Strategies to manage hepatitis C virus infection disease burden – volume 3

Abstract

SUMMARY. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic was forecasted through 2030 for 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and the relative impact of two scenarios was considered: [1] increased treatment efficacy while holding the annual number of treated patients constant and [2] increased treatment efficacy and an increased annual number of treated patients. Increasing levels of diagnosis and treatment, in combination with improved treatment efficacy, were critical for achieving substantial reductions in disease burden. A 90% reduction in total HCV infections within 15 years is feasible in most countries studied, but it required a coordinated effort to introduce harm reduction programmes to reduce new infections, screening to identify those already infected and treatment with high cure rate therapies. This suggests that increased capacity for screening and treatment will be critical in many countries. Birth cohort screening is a helpful tool for maximizing resources. Among European countries, the majority of patients were born between 1940 and 1985. A wider range of birth cohorts was seen in the Middle East and Asia (between 1925 and 1995).

Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin With or Without Pegylated Interferon for Hepatitis C Genotype 3: A Real World Experience

“…Elimination of hepatitis C is now feasible in the next 2 decades through an aggressive national strategy that combines prevention, screening, and treatment. With this aggressive approach, 90% reduction in the total number of viremic individuals is expected by 2030 (14). This is only possible if safe and potent newer DAAs would be available at affordable prices.…”

The benefits of hepatitis C virus cure: Every rose has thorns

“…Targets for 2030 are to achieve a 90% reduction in new viral hepatitis infections, a 65% reduction in liver‐related deaths and a 90% diagnostic rate. An increased capacity for treatment and screening will be critical in several countries . To achieve collective targets, a radical change in the response to hepatitis C is needed at the global and national levels: hepatitis C needs to achieve a higher priority in both the clinical and public health settings…”

Detecting Hepatitis B and C by Combined Public Health and Primary Care Birth Cohort Testing

“…16 Birth cohort screening, as currently recommended in the United States (HCV prevalence of 2.0%), has also been suggested for European countries. 9,17,18 In simulation models, onetime HCV testing in the 1945-1965 birth cohort with subsequent treatment was likely cost-effective in the United States. 19 Yet again, primary care clinicians faced with the increasing societal need to screen for HCV Jeanne Heil, MSc 1,2 Christian J. P. A. Hoebe, Prof 1,2 Jochen W. L. Cals, PhD infections encounter practical challenges in diagnosis and linking patients to appropriate care.…”