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Abdelmoneim RS, Sedki F, Bakosh MF. Changes in the presentation and characteristics OF HCV related hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of direct acting antiviral therapy: A retrospective study. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2025; 49:102567. [PMID: 40043794 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2025.102567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2025] [Accepted: 03/02/2025] [Indexed: 03/10/2025]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth common malignancy worldwide. In Egypt, the main cause of HCC is hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis. After the successful mass treatment program of HCV in 2018 with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy, a large percentage of patients have been treated and effectively achieved sustained virological response (SVR). Recently, some studies claimed that HCCs that developed after treatment with DAAs have more aggressive behavior. Purpose of the study is to detect the possible change of HCC pattern before and after DAAs era and its effect on overall survival (OS). METHODS 428 naïve HCC patients were divided into 2 groups: Group I HCC patients not treated with DAAs and Group II HCC patients treated with DAAs. Then we compared demographic, clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics between both groups. RESULTS Group II had improved liver function tests, including serum bilirubin, albumin, and international normalized ratio, than Group I (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). They had a lower level of liver aminotransferases. Group II showed a larger infiltrative pattern of HCC, with a high incidence of portal vein thrombosis (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p = 0.048, respectively). Group II received more curative or palliative treatment options, while 55 % of Group I received the best supportive care. There was no significant difference in 1-year and 2-years OS between both group, except that group II patients had better 2-year OS in subgroup BCLC stage C. CONCLUSION The tumor pattern has changed into a more aggressive phenotype after DAAs. DAAs have succeeded in preserving the liver condition. However, they did not demonstrate any protective effect on the OS of the patients. There is a strong need for strict screening program for early detection of HCC in the early stages, that are eligible for curative options, after HCV treatment of DAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randa Salah Abdelmoneim
- Hepato-pancreatico-biliary Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
| | - Fathalla Sedki
- Hepato-pancreatico-biliary Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Fathy Bakosh
- Hepato-pancreatico-biliary Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
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Salama M, Darwesh N, Elsabaawy MM, Abdelsameea E, Gomaa A, Sabry A. Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis After Eradication of Chronic Hepatitis C with Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs (DAAs). J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2024; 11:2115-2132. [PMID: 39493267 PMCID: PMC11531736 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s475810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 10/15/2024] [Indexed: 11/05/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This research was designed to determine the long-term outcomes in patients with liver cirrhosis who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) after direct-acting anti-viral drugs (DAAs) based regimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study involved 193 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis who had previously completed DAAs regimens and accomplished SVR. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological features at the first and 3rd-year follow-up after the end of treatment were analyzed. Overall survival (OS) and incidence of liver decompensation or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were determined at the 5-year follow-up. RESULTS About 68.4% of our patients with HCV-related cirrhosis were males and their mean age was 54.8 ± 7.7 years. Follow-up at the first and the 3rd-year showed significant improvements in albumin (P = 0.001), liver enzymes (P = 0.001), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (P < 0.001), platelet count (P = 0.001), the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (P = 0.001 and 0.01), FIB4 and Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) scores (p < 0.001). The liver stiffness (LS) also significantly improved (p = 0.001). At the 5th year, the mean OS was 58.3 months, with 14.5% and 17.6% of patients developing de-novo HCC and decompensation, respectively. The mean OS at the 5th-year follow-up was shorter in patients who developed HCC and those with liver decompensation (p = 0.001). Alfa-fetoprotein and LS are predictive factors for HCC development. CONCLUSION Despite achieving SVR, continuous surveillance for HCC and new-onset decompensation is mandatory in patients with liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Salama
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt
| | - Nehad Darwesh
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt
| | - Maha Mohammad Elsabaawy
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt
| | - Eman Abdelsameea
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Gomaa
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt
| | - Aliaa Sabry
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Menofia, Egypt
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Yang J, Yang Z, Zeng X, Yu S, Gao L, Jiang Y, Sun F. Benefits and harms of screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk populations: systematic review and meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER CENTER 2023; 3:175-185. [PMID: 39035193 PMCID: PMC11256723 DOI: 10.1016/j.jncc.2023.02.001] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been increasing around the world. Current guidelines recommend HCC screening in high-risk population. However, the strength of evidence of benefits and harms of HCC screening to support the recommendation was unclear. The objective is to systematically synthesize current evidence on the benefits and harms of HCC screening. METHODS We searched PubMed and nine other databases until August 20, 2021. We included cohort studies and RCTs that compared the benefits and harms of screening and non-screening in high-risk population of HCC. Case series studies that reported harms of HCC screening were also included. Pooled risk ratio (RR), according to HCC screening status, was calculated for each benefit outcome (e.g., HCC mortality, survival rate, proportion of early HCC), using head-to-head meta-analysis. The harmful outcomes (e.g., proportion of physiological harms provided by non-comparative studies were pooled by prevalence of meta-analysis. Analysis on publication bias and quality of life, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were also conducted. RESULTS We included 70 studies, including four random clinical trials (RCTs), 63 cohort studies,three case series studies. The meta-analysis of RCTs showed HCC screening was significantly associated with reduced HCC mortality (RR [risk ratio], 0.73 [95% CI, 0.56-0.96]; I 2 = 75.1%), prolonged overall survival rates (1-year, RR, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.13-2.61]; I 2 = 72.5%; 3-year, RR, 2.86 [95% CI, 1.78-4.58]; I 2 = 10.1%; and 5-year, RR, 2.76 [95% CI, 1.37-5.54]; I 2 = 28.3%), increased proportion of early HCC detection (RR, 2.68 [95% CI, 1.77-4.06]; I 2 = 50.4%). Similarly, meta-analysis of cohort studies indicated HCC screening was more effective than non-screening. However, pooled proportion of physiological harms was 16.30% (95% CI: 8.92%-23.67%) and most harms were of a mild to moderate severity. CONCLUSION The existing evidence suggests HCC screening is more effective than non-screening in high-risk population. However, harms of screening should not be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jichun Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhirong Yang
- Primary Care Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xueyang Zeng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuqing Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Le Gao
- Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Yan YW, Liu XK, Zhang SX, Tian QF. Real-world 10-year retrospective study of the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer in China. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:858-877. [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i5.858] [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] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Many regions across the world have issued various HCC diagnosis and treatment protocols to improve the diagnosis and targeted treatment of patients with HCC. However, real-world studies analysing the practice, application value, and existing problems of the China Liver Cancer (CNLC) staging system are scarce.
AIM To analyze the current situation and problems associated with the Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer in China.
METHODS We collected the medical records of all patients with HCC admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2019, and recorded the hospitalization information of those patients until December 31, 2020. All information on the diagnosis and treatment of the target patients was recorded, and their demographic and sociological characteristics, CNLC stages, screening situations, and treatment methods and effects were analyzed. The survival status of the patients was obtained from follow-up data.
RESULTS This study included the medical records of 3022 patients with HCC. Among these cases, 304 patients were screened before HCC diagnosis; their early-stage diagnosis rate was 69.08%, which was significantly higher than that of patients with HCC who were diagnosed without screening and early detection (33.74%). Herein, patients with no clinical outcome at discharge were followed up, and the survival information of 1128 patients was obtained. A Cox model was used to analyse independent risk factors affecting overall survival, which were revealed as age > 50 years, no screening, alpha-fetoprotein > 400 ng/mL, Child–Pugh grade B, and middle and late CNLC stages. Based on the Cox model survival analysis, in our study, patients with HCC identified via screening had significant advantages in overall and tumor-free survival after hepatectomy.
CONCLUSION Early diagnosis and treatment can be achieved by screening groups at high risk for HCC based on the guidelines; however, real-world compliance is poor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Wei Yan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan Province, China
| | - Xin-Kui Liu
- Department of Medical Records Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan Province, China
| | - Shun-Xiang Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and Henan Key Laboratory for Tumour Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan Province, China
| | - Qing-Feng Tian
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan Province, China
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Yan YW, Liu XK, Zhang SX, Tian QF. Real-world 10-year retrospective study of the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer in China. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:859-877. [PMID: 37275443 PMCID: PMC10237028 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i5.859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Many regions across the world have issued various HCC diagnosis and treatment protocols to improve the diagnosis and targeted treatment of patients with HCC. However, real-world studies analysing the practice, application value, and existing problems of the China Liver Cancer (CNLC) staging system are scarce. AIM To analyze the current situation and problems associated with the Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer in China. METHODS We collected the medical records of all patients with HCC admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2019, and recorded the hospitalization information of those patients until December 31, 2020. All information on the diagnosis and treatment of the target patients was recorded, and their demographic and sociological characteristics, CNLC stages, screening situations, and treatment methods and effects were analyzed. The survival status of the patients was obtained from follow-up data. RESULTS This study included the medical records of 3022 patients with HCC. Among these cases, 304 patients were screened before HCC diagnosis; their early-stage diagnosis rate was 69.08%, which was significantly higher than that of patients with HCC who were diagnosed without screening and early detection (33.74%). Herein, patients with no clinical outcome at discharge were followed up, and the survival information of 1128 patients was obtained. A Cox model was used to analyse independent risk factors affecting overall survival, which were revealed as age > 50 years, no screening, alpha-fetoprotein > 400 ng/mL, Child-Pugh grade B, and middle and late CNLC stages. Based on the Cox model survival analysis, in our study, patients with HCC identified via screening had significant advantages in overall and tumor-free survival after hepatectomy. CONCLUSION Early diagnosis and treatment can be achieved by screening groups at high risk for HCC based on the guidelines; however, real-world compliance is poor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Wei Yan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan Province, China
| | - Xin-Kui Liu
- Department of Medical Records Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan Province, China
| | - Shun-Xiang Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics and Henan Key Laboratory for Tumour Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan Province, China
| | - Qing-Feng Tian
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan Province, China
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Abdelhamed W, El-Kassas M. Hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis C virus treatments: The bold and the beautiful. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:148-159. [PMID: 36461645 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most serious complications of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Recently, effective antiviral medications have made sustained viral response (SVR) or cure a realistic therapeutic goal for most chronic HCV patients. Given HCV's tumorigenic propensity, it is not surprising that achieving SVR is helpful in preventing HCC. This review briefly summarizes and discusses the existing evidence on the relationship between hepatic carcinogenesis and viral eradication by antivirals, which is mainly divided into interferon-based and direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) based therapy. DAAs have changed the treatment landscape of chronic HCV, reaching high rates of SVR even in patients with advanced cirrhosis, with few contraindications and little side effects. Although some early reports suggested that DAA treatment increased the chance of HCC occurrence, more subsequent observational studies have refuted this theory. The probability of HCC recurrence after HCV eradication appears to be decreasing over time following SVR. Despite virological suppression/cure, individuals with liver cirrhosis are still at risk of HCC and should be monitored. There is a considerable need for markers/scores to predict the long-term risk of HCC in patients with HCV-related liver disease who attain SVR with direct-acting antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walaa Abdelhamed
- Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Kassas
- Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
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Singal AG, Haaland B, Parikh ND, Ozbay AB, Kirshner C, Chakankar S, Porter K, Chhatwal J, Ayer T. Comparison of a multitarget blood test to ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance: Results of a network meta-analysis. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:2925-2936. [PMID: 35945907 PMCID: PMC9512471 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound-based surveillance has suboptimal sensitivity for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. There are several emerging alternatives, including a novel multitarget HCC blood test (Mt-HBT). We compared performance of mt-HBT against ultrasound with or without alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for early HCC detection in patients with cirrhosis. Per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, two reviewers searched PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and clinicaltrials.gov databases from January 1990 through December 2020 to identify studies reporting sensitivity and/or specificity of ultrasound and AFP for overall and early stage HCC detection in patients with cirrhosis. Mt-HBT diagnostic performance was derived from a clinical validation study. A network meta-analysis model was built for comparative assessment, and pooled estimates of sensitivity at a fixed specificity were estimated based on Bayesian binormal receiver operating characteristic models for each modality. Forty-one studies (comprising 62,517 patients with cirrhosis) met inclusion criteria. Ultrasound-alone sensitivity was 51.6% (95% credible interval [CrI], 43.3%-60.5%) for early stage HCC detection, which increased with the addition of AFP to 74.1% (95% CrI, 62.6%-82.4%); however, this was offset by decreased specificity (87.9% vs. 83.9%, respectively). With specificity fixed at 90%, mt-HBT sensitivity for early stage HCC detection was higher than ultrasound alone (18.2%; 95% CrI, 0.2%-37.7%) and similar to ultrasound with AFP (-3.3%; 95% CrI, -22.3%-17.4%). Pairwise posterior probabilities suggested a preference for mt-HBT over ultrasound alone in 97.4% of cases but only 36.3% of cases versus ultrasound with AFP. Conclusion: A blood-based mt-HBT has higher sensitivity than ultrasound alone for early stage HCC detection but similar sensitivity compared to ultrasound and AFP. Mt-HBT could be a comparable alternative to existing methods for HCC surveillance in patients who are at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit G. Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver DiseasesUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Benjamin Haaland
- University of Utah School of Medicine and Huntsman Cancer InstituteSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Neehar D. Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | | | | | | | - Kyle Porter
- Exact Sciences CorporationMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Jagpreet Chhatwal
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Turgay Ayer
- Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
- Emory Medical SchoolAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
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Nagi MA, Rezq MAA, Sangroongruangsri S, Thavorncharoensap M, Dewi PEN. Does health economics research align with the disease burden in the Middle East and North Africa region? A systematic review of economic evaluation studies on public health interventions. Glob Health Res Policy 2022; 7:25. [PMID: 35879742 PMCID: PMC9309606 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-022-00258-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Economic evaluation studies demonstrate the value of money in health interventions and enhance the efficiency of the healthcare system. Therefore, this study reviews published economic evaluation studies of public health interventions from 26 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries and examines whether they addressed the region's major health problems. METHODS PubMed and Scopus were utilized to search for relevant articles published up to June 26, 2021. The reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality of studies using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. RESULTS The search identified 61 studies. Approximately half (28 studies; 46%) were conducted in Israel and Iran. The main areas of interest for economic evaluation studies were infectious diseases (21 studies; 34%), cancers (13 studies; 21%), and genetic disorders (nine studies; 15%). Five (8%), 39 (64%), 16 (26%), and one (2%) studies were classified as excellent, high, average, and poor quality, respectively. The mean of CHEERS checklist items reported was 80.8% (SD 14%). Reporting the structure and justification of the selected model was missed in 21 studies (37%), while price and conversion rates and the analytical methods were missed in 21 studies (34%). CONCLUSIONS The quantity of economic evaluation studies on public health interventions in the MENA region remains low; however, the overall quality is high to excellent. There were obvious geographic gaps across countries regarding the number and quality of studies and gaps within countries concerning disease prioritization. The observed research output, however, did not reflect current and upcoming disease burden and risk factors trends in the MENA region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouaddh Abdulmalik Nagi
- Doctor of Philosophy Program in Social, Economic and Administrative Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Aljanad University for Science and Technology, Taiz, Yemen
| | - Mustafa Ali Ali Rezq
- Master of Public Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen
| | - Sermsiri Sangroongruangsri
- Social and Administrative Pharmacy Excellence Research (SAPER) Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
| | - Montarat Thavorncharoensap
- Social and Administrative Pharmacy Excellence Research (SAPER) Unit, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
| | - Pramitha Esha Nirmala Dewi
- Doctor of Philosophy Program in Social, Economic and Administrative Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacy Profession, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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Kilany S, Ata L, Gomaa A, Sabry A, Nada A, Tharwa ES, Badra G, Abogabal A, Elwaraky M, Moaz E, Ezzat S, Elsharawy A, Waked I. Decreased Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Directly Acting Antiviral Therapy in Patients with Hepatitis C-Related Advanced Fibrosis and Cirrhosis. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2021; 8:925-935. [PMID: 34408991 PMCID: PMC8367200 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s295330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Existing data are controversial regarding the incidence of hepatitis C (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following directly acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. This prospective study aimed to assess incidence, and risk factorss of HCC following DAA therapy in patients with HCV-related advanced fibrosis (F3) and cirrhosis (F4). Methods Incidence of HCC was calculated in 1,630 patients with HCV-related F3 and F4 treated with DAA prospectively followed for up to 43 months in a single tertiary referral center and compared to historical controls. Risk factors of incident HCC were also determined. Results The crude outcome rate was 2.15/100 person-years, significantly lower than a similar historical cohort (5.57/100 person-years). Risk of developing HCC was higher with the presence of cirrhosis (F4 vs F3, AHR 3.59) and treatment failure (vs achieving SVR, AHR 3.37). Presence of decompensated cirrhosis, platelet count <100×103/mL, and high AFP were independent risk factors of developing HCC. Conclusion Incidence of HCC was significantly lower in patients with HCV-related advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis treated with DAAs than in a historical cohort of untreated patients. Decompensated cirrhosis, baseline AFP ≥10 ng/mL, diabetes, and nonresponse to DAA were independent risk factors of incident HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimaa Kilany
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Lmyaa Ata
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Gomaa
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Aliaa Sabry
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Ali Nada
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - El-Sayed Tharwa
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Gamal Badra
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Ashraf Abogabal
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Elwaraky
- Radiology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Enas Moaz
- Epidemiology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Sameera Ezzat
- Epidemiology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Elsharawy
- Clinical Pathology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Imam Waked
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
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Nguyen ALT, Nguyen HTT, Yee KC, Palmer AJ, Blizzard CL, de Graaff B. A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Health Economic Evaluations of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening Strategies. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2021; 24:733-743. [PMID: 33933243 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2020.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Many economic evaluations of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screenings have been conducted; however, these vary substantially with regards to screening strategies, patient group, and setting. This review aims to report the current knowledge of the cost-effectiveness of screening and describe the published data. METHODS We conducted a search of biomedical and health economic databases up to July 2020. We included full and partial health economic studies if they evaluated the costs or outcomes of HCC screening strategies. RESULTS The review included 43 studies. Due to significant heterogeneity in key aspects across the studies, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Most studies reported using ultrasound or alpha fetoprotein as screening strategies. Screening intervals were mostly annual or biannual. Incidence, diagnostic performance, and health state utility values were the most critical parameters affecting the cost-effectiveness of screening. The majority of studies reported HCC screening to be cost-effective, with the biannual ultrasound + alpha fetoprotein standing out as the most cost-effective strategy. However, few studies considered the utilization rate, and none considered the diagnostic performance of ultrasound in the context of central adiposity. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were also evaluated, but its cost-effectiveness was still controversial. CONCLUSIONS Although many studies suggested HCC screening was cost-effective, substantial limitations of the quality of these studies means the results should be interpreted with caution. Future modeling studies should consider the impact of central adiposity on the precision of ultrasound, real-world utilization rates and projections of increased HCC incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Le Tuan Nguyen
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Hoa Thi Thu Nguyen
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kwang Chien Yee
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Andrew J Palmer
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Barbara de Graaff
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
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11
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Colli A, Nadarevic T, Miletic D, Giljaca V, Fraquelli M, Štimac D, Casazza G. Abdominal ultrasound and alpha-foetoprotein for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults with chronic liver disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 4:CD013346. [PMID: 33855699 PMCID: PMC8078581 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013346.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs mostly in people with chronic liver disease and ranks sixth in terms of global instances of cancer, and fourth in terms of cancer deaths for men. Despite that abdominal ultrasound (US) is used as an initial test to exclude the presence of focal liver lesions and serum alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) measurement may raise suspicion of HCC occurrence, further testing to confirm diagnosis as well as staging of HCC is required. Current guidelines recommend surveillance programme using US, with or without AFP, to detect HCC in high-risk populations despite the lack of clear benefits on overall survival. Assessing the diagnostic accuracy of US and AFP may clarify whether the absence of benefit in surveillance programmes could be related to under-diagnosis. Therefore, assessment of the accuracy of these two tests for diagnosing HCC in people with chronic liver disease, not included in surveillance programmes, is needed. OBJECTIVES Primary: the diagnostic accuracy of US and AFP, alone or in combination, for the diagnosis of HCC of any size and at any stage in adults with chronic liver disease, either in a surveillance programme or in a clinical setting. Secondary: to assess the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal US and AFP, alone or in combination, for the diagnosis of resectable HCC; to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the individual tests versus the combination of both tests; to investigate sources of heterogeneity in the results. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Diagnostic-Test-Accuracy Studies Register, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, Science Citation Index Expanded, until 5 June 2020. We applied no language or document-type restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA Studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of US and AFP, independently or in combination, for the diagnosis of HCC in adults with chronic liver disease, with cross-sectional and case-control designs, using one of the acceptable reference standards, such as pathology of the explanted liver, histology of resected or biopsied focal liver lesion, or typical characteristics on computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging, all with a six-months follow-up. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and applicability concerns, using the QUADAS-2 checklist. We presented the results of sensitivity and specificity, using paired forest-plots, and tabulated the results. We used a hierarchical meta-analysis model where appropriate. We presented uncertainty of the accuracy estimates using 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We double-checked all data extractions and analyses. MAIN RESULTS We included 373 studies. The index-test was AFP (326 studies, 144,570 participants); US (39 studies, 18,792 participants); and a combination of AFP and US (eight studies, 5454 participants). We judged at high-risk of bias all but one study. Most studies used different reference standards, often inappropriate to exclude the presence of the target condition, and the time-interval between the index test and the reference standard was rarely defined. Most studies with AFP had a case-control design. We also had major concerns for the applicability due to the characteristics of the participants. As the primary studies with AFP used different cut-offs, we performed a meta-analysis using the hierarchical-summary-receiver-operating-characteristic model, then we carried out two meta-analyses including only studies reporting the most used cut-offs: around 20 ng/mL or 200 ng/mL. AFP cut-off 20 ng/mL: for HCC (147 studies) sensitivity 60% (95% CI 58% to 62%), specificity 84% (95% CI 82% to 86%); for resectable HCC (six studies) sensitivity 65% (95% CI 62% to 68%), specificity 80% (95% CI 59% to 91%). AFP cut-off 200 ng/mL: for HCC (56 studies) sensitivity 36% (95% CI 31% to 41%), specificity 99% (95% CI 98% to 99%); for resectable HCC (two studies) one with sensitivity 4% (95% CI 0% to 19%), specificity 100% (95% CI 96% to 100%), and one with sensitivity 8% (95% CI 3% to 18%), specificity 100% (95% CI 97% to 100%). US: for HCC (39 studies) sensitivity 72% (95% CI 63% to 79%), specificity 94% (95% CI 91% to 96%); for resectable HCC (seven studies) sensitivity 53% (95% CI 38% to 67%), specificity 96% (95% CI 94% to 97%). Combination of AFP (cut-off of 20 ng/mL) and US: for HCC (six studies) sensitivity 96% (95% CI 88% to 98%), specificity 85% (95% CI 73% to 93%); for resectable HCC (two studies) one with sensitivity 89% (95% CI 73% to 97%), specificity of 83% (95% CI 76% to 88%), and one with sensitivity 79% (95% CI 54% to 94%), specificity 87% (95% CI 79% to 94%). The observed heterogeneity in the results remains mostly unexplained, and only in part referable to different cut-offs or settings (surveillance programme compared to clinical series). The sensitivity analyses, excluding studies published as abstracts, or with case-control design, showed no variation in the results. We compared the accuracy obtained from studies with AFP (cut-off around 20 ng/mL) and US: a direct comparison in 11 studies (6674 participants) showed a higher sensitivity of US (81%, 95% CI 66% to 90%) versus AFP (64%, 95% CI 56% to 71%) with similar specificity: US 92% (95% CI 83% to 97%) versus AFP 89% (95% CI 79% to 94%). A direct comparison of six studies (5044 participants) showed a higher sensitivity (96%, 95% CI 88% to 98%) of the combination of AFP and US versus US (76%, 95% CI 56% to 89%) with similar specificity: AFP and US 85% (95% CI 73% to 92%) versus US 93% (95% CI 80% to 98%). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS In the clinical pathway for the diagnosis of HCC in adults, AFP and US, singularly or in combination, have the role of triage-tests. We found that using AFP, with 20 ng/mL as a cut-off, about 40% of HCC occurrences would be missed, and with US alone, more than a quarter. The combination of the two tests showed the highest sensitivity and less than 5% of HCC occurrences would be missed with about 15% of false-positive results. The uncertainty resulting from the poor study quality and the heterogeneity of included studies limit our ability to confidently draw conclusions based on our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Colli
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Tin Nadarevic
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Damir Miletic
- Department of Radiology , Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Vanja Giljaca
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mirella Fraquelli
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca´ Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Davor Štimac
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Giovanni Casazza
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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12
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Shiha G, Mousa N, Soliman R, Nnh Mikhail N, Adel Elbasiony M, Khattab M. Incidence of HCC in chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced hepatic fibrosis who achieved SVR following DAAs: A prospective study. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:671-679. [PMID: 32050037 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is an important risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. The reported annual incidence of HCC is about 3%-8% in CHC cirrhotic patients. Based on the Cochrane systematic review, there was no clear evidence, on the long-term clinical effects of DAAs in patients achieving SVR, as regard liver cirrhosis-related HCC incidence. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of HCC in chronic hepatitis C patients genotype IV with liver cirrhosis and advanced liver fibrosis after achieving SVR following DAA treatment in a prospective large cohort of HCV patients with long follow-up. This was a prospective observational cohort study including 2372 CHC patients with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis receiving DAA therapy in outpatient clinics at the Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital since January 2015. Liver fibrosis was assessed using transient elastography. Abdominal ultrasonography and AFP measurement were done at baseline and follow-up visits every 6 months, in addition to triphasic abdominal MSCT when needed. Patients were followed up after achieving SVR12 for at least 12 months. HCC developed in 109 cases during the follow-up period (mean 23.60 ± 8.25 months). Overall HCC incidence was 2.338/100 PY, 95% CI = 1.942-2.814. In patients with cirrhosis, the incidence of HCC was 2.917/100 PY, 95% CI = 2.407-3.535, while in patients with advanced liver fibrosis the incidence of HCC was 0.664/100 PY, 95% CI = 0.333-1.326. In conclusion, the incidence of HCC was reduced in chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 patients with liver cirrhosis (F4) and advanced hepatic fibrosis (F3) who achieved SVR following DAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamal Shiha
- Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH), El-Mansoura, Egypt
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Nasser Mousa
- Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Reham Soliman
- Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH), El-Mansoura, Egypt
- Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
| | - Nabiel Nnh Mikhail
- Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH), El-Mansoura, Egypt
- Biostatistics and Cancer Epidemiology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assuit, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Adel Elbasiony
- Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH), El-Mansoura, Egypt
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Khattab
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minya University, Minya, Egypt
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13
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Only one-third of hepatocellular carcinoma cases are diagnosed via screening or surveillance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 32:406-419. [PMID: 31490419 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTS Early hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis is associated with better long-term survival. Studies of at-risk patients who are monitored in routine practice have reported an overall adherence rate to hepatocellular carcinoma screening/surveillance of approximately 60% and suboptimal diagnostic efficacy of the current screening/surveillance tools. However, it is unclear how many hepatocellular carcinoma patients were actually diagnosed via screening/surveillance given these obstacles. Therefore, via a systematic review of PubMed and Scopus databases from 2000 to 2019, we aimed to identify the proportion of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed via screening/surveillance in routine practice. METHODS We included original research articles of studies of patients already diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma that reported the proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed via screening/surveillance. RESULTS The study included 60 studies and 50 554 hepatocellular carcinoma cases. The pooled proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by screening/surveillance was 37% (95% confidence interval: 31%-44%) and differed by geographic region (North America/Asia/Europe/Oceania/Africa/South America, 31%/42%/41%/30%/29%/47%, P = 0.017, respectively) and by surveillance interval (<12 months 39% vs. 12 months 19%, P < 0.01) but not by disease etiology, cirrhosis status, clinical setting, practice setting, hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis period, or surveillance method. CONCLUSION Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed via screening/surveillance in less than half of the patients (37%) regardless of healthcare setting or liver disease etiology and without improvement over time despite several recent guideline updates. Research is needed to understand the barriers to screening/surveillance to include medical as well as social and cultural influences.
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14
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A Systematic Review on the Extent and Quality of Pharmacoeconomic Publications in Egypt. Clin Drug Investig 2019; 39:157-168. [PMID: 30460486 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-018-0730-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Egypt faces many challenges when matching patient needs with available resources. Consequently, there has been an increasing interest in pharmacoeconomics as an aid tool in health decision-making to better allocate resources. OBJECTIVES To review and evaluate the volume and the quality of published pharmacoeconomic studies in Egypt. METHODS A literature search was conducted in August 2018 using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane library to identify published Egyptian pharmacoeconomic studies. Articles were included if they were original economic studies, written and published in English, and conducted in Egypt. Each article was assessed independently by two reviewers using the 100-point Quality of Health Evaluation Studies (QHES) scale. RESULTS Fifteen studies published between 2002 and 2017 were included in the review. Most of them were cost-effectiveness analyses (60%). The minority used secondary data (33.3%) or adopted modeling techniques (40%). The mean QHES score of the included studies was 70.1 ± 21.8, and approximately 40% of them had a QHES score of more than 80. CONCLUSION Pharmacoeconomic evaluations in Egypt are still in their infancy. The Egyptian guidelines for economic evaluation should be adopted and the EQ-5D-5L value sets should be developed to increase the quality of economic research.
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15
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Saleh S, El Harakeh A, Baroud M, Zeineddine N, Farah A, Sibai AM. Costs associated with management of non-communicable diseases in the Arab Region: a scoping review. J Glob Health 2018; 8:020410. [PMID: 30546867 PMCID: PMC6287209 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.08.020410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global mortality rates resulting from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are reaching alarming levels, especially in low- and middle-income countries, imposing a considerable burden on individuals and health systems as a whole. This scoping review aims at synthesizing the existing literature evaluating the cost associated with the management and treatment of major NCDs across all Arab countries; at evaluating the quality of these studies; and at identifying the gap in existing literature. METHODS A systematic search was conducted using Medline electronic database to retrieve articles evaluating costs associated with management of NCDs in Arab countries, published in English between January 2000 and April 2016. 55 studies met the eligibility criteria and were independently screened by two reviewers who extracted/calculated the following information: country, theme (management of NCD, treatment/medication, or procedure), study design, setting, population/sample size, publication year, year for cost data cost conversion (US$), costing approach, costing perspective, type of costs, source of information and quality evaluation using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). RESULTS The reviewed articles covered 16 countries in the Arab region. Most of the studies were observational with a retrospective or prospective design, with a relatively low to very low quality score. Our synthesis revealed that NCDs' management costs in the Arab region are high; however, there is a large variation in the methods used to quantify the costs of NCDs in these countries, making it difficult to conduct any type of comparisons. CONCLUSIONS The findings revealed that data on the direct costs of NCDs remains limited by the paucity of this type of evidence and the generally low quality of studies published in this area. There is a need for future studies, of improved and harmonized methodology, as such evidence is key for decision-makers and directs health care planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadi Saleh
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Amena El Harakeh
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Maysa Baroud
- Refugee Research and Policy Program, Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs. American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Najah Zeineddine
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Angie Farah
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abla Mehio Sibai
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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16
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Shams AZ, Haug U. Strategies for prevention of gastrointestinal cancers in developing countries: a systematic review. J Glob Health 2018; 7:020405. [PMID: 29250323 PMCID: PMC5718709 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.07.020405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastrointestinal cancers account for one third of total cancer incidence and mortality in developing countries. To date, there is no systematic synthesis of evidence regarding strategies to prevent gastrointestinal cancers in developing countries. We aimed to provide a systematic overview of studies evaluating strategies for prevention or early detection of the three most common gastrointestinal cancers (gastric, liver and colorectal cancer) in developing countries. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science and WHO Global Index Medicus databases for relevant articles published until October 2016 using combinations of the search terms “gastrointestinal”, “digestive system”, “gastric”, “liver”, “colorectal”, “cancer”, “prevention”, “early detection” and “developing country” (including names). Results Overall, 73 articles met the inclusion criteria, providing information on short– and long–term outcomes (up to 30 years) from various intervention studies (∼45% randomized). Trials on hepatitis B vaccination consistently showed vaccine efficacy over time and indicated long–term preventive effects on liver cancer incidence that start to become measurable at the population level. Studies on anti–H. pylori treatment suggested a reduction in gastric cancer incidence reaching statistical significance after long–term follow–up, while evidence regarding a preventive effect in persons with precancerous lesions is still inconclusive. The studies regarding colorectal cancer focused on early detection, ∼90% of which were restricted to intermediate endpoints. Conclusion In conclusion, there were a number of studies on gastric and liver cancer prevention in developing countries showing promising results after long–term follow–up. Important next steps include pooled meta–analyses as far as possible given the heterogeneity between studies as well as implementation research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Zia Shams
- Epidemiological Cancer Registry Baden-Wuerttemberg, German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Haug
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, Bremen, Germany.,Faculty of Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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17
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Gomaa A, Allam N, Elsharkway A, El Kassas M, Waked I. Hepatitis C infection in Egypt: prevalence, impact and management strategies. Hepat Med 2017; 9:17-25. [PMID: 28553150 PMCID: PMC5439968 DOI: 10.2147/hmer.s113681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health burden in Egypt, where it bears the highest prevalence rate in the world. Estimates for prevalence are based upon data reported from the 2008 and 2015 Egypt Demographic Health Surveys. In this review, we demonstrate the prevalence results of both surveys and analyze the difference in the results. The overall HCV prevalence is estimated to be declining. However, the clinical impact of chronic HCV infection is expected to grow considerably. A mathematical model shows that by increasing the rate of treatment, the expected number of patients will decline significantly in 2030. The current and expected future burden of chronic HCV infection to the Egyptian economy, including direct and indirect costs due to disability and loss of lives, has been estimated and discussed in this review. The economic burden will continue to grow, but a model shows that the introduction of highly effective therapies will result in a significant reduction in the cumulative total economic burden of HCV by 2030. In recognition of the HCV tremendous health and economic burden, the Egyptian government established the National Committee for Control of Viral Hepatitis to implement an integrated nationwide strategy to provide patient care and ensure global treatment access. This review illustrates the epidemiological and disease burden aspects of HCV in Egypt in addition to introducing the national plan and program for managing HCV, which has been successful so far in treating a large number of patients, with the aim of achieving disease control and eventual elimination in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Gomaa
- Hepatology Department, National Liver Institute, Shebeen EL Kom
| | - Naglaa Allam
- Hepatology Department, National Liver Institute, Shebeen EL Kom
| | - Aisha Elsharkway
- Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University
| | - Mohamed El Kassas
- Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Imam Waked
- Hepatology Department, National Liver Institute, Shebeen EL Kom
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18
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Yang JD, Mohamed EA, Aziz AOA, Shousha HI, Hashem MB, Nabeel MM, Abdelmaksoud AH, Elbaz TM, Afihene MY, Duduyemi BM, Ayawin JP, Gyedu A, Lohouès-Kouacou MJ, Ndam AWN, Moustafa EF, Hassany SM, Moussa AM, Ugiagbe RA, Omuemu CE, Anthony R, Palmer D, Nyanga AF, Malu AO, Obekpa S, Abdo AE, Siddig AI, Mudawi HMY, Okonkwo U, Kooffreh-Ada M, Awuku YA, Nartey YA, Abbew ET, Awuku NA, Otegbayo JA, Akande KO, Desalegn HM, Omonisi AE, Ajayi AO, Okeke EN, Duguru MJ, Davwar PM, Okorie MC, Mustapha S, Debes JD, Ocama P, Lesi OA, Odeghe E, Bello R, Onyekwere C, Ekere F, Igetei R, Mah'moud MA, Addissie B, Ali HM, Gores GJ, Topazian MD, Roberts LR. Characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Africa: a multicountry observational study from the Africa Liver Cancer Consortium. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 2:103-111. [PMID: 28403980 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(16)30161-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma is a leading cause of cancer-related death in Africa, but there is still no comprehensive description of the current status of its epidemiology in Africa. We therefore initiated an African hepatocellular carcinoma consortium aiming to describe the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in Africa. METHODS We did a multicentre, multicountry, retrospective observational cohort study, inviting investigators from the African Network for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases to participate in the consortium to develop hepatocellular carcinoma research databases and biospecimen repositories. Participating institutions were from Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Clinical information-demographic characteristics, cause of disease, liver-related blood tests, tumour characteristics, treatments, last follow-up date, and survival status-for patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma between Aug 1, 2006, and April 1, 2016, were extracted from medical records by participating investigators. Because patients from Egypt showed differences in characteristics compared with patients from the other countries, we divided patients into two groups for analysis; Egypt versus other African countries. We undertook a multifactorial analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model to identify factors affecting survival (assessed from the time of diagnosis to last known follow-up or death). FINDINGS We obtained information for 2566 patients at 21 tertiary referral centres (two in Egypt, nine in Nigeria, four in Ghana, and one each in the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda). 1251 patients were from Egypt and 1315 were from the other African countries (491 from Ghana, 363 from Nigeria, 277 from Ivory Coast, 59 from Cameroon, 51 from Sudan, 33 from Ethiopia, 21 from Tanzania, and 20 from Uganda). The median age at which hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed significantly later in Egypt than the other African countries (58 years [IQR 53-63] vs 46 years [36-58]; p<0·0001). Hepatitis C virus was the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egypt (1054 [84%] of 1251 patients), and hepatitis B virus was the leading cause in the other African countries (597 [55%] of 1082 patients). Substantially fewer patients received treatment specifically for hepatocellular carcinoma in the other African countries than in Egypt (43 [3%] of 1315 vs 956 [76%] of 1251; p<0·0001). Among patients with survival information (605 [48%] of 1251 in Egypt and 583 [44%] of 1315 in other African countries), median survival was shorter in the other African countries than in Egypt (2·5 months [95% CI 2·0-3·1] vs 10·9 months [9·6-12·0]; p<0·0001). Factors independently associated with poor survival were: being from an African countries other than Egypt (hazard ratio [HR] 1·59 [95% CI 1·13-2·20]; p=0·01), hepatic encephalopathy (2·81 [1·72-4·42]; p=0·0004), diameter of the largest tumour (1·07 per cm increase [1·04-1·11]; p<0·0001), log α-fetoprotein (1·10 per unit increase [1·02-1·20]; p=0·0188), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 3-4 (2·92 [2·13-3·93]; p<0·0001) and no treatment (1·79 [1·44-2·22]; p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION Characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma differ between Egypt and other African countries. The proportion of patients receiving specific treatment in other African countries was low and their outcomes were extremely poor. Urgent efforts are needed to develop health policy strategies to decrease the burden of hepatocellular carcinoma in Africa. FUNDING None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Dong Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Essa A Mohamed
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ashraf O Abdel Aziz
- Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology Department, University of Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hend I Shousha
- Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology Department, University of Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed B Hashem
- Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology Department, University of Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M Nabeel
- Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology Department, University of Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H Abdelmaksoud
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Tamer M Elbaz
- Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology Department, University of Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mary Y Afihene
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Babatunde M Duduyemi
- Department of Pathology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joshua P Ayawin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Adam Gyedu
- Department of Surgery, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Marie-Jeanne Lohouès-Kouacou
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Antonin W Ndjitoyap Ndam
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Ehab F Moustafa
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut Governorate, Egypt
| | - Sahar M Hassany
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut Governorate, Egypt
| | - Abdelmajeed M Moussa
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut Governorate, Egypt
| | - Rose A Ugiagbe
- Department of Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Casimir E Omuemu
- Department of Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Richard Anthony
- Department of Internal Medicine, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Sekondi, Ghana
| | - Dennis Palmer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mbingo Baptist Hospital, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Albert F Nyanga
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mbingo Baptist Hospital, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Abraham O Malu
- Department of Medicine, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Benue, Nigeria
| | - Solomon Obekpa
- Department of Medicine, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Benue, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Hatim M Y Mudawi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Uchenna Okonkwo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Mbang Kooffreh-Ada
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Yaw A Awuku
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Yvonne A Nartey
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Elizabeth T Abbew
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Nana A Awuku
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | | | | | - Hailemichael M Desalegn
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital Millenium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abidemi E Omonisi
- Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Akande O Ajayi
- Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Edith N Okeke
- Department of Medicine, University of Jos/Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Mary J Duguru
- Department of Medicine, University of Jos/Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Pantong M Davwar
- Department of Medicine, University of Jos/Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Michael C Okorie
- Department of Medicine, University of Jos/Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Shettima Mustapha
- Department of Medicine, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria
| | - Jose D Debes
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, MN, USA; Department of Medicine, Arusha Lutheran Medical Center, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Ponsiano Ocama
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Olufunmilayo A Lesi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Emuobor Odeghe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Ruth Bello
- Department of Medicine, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria
| | - Charles Onyekwere
- Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Francis Ekere
- Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Rufina Igetei
- Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | - Benyam Addissie
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Hawa M Ali
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Gregory J Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mark D Topazian
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Lewis R Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Xie ZR, Luo YL. Utility and cost-effectiveness of screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in a resource-limited setting. Med Oncol 2015; 32:88. [PMID: 25707770 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-015-0534-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Z R Xie
- Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China,
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