Hepatitis C Screening and Treatment Program in Hungarian Prisons in the Era of Direct Acting Antiviral Agents.

A hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and treatment program was conducted in Hungarian prisons on a voluntary basis. After HCV-RNA testing and genotyping for anti-HCV positives, treatments with direct-acting antiviral agents were commenced by hepatologists who visited the institutions monthly. Patients were supervised by the prisons' medical staff. Data were retrospectively collected from the Hungarian Hepatitis Treatment Registry, from the Health Registry of Prisons, and from participating hepatologists. Eighty-four percent of Hungarian prisons participated, meaning a total of 5779 individuals (28% of the inmate population) underwent screening. HCV-RNA positivity was confirmed in 317/5779 cases (5.49%); 261/317 (82.3%) started treatment. Ninety-nine percent of them admitted previous intravenous drug use. So far, 220 patients received full treatment and 41 patients are still on treatment. Based on the available end of treatment (EOT) + 24 weeks timepoint data, per protocol sustained virologic response rate was 96.8%. In conclusion, the Hungarian prison screening and treatment program, with the active participation of hepatologists and the prisons' medical staff, is a well-functioning model. Through the Hungarian experience, we emphasize that the "test-and-treat" principle is feasible and effective at micro-eliminating HCV in prisons, where infection rate, as well as history of intravenous drug usage, are high.

Screening and treatment of hepatitis C virus in prisons: 10 years of experience / A hepatitis C-vírus szurésének és kezelésének 10 éves tapasztalata a börtönökben

Introduction and objective: Two-thirds of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are unaware of their infection in the European Union. The WHO aims to reduce the number of new cases of chronic hepatitis by 90% by 2030. The proportion of people infected with HCV in prisons can be up to ten times higher compared to the general population. This article is a summary of the results of the HCV screening carried out in the Hungarian prisons between 2007 and 2017. Method: Screening of anti-HCV antibodies has been performed on a voluntary basis followed by HCV PCR and genotyping in positive cases. After obtaining written informed consent from the patients, treatment was started. Treatments were performed under the guidance of hepatologists in collaboration with prison medical staff. Results: HCV screening programs and treatments are in place in 84% of Hungarian prisons. A total of 25 384 patients underwent anti-HCV screening. Anti-HCV positive result was detected in 6.6% and HCV PCR positivity was confirmed in 3.8% of the screened inmates. 55.2% patients from the HCV PCR positive population were put on treatment. Only 143 patients received full treatment, while 162 (42.6%) treatments were terminated prematurely, and the duration of treatment was unknown in 75 patients. Based on the results available on the 24th week after the end of treatment, sustained virologic response rate was 88%. Discussion: Education of patients and collaboration between hepatologists and prison medical staff play an important role in the successful result of treatment. Conclusion: Our experience demonstrates that the test and treat principle is feasible and effective at microeliminating HCV in prisons.