Assessment of hepatitis C monitoring adherence after viral eradication in veterans with substance use to improve care and surveil reinfection

IntroductionHepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence rates are rising for patients with substance use and/or SUDs. Guidelines provide monitoring recommendations to ensure remission after successful treatment. The study's objective was to identify gaps in follow-up for patients with documented substanc...

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Veröffentlicht in:The mental health clinician 2022-06, Vol.12 (3), p.181-186
Hauptverfasser: Stratton, Miranda L., Ansara, Elayne D., Ifeachor, Amanda P., Houck, Kelly K., Liangpunsakul, Suthat, Binger, Katie J.
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:IntroductionHepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence rates are rising for patients with substance use and/or SUDs. Guidelines provide monitoring recommendations to ensure remission after successful treatment. The study's objective was to identify gaps in follow-up for patients with documented substance use and/or SUD through assessment of adherence to guideline-recommended HCV RNA lab 12 months post-treatment. MethodsPatients treated for HCV through the Veteran Health Indiana Hepatitis C Pharmacy Clinic were retrospectively evaluated. Subjects were categorized based on the provider assigned for follow-up care after 12-week sustained virologic response (SVR12) labs (primary care provider [PCP] or HCV provider). The primary outcome was HCV RNA obtained 11 to 13 months post-treatment. Secondary outcomes were HCV RNA detected post-treatment, substance use, engagement in substance use treatment, and engagement with social work. ResultsTwo hundred forty-one patients were included in the HCV provider cohort and 139 in the PCP cohort. Forty-one patients did not have a specified clinic for follow-up treatment, and 20 patients did not achieve SVR12. Sixty-one patients (28%) in the HCV provider cohort completed a 12-month HCV RNA within 11 to 13 months post-treatment vs 15 patients (11%) in the PCP cohort (P ≤ .01). One patient had HCV RNA detected post-treatment. DiscussionThis study reveals inadequate HCV post-treatment follow-up for patients with substance use and/or SUD. SUD is a chronic disease that requires continued monitoring to prevent complications. Further studies are needed to identify reinfection rates and improvements of care in this population.
ISSN:2168-9709
2168-9709
DOI:10.9740/mhc.2022.06.181