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Jones AA, Schneider KE, Falade-Nwulia O, Sterner G, Tobin K, Latkin CA. Social Networks, Stigma, and Hepatitis C Care Among Women Who Inject Drugs: Findings from A Community Recruited Sample. J Psychoactive Drugs 2023; 55:464-470. [PMID: 36453686 PMCID: PMC10232671 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2022.2129886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
This study explores the role of perceived HCV stigma and social networks on HCV care among people who inject drugs (PWID) of both sexes, and solely among women who inject drugs (WWID). Data were from 269 HCV positive PWID, community-recruited through street-based outreach in Baltimore, MD. We defined HCV stigma based on participants' perceptions of treatment by others and their need to conceal their HCV status. Among WWID, HCV stigma was linked with decreased odds of undergoing liver disease staging (aOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13,0.85) or to have attempted to get the HCV cure (aOR = 0.39, CI: 0.16,0.97), these associations were not evident in the overall sample with both sexes. Social network characteristics were significant correlates of HCV care in the overall sample, and these associations were stronger among WWID. WWID with more HCV positive social network members had higher odds of an HCV-related healthcare visit in the prior 12 months (aOR = 4.28, CI: 1.29,14.17) and to have undergone liver disease staging (aOR = 2.85, CI: 1.01,8.05). WWID with more social network members aware of the HCV cure were more likely to report an attempt at obtaining the HCV cure (aOR = 5.25, CI: 1.85,14.89). Our results suggest complexity in the role of social networks and stigma on HCV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Jones
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
- Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction, the Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
| | - K E Schneider
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - O Falade-Nwulia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - G Sterner
- Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction, the Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
- Department of Criminal Justice, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
| | - K Tobin
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - C A Latkin
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Hassan MRA, Chan HK, Nordin M, Yahya R, Sulaiman WRW, Merican SAA, Lah D, Sem X, Shilton S. Assessing feasibility of a modified same-day test-and-treat model for hepatitis C among rural people who inject drugs. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:48. [PMID: 37046294 PMCID: PMC10091347 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00780-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advancements in hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, low uptake among hard-to-reach populations remains a global issue. The current study aimed to assess the feasibility of a modified same-day test-and-treat model in improving HCV care for people who inject drugs (PWID) living in resource-constrained rural areas. METHODS A pilot study was conducted in four primary healthcare (PHC) centers in Malaysia. The model's key features included on-site HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing using a shared GeneXpert® system; noninvasive biomarkers for cirrhosis diagnosis; and extended care to PWID referred from nearby PHC centers and outreach programs. The feasibility assessment focused on three aspects of the model: demand (i.e., uptake of HCV RNA testing and treatment), implementation (i.e., achievement of each step in the HCV care cascade), and practicality (i.e., ability to identify PWID with HCV and expedite treatment initiation despite resource constraints). RESULTS A total of 199 anti-HCV-positive PWID were recruited. They demonstrated high demand for HCV care, with a 100% uptake of HCV RNA testing and 97.4% uptake of direct-acting antiviral treatment. The rates of HCV RNA positivity (78.4%) and sustained virologic response (92.2%) were comparable to standard practice, indicating the successful implementation of the model. The model was also practical, as it covered non-opioid-substitution-therapy-receiving individuals and enabled same-day treatment in 71.1% of the participants. CONCLUSIONS The modified same-day test-and-treat model is feasible in improving HCV care for rural PWID. The study finding suggests its potential for wider adoption in HCV care for hard-to-reach populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huan-Keat Chan
- Clinical Research Center, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, 05460, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.
| | - Mahani Nordin
- Public Health Division, State Health Department, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
| | | | | | | | - Darisah Lah
- Bukit Tunggal Health Clinic, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
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Lee DU, Ponder R, Lee KJ, Yoo A, Fan GH, Jung D, Chou H, Lee K, Hofheinz O, Urrunaga NH. The nationwide trends in hospital admissions, deaths, and costs related to hepatitis C stratified by psychiatric disorders and substance use: an analysis of US hospitals between 2016 and 2019. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 35:402-419. [PMID: 36728850 PMCID: PMC9974787 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a prominent liver disease that often presents with mental illness. We stratify the HCV population and review its healthcare burden on the US hospital system. METHODS The US National Inpatient Sample was used to select admissions related to HCV between 2016 and 2019. Weights were assigned to discharges, and trend analyses were performed. Strata were formed across demographics, comorbidities, psychiatric and substance use conditions, and other variables. Outcomes of interest included hospitalization incidences, mortality rates, total costs, and mean per-hospitalization costs. RESULTS From 2016 to 2019, there were improvements in mortality and hospitalization incidence for HCV, as well as a decline in aggregate costs across the majority of strata. Exceptions that showed cost growth included admissions with multiple psychiatric, stimulant use, or poly-substance use disorders, and a history of homelessness. Admissions with no psychiatric comorbidities, admissions with no substance use comorbidities, and admissions with housing and without HIV comorbidity showed decreasing total costs. Along with per-capita mean costs, admissions with comorbid opioid use, bipolar, or anxiety disorder showed significant increases. No significant trends in per-capita costs were found in admissions without mental illness diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Most strata demonstrated decreases in hospitalization incidences and total costs surrounding HCV; however, HCV cases with mental illness diagnoses saw expenditure growth. Cost-saving mechanisms for these subgroups are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Uihwan Lee
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 22 S. Greene St, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Reid Ponder
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Ki Jung Lee
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Ashley Yoo
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 22 S. Greene St, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Gregory Hongyuan Fan
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Daniel Jung
- University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, 2411 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64108
| | - Harrison Chou
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Keeseok Lee
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Olivia Hofheinz
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Nathalie Helen Urrunaga
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 22 S. Greene St, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Tskhomelidze I, Shadaker S, Kuchuloria T, Gvinjilia L, Butsashvili M, Nasrullah M, Gabunia T, Gamkrelidze A, Getia V, Sharvadze L, Tsertsvadze T, Zarqua J, Tsanava S, Handanagic S, Armstrong PA, Averhoff F, Vickerman P, Walker JG. Economic evaluation of the Hepatitis C virus elimination program in the country of Georgia, 2015 to 2017. Liver Int 2023; 43:558-568. [PMID: 36129625 PMCID: PMC10227952 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In 2015, the country of Georgia launched an elimination program aiming to reduce the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 90% from 5.4% prevalence (~150 000 people). During the first 2.5 years of the program, 770 832 people were screened, 48 575 were diagnosed with active HCV infection, and 41 483 patients were treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based regimens, with a >95% cure rate. METHODS We modelled the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of HCV screening, diagnosis and treatment between April 2015 and November 2017 compared to no treatment, in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained in 2017 US dollars, with a 3% discount rate over 25 years. We compared the ICER to willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds of US$4357 (GDP) and US$871 (opportunity cost) per QALY gained. RESULTS The average cost of screening, HCV viremia testing, and treatment per patient treated was $386 to the provider, $225 to the patient and $1042 for generic DAAs. At 3% discount, 0.57 QALYs were gained per patient treated. The ICER from the perspective of the provider including generic DAAs was $2285 per QALY gained, which is cost-effective at the $4357 WTP threshold, while if patient costs are included, it is just above the threshold at $4398/QALY. All other scenarios examined in sensitivity analyses remain cost-effective except for assuming a shorter time horizon to the end of 2025 or including the list price DAA cost. Reducing or excluding DAA costs reduced the ICER below the opportunity-cost WTP threshold. CONCLUSIONS The Georgian HCV elimination program provides valuable evidence that national programs for scaling up HCV screening and treatment for achieving HCV elimination can be cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Tskhomelidze
- Task Force for Global Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Shaun Shadaker
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | | | | | | | - Muazzam Nasrullah
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | - Tamar Gabunia
- Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Vladimer Getia
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Tengiz Tsertsvadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Shota Tsanava
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Senad Handanagic
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | - Paige A. Armstrong
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | - Francisco Averhoff
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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5
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Country versus pharmaceutical company interests for hepatitis C treatment. Health Care Manag Sci 2022; 25:725-749. [PMID: 36001218 PMCID: PMC9399601 DOI: 10.1007/s10729-022-09607-2] [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: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the leading causes of liver disease and is responsible for massive health and economic burden worldwide. The disease is asymptomatic in its early stages, but it can progress over time to fatal end-stage liver disease. Thus, the majority of individuals infected with HCV are unaware of their chronic condition. Recent treatment options for HCV can completely cure the infection but are costly. We developed a game model between a pharmaceutical company (PC) and a country striving to maximize its citizens' utility. First, the PC determines the price of HCV treatment; then, the country responds with corresponding screening and treatment strategies. We employed an analytical framework to calculate the utility of the players for each selected strategy. Calibrated to detailed HCV data from Israel, we found that the PC will gain higher revenue by offering a quantity discount rather than using standard fixed pricing per treatment, by indirectly forcing the country to conduct more screening than it desired. By contrast, risk-sharing agreements, in which the country pays only for successful treatments are beneficial for the country. Our findings underscore that policy makers worldwide should prudently consider recent offers by PCs to increase screening either directly, via covering HCV screening, or indirectly, by providing discounts following a predetermined volume of sales. More broadly, our approach is applicable in other healthcare settings where screening is essential to determine treatment strategies.
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Zitzmann C, Dächert C, Schmid B, van der Schaar H, van Hemert M, Perelson AS, van Kuppeveld FJ, Bartenschlager R, Binder M, Kaderali L. Mathematical modeling of plus-strand RNA virus replication to identify broad-spectrum antiviral treatment strategies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.07.25.501353. [PMID: 35923314 PMCID: PMC9347285 DOI: 10.1101/2022.07.25.501353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Plus-strand RNA viruses are the largest group of viruses. Many are human pathogens that inflict a socio-economic burden. Interestingly, plus-strand RNA viruses share remarkable similarities in their replication. A hallmark of plus-strand RNA viruses is the remodeling of intracellular membranes to establish replication organelles (so-called "replication factories"), which provide a protected environment for the replicase complex, consisting of the viral genome and proteins necessary for viral RNA synthesis. In the current study, we investigate pan-viral similarities and virus-specific differences in the life cycle of this highly relevant group of viruses. We first measured the kinetics of viral RNA, viral protein, and infectious virus particle production of hepatitis C virus (HCV), dengue virus (DENV), and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) in the immuno-compromised Huh7 cell line and thus without perturbations by an intrinsic immune response. Based on these measurements, we developed a detailed mathematical model of the replication of HCV, DENV, and CVB3 and show that only small virus-specific changes in the model were necessary to describe the in vitro dynamics of the different viruses. Our model correctly predicted virus-specific mechanisms such as host cell translation shut off and different kinetics of replication organelles. Further, our model suggests that the ability to suppress or shut down host cell mRNA translation may be a key factor for in vitro replication efficiency which may determine acute self-limited or chronic infection. We further analyzed potential broad-spectrum antiviral treatment options in silico and found that targeting viral RNA translation, especially polyprotein cleavage, and viral RNA synthesis may be the most promising drug targets for all plus-strand RNA viruses. Moreover, we found that targeting only the formation of replicase complexes did not stop the viral replication in vitro early in infection, while inhibiting intracellular trafficking processes may even lead to amplified viral growth. Author summary Plus-strand RNA viruses comprise a large group of related and medically relevant viruses. The current global pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-coronavirus-2 as well as the constant spread of diseases such as dengue and chikungunya fever show the necessity of a comprehensive and precise analysis of plus-strand RNA virus infections. Plus-strand RNA viruses share similarities in their life cycle. To understand their within-host replication strategies, we developed a mathematical model that studies pan-viral similarities and virus-specific differences of three plus-strand RNA viruses, namely hepatitis C, dengue, and coxsackievirus. By fitting our model to in vitro data, we found that only small virus-specific variations in the model were required to describe the dynamics of all three viruses. Furthermore, our model predicted that ribosomes involved in viral RNA translation seem to be a key player in plus-strand RNA replication efficiency, which may determine acute or chronic infection outcome. Furthermore, our in-silico drug treatment analysis suggests that targeting viral proteases involved in polyprotein cleavage, in combination with viral RNA replication, may represent promising drug targets with broad-spectrum antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Zitzmann
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Christopher Dächert
- Research Group “Dynamics of Early Viral Infection and the Innate Antiviral Response”, Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bianca Schmid
- Dept of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hilde van der Schaar
- Division of infectious Diseases and Immunology, Virology Section, Dept of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn van Hemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alan S. Perelson
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Frank J.M. van Kuppeveld
- Division of infectious Diseases and Immunology, Virology Section, Dept of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Dept of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg partner site, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Binder
- Research Group “Dynamics of Early Viral Infection and the Innate Antiviral Response”, Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lars Kaderali
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Mathews SC, Izmailyan S, Brito FA, Yamal JM, Mikhail O, Revere FL. Prevalence and Financial Burden of Digestive Diseases in a Commercially Insured Population. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:1480-1487.e7. [PMID: 34217877 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.06.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Digestive diseases represent a diverse group of clinical conditions that impact the population. Their heterogeneity in classification, presentation, acuity, chronicity, and need for drug therapy presents a challenge when comparing and contrasting the burden associated with these conditions. Prior studies use an outdated classification system and aggregate costs at the population level or focus on specific diseases, limiting the ability to characterize the overall landscape. Our aim was to provide the most up-to-date assessment of cost, utilization, and prevalence associated with digestive diseases. METHODS We examined digestive disease claims and payment data for a commercially insured adult population between 2016 and 2018 to provide a comprehensive summary of costs, utilization, and prevalence across 38 conditions. Outcome variables included point prevalence and relative prevalence, annualized all-cause medical and drug costs, digestive disease-specific average medical cost, digestive disease-specific cost per fill, and utilization by clinical setting and by clinical condition. RESULTS A total of 7,297,435 individuals with a digestive disease diagnosis were included in the study. The point prevalence of having a digestive disease in the total population was 24%. Annualized total costs by clinical category ranged from $10,038 (eosinophilic esophagitis) to $107,007 (hepatitis C), with medical costs accounting for most of the expenditures in a majority of conditions. Annualized total costs for common conditions included $39,653 for alcoholic liver disease, $42,554 for acute pancreatitis, $62,735 for Crohn's disease, $13,948 for functional gastrointestinal disorders, $53,214 for nonalcoholic cirrhosis, and $36,441 for ulcerative colitis. Average cost of inpatient stays ranged from $12,218 (noninfectious gastroenteritis/colitis) to $78,259 (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis). Outpatient visits ranged from $784 (gastrointestinal infection) to $4629 (gallbladder and biliary tract disease). Average drug cost per fill ranged from $83 (gastroesophageal reflux disease) to $1458 (hepatitis C). A total of 27,429,046 clinical encounters occurred across all conditions during the study period, with 90% taking place as outpatient visits. Abdominal pain was the single largest contributor to outpatient visits and emergency department to home encounters. Inpatient stays were considerably more heterogeneous, with no condition accounting for more than 12% (gallbladder and biliary tract disease) of the total. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate digestive diseases are common, heterogeneous in cost and utilization, and collectively exact a significant financial burden on the U.S. adult population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon C Mathews
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Sergey Izmailyan
- University of Texas School of Public Health, Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Frances A Brito
- University of Texas School of Public Health, Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Jose-Miguel Yamal
- University of Texas School of Public Health, Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Osama Mikhail
- University of Texas School of Public Health, Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Frances L Revere
- University of Texas School of Public Health, Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
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8
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Tasavon Gholamhoseini M, Sharafi H, Hl Borba H, Alavian SM, Sabermahani A, Hajarizadeh B. Economic evaluation of pan-genotypic generic direct-acting antiviral regimens for treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Iran: a cost-effectiveness study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058757. [PMID: 35676019 PMCID: PMC9185662 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Low-cost generic direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are available in several low-income/middle-income countries, important for treatment scale-up. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of genotype-dependent and pan-genotypic DAA regimens in Iran as an example of a resource-limited setting. METHODS A Markov model was developed to simulate HCV natural history. A decision tree was developed for HCV treatment, assuming four scenarios, including scenario 1: genotyping, sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) for genotype 1, and sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (SOF/DCV) for genotype 3; scenario 2: genotyping, SOF/LDV for genotype 1, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) for genotype 3; scenario 3: no genotyping and SOF/DCV for all; and scenario 4: no genotyping and SOF/VEL for all. A 1-year cycle length was used to calculate the cumulative cost and effectiveness over a lifetime time horizon. We calculated quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) using a health system perspective. Costs were converted to US dollars using purchasing power parity exchange rate ($PPP). All costs and outcomes were discounted at an annual rate of 3%. RESULTS Among people with no cirrhosis, scenario 3 had the minimum cost, compared with which scenario 4 was cost-effective with an ICER of 4583 $PPP per QALY (willingness-to-pay threshold: 9,311 $PPP per QALY). Among both people with compensated or decompensated cirrhosis, scenario 4 was cost saving. In sensitivity analysis, scenario 4 would be also cost-saving among people with no cirrhosis provided a 39% reduction in the cost of 12 weeks SOF/VEL. CONCLUSION Initiating all patients on pan-genotypic generic DAA regimens with no pretreatment genotyping was cost-effective compared with scenarios requiring pretreatment HCV genotype tests. Among generic pan-genotypic DAA regimens, SOF/VEL was cost-effective, for people with no cirrhosis and cost-saving for those with cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Tasavon Gholamhoseini
- Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Helena Hl Borba
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
| | | | - Asma Sabermahani
- Department of Management, Health Policy and Health Economics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Behzad Hajarizadeh
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Loucks CM, Lin JJ, Trueman JN, Drögemöller BI, Wright GEB, Chang WC, Li KH, Yoshida EM, Ford JA, Lee SS, Crotty P, Kim RB, Al-Judaibi B, Schwarz UI, Ramji A, Farivar JF, Tam E, Walston LL, Ross CJD, Carleton BC. Patient-specific genetic factors predict treatment failure in sofosbuvir-treated patients with chronic hepatitis C. Liver Int 2022; 42:796-808. [PMID: 35107877 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS According to pivotal clinical trials, cure rates for sofosbuvir-based antiviral therapy exceed 96%. Treatment failure is usually assumed to be because of virological resistance-associated substitutions or clinical risk factors, yet the role of patient-specific genetic factors has not been well explored. We determined if patient-specific genetic factors help predict patients likely to fail sofosbuvir treatment in real-world treatment situations. METHODS We recruited sofosbuvir-treated patients with chronic hepatitis C from five Canadian treatment sites, and performed a case-control pharmacogenomics study assessing both previously published and novel genetic polymorphisms. Specifically studied were variants predicted to impair CES1-dependent production of sofosbuvir's active metabolite, interferon-λ signalling variants expected to impact a patient's immune response to the virus and an HLA variant associated with increased spontaneous and treatment-induced viral clearance. RESULTS Three hundred and fifty-nine sofosbuvir-treated patients were available for analyses after exclusions, with 34 (9.5%) failing treatment. We identified CES1 variants as novel predictors for treatment failure in European patients (rs115629050 or rs4513095; odds ratio (OR): 5.43; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.64-18.01; P = .0057), replicated associations with IFNL4 variants predicted to increase interferon-λ signalling (eg rs12979860; OR: 2.25; 95% CI: 1.25-4.06; P = .0071) and discovered a novel association with a coding variant predicted to enhance the activity of IFNL4's receptor (rs2834167 in IL10RB; OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.01-3.24; P = .047). CONCLUSIONS Ultimately, this work demonstrates that patient-specific genetic factors could be used as a tool to identify patients at higher risk of treatment failure and allow for these patients to receive effective therapy sooner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catrina M Loucks
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Division of Translational Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jennifer J Lin
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Division of Translational Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jessica N Trueman
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Division of Translational Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Britt I Drögemöller
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Galen E B Wright
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Wan-Chun Chang
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Division of Translational Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kathy H Li
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Division of Translational Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Eric M Yoshida
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jo-Ann Ford
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Samuel S Lee
- Liver Unit, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Canada
| | - Pam Crotty
- Liver Unit, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Canada
| | - Richard B Kim
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Bandar Al-Judaibi
- Division of Transplantation, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA.,Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ute I Schwarz
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Alnoor Ramji
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Colin J D Ross
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Bruce C Carleton
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Division of Translational Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Pharmaceutical Outcomes Program (POPi), British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
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10
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Klein MB. Simplifying HCV treatment: a pathway to elimination and model for delivering health care to vulnerable populations. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 7:277-279. [PMID: 35026143 PMCID: PMC8747435 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(21)00467-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marina B Klein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Chronic Viral Illness Service, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada H4A 3J1.
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11
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Corcorran MA, Ludwig-Baron N, Cheng DM, Lioznov D, Gnatienko N, Patts G, So-Armah K, Blokhina E, Bendiks S, Krupitsky E, Samet JH, Tsui JI. The Hepatitis C Continuum of Care Among HIV-Positive Persons with Heavy Alcohol Use in St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:2533-2541. [PMID: 33730255 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03214-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study describes the self-reported prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection and the HCV care continuum among persons enrolled in the St PETER HIV Study, a randomized controlled trial of medications for smoking and alcohol cessation in HIV-positive heavy drinkers and smokers in St. Petersburg, Russia. Baseline health questionnaire data were used to calculate proportions and 95% confidence intervals for self-reported steps along the HCV continuum of care. The cohort included 399 HIV-positive persons, of whom 387 [97.0% (95% CI 95.3-98.7%)] reported a prior HCV test and 315 [78.9% (95% CI 74.9-82.9%)] reported a prior diagnosis of HCV. Among those reporting a diagnosis of HCV, 43 [13.7% (95% CI 9.9-17.4%)] had received treatment for HCV, and 31 [9.8% (95% CI 6.6-13.1%)] had been cured. Despite frequent HCV testing in this HIV-positive Russian cohort, the proportion reporting prior effective HCV treatment was strikingly low. Increased efforts are needed to scale-up HCV treatment among HIV-positive Russians in St. Petersburg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Corcorran
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, 325 9th Ave, Box 359782, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
| | | | - Debbie M Cheng
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dmitry Lioznov
- First Pavlov State Medical University of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Natalia Gnatienko
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gregory Patts
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center (BEDAC), Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaku So-Armah
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center, Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elena Blokhina
- First Pavlov State Medical University of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Sally Bendiks
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Evgeny Krupitsky
- First Pavlov State Medical University of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Department of Addictions, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Jeffrey H Samet
- Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center, Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Judith I Tsui
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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12
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Frazzoni L, Sikandar U, Mazzella G, Fuccio L, Bazzoli F, Brillanti S, Azzaroli F. A multimedia multilanguage web-based platform can assess and increase the awareness on HCV infection of Pakistani people living in Italy. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:764-770. [PMID: 33586276 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Global eradication of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is hindered by infection persistence among high-prevalence ethnic groups with insufficient access to care. Educational interventions to raise awareness on HCV have led to identification of submerged HCV cases. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based platform to assess and raise the awareness of HCV among Pakistani people living in northern Italy. We created a website in Italian and Urdu language (https://survey-hcv6.webnode.it), and shared it to Pakistani people in Emilia-Romagna through Facebook groups. Participants had to fill a 15-item questionnaire on HCV infection, then watch a video on HCV, and respond to the questionnaire again. McNemar's chi-square and negative binomial multivariable regression analysis yielding incidence rate ratio (IRR) were applied. 339 subjects from 600 (57%) participated and filled the baseline questionnaire. The knowledge on HCV infection was scanty. For instance, 32% were not aware of HCV, 42% only knew that HCV infection may be long term, and only 14% knew the access to DAA treatment is provided by the Health Service. Independent predictors of worse knowledge on HCV were male gender (IRR 1.19), low instruction level (IRR 1.26), Urdu language preference (IRR 1.22), past use of intravenous drugs (1.2) and no previous HCV testing (IRR 1.36). The educational video significantly improved the knowledge on HCV among 67 subjects who refilled the questionnaire, as 97% were later aware of HCV, 99% of the long-term duration of HCV infection and 93% of the access to DAAs provided by Italian Health Service. We found a modest level of knowledge on HCV infection among Pakistani people in northern Italy, identifying predictors of worse awareness. We provided a multimedia platform which significantly improved the knowledge on HCV infection. Consequently, this approach might translate into an improved linkage to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Frazzoni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Usama Sikandar
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mazzella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Fuccio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Franco Bazzoli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Azzaroli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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13
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CD8 + T Cell Responses during HCV Infection and HCC. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10050991. [PMID: 33801203 PMCID: PMC7957882 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10050991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (cHCV) infection is a major global health burden and the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the Western world. The course and outcome of HCV infection is centrally influenced by CD8+ T cell responses. Indeed, strong virus-specific CD8+ T cell responses are associated with spontaneous viral clearance while failure of these responses, e.g., caused by viral escape and T cell exhaustion, is associated with the development of chronic infection. Recently, heterogeneity within the exhausted HCV-specific CD8+ T cells has been observed with implications for immunotherapeutic approaches also for other diseases. In HCC, the presence of tumor-infiltrating and peripheral CD8+ T cell responses correlates with a favorable prognosis. Thus, tumor-associated and tumor-specific CD8+ T cells are considered suitable targets for immunotherapeutic strategies. Here, we review the current knowledge of CD8+ T cell responses in chronic HCV infection and HCC and their respective failure with the potential consequences for T cell-associated immunotherapeutic approaches.
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14
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Kida F, Murayama A, Saito H, Ozaki A, Shimada Y, Tanimoto T. Pharmaceutical company payments to authors of the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hepatitis C treatment. Liver Int 2021; 41:464-469. [PMID: 33306236 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Promotional activities of pharmaceutical companies (Pharma) relating to newly marketed direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) may have targeted the authors of the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for Hepatitis C. This study aimed to assess payments made by Pharma to the CPG authors and the financial conflicts of interest (FCOIs) reported by those authors. METHODS We analyzed payments reported by Pharma to the CPG authors as well as the COI as published by the JSH, using publicly available data for 2016 and 2017. RESULTS A total of 35 of 78 Pharma-reported payments of $613,973 in 2016, while 40 of 73 Pharma declared payments of $524,674 in 2017, with six companies failing to report. Payments by Pharma manufacturing DAAs accounted for 53.7% of the total (55.7% and 51.6% in 2016 and 2017 respectively). All 17 authors received payments from Pharma which totalled $1,138,647. The mean and median payments per author were $66,979 (standard deviation (SD): $64,875) and $46,033 (interquartile range [IQR]: $29,796 - $34,428) for 2016 and 2017 combined. CONCLUSIONS Financial relationship between Pharma and the Hepatitis C CPG authors, which was unclear owing to the guideline regulation, was clarified. The authors had the strongest ties to the Pharma which manufactures DAAs in 2016 and 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Futa Kida
- Medical Governance Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Hiroaki Saito
- Medical Governance Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology, Sendai Kousei Hospital, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Akihiko Ozaki
- Medical Governance Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Breast Surgery, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yuki Shimada
- Department of Neurosurgery, Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tanimoto
- Medical Governance Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Navitas Clinic, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan
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15
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Nguyen HA, Cooke GS, Day JN, Flower B, Phuong LT, Hung TM, Dung NT, Khoa DB, Hung LM, Kestelyn E, Thwaites GE, Chau NVV, Turner HC. The direct-medical costs associated with interferon-based treatment for Hepatitis C in Vietnam. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 4:129. [PMID: 32734002 PMCID: PMC7372532 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15408.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Injectable interferon-based therapies have been used to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection since 1991. International guidelines have now moved away from interferon-based therapy towards direct-acting antiviral (DAA) tablet regimens, because of their superior efficacy, excellent side-effect profiles, and ease of administration. Initially DAA drugs were prohibitively expensive for most healthcare systems. Access is now improving through the procurement of low-cost, generic DAAs acquired through voluntary licenses. However, HCV treatment costs vary widely, and many countries are struggling with DAA treatment scale-up. This is not helped by the limited cost data and economic evaluations from low- and middle-income countries to support HCV policy decisions. We conducted a detailed analysis of the costs of treating chronic HCV infection with interferon-based therapy in Vietnam. Understanding these costs is important for performing necessary economic evaluations of novel treatment strategies. Methods: We conducted an analysis of the direct medical costs of treating HCV infection with interferon alpha (IFN) and pegylated-interferon alpha (Peg-IFN), in combination with ribavirin, from the health sector perspective at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2017. Results: The total cost of the IFN treatment regimen was estimated to range between US$1,120 and US$1,962. The total cost of the Peg-IFN treatment regimen was between US$2,156 and US$5,887. Drug expenses were the biggest contributor to the total treatment cost (54-89%) and were much higher for the Peg-IFN regimen. Conclusions: We found that treating HCV with IFN or Peg-IFN resulted in significant direct medical costs. Of concern, we found that all patients incurred substantial out-of-pocket costs, including those receiving the maximum level of support from the national health insurance programme. This cost data highlights the potential savings and importance of increased access to generic DAAs in low- and middle-income countries and will be useful within future economic evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Graham S. Cooke
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jeremy N. Day
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Barnaby Flower
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | | | - Trinh Manh Hung
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | | | - Dao Bach Khoa
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Le Manh Hung
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Evelyne Kestelyn
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Guy E. Thwaites
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - SEARCH Investigators
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Hugo C. Turner
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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