scholarly journals Hepatitis C screening in commercially insured U.S. birth-cohort patients: Factors associated with testing and effect of an EMR-based screening alert

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amoah Yeboah-Korang ◽  
Mohammad I. Beig ◽  
Mohammad Q. Khan ◽  
Jay L. Goldstein ◽  
Don M. Macapinlac ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Objectives Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing rates among U.S. birth-cohort patients have been studied extensively, limited data exists to differentiate birth-cohort screening from risk- or liver disease-based testing. This study aims to identify factors associated with HCV antibody (HCV-Ab) testing in a group of insured birth cohort patients, to determine true birth cohort testing rates, and to determine whether an electronic medical record (EMR)-driven Best Practice Alert (BPA) would improve birth cohort testing rates. Methods All birth-cohort outpatients between 2010 and 2015 were identified. HCV-Ab test results, clinical, and demographic variables were extracted from the EMR, and factors associated with testing were analyzed by logistic regression. True birth-cohort HCV screening rates were determined by detailed chart review for all outpatient visits during one calendar month. An automated Best Practice Alert was used to identify unscreened patients at the point of care, and to prompt HCV testing. Screening rates before and after system-wide implementation of the BPA were compared. Results The historic HCV-Ab testing rate was 11.2% (11,976/106,753). Younger age, female gender, and African American, Asian, or Hispanic ethnicity, and medical comorbidities such as chronic hemodialysis, HIV infection, and rheumatologic and psychiatric comorbidities were associated with higher testing rates. However, during the one-month sampling period, true age cohort-based testing was performed in only 69/10,089 patients (0.68%). Following the system-wide implementation of the HCV BPA, testing rates increased from 0.68% to 10.76% (P<0.0001). Conclusions We documented low HCV-Ab testing rates in our baby boomers population. HCV testing was typically performed in the presence of known risk factors or established liver disease. The implementation of an EMR-based HCV BPA resulted in a marked increase in testing rates. Our study highlights current HCV screening gaps, and the utility of the EMR to improve screening rates and population health.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen N. Burrell ◽  
Melinda J. Sharon ◽  
Stephen Davis ◽  
Judith Feinberg ◽  
Elena M. Wojcik ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The ongoing Appalachian opioid epidemic has led to increasing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among people who inject drugs (PWID), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) outbreaks have been observed. The primary aim of this study was to assess the potential increase in screening for HIV and HCV in an academic central Appalachian emergency department (ED) through the use of Best Practice Alerts (BPAs) in the electronic medical record (EMR). A secondary aim was to assess for an increase in linkage to care using patient navigators. Methods EMR algorithms based on current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV and HCV testing recommendations were created that triggered Best Practice Alerts (BPAs), giving providers a one-click acceptance option to order HIV and/or HCV testing. Placards were placed in care areas, informing patients of the availability of routine screening. Patient navigators facilitated linkage to care for seropositive patients. Results The BPA appeared 58,936 times on 21,098 patients eligible for HIV screening and 24,319 times on 11,989 patients eligible for HCV screening over a one-year period. Of those, 7106 (33.7%) patients were screened for HIV and 3496 (29.2%) patients were screened for HCV, for an overall testing increase of 2269% and 1065% for HIV and HCV, respectively. Linkage to care increased by 15% for HIV to 100, and 14% for HCV to 64%. Conclusion HIV and HCV screening and linkage to care were increased in an academic ED setting in central Appalachia using EMR alerts. This approach could be utilized in multiple ambulatory settings. Increased testing and earlier linkage to care may help combat the current injection drug use-related HCV epidemic and avoid additional HIV outbreaks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e00297
Author(s):  
Mohammad Qasim Khan ◽  
Yuliya Belopolsky ◽  
Anuhya Gampa ◽  
Ian Greenberg ◽  
Muhammad Imran Beig ◽  
...  

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 432
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Onorato ◽  
Mariantonietta Pisaturo ◽  
Mario Starace ◽  
Carmine Minichini ◽  
Alessandra Di Fraia ◽  
...  

The availability of all oral direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has revolutionized the management of HCV infections in recent years, allowing to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) in more than 95% of cases, irrespective of hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotype or staging of liver disease. Although rare, the failure to the latest-generation regimens (grazoprevir/elbasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, pibrentasvir/glecaprevir) represents a serious clinical problem, since the data available in the literature on the virological characteristics and management of these patients are few. The aim of the present narrative review was to provide an overview of the impact of baseline RASs in patients treated with the latest-generation DAAs and to analyze the efficacy of the available retreatment strategies in those who have failed these regimens.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492110472
Author(s):  
Hope King ◽  
J. E. Soh ◽  
William W. Thompson ◽  
Jessica Rogers Brown ◽  
Karina Rapposelli ◽  
...  

Objective Approximately 2.4 million people in the United States are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objective of our study was to describe demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, liver disease–related risk factors, and modifiable health behaviors associated with self-reported testing for HCV infection among adults. Methods Using data on adult respondents aged ≥18 from the 2013-2017 National Health Interview Survey, we summarized descriptive data on sociodemographic characteristics and liver disease–related risk factors and stratified data by educational attainment. We used weighted logistic regression to examine predictors of HCV testing. Results During the study period, 11.7% (95% CI, 11.5%-12.0%) of adults reported ever being tested for HCV infection. Testing was higher in 2017 than in 2013 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.18-1.36). Adults with ≥some college were significantly more likely to report being tested (aOR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.52-1.69) than adults with ≤high school education. Among adults with ≤high school education (but not adults with ≥some college), those who did not have health insurance were less likely than those with private health insurance (aOR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.89) to get tested, and non–US-born adults were less likely than US-born adults to get tested (aOR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68-0.87). Conclusions Rates of self-reported HCV testing increased from 2013 to 2017, but testing rates remained low. Demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and liver disease–related risk factors may affect HCV testing rates among adults. HCV testing must increase to achieve hepatitis C elimination targets.


Author(s):  
Dalia Morales-Arraez ◽  
Manuel Hernandez-Guerra ◽  
Felicitas Diaz-Flores ◽  
Yolanda Nieto-Bujalance ◽  
Jose Garcia-Dopico ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In the non-interferon era, many patients still remain untested for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Our aim was to determine if media coverage, number and type of news, can influence the rate of HCV testing. Methods For each calendar year we searched from national, regional and local newspapers for articles published related to HCV between 2001 and 2013 (interferon era) and 2014–2018 (non-interferon era) and the HCV tests performed. Demographics, provider data and test result were collected from patients tested. Results During the studied period, 21 913 press articles were found, and we identified a total of 293 226 HCV tests. A total of 9778 HCV tests from 5237 patients tested positive (1.88%). An inverse correlation was found between media coverage and the number of HCV tests during the interferon era (r2 = −0.558, P = 0.024), where news concerning epidemiology and burden of the disease were more frequent. By contrast, in the non-interferon era a strong correlation was observed (r2 = 0.900, P = 0.019), where news related to treatment prevailed. Conclusion Our results show that media coverage on HCV fluctuate so the type of news. It remains to be prospectively evaluated if well designed publicity campaigns about the benefits of HCV screening and treatment influences on HCV testing.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S165-S165
Author(s):  
Zainab Wasti ◽  
Dagan Coppock ◽  
Zsofia Szep ◽  
Tiffany Scott ◽  
Taneesa Franks ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In areas with a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, emergency department (ED) visits may provide unique opportunities for screening. The catchment area for Hahnemann University Hospital (HUH) has an HCV seroprevalence rate of >20%. However, limited data exist addressing HCV testing strategies in the ED. This study describes the experience of piloting a nurse-driven HCV screening protocol in an urban hospital ED. Methods A nurse-driven HCV screening protocol was developed and implemented on August 1, 2018. We performed a retrospective analysis of the protocol’s performance from July 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018. Patients who were evaluated in the ED and had blood collected were analyzed. We provided universal HCV screening regardless of age or risk factors. If HCV-positive by antibody screen and viral load confirmation, an attempt was made to link patients to care. Linkage was defined as having received an inpatient evaluation by either infectious diseases or hepatology physician. Results Among 20,705 unique patients seen in the ED, 7841 (38%) had blood work collected. 821 (10.5%) patients had HCV antibody testing. After the implementation of the nurse-driven protocol, the testing rate increased from 68/1340 (5.1%) to 753/6501 (11.6%). 260 Baby Boomers (born between 1945–1965) were screened, of which 60 (23.1%) had positive screens. 561 non-Baby Boomers were screened, of which 30 (5.4%) had positive screens. Barriers of implementing nurse-driven protocol were: (1) multiple steps of the ordering process in the electronic medical record (EMR), (2) the complexity of staff schedules, and (3) staff concerns regarding the disclosure of HCV test results. Among the patients who were diagnosed with chronic HCV, 60 % were linked to care for treatment. Conclusion We piloted a nurse-driven universal HCV testing protocol in the ED of a hospital with high HCV prevalence. Though the screening rate doubled, it was still low. We identified barriers that may be addressed to improve future screening rates. In areas with a high seroprevalence of HCV, universal screening may be an excellent public health intervention to identify asymptomatic HCV-infected patients. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


Author(s):  
Stella Protopapas ◽  
Liza Bronner Murrison ◽  
Scott L Wexelblatt ◽  
Jason T Blackard ◽  
Eric S Hall

Abstract Purpose This study aims to estimate the disease burden of vertically-acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a large Midwestern hospital; and to identify factors associated with HCV diagnostic testing among high-risk infants. Methods Retrospective analysis of an infant cohort (n=58,427) born from 2014-2016 in the Greater Cincinnati region, where universal maternal urine testing is conducted at delivery to assess for intrauterine drug exposure (IUDE). Demographics and birth characteristics were analyzed among high-risk infants to identify factors associated with receiving HCV testing. A nested matched case-control analysis examined the association of pediatric HCV infection and IUDE. Results The HCV prevalence rate among high-risk infants who received testing was 3.6-5.2% of births. Approximately 66.7% of maternally-acquired HCV infections may be missed using current testing recommendations. Prenatal care had no significant effect (aOR 1.2 [95%CI 0.4-3.5]) on the odds of a high-risk infant receiving HCV testing. Opioid-exposed cases had an over 6-fold increase in the odds of HCV infection (aOR 6.2 [95%CI 2.3-16.6]) compared to non-opioid exposed infants. Conclusions IUDE was significantly associated with increased odds of pediatric HCV infection in this population. The gaps in pediatric HCV testing identified in this study, despite known risk level and maternal infection, suggest the need for increased focus on HCV identification in the pediatric population.


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