the study team. KEY RESULTS Of 1600 subjects, 538 (34%) completed HCV screening. In the stratum without an upcoming appointment, 18% in the control group completed screening compared to 26% in intervention group (p<0.01). Similarly, in the stratum with an upcoming appointment, 34% in the control group completed screening compared to 58% in the intervention group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION Direct-to-patient messaging coupled with automated lab orders improved HCV screening rates compared to standard of care, particularly in more engaged patients. Including this intervention in primary care can maximize screening with each visit, which is particularly valuable in times when physical throughput in the healthcare system may be low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Halket
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
| | - Jimmy Dang
- Population Health, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Anuradha Phadke
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - W Ray Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Paul Kwo
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Lance Downing
- Department of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Aparna Goel
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Celeste-Villalvir A, Wilkerson JM, Markham C, Rodriguez L, Schick V. A qualitative investigation of organizational challenges and facilitators to screening individuals experiencing homelessness for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Houston, Texas. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273302. [PMID: 35994438 PMCID: PMC9394822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals experiencing homelessness may be at a disproportionately high risk for hepatitis C (HCV) because they may be more likely to engage in HCV risk behaviors. Community organizations that provide services to these vulnerable individuals can effectively screen, diagnose, and navigate them into HCV care. However, screening people experiencing homelessness for HCV at such organizations is limited by various challenges that remain understudied, including budgetary considerations and strategies to improve teamwork and communication. Accordingly, this study investigated the organizational challenges and facilitators to HCV screening of individuals experiencing homelessness as reported by homeless services providers. Methods Staff (N = 21) at two community organizations in Houston, Texas, completed an interviewer-administered survey and a semi-structured interview in August 2020 to assess the challenges and facilitators to screening people experiencing homelessness for HCV. Interviews were coded, and a thematic analysis was conducted to identify challenges as well as facilitators to HCV screening among individuals experiencing homelessness. Results Almost half of participants were employed in social services (42.86%; n = 9), while the remainder were employed in management/administration and health services. Barriers to HCV screening included funding, logistics, and resource-related challenges; and limited communication and collaboration around HCV screening. Facilitators to HCV screening included providing HCV education and training for all staff; and incentivizing, formalizing, and funding HCV screening. Conclusions Community organizations can help minimize barriers to HCV screening among individuals experiencing homelessness by providing staff with training specific to HCV, client education around HCV and the screening process, and providing clients with incentives for participation, as well as by maximizing community and clinic partnerships to provide linkage to care and services to this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alane Celeste-Villalvir
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), School of Public Health, Division of Management, Policy and Community Health, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - J. Michael Wilkerson
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), School of Public Health, Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Christine Markham
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), School of Public Health, Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | | | - Vanessa Schick
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), School of Public Health, Division of Management, Policy and Community Health, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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10
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Martel-Laferrière V, Feaster DJ, Metsch LR, Shackman BR, Loignon C, Nosyk B, Tookes H, Behrends CN, Arruda N, Adigun O, Goyer ME, Kolber MA, Mary JF, Rodriguez AE, Yanez IG, Pan Y, Khemiri R, Gooden L, Sako A, Bruneau J. M 2HepPrEP: study protocol for a multi-site multi-setting randomized controlled trial of integrated HIV prevention and HCV care for PWID. Trials 2022; 23:341. [PMID: 35461260 PMCID: PMC9034074 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06085-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Opioid use is escalating in North America and comes with a multitude of health consequences, including HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) outbreaks among persons who inject drugs (PWID). HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and HCV treatment regimens have transformative potential to address these co-occurring epidemics. Evaluation of innovative multi-modal approaches, integrating harm reduction, opioid agonist therapy (OAT), PrEP, and HCV treatment is required. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an on-site integrated care model where delivery of PrEP and HCV treatment for PWID takes places at syringe service programs (SSP) and OAT programs compared with referring PWID to clinical services in the community through a patient navigation model and to examine how structural factors interact with HIV prevention adherence and HCV treatment outcomes. Methods The Miami-Montreal Hepatitis C and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis trial (M2HepPrEP) is an open-label, multi-site, multi-center, randomized, controlled, superiority trial with two parallel treatment arms. A total of 500 persons who injected drugs in the prior 6 months and are eligible for PrEP will be recruited in OAT clinics and SSP in Miami, FL, and Montréal, Québec. Participants will be randomized to either on-site care, with adherence counseling, or referral to off-site clinics assisted by a patient navigator. PrEP will be offered to all participants and HCV treatment to those HCV-infected. Co-primary endpoints will be (1) adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis medication at 6 months post-randomization and (2) HCV sustained virological response (SVR) 12 weeks post-treatment completion among participants who were randomized within the HCV stratum. Up to 100 participants will be invited to participate in a semi-structured interview regarding perceptions of adherence barriers and facilitators, after their 6-month assessment. A simulation model-based cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed to determine the comparative value of the strategies being evaluated. Discussion The results of this study have the potential to demonstrate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of offering PrEP and HCV treatment in healthcare venues frequently attended by PWID. Testing the intervention in two urban centers with high disease burden among PWID, but with different healthcare system dynamics, will increase generalizability of findings. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03981445. Trial registry name: Integrated HIV Prevention and HCV Care for PWID (M2HepPrEP). Registration date: June 10, 201. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06085-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Martel-Laferrière
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada. .,Faculté de médecine: Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada. .,Centre de Recherche du CHUM: Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Centre de Recherche, Montreal, Canada.
| | | | - Lisa R Metsch
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York City, USA
| | - Bruce R Shackman
- Weill Cornell Medical College: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, USA
| | | | | | - Hansel Tookes
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA
| | - Czarina N Behrends
- Weill Cornell Medical College: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, USA
| | - Nelson Arruda
- Direction régionale de la santé publique de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Marie-Eve Goyer
- Faculté de médecine: Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Iveth G Yanez
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York City, USA
| | - Yue Pan
- University of Miami Department of Public Health Sciences, Miami, USA
| | - Rania Khemiri
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM: Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Centre de Recherche, Montreal, Canada
| | - Lauren Gooden
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York City, USA
| | - Aïssata Sako
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM: Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Centre de Recherche, Montreal, Canada
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Faculté de médecine: Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Centre de Recherche du CHUM: Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Centre de Recherche, Montreal, Canada
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11
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Butsashvili M, Zurashvili T, Kamkamidze G, Kajaia M, Gulbiani L, Gamezardashvili A, Gvinjilia L, Kuchuloria T, Gamkrelidze A, Shadaker S, Nasrullah M, Averhoff F, Armstrong PA. Door-to-door hepatitis C screening in Georgia: An innovative model to increase testing and linkage to care. J Med Screen 2022; 29:134-136. [PMID: 35293802 PMCID: PMC10068592 DOI: 10.1177/09691413221086497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Georgia has a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In 2015 a national HCV elimination program was launched providing free access to screening and treatment. To achieve elimination, innovative approaches to increase screening coverage and linkage to care are needed. This study estimates feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of the door-to-door pilot HCV testing program in three cities. METHODS Households were approached by system random sampling and all members were invited for study participation. Researchers used a detailed guide for conducting door-to-door testing and served as case navigators to link anti-HCV-positive individuals to care. RESULTS Testing acceptance rate was high. In total 4804 individuals were tested and 48 (1.0%) were HCV positive. Among the entire sample of newly and previously tested individuals, overall HCV antibody prevalence was 3.6%. Through case navigation, of 48 newly identified and 26 previously identified anti-HCV-positive individuals, 42 (87.5%) and 17 (65.4%), respectively, were successfully linked to care. CONCLUSIONS Door-to-door HCV testing has potential to increase testing uptake. Such community-based approaches not only improve testing, but can also serve to increase linkage to care, which is important in achieving the goal of HCV elimination. The study provides a model for high prevalence countries aiming to eliminate hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maia Kajaia
- Health Research Union/Clinic NEOLAB, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | | | | | | | - Amiran Gamkrelidze
- 443716National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Shaun Shadaker
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, 1242Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Muazzam Nasrullah
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, 1242Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Francisco Averhoff
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, 1242Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Paige A Armstrong
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, 1242Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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12
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Kela-Murphy N, Moore MS, Verma CM, Bresnahan MP, Harrison E, Schwartz J, Winters A. The Hepatitis C Clinical Exchange Network: A Local Health Department Partnership With Acute Care Hospitals to Promote Screening and Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2022; 28:E413-E420. [PMID: 34347654 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT As of 2015, an estimated 116000 New York City (NYC) residents had chronic hepatitis C, many of them undiagnosed. Although effective medications have been available since 2014 with the advent of direct-acting antivirals, provider-based barriers to treatment remain. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (Health Department) coordinated the Hepatitis C Clinical Exchange Network (HepCX) from 2015 to 2019. The main goal of HepCX was to promote hepatitis C screening and treatment by hospital-based providers. PROGRAM The Health Department recruited hepatitis C champions (Champions) from acute care hospitals (n = 40) to promote improved hepatitis C care at their institutions. The Health Department provided technical assistance for hospitals to improve electronic medical record (EMR) systems and implement reflex RNA testing, coordinated trainings to increase capacity to treat hepatitis C, and distributed dashboards containing facility-specific testing and treatment metrics. IMPLEMENTATION By the end of the project period (2019), most hospitals (36/40; 90%) reported having a screening alert for baby boomers in their EMR system and 34 (85%) reported performing reflex RNA testing after a positive hepatitis C antibody test. The Health Department coordinated opportunities for Champions to share their work with providers from network hospitals at meetings and webinars and provided clinical education on hepatitis C treatment in partnership with a local nonprofit organization focused on liver health. Facility-specific dashboards were distributed annually to hospital leadership. RNA confirmation testing increased from an average of 57% in 2015 to 85% in 2018. Treatment initiation rates remained similar over 2 years, averaging 39% in 2017 and 38% in 2018. DISCUSSION HepCX was a multipronged initiative designed to promote hepatitis C testing and treatment initiation among providers at NYC acute care hospitals. Improvements were observed in confirmatory testing rates; however, treatment initiation rates did not change. Further efforts should be targeted to hospitals in need of additional resources for linkage to care and treatment of hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Kela-Murphy
- Viral Hepatitis Program, Bureau of Communicable Disease, Division of Disease Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, New York (Mss Kela-Murphy, Moore, Verma, Bresnahan, and Schwartz and Dr Winters); and Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, New York City, New York (Dr Harrison)
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13
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Le D, Ciceron AC, Pan J, Juon HS, Berg CJ, Nguyen TA, Le HC, Yang YT. Linkage-to-Care Following Community-Based HBV and HCV Screening Among Immigrants from the Washington–Baltimore Metropolitan Area, 2016–2019. J Immigr Minor Health 2022; 24:1137-1144. [PMID: 35064900 PMCID: PMC8783186 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-022-01327-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Understanding characteristics that impact linkage-to-care (LTC) among individuals living with HBV and/or HCV can enhance public health efforts to provide tailored care services to prevent and treat viral hepatitis among immigrants. Using HBV/HCV screening and LTC data from immigrants (2016–2019), descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess (1) the relationship between LTC and sociodemographic factors and (2) factors associated with HBV/HCV LTC. About 87% of those positive HBsAg had LTC and 52% had LTC among those with HCVAB and confirmed PCR. Access to care was an important LTC predictor for HBV–LTC: those who had neither health insurance nor primary care provider (PCP) were more likely to have HBV–LTC than those who had either health insurance or PCP (aOR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.32–6.59). It is essential to equally provide HBV/HCV LTC support to all immigrants from countries with high prevalence regardless of access to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Le
- School of Nursing, The George Washington University, 1919 Pennsylvania NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20006, USA.
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Annie Coriolan Ciceron
- School of Nursing, The George Washington University, 1919 Pennsylvania NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20006, USA
| | - Jane Pan
- Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington DC (HBI-DC), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hee-Soon Juon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carla J Berg
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - T Angeline Nguyen
- Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington DC (HBI-DC), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hai Chi Le
- Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington DC (HBI-DC), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Y Tony Yang
- School of Nursing, The George Washington University, 1919 Pennsylvania NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20006, USA
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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14
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Karlsen TH, Sheron N, Zelber-Sagi S, Carrieri P, Dusheiko G, Bugianesi E, Pryke R, Hutchinson SJ, Sangro B, Martin NK, Cecchini M, Dirac MA, Belloni A, Serra-Burriel M, Ponsioen CY, Sheena B, Lerouge A, Devaux M, Scott N, Hellard M, Verkade HJ, Sturm E, Marchesini G, Yki-Järvinen H, Byrne CD, Targher G, Tur-Sinai A, Barrett D, Ninburg M, Reic T, Taylor A, Rhodes T, Treloar C, Petersen C, Schramm C, Flisiak R, Simonova MY, Pares A, Johnson P, Cucchetti A, Graupera I, Lionis C, Pose E, Fabrellas N, Ma AT, Mendive JM, Mazzaferro V, Rutter H, Cortez-Pinto H, Kelly D, Burton R, Lazarus JV, Ginès P, Buti M, Newsome PN, Burra P, Manns MP. The EASL-Lancet Liver Commission: protecting the next generation of Europeans against liver disease complications and premature mortality. Lancet 2022; 399:61-116. [PMID: 34863359 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01701-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 351] [Impact Index Per Article: 117.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tom H Karlsen
- Department of Transplantation Medicine and Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Division of Surgery, Inflammatory Diseases and Transplantation, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Nick Sheron
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Shira Zelber-Sagi
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Patrizia Carrieri
- Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, Institut de recherche pour le développement, Sciences Economiques et Sociales de la Santé et Traitement de l'Information Médicale (SESSTIM), ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Geoffrey Dusheiko
- School of Medicine, University College London, London, UK; Kings College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Elisabetta Bugianesi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Clinical and Protecting Health Directorate, Public Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Bruno Sangro
- Liver Unit, Clinica Universidad de Navarra-IDISNA and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michele Cecchini
- Health Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France
| | - Mae Ashworth Dirac
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Annalisa Belloni
- Health Economics and Modelling Division, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Miquel Serra-Burriel
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cyriel Y Ponsioen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Brittney Sheena
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alienor Lerouge
- Health Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France
| | - Marion Devaux
- Health Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France
| | - Nick Scott
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Henkjan J Verkade
- Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ekkehard Sturm
- Division of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Chris D Byrne
- Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Southampton National Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton and Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Aviad Tur-Sinai
- Department of Health Systems Management, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Yezreel Valley, Israel
| | - Damon Barrett
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Tatjana Reic
- European Liver Patients Organization, Brussels, Belgium; Croatian Society for Liver Diseases-Hepatos, Split, Croatia
| | | | - Tim Rhodes
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Claus Petersen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christoph Schramm
- Martin Zeitz Center for Rare Diseases, Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI), and First Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robert Flisiak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Białystok, Poland
| | - Marieta Y Simonova
- Department of Gastroenterology, HPB Surgery and Transplantation, Clinic of Gastroentrology, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Albert Pares
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Philip Johnson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Alessandro Cucchetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences-DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Isabel Graupera
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christos Lionis
- Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elisa Pose
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Fabrellas
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ann T Ma
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan M Mendive
- Prevention and Health Promotion Research Network (redIAPP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; La Mina Health Centre, Catalan Institute of Health (ICS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Foundation (INT), Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Harry Rutter
- Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Helena Cortez-Pinto
- Clínica Universitária de Gastrenterologia and Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Deirdre Kelly
- Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital and University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Robyn Burton
- Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Justice Division, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pere Ginès
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Buti
- CIBEREHD del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario Valle Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Philip N Newsome
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Patrizia Burra
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Gastroenterology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
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15
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Wyatt B, Perumalswami PV, Mageras A, Miller M, Harty A, Ma N, Bowman CA, Collado F, Jeon J, Paulino L, Dinani A, Dieterich D, Li L, Vandromme M, Branch AD. A Digital Case-Finding Algorithm for Diagnosed but Untreated Hepatitis C: A Tool for Increasing Linkage to Treatment and Cure. Hepatology 2021; 74:2974-2987. [PMID: 34333777 PMCID: PMC9299620 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although chronic HCV infection increases mortality, thousands of patients remain diagnosed-but-untreated (DBU). We aimed to (1) develop a DBU phenotyping algorithm, (2) use it to facilitate case finding and linkage to care, and (3) identify barriers to successful treatment. APPROACH AND RESULTS We developed a phenotyping algorithm using Java and SQL and applied it to ~2.5 million EPIC electronic medical records (EMRs; data entered January 2003 to December 2017). Approximately 72,000 EMRs contained an HCV International Classification of Diseases code and/or diagnostic test. The algorithm classified 10,614 cases as DBU (HCV-RNA positive and alive). Its positive and negative predictive values were 88% and 97%, respectively, as determined by manual review of 500 EMRs randomly selected from the ~72,000. Navigators reviewed the charts of 6,187 algorithm-defined DBUs and they attempted to contact potential treatment candidates by phone. By June 2020, 30% (n = 1,862) had completed an HCV-related appointment. Outcomes analysis revealed that DBU patients enrolled in our care coordination program were more likely to complete treatment (72% [n = 219] vs. 54% [n = 256]; P < 0.001) and to have a verified sustained virological response (67% vs. 46%; P < 0.001) than other patients. Forty-eight percent (n = 2,992) of DBU patients could not be reached by phone, which was a major barrier to engagement. Nearly half of these patients had Fibrosis-4 scores ≥ 2.67, indicating significant fibrosis. Multivariable logistic regression showed that DBUs who could not be contacted were less likely to have private insurance than those who could (18% vs. 50%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The digital DBU case-finding algorithm efficiently identified potential HCV treatment candidates, freeing resources for navigation and coordination. The algorithm is portable and accelerated HCV elimination when incorporated in our comprehensive program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke Wyatt
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Ponni V. Perumalswami
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY,Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI,Gastroenterology SectionVeterans AffairsAnn Arbor Healthcare SystemAnn ArborMI
| | - Anna Mageras
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Mark Miller
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Alyson Harty
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Ning Ma
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Chip A. Bowman
- Department of MedicineIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Francina Collado
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Jihae Jeon
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Lismeiry Paulino
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Amreen Dinani
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Douglas Dieterich
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Li Li
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Maxence Vandromme
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Andrea D. Branch
- Division of Liver DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
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16
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A Qualitative Study of Implementing Universal Hepatitis C Screening Among Adults at an Urban Community-Based Health Provider in Delaware. Dela J Public Health 2021; 7:16-23. [PMID: 34467206 PMCID: PMC8352400 DOI: 10.32481/djph.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We conducted a qualitative study of primary care providers to assess the challenges and opportunities in implementing a universal screening program for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) at an urban community-based health center serving a largely disadvantaged population. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews of prescribing providers took place pre- and post-educational intervention, at a single federally qualified health center in Wilmington, Delaware, between September 2018 and July 2019. The intervention included a two-day didactic session and shadowing specialist providers. Data captured provider perspectives on universal screening and treatment. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, then grouped into codes, then finally, themes. Results Emergent themes included hesitancy in managing universal screening programs in the primary care environment, positive attitudes surrounding treatment, fewer HCV cases than expected, and concern with both patient-level barriers and practice-level barriers. Pre-intervention and post-intervention themes were similar. Conclusions Implementation programs exploring universal HCV screening in the primary care environment should include educational opportunities that are available to all individuals in the practice, sustained organizational support, and available patient literature targeted to patients with varying health literacy and in languages other than English. In short, universal HCV screening and treatment is feasible in the primary medical environment but requires ongoing support and education for providers to ensure success.
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17
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Kokorelias KM, Shiers-Hanley JE, Rios J, Knoepfli A, Hitzig SL. Factors Influencing the Implementation of Patient Navigation Programs for Adults with Complex Needs: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Health Serv Insights 2021; 14:11786329211033267. [PMID: 34349519 PMCID: PMC8287353 DOI: 10.1177/11786329211033267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient navigation is a model of care that aims to improve access to care by reducing the complexity of navigating health, education, and social services across the continuum of care and care settings. Little is known about the processes that facilitate or impede the implementation of patient navigation programs (PNPs). We conducted a scoping review to identify and summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the implementation and outcomes of existing implemented PNPs. We employed a 6-stage scoping review framework to identify and review eligible articles. Sixty-articles met the inclusion criteria (58 peer-reviewed and 2 grey literature). The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research served as the theoretical framework during analysis to help extract factors relevant to implementation of navigator programs. Results of the scoping review are reported thematically. Influences on implementation were identified: (a) planning to ensure alignment with organizational need (b) funding (c) multidisciplinary engagement (d) establishing workflow (e) mechanisms for communication (f) stakeholders to encourage buy-in (g) appropriate caseload (h) in kind resources. PNPs improve the experiences of patients and families. The findings of this scoping review provides implementation considerations of PNPs across global care settings. Strategies for overcoming pragmatic and logistical issues must be developed for optimal implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina M Kokorelias
- St. John’s Rehab Research Program,
Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON,
Canada
| | - Jessica E Shiers-Hanley
- Hazel McCallion Academic Learning
Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Occupational Science
& Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
| | - Jorge Rios
- St. John’s Rehab Research Program,
Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON,
Canada
| | - Amanda Knoepfli
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre,
Toronto, ON, Canada
- SPRINT Senior Care, Toronto, ON,
Canada
| | - Sander L Hitzig
- St. John’s Rehab Research Program,
Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON,
Canada
- Department of Occupational Science
& Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute,
Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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18
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Taweh N, Schlossberg E, Frank C, Nijhawan A, Kuo I, Knight K, Springer SA. Linking criminal justice-involved individuals to HIV, Hepatitis C, and opioid use disorder prevention and treatment services upon release to the community: Progress, gaps, and future directions. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 96:103283. [PMID: 34020864 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Improving HIV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) management among people involved in the criminal justice (CJ) system who use drugs, in particular those with opioid use disorder (OUD), requires effective approaches to screening, linkage, and adherence to integrated prevention and treatment services across correctional and community agencies and providers. This manuscript reviews the literature to explore gaps in HIV, Hepatitis C, and OUD prevention, treatment, and delivery cascades of care for persons involved in the CJ system. Specifically, we compare two models of linkage to prevention and treatment services: Peer/Patient Navigation (PN) wherein the PN links CJ-involved individuals to community-based infectious disease (ID) and substance use prevention and treatment services, and Mobile Health Units (MHU) wherein individuals are linked to a MHU within their community that provides integrated ID and substance use prevention and treatment services. The most notable finding is a gap in the literature, with few to no comparisons of models linking individuals recently released from the CJ system to integrated HIV, Hepatitis C, and OUD prevention and treatment and other harm reduction services. Further, few published studies address the geographical distinctions that affect service implementation and their effects on these substance use, ID and harm reduction care cascades. This manuscript makes specific recommendations to fill this gap through a detailed evaluation of PN and MHU linkage models to co-located and integrated HIV, Hepatitis C, and OUD prevention and treatment services across different communities within the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Taweh
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, AIDS Program, 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT 06510, United States; University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Esther Schlossberg
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, AIDS Program, 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
| | - Cynthia Frank
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, AIDS Program, 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
| | - Ank Nijhawan
- University of Texas Southwestern, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, TX, United States
| | - Irene Kuo
- George Washington University, DC, United States
| | - Kevin Knight
- Texas Christian University, Institute of Behavioral Research, TX, United States
| | - Sandra A Springer
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, AIDS Program, 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT 06510, United States.
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19
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Layman RA, Turner BS, Harmon JL, McClymont U. Improving HCV Risk Assessment and Testing in a Federally Qualified Health Center Setting in Baltimore, Maryland. J Community Health 2021; 45:712-716. [PMID: 31897964 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00785-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 4.1 million adults in the United States have past or current hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Despite efforts to test at least once for the 1945-1965 birth cohort population and others identified at risk, the completion of the annual risk assessment tool and testing of these patients has been suboptimal. The aim of this project was to reduce HCV risk assessment and testing barriers and improve both these rates by 30% within a federally qualified health center setting in Baltimore, Maryland. As part of ongoing efforts to promote HCV risk screening and testing, targeted interventions of staff education, streamlined risk screening assessment, automated electronic health record alerts, push reports, and standing orders were integrated into current screening and testing practices. This study examined the risk assessment tool use and testing rates for 1 month before and after project implementation. All patients who were seen for a primary care visit during the month preceding (n = 8911) and following (n = 8228) the intervention were evaluated. A total of 2973 risk assessments and 1831 HCV tests were completed pre-intervention compared to 3708 risk assessments and 3790 tests post-intervention, demonstrating a 35% and 125% improvement respectively. Seropositivity prevalence of 2.1% pre-intervention increased to 2.9% post-intervention. Efficiencies in workflow processes and staff education successfully impacted the HCV risk screening tool completions and testing rates for the birth cohort and non-birth cohort patients. Integrating such strategies in the primary care workflow can increase HCV detection and timely follow up for vulnerable populations.
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Uusküla A, Talu A, Rannap J, Barnes DM, Jarlais DD. Rapid point-of-care (POC) testing for Hepatitis C antibodies in a very high prevalence setting: persons injecting drugs in Tallinn, Estonia. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:39. [PMID: 33794927 PMCID: PMC8015736 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00485-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between December 2018 and January of 2019, we evaluated the accuracy of the point-of-care Hepatitis C (HCV) antibody test (POC; OraQuick HCV) used at a community-based needle and syringe exchange program serving persons who inject drugs in Tallinn, Estonia. METHODS We compared the results of screening for HCV antibodies by OraQuick (oral swab) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA; blood draw) and assessed test results implications in a high prevalence setting. Findings Of the 100 participants, 88 (88%) had reactive POC test results, and 93 were HCV antibody positive on EIA testing. Sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value (NPV) for the POC assay with EIA as the relevant reference test were as follows: 94.6% (95% CI 90.0-99.2%), 100% and 58.3% (95% CI 30.4-86.2%). Of the 12 testing, HCV-negative with the POC only 7 (58.3%) were true negatives. CONCLUSIONS Oral swab rapid testing HCV screening in this nonclinical setting was sensitive and specific but had unacceptably low NPV. In high prevalence settings, POC tests with high sensitivity and that directly measure HCV RNA may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneli Uusküla
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Ave Talu
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jürgen Rannap
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - David M Barnes
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 665 Broadway, New York, NY, 10012, USA
| | - Don Des Jarlais
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 665 Broadway, New York, NY, 10012, USA
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21
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Lee AB, Karumberia S, Gilmore A, Williams E, Bruner N, Overton ET, Saag MS, Franco RA. Hepatitis C Among High-Risk Alabamians: Disease Burden and Screening Effectiveness. J Infect Dis 2021; 222:S365-S375. [PMID: 32877566 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of hepatitis C testing and linkage-to-care (LTC) is poorly characterized in low-resource jurisdictions facing gaps in harm reduction, including illegality of syringe exchange services. Effectiveness of a community-based test/LTC program was evaluated in Alabama. METHODS In 2016-2018, shelters, drug treatment centers (DTCs), AIDS organizations, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) engaged in screening/LTC. A coordinator navigated individuals to confirm viremia and link to substance use treatment or primary care with hepatitis C prescribers. RESULTS Point-of-care (POC) tested 4293 individuals (10% [427] antibody-positive, 71% [299/419] RNA performed, 80% [241/299] viremia confirmed) and 93% linked to care (225/241). Electronic medical record (EMR)-based reflex strategy screened 4654 (15% [679] antibody positive, 99% [670/679] RNA performed, 64% [433/679] viremia confirmed) and 85% linked to care (368/433). We observed higher odds of RNA confirmation in EMR-based reflex versus POC (OR, 2.07; P < .0001) and higher odds of LTC in EMR-based reflex versus POC (OR, 1.51; P < .0001). Overall, 53% individuals tested were nonbaby boomers. CONCLUSIONS In Alabama, screening at high-risk settings identified significant hepatitis C burden and reflex testing outperformed point-of-care linkage indicators. Colocating testing in DTCs and treatment in FQHCs provided key LTC venues to at-risk younger groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony B Lee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Sandra Karumberia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ashley Gilmore
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ebony Williams
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Nichole Bruner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Edgar Turner Overton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Michael S Saag
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ricardo A Franco
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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22
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Im DCS, Reddy S, Hawkins C, Galvin S. Characteristics and Specialist Linkage to Care of Patients Diagnosed With Chronic Hepatitis C Across Different Settings in an Urban Academic Hospital: Implications for Improving Diagnosis and Linkage to Care. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:576357. [PMID: 33643230 PMCID: PMC7904674 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.576357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant public health problem. Strategies to identify more HCV infections and improve linkage to care (LTC) are needed. We compared characteristics, treatment and LTC among chronic HCV patients in different health care settings. Methods Newly diagnosed HCV antibody positive (anti-HCV+) patients within settings of acute care, inpatient and outpatient in one health system were studied. Proportion of LTC and treatment were analyzed only for HCV RNA positive patients. Chi-square, one-way ANOVA and logistic regression were used to compare the characteristics and outcomes in the three care settings. Patients in acute care settings were excluded from multivariate analyses due to low sample size. Results About 43, 368, and 1159 anti-HCV+ individuals were identified in acute care, inpatient, and outpatient, respectively. Proportion of RNA positivity in acute, inpatient, and outpatient were 47.8, 60.3 and 29.2%, respectively (p < 0.01). After adjusting for age, insurance type, race, and gender, outpatients had higher odds of LTC and of treatment (OR 4.7 [2.9, 7.6] and 4.5 [2.8, 7.3]). Conclusions Inpatients had lower proportion of LTC and treatment compared to outpatients. Use of LTC coordinators and the provision of integrated service for specialty care may improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan C S Im
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Susheel Reddy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Claudia Hawkins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Shannon Galvin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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23
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Delays and Gaps in Progressing Through the Hepatitis C Virus Cascade of Care: An Underserved Safety-net Hospital Experience. J Transl Int Med 2021; 8:261-267. [PMID: 33511053 PMCID: PMC7805291 DOI: 10.2478/jtim-2020-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective While highly effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies exist, gaps in the cascade of care remain. Disparities in the HCV cascade are prominent among underserved safety-net populations. We aim to evaluate the HCV cascade among an urban safety-net cohort of HCV patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated adults with chronic HCV to determine rates of linkage to care (LTC), retention to care, and receiving HCV treatment from 2002 to 2018. Comparisons between groups utilized Chi-square testing; comparisons of median time to LTC and HCV treatment were evaluated with Student’s t-test and analysis of variance. Results Among 600 chronic HCV patients (60.7% male, 20.7% non-Hispanic white, 49.2% African American, 92.5% treatment naïve, 26.8% cirrhosis), successful LTC within one year of HCV diagnosis was 57.7%, among which, 91.6% were successfully retained into care. In those with successful LTC, 72.6% received HCV treatment, 91.8% completed treatment, and 89% achieved SVR12. Women with HCV experienced longer delays from LTC to HCV treatment (331 vs. 206 days in men, P < 0.05), as did African Americans (280 vs. 165 days in non-Hispanic whites, P < 0.05). Compared to the non-Hispanic whites, HCV treatment was lower in African Americans (70.4% vs. 74.4%, P < 0.05). Conclusion Women with HCV experienced significant delays along the HCV cascade, with median time of over 2 years from diagnosis to treatment. African Americans also experienced significant delays along the HCV cascade of care. However, sex and race/ethnicity were not found to be significant predictors of overall LTC or treatment.
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Leach M, Chapin S, Porges I, Portner S, Charest T, Downing J, Weinstein LC. Evaluation of Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Philadelphia's Shelter-Bound, Homeless Population: Data from a Student-Run Hepatitis C Virus Screening Initiative. Popul Health Manag 2020; 24:448-453. [PMID: 33252303 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2020.0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective was to assess risk factors for HCV specific to the shelter-bound homeless population of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is a retrospective analysis of data obtained from 306 patients who received HCV antibody testing at 4 homeless shelters in Philadelphia between March 2017 and June 2019. Risk factors for HCV infection specific to this population were analyzed using Fischer exact tests. Fourteen (4.6%) of 306 patients screened positive for HCV infection. Risk factors for HCV infection among this shelter-bound homeless population included injection drug use, inhalation drug use, and tattoos obtained while incarcerated. Although an estimated 2.8% of the population of Philadelphia is infected with HCV, 4.6% of those screened in this program tested positive, highlighting the increased prevalence of HCV among the shelter-bound homeless population and the importance of assessing risks for HCV infection inherent to this specific population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Leach
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sara Chapin
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ilana Porges
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Storm Portner
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Taylor Charest
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jessica Downing
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lara C Weinstein
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Hunt BR, Ahmed C, Ramirez-Mercado K, Patron C, Glick NR. Routine Screening and Linkage to Care for Hepatitis C Virus in an Urban Safety-Net Health System, 2017-2019. Public Health Rep 2020; 136:219-227. [PMID: 33176114 DOI: 10.1177/0033354920969179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major threat to public health in the United States. We describe and evaluate an HCV screening and linkage-to-care program, including emergency department, inpatient, and outpatient settings, in an urban safety-net health system in Chicago. METHODS Sinai Health System implemented a universal HCV screening program in September 2016 that offered patient navigation services (ie, linkage to care) to patients with a positive result for HCV on an RNA test. We collected data from February 1, 2017, through January 31, 2019, on patient demographic characteristics, risk factors, and various outcomes (eg, number of patients screened, test results, proportions of new diagnoses, number of patients eligible for patient navigation services, and proportion of patients who attended their first medical appointment). We also examined outcomes by patients' knowledge of infection. RESULTS Of 21 018 people screened for HCV, 6% (1318/21 018) had positive test results for HCV antibody, 68% (878/1293) of whom had positive HCV RNA test results. Of these 878 patients, 68% were born during 1945-1965, 68% were male, 65% were Black, 19% were Latino, 55% were newly diagnosed, and 64% were eligible for patient navigation services. Risk factors included past or current drug use (53%), unemployment (30%), and ever incarcerated (21%). Of 562 patients eligible for navigation services, 281 (50%) were navigated to imaging services, and 203 (72%) patients who completed imaging attended their first medical appointment. CONCLUSION Patient navigation played a critical role in linkage success, but securing stable, long-term financial support for patient navigators is a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijou R Hunt
- 24192 Sinai Infectious Disease Center, Sinai Health System, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christopher Ahmed
- 24192 Sinai Infectious Disease Center, Sinai Health System, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Christopher Patron
- 24192 Sinai Infectious Disease Center, Sinai Health System, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nancy R Glick
- 24192 Sinai Infectious Disease Center, Sinai Health System, Chicago, IL, USA.,24192 Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System, Chicago, IL, USA
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Benitez TM, Fernando SM, Amini C, Saab S. Geographically Focused Collocated Hepatitis C Screening and Treatment in Los Angeles's Skid Row. Dig Dis Sci 2020; 65:3023-3031. [PMID: 31974916 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-020-06073-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inequitable prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in the homeless is a clinical and public health concern. Prior research estimates, at least one-quarter of homeless persons have been infected with HCV, yet linkage to care and treatment uptake remains marginal. AIM To evaluate the feasibility of treating HCV in a homeless population. METHODS Retrospective study of homeless individuals treated for HCV. Demographic information including risk factors was collected. Univariate analyses were performed. The proportion of patients linked to care and sustained viral response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12) was measured. RESULTS During the study period, 6767 individuals were screened for HCV. A total of 769 (11.4%) were found to have detectable HCV antibodies. Of the individuals with detectable HCV antibodies, 443 (57.6%) were viremic. Of the 443 viremic patients, 375 (84.7%) were linked to care. Among them, 59 patients began antiviral treatment and 95% (56/59) completed the course of therapy. The ITT was 83.1% (49/59), and the per-protocol virologic cure rate was 100% (49/49). CONCLUSION The favorable linkage to care and cure outcomes in our study suggests that homeless persons may be more likely to engage in HCV screening and treatment when these services are located in the community for their use. Our study further lends support to the efficacy of care coordination programs to encourage movement through the HCV care continuum in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sammy Saab
- Departments of Medicine, Nursing, and Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Pfleger Liver Institute, UCLA Medical Center, 200 Medical Plaza, Suite 214, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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Coppock D, Chou E, Gracely E, Gross R, Heun-Lee D. Hepatitis C antibody screening and determinants of initial and duplicate screening in the baby boomer patients of six urban primary care clinics. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235778. [PMID: 32645083 PMCID: PMC7347094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235778] [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: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidelines recommending universal, one-time hepatitis C virus screening for all individuals born between 1945 and 1965. Prior to the implementation of these guidelines, testing rates were inappropriately low, but unnecessary duplicate antibody testing was also problematic. In the era of increased efforts to screen "baby boomers", the prevalence and social determinants of initial and duplicate hepatitis C testing have not been well described. METHODS A hepatitis C screening program was implemented at six urban primary care clinics affiliated with Drexel University College of Medicine. Data was collected regarding the screening patterns in these clinics. Annual screening rates for the program were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of demographic variables and the outcomes of subjects having ever been tested and subjects having received duplicate testing. RESULTS Following the implementation of the program, the screening rate increased from 16% in the first year of analysis to 82% in the final year of analysis. Of the 6,717 patients screened, 1,207 had duplicate testing, of which 14% had inappropriate duplicate antibody screening. African Americans and Asian patients had a higher odds of being screened. Patients with public insurance had a higher odds of duplicate screening. CONCLUSIONS In the setting of an aggressive hepatitis C screening program, high testing rates may be attained in a target population. However, inappropriate duplicate antibody testing rates may be high, which may be a burden in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagan Coppock
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Edgar Chou
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Edward Gracely
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert Gross
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dong Heun-Lee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Martinello M, Bajis S, Dore GJ. Progress Toward Hepatitis C Virus Elimination: Therapy and Implementation. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2020; 49:253-277. [PMID: 32389362 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization has called for the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a public health threat by 2030. Highly effective direct-acting antiviral agents provide the therapeutic tools required for elimination. In the absence of a vaccine, HCV elimination will require enhanced primary prevention and an increase in the proportions of people diagnosed and treated. Given that globally only 20% of people with chronic HCV are diagnosed, and around 5% have initiated HCV treatment, the task ahead is enormous. But, global public health needs optimism, and countries currently on track for HCV elimination provide a pathway forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Martinello
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Sahar Bajis
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Broad J, Mason K, Guyton M, Lettner B, Matelski J, Powis J. Peer outreach point-of-care testing as a bridge to hepatitis C care for people who inject drugs in Toronto, Canada. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 80:102755. [PMID: 32416538 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs have high rates of hepatitis C (HCV) and yet many remain undiagnosed and untreated. HCV treatment guidelines and elimination strategies recommend task-shifting to expand where, and by whom, HCV testing and care is delivered. METHODS A randomized controlled trial design was used to evaluate if point-of-care (POC) HCV antibody testing by peer outreach workers outside of health and social service spaces would improve engagement in HCV care. People with a lifetime history of injection drug use without prior knowledge of HCV antibody status were randomized to receive HCV outreach plus either POC or referral to community-based HCV program for testing as usual. The study was co-designed by people with lived experience of HCV. RESULTS 920 people were approached to participate over 14 weeks. After refusals, withdrawals and removal of duplicates, there were 380 study participants. Outreach took place primarily in public spaces (66%) such as parks, coffee shops and apartment lobbies. Participants reported very high rates of poverty, housing instability and recent injection drug use. Despite being at high risk for HCV, 61% had no history or knowledge of past HCV testing (n = 230). Of those who received a POC test 77/195 (39%) were positive for HCV antibodies. There was no change in rates of engagement in HCV care among those who received the POC (n = 6; 3%) compared to those who did not (n = 5; 3%). CONCLUSION Peer outreach workers were able to efficiently reach a marginalized group of individuals who had a high HCV antibody prevalence and low rates of prior HCV testing. This improved participants' knowledge of their HCV antibody status, but that knowledge in itself did not lead to any change in participant's subsequent engagement in HCV care. Future work is required to evaluate strategies such as incentives or peer navigators to improve linkage to HCV care after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Broad
- 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
| | - Mary Guyton
- Sherbourne Health, 333 Sherbourne St, Toronto, ON M5A 2S5, Canada
| | - Bernadette Lettner
- South Riverdale Community Health Centre, 955 Queen St East, Toronto, ON, M4M 3P3, Canada; Regent Park Community Health Centre, 465 Dundas St East, Toronto, ON M5A 2B2, Canada
| | - John Matelski
- University Health Network, 235 - 200 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Jeff Powis
- Michael Garron Hospital, 825 Coxwell Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 3E7, Canada.
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Lee KS, Quintiliani L, Heinz A, Johnson NL, Xuan Z, Truong V, Lasser KE. A financial incentive program to improve appointment attendance at a safety-net hospital-based primary care hepatitis C treatment program. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228767. [PMID: 32045447 PMCID: PMC7012423 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis C (HCV) infection is a significant health threat, with increasing incidence rates in the setting of the opioid crisis. Many patients miss appointments and cannot initiate treatment. We implemented financial incentives to improve appointment attendance in a primary care-based HCV treatment setting. METHODS We conducted a systems-level financial incentives intervention at the Adult Primary Care HCV Treatment Program at Boston Medical Center which provides care to many patients with substance use disorders. From April 1 to June 30, 2017, we provided a $15 gift card to patients who attended appointments with an HCV treatment provider. We evaluated the effectiveness of the incentives by 1) conducting a monthly interrupted time series analysis to assess trends in attendance January 2016-September 2017; and 2) comparing the proportion of attended appointments during the intervention to a historical comparison group in the previous year, April 1 to June 30, 2016. RESULTS 327 visits were scheduled over the study period; 198 during the intervention and 129 during the control period. Of patient visits in the intervention group, 72.7% were attended relative to 61.2% of comparison group visits (p = 0.03). Appointments in the intervention group were more likely to be attended (adjusted odds ratio 1.94, 95% confidence interval 1.16-3.24). Interrupted time series analysis showed that the intervention was associated with an average increase of 15.4 attended visits per 100 appointments scheduled, compared to the period prior to the intervention (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of a financial incentive program was associated with improved appointment attendance at a safety-net hospital-based primary care HCV treatment program. A randomized trial to establish efficacy and broader implementation potential is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen S. Lee
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Lisa Quintiliani
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Heinz
- Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Natrina L. Johnson
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ziming Xuan
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ve Truong
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Karen E. Lasser
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Boodram B, Kaufmann M, Aronsohn A, Hamlish T, Peregrine Antalis E, Kim K, Wolf J, Rodriguez I, Millman AJ, Johnson D. Case Management and Capacity Building to Enhance Hepatitis C Treatment Uptake at Community Health Centers in a Large Urban Setting. FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH 2020; 43:150-160. [PMID: 32079971 DOI: 10.1097/fch.0000000000000253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
An estimated 4.1 million people in the United States are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). In 2014, the Hepatitis C Community Alliance to Test and Treat (HepCCATT) collaborative was formed to address hepatitis C in Chicago. From 2014 to 2017, the HepCCATT Case Management Program case managed 181 HCV-infected people and performed on-site capacity building at a 6-site community health center (CHC) that produced codified protocols, which were translated into a telehealth program to build capacity within CHCs to deliver hepatitis C care. HepCCATT's innovative approach to addressing multilevel barriers is a potential model for increasing access to hepatitis C care and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basmattee Boodram
- School of Public Health (Dr Boodram and Ms Kaufmann) and Cancer Center (Dr Hamlish), University of Illinois at Chicago; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and Sarcoma Alliance for Research Through Collaboration, Ann Arbor, Michigan (Dr Peregrine Antalis); University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois (Drs Aronsohn and Johnson and Ms Rodriguez); Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Ms Kim); Caring Ambassadors Program, Inc, Chicago, Illinois (Ms Wolf); and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Millman)
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Sherbuk JE, McManus KA, Kemp Knick T, Canan CE, Flickinger T, Dillingham R. Disparities in Hepatitis C Linkage to Care in the Direct Acting Antiviral Era: Findings From a Referral Clinic With an Embedded Nurse Navigator Model. Front Public Health 2019; 7:362. [PMID: 31828056 PMCID: PMC6890553 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have simplified and expanded access to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. Only 17% of the 2.4 million Americans with HCV have linked to HCV care. We aimed to evaluate linkage to care (LTC) in a non-urban HCV referral clinic with a nurse navigator model and identify disparities in LTC. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort analysis was performed among all patients referred to an infectious diseases HCV clinic between 2014 and 2018. The primary outcome was LTC, defined as attendance at a clinic appointment. A multivariable Poisson regression model estimated the association of variables with LTC. Results: Among 824 referred patients, 624 (76%) successfully linked to care and 369 (45%) successfully achieved sustained virologic response. Forty-six percent of those referred were uninsured. On multivariable analysis, LTC rates were higher among women (Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR] 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.20, p-value = 0.01) and people with cirrhosis (IRR 1.20, 95% CI 1.11-1.30, p-value < 0.001). Lower LTC rates were found for young people (<40 years; IRR 0.88, 95% CI 0.79-0.98, p-value = 0.02) and uninsured people (IRR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77-0.94, p-value = 0.002). Among those without LTC, 10% were incarcerated. Race, proximity to care, substance use, and HIV status were not associated with LTC. Conclusions: Using an embedded nurse navigator model, high LTC rates were achieved despite the prevalence of barriers, including a high uninsured rate. Disparities in LTC based on age, sex, and insurance status are present. Substance use was not associated with LTC. Future interventions to improve care should include expanded access to insurance and programs bridging care for incarcerated populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E Sherbuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Kathleen A McManus
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Terry Kemp Knick
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Chelsea E Canan
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Tabor Flickinger
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Rebecca Dillingham
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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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: 0.3] [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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34
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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: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [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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35
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Litwin AH, Drolet M, Nwankwo C, Torrens M, Kastelic A, Walcher S, Somaini L, Mulvihill E, Ertl J, Grebely J. Perceived barriers related to testing, management and treatment of HCV infection among physicians prescribing opioid agonist therapy: The C-SCOPE Study. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1094-1104. [PMID: 31074167 PMCID: PMC6771477 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this analysis was to evaluate perceived barriers related to HCV testing, management and treatment among physicians practicing in clinics offering opioid agonist treatment (OAT). C-SCOPE was a study consisting of a self-administered survey among physicians practicing at clinics providing OAT in Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States between April and May 2017. A 5-point Likert scale (1 = not a barrier, 3 = moderate barrier, 5 = extreme barrier) was used to measure responses to perceived barriers for HCV testing, evaluation and treatment across the domains of the health system, clinic and patient. Among the 203 physicians enrolled (40% USA, 45% Europe, 14% Australia/Canada), 21% were addiction medicine specialists, 29% psychiatrists and 69% were metro/urban. OAT physicians in this study reported poor access to on-site venepuncture (35%), point-of-care HCV testing (16%), and noninvasive liver disease assessment (25%). Only 30% of OAT physicians reported personally treating HCV infection. Major perceived health system barriers to HCV management included the lack of funding for noninvasive liver disease testing, long wait times to see an HCV specialist, lack of funding for new HCV therapies, and reimbursement restrictions based on drug/alcohol use. Major perceived clinic barriers included the lack of peer support programmes and/or HCV case managers to facilitate linkage to care, the need to refer people off-site for noninvasive liver disease staging, the lack of support for on-site phlebotomy and the lack of on-site delivery of HCV therapy. This study highlights several important modifiable barriers to enhance HCV testing, evaluation and treatment among PWID attending OAT clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain H. Litwin
- Department of MedicineUniversity of South Carolina School of Medicine ‐ Greenville and Prisma HealthGreenvilleSouth Carolina,Clemson University School of Health ResearchClemsonSouth Carolina
| | | | | | - Martha Torrens
- Department of PsychiatryInstitut de Neuropsiquiatria i AddiccionsHospital del Mar BarcelonaIMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mediques)Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Andrej Kastelic
- National Centre for the Treatment of Drug Addiction in LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | | | - Lorenzo Somaini
- Addiction Treatment Centre ‐ Ser.D ASL BI ‐ Local Health UnitBiellaItaly
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36
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de la Torre A, Ahmad M, Ayoub F, Korogodsky M, Pichardo N, Green L, Montesdeoca A, McDowall P, Danko C. Electronic health record year and country of birth testing and patient navigation to increase diagnosis of chronic viral hepatitis. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:911-918. [PMID: 30920700 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends hepatitis C testing people born from 1945 to 1965, "birth cohort" as well as hepatitis C and hepatitis B testing people from countries of birth with endemic infection risk. We automated the hospital electronic health record system to test birth cohort and those born in countries with endemic infection risk. A script is launched searching the laboratory database upon registration for any hepatitis C antibody, hepatitis C RNA and/or hepatitis B surface antigen result. If no positive result was found, a hepatitis C antibody/reflex RNA and/or hepatitis B surface antigen were ordered. A patient navigator received weekly results and assisted patients with positive serology to schedule an appointment with their primary care provider or treatment specialist. A total of 10 726 participants were hepatitis C antibody tested, with 6.9% antibody positive. Monthly hepatitis C testing from January to July 2016 compared to August 2016-August 2017 increased 342% as a result of "birth cohort" testing. Following country of birth testing, monthly hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing increased 91%, and 44%, respectively, during June-August 2017 compared to September 2017-March 2018. 67% of hepatitis C-positive patients were linked to care. If the navigator contacted the patient, 92% were linked to care, and 32% were treated. Of hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients, 43% were linked to care, 5% were on treatment, and 15% started treatment. Automated electronic health record ordering of hepatitis C and/or hepatitis B testing is feasible and increases testing. In the population tested, much improvement is needed with linkage to care and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew de la Torre
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Liver Disease Services, Carepoint Health, Hudson County, NJ.,Department of Surgery, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Maliha Ahmad
- Liver Disease Services, St. Joseph's Medical Center, Paterson, NJ
| | - Farhan Ayoub
- Liver Disease Services, St. Joseph's Medical Center, Paterson, NJ
| | - Maria Korogodsky
- Liver Disease Services, St. Joseph's Medical Center, Paterson, NJ
| | - Norma Pichardo
- Liver Disease Services, St. Joseph's Medical Center, Paterson, NJ
| | - Lisa Green
- Information Technology, St. Joseph's Medical Center, Paterson, NJ
| | | | | | - Cherie Danko
- Laboratory Services, St. Joseph's Medical Center, Paterson, NJ
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Harrison GI, Murray K, Gore R, Lee P, Sreedharan A, Richardson P, Hughes AJ, Wiselka M, Gelson W, Unitt E, Ratcliff K, Orton A, Trinder K, Simpson C, Ryder SD, Oelbaum S, Foster GR, Christian A, Smith S, Thomson BJ, Reynolds R, Harris M, Hickman M, Irving WL. The Hepatitis C Awareness Through to Treatment (HepCATT) study: improving the cascade of care for hepatitis C virus-infected people who inject drugs in England. Addiction 2019; 114:1113-1122. [PMID: 30694582 DOI: 10.1111/add.14569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Previous studies have shown low rates of diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in people who inject drugs (PWID). Our aims were to test the effect of a complex intervention [Hepatitis C Awareness Through to Treatment (HepCATT)] in drug and alcohol clinics-primarily, on engagement of HCV-positive PWID with therapy and, secondarily, on testing for HCV, referral to hepatology services and start of HCV treatment. DESIGN AND SETTING A non-randomized pilot study in three specialist addiction clinics in England comparing an intervention year (starting between September 2015 and February 2016) with a baseline year (2014), together with three control clinics. PARTICIPANTS Analysis included all attendees at the intervention and control specialist addiction clinics identified as PWID. INTERVENTION The intervention comprised the placement of a half-time facilitator in each clinic for 12 months with the brief to increase diagnosis of HCV infection within clients at those services and the engagement of diagnosed individuals with an appropriate care pathway. The facilitator undertook various activities, which could include training of key workers, direct interaction with clients, streamlining and support for hepatology appointments and introduction of dried blood-spot testing. MEASUREMENTS For each clinic and period, we obtained the total number of clients and, as relevant, their status as PWID, tested for HCV, known HCV-positive, engaged with HCV therapy or treated. FINDINGS Compared with baseline, there was strong evidence that engagement with HCV therapy in the intervention year increased (P < 0.001) more in the HepCATT centres than controls, up + 31 percentage points [95% confidence interval (CI) = 19-43] versus -12 (CI = -31 to + 6) and odds ratio (OR) = 9.99 (CI = 4.42-22.6) versus 0.35 (CI = 0.08-1.56). HepCATT centres also had greater increases in HCV testing (OR = 3.06 versus 0.78, P < 0.001), referral to hepatology (OR = 9.60 versus 0.56, P < 0.001) and treatment initiation (OR = 9.5 versus 0.74, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Introducing a half-time facilitator into drug and alcohol clinics in England increased engagement of HCV-positive people who inject drugs with hepatitis C virus care pathways, with increased uptake also of testing, referral to hepatology and initiation of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham I Harrison
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Karen Murray
- United Lincolnshire Hospitals Lincoln County Hospital, Lincoln, UK
| | - Roxanne Gore
- Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Paul Richardson
- Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Martin Wiselka
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Will Gelson
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Esther Unitt
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rosy Reynolds
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Magdalena Harris
- Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - William L Irving
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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38
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Geboy AG, Nichols WL, Fernandez SJ, Desale S, Basch P, Fishbein DA. Leveraging the electronic health record to eliminate hepatitis C: Screening in a large integrated healthcare system. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216459. [PMID: 31120906 PMCID: PMC6532960 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly efficacious and tolerable treatments that cure hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection exist today, increasing the feasibility of disease elimination. However, large healthcare systems may not be fully prepared for supporting recommended actions due to knowledge gaps, inadequate infrastructure and uninformed policy direction. Additionally, the HCV cascade of care is complex, with many embedded barriers, and a significant number of patients do not progress through the cascade and are thus not cured. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate a large healthcare system's HCV screening rates, linkage to care efficiency, and provider testing preferences. Patients born during 1945-1965, not previously HCV positive or tested from within the Electronic Health Record (EHR), were identified given that three-quarters of HCV-infected persons in the United States are from this Birth Cohort (BC). In building this HCV testing EHR prompt, non-Birth Cohort patients were excluded as HCV-specific risk factors identifying this population were not usually captured in searchable, structured data fields. Once completed, the BC prompt was released to primary care locations. From July 2015 through December 2016, 11.5% of eligible patients (n = 9,304/80,556) were HCV antibody tested (anti-HCV), 3.8% (353/9,304) anti-HCV positive, 98.1% (n = 311/317) HCV RNA tested, 59.8% (n = 186/311) HCV RNA positive, 86.6% (161/186) referred and 76.4% (n = 123/161) seen by a specialist, and 34.1% (n = 42/123) cured of their HCV. Results from the middle stages of the cascade in this large healthcare system are encouraging; however, entry into the cascade-HCV testing-was performed for only 11% of the birth cohort, and the endpoint-HCV cure-accounted for only 22% of all infected. Action is needed to align current practice with recommendations for HCV testing and treatment given that these are significant barriers toward elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G. Geboy
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD, United States of America
| | - Whitney L. Nichols
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD, United States of America
| | | | - Sameer Desale
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD, United States of America
| | - Peter Basch
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD, United States of America
- MedStar Institute for Innovation, Washington, DC, United States of America
- MedStar Quality and Safety Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Dawn A. Fishbein
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD, United States of America
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
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Gayam V, Tiongson B, Mandal AK, Garlapati P, Pan C, Mohanty S. Real-world study of hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals in patients with drug abuse and opioid agonist therapy. Scand J Gastroenterol 2019; 54:646-655. [PMID: 31120776 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2019.1617893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Limited data exist evaluating the treatment outcomes with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in patients with drug use in the community setting. We aim to assess the treatment response of DAAs in this subset of patients with or without the opioid agonist therapy (OAT). Methods: All the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients treated with DAAs were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified into two groups by the presence or absence of abusing alcohol, cocaine and heroin. All the patients who were assigned to the abuser group had positive urine toxicology with one of the drugs during the DAA treatment. The primary assessment was the sustained virologic response (SVR12) at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12). Results: Among the 314 patients, 152, 128 and 58 were patients with drug use, non-drug use and receiving OAT. Among the patients with injectable or non-injectable drug use treatment, completion rate was 99% (151/152) and SVR12 was 93.4%. Among the patients with no drug use treatment, completion rate was 95% (122/128) and SVR12 was 88.3%. Among patients receiving OAT alone, SVR12 was 100%, and in patients with OAT + other drug use, SVR12 was 96.5%. None of the patients included in this study discontinued the treatment due to adverse events associated with treatment medications. Conclusions: In this community-based study, DAAs are safe, effective with high overall SVR12 in patients with active drug use (injectable and non-injectable) and OAT enrolled patients. These results support the removal of drug use as a barrier to DAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Gayam
- a Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology , Interfaith Medical Center , Brooklyn , NY , USA
| | - Benjamin Tiongson
- a Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology , Interfaith Medical Center , Brooklyn , NY , USA
| | - Amrendra Kumar Mandal
- a Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology , Interfaith Medical Center , Brooklyn , NY , USA
| | - Pavani Garlapati
- a Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology , Interfaith Medical Center , Brooklyn , NY , USA
| | - Calvin Pan
- b Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , NYU Langone Health, New York University School of Medicine , New York , NY , USA
| | - Smruti Mohanty
- c Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital , Brooklyn , NY , USA
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40
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Saab S, Challita YP, Najarian LM, Guo R, Saggi SS, Choi G. Hepatitis C Screening: Barriers to Linkage to Care. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2019; 7:226-231. [PMID: 31608214 PMCID: PMC6783681 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2018.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Hepatitis C (HCV) is a medical and public health concern. Once infected individuals are identified, management includes not only education but also the use of antiviral therapy. Although screening for HCV is readily available, barriers exist which prevent assessment and treatment in individuals potentially infected with HCV. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients screened for HCV within the University of California, Los Angeles Health Care System between February 22 and July 9, 2018. We defined linkage to care as: 1) confirmatory HCV RNA test after screening HCV antibody test found a positive result; and 2) follow-up appointment for treatment was established with a specialist. Demographic and baseline laboratory values were collected. Factors potentially associated with prohibiting linkage of care were evaluated. Results: During the study period, 17,512 individuals were screened for HCV. A total of 238 (1.35%) were found to have detectable HCV antibodies. Of the individuals with detectable HCV antibodies, 48 (20%) did not undergo confirmatory testing with viral levels. Of the 190 individuals who underwent further testing, 70 patients were noted to be viremic. Among them, 17 of the 70 (24%) were not linked to a specialist for further care. Younger patients (p = 0.02) and people who inject drugs (p = 0.02) were less likely to be referred for specialty care. Conclusions: The results of our study highlight that younger patients and people who inject drugs are less likely to be referred to specialty care for HCV treatment. Efforts are needed to engage these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sammy Saab
- Departments of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Departments of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Youssef P Challita
- Departments of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lisa M Najarian
- Departments of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rong Guo
- Departments of Medicine Statistics Core, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Satvir S Saggi
- Departments of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gina Choi
- Departments of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Departments of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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41
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Shumway M, Luetkemeyer AF, Peters MG, Johnson MO, Napoles TM, Riley ED. Direct-acting antiviral treatment for HIV/HCV patients in safety net settings: patient and provider preferences. AIDS Care 2019; 31:1340-1347. [PMID: 30829533 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1587353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
HIV/HCV coinfected patients are a priority for direct acting antiretroviral (DAA) treatment, yet barriers to treating vulnerable patients persist. This study surveyed safety net clinic patients and providers to quantify their preferences for DAA treatment and prioritize modifiable barriers. Preferences were assessed using best-worst scaling. General linear mixed models were used to determine whether attributes differed in importance and whether patients and providers valued attributes differently. 158 HIV/HCV coinfected patients and 49 providers participated. Patients and providers had strong preferences for treatment within the medical homes where patients receive HIV care. Support such as reminders and advice numbers were also important, but were more important to providers than patients. Providers identified lack of insurance coverage for DAA as the most significant barrier. Providers rated HIV primary care providers as best suited to deliver DAA to HIV+ patients. Addressing structural barriers is essential for increasing DAA treatment in safety net settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Shumway
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Anne F Luetkemeyer
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA.,Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Marion G Peters
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Mallory O Johnson
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Tessa M Napoles
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA.,Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center , San Francisco , CA , USA.,Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Elise D Riley
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA.,Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center , San Francisco , CA , USA
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Osinubi A, Harris AM, Vellozzi C, Lom J, Miller L, Millman AJ. Evaluation of the Performance of Algorithms That Use Serial Hepatitis C RNA Tests to Predict Treatment Initiation and Sustained Virological Response Among Patients Infected With Hepatitis C Virus. Am J Epidemiol 2019; 188:555-561. [PMID: 30535062 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwy270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure of electronic medical record data prevents easy population-level monitoring of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment uptake and cure. Using an HCV registry from a public hospital system in Atlanta, Georgia, we developed multiple algorithms that use serial HCV RNA test results as proxy measures for initiation of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment and sustained virological response (SVR). We calculated sensitivity and positive predictive values (PPVs) by comparing the algorithms with the DAA initiation and SVR results from the registry. From December 2013 to August 2016, 1,807 persons actively infected with HCV were identified in the registry. Of those, 698 initiated DAA treatment on the basis of medical record abstraction; of 442 patients with treatment start and/or end dates, 314 had documented SVR. Treatment algorithm 2 (a detectable HCV RNA result followed by 2 sequential HCV RNA test results) and treatment algorithm 5 (a detectable HCV RNA result followed by 2 sequential HCV RNA test results >6 weeks apart) had the highest sensitivity (87% and 85%, respectively) and PPV (80% and 82%, respectively) combinations. Four SVR algorithms relied on fulfilling treatment algorithm definitions and having an undetectable HCV RNA test result ≥12 weeks after the last HCV RNA result; sensitivity for all 4 algorithms was 79%, and PPV was 92%-93%. Algorithms using serial quantitative HCV RNA results can serve as proxy measures for evaluating population-level DAA treatment and SVR outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ademola Osinubi
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Aaron M Harris
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Claudia Vellozzi
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jennifer Lom
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lesley Miller
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Alexander J Millman
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Jonas MC, Loftus B, Horberg MA. The Road to Hepatitis C Virus Cure: Practical Considerations from a Health System's Perspective. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2019; 32:481-493. [PMID: 29778267 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection remains a significant global health problem. Many individuals are unaware of their infection or disease stage. Innovations in care that promote rapid and easy identification of at-risk populations for screening, comprehensive diagnostic screening, and triage to curative direct-acting antiviral medications will accelerate efforts to eradicate hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cabell Jonas
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, PC, 2101 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
| | - Bernadette Loftus
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, PC, 2101 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Michael A Horberg
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, PC, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, 2101 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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44
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Jones H, Patel P, Sears D. Electronic reminders increase hepatitis C screening, referral, treatment and cure. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:208-210. [PMID: 30141227 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Jones
- Gastroenterology, Scott & White Medical Center-Temple, Temple, Texas
| | - Priyanka Patel
- Gastroenterology, Scott & White Medical Center-Temple, Temple, Texas
| | - Dawn Sears
- Gastroenterology, Scott & White Medical Center-Temple, Temple, Texas
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45
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Day E, Hellard M, Treloar C, Bruneau J, Martin NK, Øvrehus A, Dalgard O, Lloyd A, Dillon J, Hickman M, Byrne J, Litwin A, Maticic M, Bruggmann P, Midgard H, Norton B, Trooskin S, Lazarus JV, Grebely J. Hepatitis C elimination among people who inject drugs: Challenges and recommendations for action within a health systems framework. Liver Int 2019; 39:20-30. [PMID: 30157316 PMCID: PMC6868526 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The burden of hepatitis C infection is considerable among people who inject drugs (PWID), with an estimated prevalence of 39%, representing an estimated 6.1 million people who have recently injected drugs living with hepatitis C infection. As such, PWID are a priority population for enhancing prevention, testing, linkage to care, treatment and follow-up care in order to meet World Health Organization (WHO) hepatitis C elimination goals by 2030. There are many barriers to enhancing hepatitis C prevention and care among PWID including poor global coverage of harm reduction services, restrictive drug policies and criminalization of drug use, poor access to health services, low hepatitis C testing, linkage to care and treatment, restrictions for accessing DAA therapy, and the lack of national strategies and government investment to support WHO elimination goals. On 5 September 2017, the International Network of Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU) held a roundtable panel of international experts to discuss remaining challenges and future priorities for action from a health systems perspective. The WHO health systems framework comprises six core components: service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, medical procurement, health systems financing, and leadership and governance. Communication has been proposed as a seventh key element which promotes the central role of affected community engagement. This review paper presents recommended strategies for eliminating hepatitis C as a major public health threat among PWID and outlines future priorities for action within a health systems framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Day
- Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexual
Health Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne,
Victoria, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney,
New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julie Bruneau
- CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM), Centre Hospitalier de
l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Division of Global Public Health, University of California,
San Diego, California, United States
| | - Anne Øvrehus
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University
Hospital, Denmark
| | - Olav Dalgard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Akershus University
Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andrew Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia
| | - John Dillon
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, School of
Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School,
University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jude Byrne
- Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League,
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Alain Litwin
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein
College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, United States
| | - Mojca Maticic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses,
University Medical Centre Ljubljana, and Faculty of Medicine, University of
Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Havard Midgard
- Department of Gastroenterology, Oslo University Hospital,
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Brianna Norton
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein
College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, United States
| | - Stacey Trooskin
- Philadelphia FIGHT, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United
States
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal),
Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia
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46
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Khalili M, Wong RJ. Underserved Does Not Mean Undeserved: Unfurling the HCV Care in the Safety Net. Dig Dis Sci 2018. [PMID: 30311153 DOI: 10.1007/12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The availability of the new generation of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has completely transformed the HCV therapeutic landscape. Current regimens provide pan-genotypic coverage that are of short duration, safer, and are highly effective than prior generations of HCV therapeutics. While data from clinical trials and real-world experience continue to demonstrate similar and high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, the successful implementation of the HCV cascade-of-care including screening, confirmation of active infection, treatment initiation and successful completion of therapy among more challenging populations, such as the underserved populations who are also disproportionally affected by HCV, remains vital to HCV eradication efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandana Khalili
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Robert J Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Alameda Health System, Highland Hospital, Oakland, CA, USA
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47
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Luma HN, Eloumou SA, Noah DN, Eyenga BA, Nko’Ayissi G, Taku TS, Malongue A, Donfack-Sontsa O, Ditah IC. Hepatitis C Continuum of Care in a Treatment Center in Sub-Saharan Africa. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2018; 8:335-341. [PMID: 30563994 PMCID: PMC6286429 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health challenge in Cameroon with over three million people infected. Government efforts to improve care and treatment are unsatisfactory and need to be assessed. We aimed at studying the several steps along the HCV continuum of care in one of two hepatitis treatment centers in Cameroon. METHODS We undertook a retrospective chart review of anti-HCV positive individuals, who attended the Douala general hospital between 2008 and 2015. We defined the HCV treatment cascade as follows: step 1-HCV RNA testing, step 2-complete pre-therapeutic evaluation (genotyping and liver fibrosis markers), step 3-initiation of treatment, step 4-treatment completion, and step 5-sustained virological response (SRV). Each successive step in the HCV care continuum was dependent on passing through the previous step. RESULTS The mean age of the 669 anti-HCV antibody positive individuals was 57 (sd: ±13) years. Females were 52.8% of the study population. 410 (61.3%) were tested for HCV RNA. Three hundred and sixty-six (54.7%) were confirmed to have viral replication (HCV RNA positive). One hundred and eighty (26.9%) did a complete pre-therapeutic evaluation (both HCV genotyping and liver fibrosis assessment included). Eighty-one (12.1%) initiated treatment with pegylated interferon/ribavirin. Seventy-two (10.8%) completed treatment and 44 (6.6%) had SVR. Sociodemographic characteristics including age, gender, marital status, having medical insurance, and profession were associated with attaining later steps in the care cascade. CONCLUSION This study shows that HCV continuum of care and treatment is less optimal at the Douala general hospital and is highly impacted by socio-economic factors. Continued efforts are needed to improve HCV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry N. Luma
- Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Address for correspondence: Henry Namme Luma, P.O. Box 4856, Douala, Cameroon. Fax: +237 243 37 01 46.
| | - Servais A.F.B. Eloumou
- Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Dominique N. Noah
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - B. Aude Eyenga
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
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48
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Abstract
The availability of the new generation of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has completely transformed the HCV therapeutic landscape. Current regimens provide pan-genotypic coverage that are of short duration, safer, and are highly effective than prior generations of HCV therapeutics. While data from clinical trials and real-world experience continue to demonstrate similar and high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, the successful implementation of the HCV cascade-of-care including screening, confirmation of active infection, treatment initiation and successful completion of therapy among more challenging populations, such as the underserved populations who are also disproportionally affected by HCV, remains vital to HCV eradication efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandana Khalili
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Robert J. Wong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Alameda Health System, Highland Hospital, Oakland, CA
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49
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Zuckerman A, Carver A, Chastain CA. Building a Hepatitis C Clinical Program: Strategies to Optimize Outcomes. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018; 10:431-446. [PMID: 30524209 PMCID: PMC6244618 DOI: 10.1007/s40506-018-0177-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW An increasing number of specialists and non-specialists are developing clinical programs to treat and cure hepatitis C virus (HCV). The goal of this paper is to evaluate and describe optimal strategies to improve outcomes related to HCV care delivery. RECENT FINDINGS Screening and diagnosis of HCV should be guided by established recommendations. Given the recognized disparity in HCV diagnosis and linkage to care, a multi-modal approach involving care coordination and technology resources should be used to improve patient engagement. Access to HCV treatment may be optimized through systematic documentation, prior authorization, and appeal processes. Treatment monitoring should emphasize medication adherence, side effect and drug interaction management, as well as elimination of practical barriers. Finally, post-treatment engagement to promote liver health and reduce the risk of complications or reinfection maximizes the benefit of HCV treatment. SUMMARY The landscape of HCV treatment has evolved from a specialist-driven model with few patients qualifying for treatment to an opportunity for non-specialists and other providers to provide curative therapies in most patients. Innovative practice models that employ a multidisciplinary approach will likely improve screening, diagnosis, engagement, and treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn Zuckerman
- Specialty Pharmacy Services, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Alicia Carver
- Specialty Pharmacy Services, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Cody A. Chastain
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, A2200 MCN, 1161 21st Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232-2605 USA
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50
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Sherbuk JE, McManus KA, Rogawski McQuade ET, Knick T, Henry Z, Dillingham R. Hepatitis C Within a Single Health System: Progression Along the Cascade to Cure Is Higher for Those With Substance Misuse When Linked to a Clinic With Embedded Support Services. Open Forum Infect Dis 2018; 5:ofy202. [PMID: 30255113 PMCID: PMC6147287 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C is now curable for most individuals, and national goals for elimination have been established. Transmission persists, however, particularly in nonurban regions affected by the opioid epidemic. To reach goals of elimination, barriers to treatment must be identified. METHODS In this open cohort of all individuals diagnosed with active hepatitis C from 2010 to 2016 at a large medical center, we identified patient and clinic characteristics associated with our primary outcome, sustained virologic response (SVR). We performed a subgroup analysis for those with documented substance misuse. RESULTS SVR was achieved in 1544 (41%) of 3790 people with active hepatitis C. In a multivariable Poisson regression model, SVR was more likely in individuals diagnosed outpatient (incident rate ratio [IRR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-2.0), living in close proximity to the medical center (IRR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.3), with private insurance (IRR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3), and with cirrhosis (IRR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3-1.5). Achieving SVR was less likely in those qualifying as indigent (IRR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.8-0.9) and those with substance misuse (IRR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.7-0.9). In the subgroup analysis of those with substance misuse, SVR rates were higher in those linked to the infectious diseases clinic, which has embedded support services, than those linked to the gastroenterology clinic, which does not (IRR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9). CONCLUSIONS Social determinants of health including proximity to care and poverty impacted achievement of SVR. Those with substance misuse, a high-priority population for treatment of hepatitis C, had better outcomes when receiving care in a clinic with embedded support services.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Sherbuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - K A McManus
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - E T Rogawski McQuade
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - T Knick
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Z Henry
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - R Dillingham
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
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