Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence and prevalence of chronic infection in the adult population in Ireland: a study of residual sera, April 2014 to February 2016

Garvey, Patricia; O’Grady, Brian J.; Franzoni, Geraldine; Bolger, Maeve; Crosby, Katie Irwin; Connell, Jeff; Burke, Dave; Gascun, Cillian De; Thornton, Lelia

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.es.2017.22.30.30579

Cited by 16 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Our clearance rate of 45%, although based on a small number of positive samples, is higher than has been described by Seeff [19]. A similar clearance was observed by Garvey et al in Ireland [20]. Unfortunately, we do not have details on treatment history of the participants, nor on the number of treated individuals in Belgium, but most likely some of these individuals were known HCV positive and have received treatment.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Low hepatitis C prevalence in Belgium: implications for treatment reimbursement and scale up

et al. 2019

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BackgroundPrevalence data of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are needed to estimate the budgetary impact of reimbursement of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). In Belgium, the restricted reimbursement criteria are mainly guided by regional seroprevalence estimates of 0.87% from 1993 to 1994. In this first Belgian nationwide HCV prevalence study, we set out to update the seroprevalence and prevalence of chronic HCV infection estimates in the Belgian general population in order to guide decisions on DAA reimbursement.MethodsResidual sera were collected through clinical laboratories. We collected data on age, sex and district. HCV antibody status was determined with ELISA and confirmed with a line-immunoassay (LIA). In specimens with undetermined or positive LIA result, HCV viral load was measured. Specimens were classified seronegative, seropositive with resolved infection, indicative of chronic infection and with undetermined HCV status according to the test outcomes. Results were standardized for age, sex and population per district, and adjusted for clustered sampling.ResultsIn total 3209 specimens, collected by 28 laboratories, were tested. HCV seropositivity in the Belgian general population was estimated to be 0.22% (95% CI: 0.09–0.54%), and prevalence of chronic HCV infection 0.12% (95% CI: 0.03–0.41). In individuals of 20 years and older, these estimates were 0.26% (95% CI: 0.10–0.64%) and 0.13% (95% CI: 0.04–0.43), respectively. Of the total estimated number of HCV seropositive individuals in Belgium, 66% were between 50 and 69 years old.ConclusionsPrevalence of HCV seropositivity and chronic infection in the Belgian general population were low and comparable to many surrounding countries. These adjusted prevalences can help estimate the cost of reimbursement of DAAs and invite Belgian policy makers to accelerate the scaling up of reimbursement, giving all chronically infected HCV patients a more timely access to treatment.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Low hepatitis C prevalence in Belgium: implications for treatment reimbursement and scale up

et al. 2019

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“…A recent systematic review found that 13 EU/EEA countries had conducted HCV prevalence surveys with an estimated antiHCV prevalence in the EU/EEA of 1.1% (95% CI 0.9–1.4%) of which an estimated 70% have CHC [ 27 ]. In the Netherlands, a CHC prevalence of 0.16% was found using the workbook method, whereas Ireland and Belgium reported 0.98% and 0.13% CHC prevalence using residual sera testing [ 28 – 30 ]. However, none of these methods were directly comparable to our study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis C prevalence in Denmark in 2016—An updated estimate using multiple national registers

et al. 2020

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Background Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) can be eliminated as a public health threat by meeting the WHO targets: 90% of patients diagnosed and 80% treated by 2030. To achieve and monitor progress towards elimination, an updated estimate of the size of the CHC population is needed, but Denmark has no complete national CHC register. By combining existing registers in 2007, we estimated the population living with CHC to be 16,888 (0.38% of the adult population). Aim To estimate the population living with diagnosed and undiagnosed CHC in Denmark on 31 December 2016. Among additional aims were to estimate the proportion of patients attending specialised clinical care. Methods People with diagnosed CHC were identified from four national registers. The total diagnosed population was estimated by capture-recapture analysis. The undiagnosed population was estimated by comparing the register data with data from two cross-sectional surveys. Results The population living with diagnosed CHC in Denmark was 7,581 persons (95%CI: 7,416-12,661) of which 6,116 (81%) were identified in the four registers. The estimated undiagnosed

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“…This scoping review found that Ireland has low rates of HCV infection in the general population compared to other European countries [ 5 , 27 , 86 , 87 ]. The most up to data (residual sera study) showed a reduced prevalence compared to a 2012 mathematical modelling study [ 6 , 9 ]. The different rates could be explained by the differing methodologies or by a reduction in new infections.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In developed countries iatrogenic transmission of HCV has been substantially reduced and people who inject drugs (PWID) or have done so in the past are now the main group affected [ 1 – 5 ]. Of the 600,000 HCV infected people living in Europe an estimated 20,000–30,000 reside in Ireland [ 6 – 9 ]. An estimated 60% of HCV infections in Ireland remain undiagnosed [ 6 , 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A 2012 mathematical modelling study estimated the national prevalence of chronic hepatitis C in the Irish general population as 0.5–1.2% (20,000-50,000) [ 6 ]. A more recent lab-based residual sera study reported a prevalence estimate of 0.5-0.7% (20,000-30,000) [ 9 ]. Genotypes 1 and 3 are the types most commonly seen in Ireland and are distributed 55 and 45% respectively [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hepatitis C virus infection in Irish drug users and prisoners – a scoping review

Crowley¹,

Murtagh

Cullen

et al. 2019

BMC Infect Dis

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Background Hepatitis C infection is a major public health concern globally. In Ireland, like other European countries, people who use drugs (PWUD) and prisoners carry a larger HCV disease burden than the general population. Recent advances in HCV management have made HCV elimination across Europe a realistic goal. Engaging these two marginalised and underserved populations remains a challenge. The aim of this review was to map key findings and identify gaps in the literature (published and unpublished) on HCV infection in Irish PWUD and prisoners. Methods A scoping review guided by the methodological framework set out by Levac and colleagues (based on previous work by Arksey & O’Malley). Results A total of 58 studies were identified and divided into the following categories; Epidemiology, Guidelines and Policy, Treatment Outcomes, HCV-related Health Issues and qualitative research reporting on Patients’ and Health Providers’ Experiences. This review identified significantly higher rates of HCV infection among Irish prisoners and PWUD than the general population. There are high levels of undiagnosed and untreated HCV infection in both groups. There is poor engagement by Irish PWUD with HCV services and barriers have been identified. Prison hepatology nurse services have a positive impact on treatment uptake and outcomes. Identified gaps in the literature include; lack of accurate epidemiological data on incident infection, untreated chronic HCV infection particularly in PWUD living outside Dublin and those not engaged with OST. Conclusion Ireland like other European countries has high levels of undiagnosed and untreated HCV infection. Collecting, synthesising and identifying gaps in the available literature is timely and will inform national HCV screening, treatment and prevention strategies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-019-4218-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence and prevalence of chronic infection in the adult population in Ireland: a study of residual sera, April 2014 to February 2016

Cited by 16 publications

References 12 publications

Low hepatitis C prevalence in Belgium: implications for treatment reimbursement and scale up

Low hepatitis C prevalence in Belgium: implications for treatment reimbursement and scale up

Hepatitis C prevalence in Denmark in 2016—An updated estimate using multiple national registers

Hepatitis C virus infection in Irish drug users and prisoners – a scoping review

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