BackgroundThe Netherlands has a low hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence, estimated at 0.16%. Previous studies have shown that up to 30% of the diagnosed HCV population in the Netherlands has been lost to follow-up (LTFU). Retrieval of these patients could halt progression of liver disease in infected patients, reduce the number of infected individuals and limit HCV transmission. Several regional Dutch retrieval projects have already been executed, which demonstrated that retrieval is feasible. Therefore, we initiated a nationwide retrieval project, aiming to achieve microelimination in previously diagnosed but LTFU patients with chronic HCV through retrieval.MethodsLaboratory records will be used to identify possible patients with chronic hepatitis C, defined as either a positive most recent HCV RNA or positive HCV antibodies without known RNA result. Reviewing patient records and obtaining current contact information from municipality databases will identify LTFU patients who are eligible for retrieval. These patients will be invited for outpatient clinic care. The primary outcome of the study is the total number of LTFU patients who have been successfully linked to care.DiscussionHepatitis C ELimination In the NEtherlands (CELINE) is within the remit of WHO elimination targets and the Dutch National Hepatitis Plan. The methodology of CELINE is based on previously conducted regional retrieval projects and is designed to overcome some of their limitations. After ethical approval was obtained in 2018, the first centre initiated retrieval in 2018 and the project is expected to finish in 2021.Trial registration numberNCT04208035.

| on behalf of the HepNed study group This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Background: The Netherlands strives for hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination, in accordance with the World Health Organization targets. An accurate estimate when HCV elimination will be reached is elusive. We have embarked on a nationwide HCV elimination project (CELINE) that allowed us to harvest detailed data on the Dutch HCV epidemic. This study aims to provide a well-supported timeline towards HCV elimination in The Netherlands. Methods: A previously published Markov model was used, adopting published data and unpublished CELINE project data. Two main scenarios were devised. In the Status Quo scenario, 2020 diagnosis and treatment levels remained constant in subsequent years. In the Gradual Decline scenario, an annual decrease of 10% in both diagnoses and treatments was implemented, starting in 2020. WHO incidence target was disregarded, due to low HCV incidence in The Netherlands (≤5 per 100,000). Results: Following the Status Quo and Gradual Decline scenarios, The Netherlands would meet WHO’s elimination targets by 2027 and 2032, respectively. From 2015 to 2030, liver-related mortality would be reduced by 97% in the Status Quo and 93% in the Gradual Decline scenario. Compared to the Status Quo scenario, the Gradual Decline scenario would result in 12 excess cases of decompensated cirrhosis, 18 excess cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, and 20 excess cases of liver-related death from 2020–2030. Conclusions: The Netherlands is on track to reach HCV elimination by 2030. However, it is vital that HCV elimination remains high on the agenda to ensure adequate numbers of patients are being diagnosed and treated.

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In 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) called upon nations worldwide to eliminate viral hepatitis. Due to suboptimal hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies in the past, many patients could not be treated or cured. With the current options, all patients can be treated and >90% is cured. However, these developments have not reached all patients, especially those who were lost to follow-up (LTFU) in previous years, an estimated 30% in the Netherlands. Retrieving these patients can contribute to HCV elimination. In light of this, we aimed to develop a nationwide retrieval strategy. During development we identified four major challenges. The first challenge is ethical and arises from the aim of the project: should physicians retrieve LTFU patients? We argue that the arguments in favour outweigh those against. The three other challenges are methodological and mainly legal in nature. Firstly, how far back are we allowed to trace LTFU patients? In the Netherlands, patient files should be kept for a minimum of fifteen years, but in chronic disease they may be archived longer. Secondly, which professional should identify the LTFU patients? Ideally this would be the treating physician, but we describe the circumstances that allow inclusion of assistance. Lastly, what is the proper way to invite the LTFU patients? We found that we can often request current address information from municipalities, and explain this process in detail. The offered solutions are feasible and translatable to other healthcare environments. We hope to take away any insecurities people may have about the ethical and legal nature of such a retrieval project and hope to inspire others to follow in our footsteps.