Hepatitis C virus-infected patients report communication problems with physicians

Zickmund, Susan; Hillis, Stephen L.; Barnett, Mitchell J.; Ippolito, Laura; LaBrecque, Douglas R.

doi:10.1002/hep.20132

Cited by 124 publications

(107 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Overall, our findings suggest that diminished sexual health in patients with chronic hepatitis C can be improved, at least in part, by successful antiviral therapy. Patients who achieve an SVR may feel less stigmatized and concerned about potential transmission of HCV to their sexual partners, which has been a factor associated with lower HRQOL [48][49][50].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health-related quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis

Bonkovsky

Snow

Malet

et al. 2007

Journal of Hepatology

130

112

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Background/Aims-Although the antiviral and histological benefits of peginterferon/ribavirin therapy are well established, the effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and sexual health † This is publication number 14 from the HALT-C Trial Group. ‡ Financial support: Financial relationships of the authors with Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc., are as follows: H.L. Bonkovsky is a consultant, is on the speakers' bureau, and receives research support; P.F. Malet receives research support; R.K. Sterling is a consultant, on the speakers' bureau, and receives research support; R.J. Fontana is a consultant and on the speakers' bureau; A.M. Di Bisceglie is a consultant, on the speakers' bureau, and receives research support; and T.R. Morgan is on the speaker's bureau and receives research support. Other financial relationships related to this project are: H.L. Bonkovsky receives research support from Bayer Diagnostics; P. Methods-Subjects completed SF-36 and sexual health questionnaires prior to and after 24 weeks of peginterferon/ribavirin therapy (n = 1144). Three hundred and seventy-three (33%) subjects were HCV RNA negative at week 20 and continued therapy through week 48; 258 were seen at week 72. One hundred and eighty achieved sustained virological responses (SVR) and 78 relapsed.Results-At baseline, patients had poorer scores for all eight SF-36 domains compared to healthy controls. Patients with cirrhosis had lower HRQOL scores than those with bridging fibrosis, as did patients with higher depression scores. SVR patients had significant improvements in seven domains, whereas relapsers had significant worsening in one domain. Sexual scores improved in SVR patients and decreased in relapsers (p = 0.03). In multivariate analyses, improvements in HRQOL and sexual scores were significantly associated with SVR but were less striking in patients with lower depression scores.Conclusions-Achievement of SVR after peginterferon/ribavirin therapy improves HRQOL and sexual health in chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health-related quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis

Bonkovsky

Snow

Malet

et al. 2007

Journal of Hepatology

130

112

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“…For example, drug users continue to face discrimination from some medical providers who frequently treat them with distrust and disrespect (Chitwood, Sanchez, Comerford, & McCoy, 2001;Crofts, Louie, & Loff, 1997;Day, Ross, & Dolan, 2003;Edlin et al, 2001;Stephenson, 2001;Treloar, Hopwood, & Loveday, 1996;Zickmund, Hillis, Barnett, Ippolito, & LaBrecque, 2004). Also, despite the recent changes to the NIH guidelines regarding HCV treatment, many health care providers have historically been concerned that drug users treated for HCV might have a high risk of re-infection, low treatment compliance, and/or drug relapse (Catz, Kelly, Bogart, Benotsch, & McAuliffe, 2000;Golub et al, 2004;Gordillo, del Amo, Soriano, & Gonzalez-Lahoz, 1999;Hauser et al, 2002;Milby et al, 1996;Osher et al, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring drug users’ attitudes and decisions regarding hepatitis C (HCV) treatment in the U.S.

Munoz-Plaza

Strauß

Astone-Twerell

et al. 2008

International Journal of Drug Policy

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Individuals with a history of injecting drugs are at the highest risk of becoming infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), with studies of patients in methadone maintenance treatment programmes (MMTPs) reporting that 60-90% of intravenous drug users (IDUs) have the virus. Fortunately, HCV therapy has been shown to be effective in 42-82% of all patients with chronic HCV infection, including IDUs. While the decision to start HCV therapy requires significant consideration, little research exists that explores the attitudes of drug users toward HCV therapy. Therefore, this paper examines how drug users perceive the treatment, as well as the processes by which HCV-positive individuals examined the advantages and disadvantages of starting the HCV medications. Interviews were conducted with 164 patients from 14 drug treatment programmes throughout the United States, and both uninfected and HCV-positive drug users described a pipeline of communication among their peers that conveys largely negative messages about the medications that are available to treat HCV. Although many of the HCV-positive individuals said that these messages heightened their anxiety about the side effects and difficulties of treatment, some patients said that their peers helped them to consider and/or initiate HCV treatment. Gaining a better understanding of drug users' perceptions of HCV treatment is important, because so many of them, particularly IDUs, are already infected with HCV and may benefit from support in addressing their HCV treatment needs. In addition, currently uninfected drug users will likely remain at high risk for contracting HCV and may need to make decisions about whether or not to start the HCV medical regimen in the future.

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“…Overall, patients were more satisied with a care provided by a nurse or clinical pharmacist rather than by physicians. Others have reported frustration with communication among physicians and communication between the patient and the physician [36]. Furthermore, a common desire among patients was access to multidisciplinary services [35].…”

Section: Approach Considerations In the Ifn Treatment Eramentioning

confidence: 99%

Approaches and Considerations for the Successful Treatment of HCV Infection

Stoehr¹,

Jakab²,

Kuna³

et al. 2017

Update on Hepatitis C

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The complexity of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is relected in its therapy, and great eforts are needed from the patient and the physician to be successful in eliminating the infection. How HCV will progress depends a lot on patient characteristics and social factors, in addition to the timing of initiation, duration, and inal results of the therapy. The irst treatment approved for patients with chronic hepatitis C was interferon (IFN) which had a sustained viral response (SVR) rate in 20%. Due to side efects, the adherence to this treatment was limited and required a patient-tailored approach with various medical disciplines working together and intervening at the right time to minimize potential obstacles. The introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has contributed to the advancement of HCV treatment. However, a major obstacle to wide use of DAAs is their high price which has largely limited access to treatment. Guidelines and recommendations on treatment of hepatitis C have been developed to assist physicians and other health care providers to determine priority. Despite that, the arrival of new oral therapies has been met with enthusiasm as shorter, simpler, safer treatment allows for the possibility of delivering antiviral therapy on a large scale.

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Hepatitis C virus-infected patients report communication problems with physicians

Cited by 124 publications

References 44 publications

Health-related quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis

Health-related quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis

Exploring drug users’ attitudes and decisions regarding hepatitis C (HCV) treatment in the U.S.

Approaches and Considerations for the Successful Treatment of HCV Infection

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