Factors associated with lost to follow-up after hepatitis C treatment delivered by primary care teams in an inner-city multi-site program, Vancouver, Canada

A contactless cure: Leveraging telehealth to improve hepatitis C treatment at a safety-net hospital

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes significant mortality worldwide. HCV is highly curable but access to care is limited for many patients. The Grady Liver Clinic (GLC), a primary care-based HCV clinic, utilizes a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care for a medically underserved patient population in Atlanta, Georgia. The GLC added a telehealth option for HCV treatment at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe the outcomes of utilizing telehealth in this population. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who initiated HCV treatment from March 2019 to February 2020 (pre-pandemic) and March 2020 to February 2021 (pandemic). Charts were abstracted for patient demographics and characteristics, treatment regimen, and treatment outcomes. Our primary outcome was HCV cure rate of the pre-pandemic compared to the pandemic cohorts and within the different pandemic cohort visit types. We performed an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis for all patients who took at least one dose of a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regardless of therapy completion, and a per-protocol (PP) analysis of those who completed treatment and were tested for HCV cure. SVR12 rates were >95% on ITT analysis, with no significant difference between pre-pandemic and pandemic cohorts. There was also no significant difference within the pandemic group when treatment was provided traditionally, via telehealth, or via a hybrid of these. Our findings support the use of telehealth as a tool to expand access to HCV treatment in a medically underserved patient population.

Broadening and strengthening the health providers caring for patients with chronic hepatitis C may improve continuity of care

BACKGROUND

Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) lead to excellent rates of sustained virological response (SVR). However, loss to follow-up (LTFU) for SVR testing remains a challenge. We examine factors associated with LTFU in a real-world setting.

METHODS

Adults who received DAA therapy for HCV in one of 26 centers across Australia during 2016-2021 were followed up for 2 years. Data sources included the patient medical records and the national Pharmaceutical and Medicare Benefits Schemes. Linkage to Medicare provided utilization data of other health-care providers and re-treatment with DAAs. LTFU was defined as no clinic attendance for SVR testing by at least 52 weeks after DAA treatment commencement. Multivariable logistic regression assessed factors associated with LTFU.

RESULTS

In 3619 patients included in the study (mean age 52.0 years; SD = 10.5), 33.6% had cirrhosis (69.4% Child-Pugh class B/C), and 19.3% had HCV treatment prior to the DAA era. Five hundred and fifteen patients (14.2%) were LTFU. HCV treatment initiation in 2017 or later (adj-OR = 2.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.25-3.54), younger age (adj-OR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.80-3.84), Indigenous identification (adj-OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.23-3.21), current injection drug use or opioid replacement therapy (adj-OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.25-2.20), depression treatment (adj-OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.17-1.90), and male gender (adj-OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.04-1.66) were associated with LTFU.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings stress the importance of strengthening the network of providers caring for patients with HCV. In particular, services targeting vulnerable groups of patients such as First Nations Peoples, youth health, and those with addiction and mental health disorders should be equipped to treat HCV.

Real-World Effectiveness of 8-Week Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir in Treatment-Naïve, Compensated Cirrhotic HCV Patients

INTRODUCTION

The EXPEDITION-8 clinical trial has demonstrated that treatment-naïve patients with compensated cirrhosis (TN/CC) of HCV genotypes 1-6 can achieve a 98% intent-to-treat sustained virologic response rate 12 weeks post-treatment with an 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) regimen. Further real-world evidence is needed to support the effectiveness of 8-week G/P in a clinical practice setting and to consolidate these treatment recommendations. The aim of this study is to contribute real-world evidence for the effectiveness of an 8-week G/P treatment in TN/CC patients with HCV genotypes 1-6.

METHODS

Retrospective real-world data from 494 TN/CC patients with HCV genotypes 1-6 were collected between August 2017 to December 2020 from the Symphony Health Solutions administrative claims database. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at baseline. Patients were required to have a follow-up HCV ribonucleic acid level at least 8 weeks or more after the end of treatment. The percentage of patients achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR) is reported.

RESULTS

The majority of patients were male (58%) and Caucasian (40%), with a mean age of 58 years; 74%, 12%, 12%, and 1% of patients were HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, and 4-6 infected, respectively. SVR was achieved in 95.5% of all patients. Across patient subgroups, SVR was achieved in 95.6% of patients with HCV genotype 3 and in 93% of HCV patients with a recent diagnosis of illicit drug use or abuse (within 6 months prior to G/P initiation).

CONCLUSION

Early real-world evidence indicates high effectiveness of the 8-week G/P regimen in TN/CC patients of HCV genotypes 1-6 from a large US claims database.

Improving hepatitis C screening and access to treatment

ABSTRACT

The rising prevalence of opioid use disorder and injection drug use has resulted in an increasing incidence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Although older adults historically have represented the bulk of HCV infections in the United States, demographics have shifted and most new infections are presenting in younger patients. As a result, screening guidelines for HCV have evolved, moving toward a near-universal screening paradigm. Rates of screening and linkage to care remain low, attributed to the fact that underserved populations are disproportionately affected and often have limited access to specialty care. Collaborative models to treat HCV using primary care providers have been proposed to facilitate linkage to care and reduce transmission.

Cases of liver disease lost in the health system: a call to action

We recently reported our experience searching for patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) who were lost in the health system. Our search of the databases of 4 hospitals, 3 of which were tertiary institutions, revealed that sufficient data were available to ensure a reliable diagnosis (cholestasis, positive antimitochondrial antibody titer, and no other liver disease) in 14.3% (100/697) of cases of PBC.

Health programmes and services addressing the prevention and management of infectious diseases in people who inject drugs in Canada: a systematic integrative review

OBJECTIVES

People who inject drugs (PWID) experience a high burden of injection drug use-related infectious disease and challenges in accessing adequate care. This study sought to identify programmes and services in Canada addressing the prevention and management of infectious disease in PWID.

DESIGN

This study employed a systematic integrative review methodology. Electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science Core Collection) and relevant websites were searched for literature published between 2008 and 2019 (last search date was 6 June 2019). Eligible articles and documents were required to address injection or intravenous drug use and health programmes or services relating to the prevention or management of infectious diseases in Canada.

RESULTS

This study identified 1607 unique articles and 97 were included in this study. The health programmes and services identified included testing and management of HIV and hepatitis C virus (n=27), supervised injection facilities (n=19), medication treatment for opioid use disorder (n=12), integrated infectious disease and addiction programmes (n=10), needle exchange programmes (n=9), harm reduction strategies broadly (n=6), mobile care initiatives (n=5), peer-delivered services (n=3), management of IDU-related bacterial infections (n=2) and others (n=4). Key implications for policy, practice and future research were identified based on the results of the included studies, which include addressing individual and systemic factors that impede care, furthering evaluation of programmes and the need to provide comprehensive care to PWID, involving medical care, social support and harm reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate the need for expanded services across a variety of settings and populations. Our study emphasises the importance of addressing social and structural factors that impede infectious disease care for PWID. Further research is needed to improve evaluation of health programmes and services and contextual factors surrounding accessing services or returning to care.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020142947.

Retrieval and treatment of patients with primary biliary cholangitis who are lost in the health system

INTRODUCTION

hepatitis C patients loss to follow-up in the health care system has been shown to have negative consequences. This study aimed to investigate this issue as regards primary biliary cholangitis.

METHODS

the databases (immunology, biochemistry, clinical reports, drug dispensation, appointments) of 4 reference hospitals in Spain (serving a population of 1,450,000 inhabitants) were analyzed. The diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis was based on an antimitochondrial antibody titer ≥ 1:80, chronically elevated alkaline phosphatase, and the absence of other liver disease. Patients were classified as lost in the absence of reports indicating a diagnosis, specific medical follow-up, and/or treatment with bile salts.

RESULTS

a total of 1372 patients with antimitochondrial antibody titers ≥ 1:80 were included between January 2010 and June 2019. A total of 697 (50.8 %) were classified as having primary biliary cholangitis, and 100 patients (14.3 %; 95 % CI: 11.8-17.2) were identified as lost. Of these, 30 were contacted and retrieved. The median age was 70 years, 93 % were female, median alkaline phosphatase was 185 IU/L, 10 % had pruritus, and 27 % had a transient elastography value > 9.5 kPa. The disease was confirmed and ursodeoxycholic acid was started in all 30 patients. Death was liver-related in 6 of the 100 patients classified as lost.

CONCLUSION

up to 14.3 % of patients (1 out of 7) with a definitive diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis remain undiagnosed, thus preventing monitoring and treatment. More than a quarter are at risk of advanced liver disease and its complications. Patients lost in the system must be identified and retrieved, and searching hospital databases is a suitable approach to meet this goal.

Efficacy and safety of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for hepatitis C among drug users: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Limited data is available on the efficacy of direct acting anti-viral drugs on hepatitis C in drug users. The aim of this meta-analysis was to comprehensively analyze the efficacy and safety of LDV/SOF in drug users infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

METHODS

The PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published till April 2021 on HCV-positive drug users who were treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF). The primary endpoint was pooled sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Funnel plots and Egger's test were used to assess the publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies and 711 subjects treated with LDV/SOF-based regimen for HCV were included, and the pooled SVR12 rate was 89.8% (95% CI 85.9-92.7). The pooled SVR12 rate of genotype 1 drug users was 92.4% (95% CI 88.6-95.0). Subgroup analysis showed that pooled SVR12 rates of patients treated with LDV/SOF and LDV/SOF ± RBV were 89.2% (95% CI 83.4-93.1), 90.4% (95% CI 83.6-94.5) respectively. In addition, the SVR12 rates were 88% (95% CI 70.7-95.7) for 8 weeks, 89.9% (95% CI 81.0-94.9) for 12 weeks and 82.2% (95% CI 24.9-98.5) for 24 weeks of treatment.

CONCLUSION

LDV/SOF is a safe and relatively effective treatment for hepatitis C in drug users.

Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for 8 weeks in patients with compensated cirrhosis: Safety and effectiveness data from the German Hepatitis C-Registry

Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, a pangenotypic, direct-acting antiviral combination approved for chronic hepatitis C virus treatment, has limited real-world evidence supporting 8-week therapy in compensated cirrhosis. We investigated effectiveness and safety of 187 hepatitis C virus-infected, treatment-naïve, patients with compensated cirrhosis receiving 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir therapy in the German Hepatitis C-Registry between 2 August 2017 and 1 January 2020. Sustained virologic response was 98.4% (127/129) in the per-protocol analysis (excluding patients lost to follow-up or who discontinued treatment due to compliance) and was 85.8% (127/148) in patients with data available in an intention-to-treat analysis. Nineteen patients were lost to follow-up; nine genotype 3 patients, nine nongenotype 3 patients and one mixed genotype patient. One patient relapsed, and one died, unrelated to treatment. Adverse events (>5%) were fatigue and headache. Two serious adverse events occurred; no adverse events resulted in drug discontinuation. An 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir therapy was effective and well-tolerated in this real-world analysis.

Patients with hepatitis C lost to follow-up: ethical-legal aspects and search results

INTRODUCTION

data on the prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis C patients lost to follow-up are lacking. In addition, the identification of this population clashes with data protection regulations.

METHODS

the identification and contact protocol was submitted to the Health Care Ethics Committee. The protocol was based on anti-HCV serology test results for 2010-2018, which were obtained from the Microbiology Department. In addition, the situation of the patients in the hospital and regional database was analyzed, based on the following classification: a) chronic hepatitis C, if the last HCV RNA determination was positive; b) cured hepatitis C, if the last HCV RNA determination was negative after 12 weeks of treatment; and c) possible hepatitis C, if anti-HCV antibodies were positive with no result for HCV RNA. Lost patients were defined as those with chronic or possible hepatitis C and no follow-up in the Digestive Diseases or Internal Medicine Departments. The patients were contacted by postal mail and then by telephone, so that they could be offered treatment.

RESULTS

the Ethics Committee considered that the protocol fulfilled the bioethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice and that contact was ethically desirable. From 4,816 positive anti-HCV serology results, 677 patients were identified who were lost to follow-up (14.06 %; 95 % CI, 13.2-15.2). The mean age was 54 years, 61 % were male, 12 % were foreign born and 95 % were mono-infected. The study of each serology result took 1.3 minutes. One-quarter (25 %) of the losses corresponded to the Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine Departments. Of the 677 losses, serology testing had only been ordered for 449 patients (66.3 %) and the remaining 228 (33.7 %) also had a positive HCV RNA result.

CONCLUSION

a large number of patients with hepatitis C are lost to follow-up. Searching for and contacting these patients is legally and ethically viable.

Family medicine-directed hepatitis C care and barriers to treatment: a mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

Antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are effective, but many patients remain untreated and treatment is not yet routine in primary care. We evaluated the characteristics of patients who engaged in HCV treatment, and clinician perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to treatment.

METHODS

Our mixed-method, parallel-design study was conducted at a multisite primary care centre in downtown Toronto. In a retrospective chart review, we searched records from 2011 to 2017 to collect quantitative data, including HCV infection status and HCV treatment status. To contextualize the data, we conducted in-depth interviews with select physicians between Aug. 1 and Nov. 1, 2017, and analyzed the transcripts using content analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 40 381 charts reviewed, 727 patients (1.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7%-1.9%) were infected with HCV, and 542 (74.6%) had HCV infection requiring treatment. Of those, 255 patients (47.0%) had engaged in treatment. Patients who had engaged in treatment were more likely to be male (odds ratio [OR] 1.63, 95% CI 1.10-2.42), older (OR 1.04 per year increase in age, 95% CI 1.02-1.05) and housed (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.36-3.75), and they were more likely not to have engaged in injection drug use (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.33-2.63). Based on interviews with 8 physicians, treatment barriers included a lack of knowledge about HCV treatment, concerns that patients would not adhere to medications and challenges related to medication access. Facilitators of treatment included access to specialist consultation, pharmacist support and primary care treatment guidelines. Common themes that emerged in both quantitative and qualitative components were the roles of unstable housing and intravenous drug use as barriers to engaging in and completing treatment.

INTERPRETATION

Our study captured provider-identified barriers to HCV care and the key factors related to retention in HCV care, including gender, age, housing status and experience with drug use. Successful primary-care-led HCV treatment programs may incorporate specialist and pharmacy support and focus on younger, female, underhoused populations and people who use drugs.

Low incidence of HCC in chronic hepatitis C patients with pretreatment liver stiffness measurements below 17.5 kilopascal who achieve SVR following DAAs

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To evaluate the ability of pretreatment liver stiffness measurements (pLSM) to predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), incident decompensation and all-cause mortality in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) after treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).

METHODS

773 CHC patients with SVR after DAA treatment and no prior liver complications were identified retrospectively. Optimized cut-off of 17.5 kPa for incident HCC was selected by maximum Youden's index. Patients were grouped by pLSM: <10 kPa [reference], 10-17.4 kPa and ≥17.5 kPa. Primary outcomes were incident hepatocellular carcinoma and secondary outcomes were incident decompensated cirrhosis and all-cause mortality, analyzed using cox-regression.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 36 months and 43.5% (336) had cirrhosis (LSM>12.5 kPa). The median pLSM was 11.6 kPa (IQR 6.7-17.8, range 2.5-75) and pLSM of <10 kPa, 10-17.4 kPa and 17.5-75 kPa was seen in 41.5%, 32.2% and 26.3%. During a median follow-up time of 36 months, 11 (1.4%) developed HCC, 14 (1.5%) developed decompensated cirrhosis, and 38 (4.9%) patients died. A pLSM of 17.5 kPa identified patients with a high risk of HCC with a negative predictive value of 98.9% and incidence rate of HCC in the 17.5-75 kPa group of 1.40/100 person years compared to 0.14/100 person years and 0.12/100 person years in the 10-17.4 kPa and <10 kPa groups, p<0.001.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment LSM predicts risk of HCC, decompensation and all-cause mortality in patients with SVR after DAA treatment. Patients with a pLSM <17.5 kPa and no other risk factors for chronic liver disease appear not to benefit from HCC surveillance for the first 3 years after treatment. Longer follow-up is needed to clarify if they can be safely excluded from post treatment HCC screening hereafter.

Optimizing Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Treatment in a US Colocated HCV/Opioid Agonist Therapy Program

Background

A minority of patients with opioid use disorder are treated for hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). While colocated HCV and opioid agonist therapy (OAT) along with harm reduction can facilitate prevention and cascade to cure, there are few real-world examples of such embedded care models in the United States in the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) era.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review to determine sustained virologic response (SVR) and reinfection rates during the first 5-year period of DAA availability among individuals tested and treated on-site at Rhode Island’s only nonprofit methadone maintenance program.

Results

Of 275 who initiated DAAs, the mean age (range) was 43 (22–71) years, 34.5% were female, 57.5% had genotype 1a, 23.3% had cirrhosis, and 92% were Medicaid recipients. SVR was 85.0% (232/273), while modified intent-to-treat SVR was 93.2% (232/249); 17 patients did not achieve SVR, 2 awaited SVR 12 weeks post-end-of-treatment, and 24 were lost to follow-up. Thirty reinfections were identified over 375.5 person-years of follow-up (rate, 7.99/100 person-years). The median time to first reinfection (interquartile range) was 128 (85.25–202.5) days. Before July 1, 2018, 72 patients accessed DAAs over 3.7 years; after Medicaid DAA restrictions were lifted, 109 patients accessed DAAs over 1.3 years. The Prior Authorization (PA) process requires many steps, differing across 11 RI insurers, taking 45–120 minutes per patient.

Conclusions

DAA treatment was effective among a marginalized population in an urban colocated OAT/HCV program. Removing DAA restrictions facilitates treatment initiation. The PA process remains a modifiable barrier to expanding capacity in the United States.

Progress Toward Hepatitis C Virus Elimination: Therapy and Implementation

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.

A cross-sectional study of prolonged disengagement from clinic among people with HCV receiving care in a low-threshold, multidisciplinary clinic

Background: Disengagement from care can affect treatment outcomes of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). We assessed the extent and determinants of disengagement among HCV patients receiving care at the Ottawa Hospital Viral Hepatitis Program (TOHVHP). Methods: We linked clinical data of adult patients, categorized as ever or never disengaged from clinic (no TOHVHP encounters over 18 months), receiving care between April 1, 2002, and October 1, 2015, to provincial health administrative databases and calculated primary care use in the year after disengagement. We used adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to analyze variables associated with disengagement. Results: Those disengaged from care ( n = 657) were younger at presentation (46.6 [SD 11.1] versus 51.9 [SD 11.0] years), p < 0.001) and had lower comorbidity. After multivariable adjustment, we observed lower hazards of disengagement among those with higher compared with lower fibrosis scores (F3, hazard ratio [HR] 0.21 [95% CI 0.08–0.57]; F4, HR 0.32 [95% CI 0.19–0.55]) and those treated compared with never treated (received direct-acting antivirals [DAAs], HR 0.71 [95% CI 0.58–0.88]; received interferon but not DAA, HR 0.66 [95% CI 0.55–0.80]). We found no association with mental health or substance use disorders. In the year after disengagement, 74.3% ( n = 488), 37.1% ( n = 244), and 17.7% ( n = 116) had at least one family physician visit, emergency department visit, and hospitalization, respectively. Conclusions: Better integration of HCV specialty and primary care could improve disengagement rates among people with HCV.

Effectiveness of implementing a decentralized delivery of hepatitis C virus treatment with direct-acting antivirals: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Direct-acting agents (DAAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment are safe and highly effective. Few studies described the sustained virologic response rates of treatment conducted by non-specialists. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of decentralized strategies of HCV treatment with DAAs. PubMed, Embase, Scopus and LILACS were searched until March-2019. Studies were screened by two researchers according to the following inclusion criteria: HCV treatment using DAAs on real-life cohort studies or clinical trials conducted by non-specialized health personnel. The primary endpoint was the sustained virologic response rate at week 12 after the end-of-treatment (SVR12), which is binary at the patient level. Data were extracted in duplicate using electronic-forms and quality appraisal was performed with the NIH Quality Assessment Tool. Heterogeneity was assessed by I² statistics. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used for pooling SVR12 rates. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Among the 130 selected studies, nine papers were included for quantitative synthesis. The quality-appraisal was good for two, fair for three and poor for four studies. The pooled relative risk (RR) of SVR12 was not statistically different between decentralized strategy and treatment by specialists [RR = 1.05; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.98–1.1; I² = 45% (95% CI: 0–84%), p = 0.145]. SVR12 rate for decentralized HCV treatment was 81% [SVR12 95% CI: 72–89%; I² = 93% (95% CI: 88–96%)] and 95% [SVR12 95%CI: 92–98%; I² = 77% (95% CI: 52–89%)] with intention to treat analysis and per-protocol analysis, respectively. SVR12 rates using DAAs managed by non-specialized health personnel were satisfactory and similar to those obtained by specialists. This new delivery strategy can improve access to HCV treatment, especially in resource-limited settings. PROSPERO #: CRD42019122609.

Perceived barriers related to testing, management and treatment of HCV infection among physicians prescribing opioid agonist therapy: The C-SCOPE Study

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.

Direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C, reinfection and mortality among people attending an inner-city community health centre in Victoria, Canada

BACKGROUND

Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been shown to be effective among PWID, but more real-world data on treatment outcomes is needed. The aim of this analysis was to assess the efficacy of DAA therapy, and the rate of reinfection and mortality among people attending an inner-city community health centre in Victoria, Canada.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, patients treated with DAA therapy between November 2014 and Dec 31, 2017 were included. Retrospective chart review was performed to assess recent injecting drug use (IDU, previous six months) or receipt of opioid agonist treatment (OAT). The primary endpoint was Sustained Virologic Response (SVR12). Secondary endpoints included HCV reinfection and mortality.

RESULTS

Of 270 patients who initiated DAA treatment (31% female), 20% (n=54) had HIV/HCV coinfection, 32% (n=84) had cirrhosis, 67% (n=181) had genotype 1, 6% (n=15) had genotype 2, 26% (n=69) had genotype 3. 46% (n=125) of patients were receiving OAT and 49% (n=132) reported recent IDU. 98% (n=265) completed treatment; two people stopped due to mental health, two people died, and one was non-adherent. 92% (249 of 270) achieved SVR12. 16 patients with End of Treatment (EOT) response did not have a SVR12; 7 were lost to follow-up; 2 people refused bloodwork; 2 people died; 1 had reinfection; and 4 had viral relapse. There was no difference in SVR12 by OAT (OAT, 93% vs. no OAT, 91%, P=0.435), recent injecting drug use (yes, 92% vs. no, 92%, P=0.904), or HIV status (HIV, 92% vs. no HIV, 94%, P=0.498). Eight cases of HCV reinfection were observed over 253 person-years of follow up (3.2 cases per 100 person-years; 95% CI 1.6-6.3). Twenty people died (6.3 per 100 person-years; 95% CI 3.9-10.3), including two during therapy (drug overdose, n=2) and 18 following therapy completion (drug overdose, n=7).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that DAA treatment is effective among a marginalized population receiving care in an inner-city community health centre. The high mortality in this study highlights the importance of integrating HCV care within a framework addressing drug-related harms, preventing overdose mortality, addressing social inequalities, and improving the health of PWID.

Integrated models of care for people who inject drugs and live with hepatitis C virus: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Despite the key role that people who inject drugs (PWID) play in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic, HCV treatment rates among this population have been historically low. Integrated models of HCV and substance use care have the potential to overcome some barriers to access; however, the evidence base is uncertain. This systematic review assesses the impacts of integrated HCV and substance use services on engagement in HCV care among PWID.

METHODS

We searched five databases up to December 2018 to identify original quantitative studies evaluating the impacts of co-location of HCV and substance use services on engagement in the HCV cascade of care among adult PWID. We conducted a narrative synthesis, categorizing models based on patient entry point (a: HCV facility, b: substance use disorder (SUD) facility, and c: other facilities), and levels of integrated services offered (a: HCV/substance use testing only, b: HCV/substance use treatment, and c: testing/treatment + other services).

RESULTS

A total of 46 articles corresponding to 44 original studies were included. Almost all studies (n = 42) were conducted in high-income countries and only six studies in the Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) era. Twenty-six studies discussed the integration of services at SUD facilities, one at HCV facilities, and seventeen at other facilities. Analysis of included studies indicated that overall integrated care resulted in improved engagement in HCV care (e.g., testing, treatment uptake and cure). However, the quality of evidence was predominantly low to moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

Available evidence suggests that integration of HCV and substance use services may improve engagement along the continuum of HCV care among PWID. Given limitations in data quality, and very few studies conducted in the DAA era and in low- and middle-income settings, further research is urgently needed to inform strategies to optimize HCV care access and outcomes among PWID globally.

Direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C among people who use or inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There are concerns around poorer response to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C virus infection among people who use drugs. This systematic review assessed DAA treatment outcomes among people with recent drug use and those receiving opioid substitution therapy.

METHODS

Bibliographic databases and conference presentations were searched for observational studies and clinical trials assessing DAA treatment completion, sustained virological response (SVR), and loss to follow-up among people with recent drug use (injecting or non-injecting) and those receiving opioid substitution therapy. Meta-analysis was used to pool estimates and meta-regression to explore heterogeneity.

FINDINGS

38 eligible studies, with 3634 participants, were included. The definition of recent drug use varied across studies, with drug use in the past 6 months and at the initiation of or during DAA therapy most commonly used. Among individuals with recent injecting or non-injecting drug use (21 studies; 1408 participants), treatment completion was 97·5% (95% CI 96·6-98·3) and SVR was 87·7% (95% CI 84·2-91·3). Among individuals receiving opioid substitution therapy (36 studies; 2987 participants), treatment completion was 97·4% (95% CI 96·5-98·3) and SVR was 90·7% (95% CI 88·5-93·0). Among individuals with recent injecting drug use (eight studies; 670 participants), treatment completion was 96·9% (95% CI 95·6-98·2) and SVR was 87·4% (95% CI 82·0-92·8). In meta-regression analysis, clinical trials (vs observational studies; adjusted odd ratio 2·18, 95% CI 1·27-3·75; p=0·006) and higher mean or median age (1·07, 1·02-1·12; p=0·008) were significantly associated with higher SVR. Clinical trials (0·45, 0·22-0·94; p=0·033) and older age (0·94, 0·88-0·99; p=0·034) were also significantly associated with a lower proportion of participants lost to follow-up.

INTERPRETATION

Response to DAA therapy was favourable among people with recent drug use (including those who inject) and those receiving opioid substitution therapy, supporting broadening access in these populations.

FUNDING

The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, and National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.