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1.
Fed Pract ; 40(7): 218-223, 2023 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37868711

ABSTRACT

Background: Uptake and access to HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is key to reducing incident HIV infections. Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health care professionals in the United States and are well suited to address this need. Observations: We describe a model of care at the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System in which clinical pharmacist practitioners developed and implemented a pharmacy-led PrEP clinic colocated within an infectious disease clinic. Veterans Health Administration clinical pharmacists provide direct patient care under a scope of practice that includes ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and providing PrEP prescriptions. To improve access and patient acceptability, we also used novel telemedicine modes of care to ensure flexible appointment scheduling. Conclusions: This model can be used by other federal and community-based health care organizations to implement interdisciplinary pharmacist-managed PrEP clinics and expand telehealth modalities to deliver outpatient services.

2.
Ann Intern Med ; 174(8): 1151-1158, 2021 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34125574

ABSTRACT

The development of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines began in March 2020 in response to a request from the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Within 4 days of the request, the NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel was established and the first meeting took place (virtually-as did subsequent meetings). The Panel comprises 57 individuals representing 6 governmental agencies, 11 professional societies, and 33 medical centers, plus 2 community members, who have worked together to create and frequently update the guidelines on the basis of evidence from the most recent clinical studies available. The initial version of the guidelines was completed within 2 weeks and posted online on 21 April 2020. Initially, sparse evidence was available to guide COVID-19 treatment recommendations. However, treatment data rapidly accrued based on results from clinical studies that used various study designs and evaluated different therapeutic agents and approaches. Data have continued to evolve at a rapid pace, leading to 24 revisions and updates of the guidelines in the first year. This process has provided important lessons for responding to an unprecedented public health emergency: Providers and stakeholders are eager to access credible, current treatment guidelines; governmental agencies, professional societies, and health care leaders can work together effectively and expeditiously; panelists from various disciplines, including biostatistics, are important for quickly developing well-informed recommendations; well-powered randomized clinical trials continue to provide the most compelling evidence to guide treatment recommendations; treatment recommendations need to be developed in a confidential setting free from external pressures; development of a user-friendly, web-based format for communicating with health care providers requires substantial administrative support; and frequent updates are necessary as clinical evidence rapidly emerges.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/therapy , Pandemics , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Advisory Committees , COVID-19/epidemiology , Child , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Drug Approval , Evidence-Based Medicine , Female , Humans , Interprofessional Relations , National Institutes of Health (U.S.) , Pregnancy , SARS-CoV-2 , Stakeholder Participation , United States , COVID-19 Drug Treatment
3.
Am J Gastroenterol ; 116(7): 1406-1413, 2021 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33811202

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Although opioid use disorder (OUD) is common in patients with cirrhosis, it is unclear how medication treatment for OUD (MOUD) is used in this population. We aimed to assess the factors associated with MOUD and mortality in a cohort of Veterans with cirrhosis and OUD. METHODS: Within the Veterans Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse, we developed a cohort of Veterans with cirrhosis and active OUD, using 2 outpatient or 1 inpatient International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision codes from 2011 to 2015 to define each condition. We assessed MOUD initiation with methadone or buprenorphine over the 180 days following the first OUD International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision code in the study period. We fit multivariable regression models to assess the association of sociodemographic and clinical factors with receiving MOUD and the associations between MOUD and subsequent clinical outcomes, including new hepatic decompensation and mortality. RESULTS: Among 5,600 Veterans meeting criteria for active OUD and cirrhosis, 722 (13%) were prescribed MOUD over 180 days of follow-up. In multivariable modeling, MOUD was significantly, positively associated with age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] per year: 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.07), hepatitis C virus (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.37-3.35), and other substance use disorders (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.05-2.04) negatively associated with alcohol use disorder (AOR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.52-0.95), opioid prescription (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.38-0.70), and schizophrenia (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.37-0.95). MOUD was not significantly associated with mortality (adjusted hazards ratio = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.95-1.52) or new hepatic decompensation (OR = 0.57, CI = 0.30-1.09). DISCUSSION: Few Veterans with active OUD and cirrhosis received MOUD, and those with alcohol use disorder, schizophrenia, and previous prescriptions for opioids were least likely to receive these effective therapies.


Subject(s)
Liver Cirrhosis/complications , Mortality , Opiate Substitution Treatment/statistics & numerical data , Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy , Veterans , Age Factors , Alcoholism/complications , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Buprenorphine/therapeutic use , Cohort Studies , Female , Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications , Humans , Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/complications , Male , Methadone/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Opioid-Related Disorders/complications , Proportional Hazards Models , United States , United States Department of Veterans Affairs
7.
Adv Ther ; 37(9): 4033-4042, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32754824

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: More than 70 million people are estimated to be infected with hepatitis C virus globally. Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is a widely used treatment and has recently been approved for an 8-week regimen for treatment-naïve patients with compensated cirrhosis in Europe and the USA, who would previously have received glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for 12 weeks. This label update was based on the EXPEDITION-8 study, which included 343 treatment-naïve patients with compensated cirrhosis. However, there is currently a lack of similarly large-scale real-world studies of the 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir regimen in this population. METHODS: This summary of seven separate smaller real-world studies aims to validate the results seen in EXPEDITION-8 and provide an up-to-date real-world reference for clinicians making treatment decisions for patients with compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A) who may benefit from a shorter-duration therapy with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir. The newly emerging real-world effectiveness data on treatment-naïve patients with compensated cirrhosis treated with 8 weeks of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir help to understand where further research is needed to support patients with hepatitis C virus. RESULTS: Across all seven studies, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir showed high effectiveness with an average sustained virologic response rate of 98.1%, similar to that found in a clinical trial setting (99.7%). Only one patient (0.5%) experienced virologic failure and treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Expanding the number of patients eligible for the shortened treatment duration will potentially increase treatment initiation and completion, particularly in underserved populations, contributing to the elimination of hepatitis C virus.


Subject(s)
Aminoisobutyric Acids/therapeutic use , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Benzimidazoles/therapeutic use , Cyclopropanes/therapeutic use , Drug Combinations , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Hepatitis C, Chronic/genetics , Lactams, Macrocyclic/therapeutic use , Leucine/analogs & derivatives , Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy , Proline/analogs & derivatives , Quinoxalines/therapeutic use , Sulfonamides/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Genetic Variation , Hepacivirus/drug effects , Humans , Leucine/therapeutic use , Male , Middle Aged , Proline/therapeutic use , Sustained Virologic Response , Treatment Outcome
8.
J Viral Hepat ; 26(8): 951-960, 2019 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30977945

ABSTRACT

Although direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are highly efficacious and safe, treatment initiation is often limited in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders due to concerns over reduced treatment adherence and drug-drug interactions. Here, we report adherence, efficacy, safety and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from an integrated analysis of registrational studies using the pangenotypic DAA regimen of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (G/P). Patients with chronic HCV genotypes 1-6 infection with compensated liver disease (with or without cirrhosis) receiving G/P for 8, 12 or 16 weeks were included in this analysis. Patients were classified as having a psychiatric disorder based on medical history and/or co-medications. Primary analyses assessed treatment adherence, efficacy (sustained virologic response at post-treatment week 12; SVR12), safety and PROs. Among 2522 patients receiving G/P, 789 (31%) had a psychiatric disorder with the most common diagnoses being depression (64%; 506/789) and anxiety disorders (27%; 216/789). Treatment adherence was comparably high (>95%) in patients with and without psychiatric disorders. SVR12 rates were 97.3% (768/789; 95% CI = 96.2-98.5) and 97.5% (1689/1733; 95% CI = 96.7-98.2) in patients with and without psychiatric disorders, respectively. Among patients with psychiatric disorders, SVR12 rates remained >96% by individual psychiatric diagnoses and co-medication classes. Overall, most adverse events (AEs) were mild-to-moderate in severity with serious AEs and AEs leading to G/P discontinuation occurring at similarly low rates in both patient populations. In conclusion, G/P treatment was highly efficacious, well-tolerated and demonstrated high adherence rates in patients with chronic HCV infection and psychiatric disorders.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Benzimidazoles/therapeutic use , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Mental Disorders/drug therapy , Quinoxalines/therapeutic use , Sulfonamides/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aminoisobutyric Acids , Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Cyclopropanes , Female , Genotype , Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications , Humans , Lactams, Macrocyclic , Leucine/analogs & derivatives , Liver Cirrhosis/complications , Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy , Male , Mental Disorders/complications , Middle Aged , Proline/analogs & derivatives , Pyrrolidines , Sustained Virologic Response , Treatment Adherence and Compliance , Young Adult
9.
J Viral Hepat ; 26(8): 980-990, 2019 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31012179

ABSTRACT

Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) provides a needed hepatitis C virus (HCV) antiviral option for direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-experienced patients. We evaluated the effectiveness of SOF/VEL/VOX for 12 weeks in DAA-experienced patients with genotype 1-4 treated in clinical practice. In this observational cohort analysis from the Veterans Affairs' Clinical Case Registry, 573 DAA-experienced patients initiating SOF/VEL/VOX were included: 490 genotype 1, 20 genotype 2, 51 genotype 3 and 12 genotype 4. Rates of cirrhosis were 32.7%, 30.0%, 49.0% and 58.3%; rates of prior NS5A-experience were 100.0%, 95.0%, 90.2% and 100.0% for genotypes 1-4, respectively. Overall SVR rates were 90.7% (429/473), 90.0% (18/20), 91.3% (42/46) and 100.0% (12/12) for genotypes 1-4, respectively, and were 91.3% (274/300), 88.9% (16/18), 90.2% (37/41) and 100.0% (11/11) for those with prior NS5A + NS5B experience. For genotype 1, SVR rates were similar in patients with prior regimens of ledipasvir/SOF (90.6%, 298/329), elbasvir/grazoprevir (91.2%, 73/80) and ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir (90.9%, 70/77). SVR rates in genotype 1, 2 and 3 patients with prior SOF/VEL experience were 78.9% (15/19), 86.7% (13/15) and 84.6% (11/13). In genotype 1-4 patients completing 12 weeks of SOF/VEL/VOX, overall SVR rates were 95.1% (409/430), 89.5% (17/19), 93.3% (42/45) and 100% (12/12). In this diverse real-world cohort of heavily NS5A pretreated patients, SOF/VEL/VOX SVR rates in DAA-experienced patients were high across all genotypes. Genotype 1 patients who had prior experience with the most commonly prescribed NS5A regimens achieved similarly high SVR rates when retreated with SOF/VEL/VOX. For genotypes 1, 2 and 3, patients with prior SOF/VEL experience had lower SVR rates.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Carbamates/therapeutic use , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings/therapeutic use , Macrocyclic Compounds/therapeutic use , Sofosbuvir/therapeutic use , Sulfonamides/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cohort Studies , Drug Combinations , Drug Substitution , Female , Genotype , Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepatitis C, Chronic/epidemiology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sustained Virologic Response , United States/epidemiology , Veterans Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Viral Nonstructural Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
10.
Hepatology ; 69(2): 487-497, 2019 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28749564

ABSTRACT

The impact of sustained virologic response (SVR) on mortality after direct-acting antiviral treatment is not well documented. This study evaluated the impact of direct-acting antiviral-induced SVR on all-cause mortality and on incident hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 15,059 hepatitis C virus-infected patients with advanced liver disease defined by a FIB-4 >3.25. Overall, 1,067 patients did not achieve SVR (no SVR) and 13,992 patients achieved SVR. In a mean follow-up period of approximately 1.6 years, 195 no SVR patients and 598 SVR patients died. Mortality rates were 12.3 deaths/100 patient years of follow-up for no SVR patients and 2.6 deaths/100 patient years for SVR patients, a 78.9% reduction (P < 0.001). Among patients without a prior diagnosis of HCC, 140 no SVR patients and 397 SVR patients were diagnosed with incident HCC. HCC rates were 11.5 HCCs/100 patient years for no SVR patients and 1.9 HCCs/100 patient years for SVR patients, an 83.5% reduction (P < 0.001). In multivariable Cox proportional hazard models controlling for baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, and comorbidities, SVR was independently associated with reduced risk of death compared to no SVR (hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.31; P < 0.001). A history of decompensated liver disease (hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-1.83; P < 0.001) and decreased albumin (hazard ratio, 2.70 per 1 g/dL decrease; 95% confidence interval, 2.38-3.12; P < 0.001) were independently associated with increased risk of death. Conclusion: Those achieving SVR after direct-acting antiviral treatment had significantly lower all-cause mortality and lower incident HCC rates than those who did not achieve SVR.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Hepatitis C/drug therapy , Sustained Virologic Response , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cohort Studies , Female , Hepatitis C/mortality , Hepatitis C/virology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , United States/epidemiology
12.
J Hepatol ; 70(1): 15-23, 2019 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30266283

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIM: Understanding the real-world effectiveness of all-oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) regimens informs treatment decisions. We evaluated the effectiveness of daclatasvir + sofosbuvir ±â€¯ribavirin (DCV + SOF ±â€¯RBV) and velpatasvir/sofosbuvir (VEL/SOF) ±â€¯RBV in patients with genotype 2 and genotype 3 infection treated in routine practice. METHODS: This observational analysis was carried out in an intent-to-treat cohort of patients with HCV genotype 2 and genotype 3. Sustained virologic response (SVR) analysis was performed in 5,400 patients initiated on DCV + SOF ±â€¯RBV or VEL/SOF ±â€¯RBV at any Department of Veterans Affairs facility. RESULTS: For genotype 2, SVR rates did not differ between DCV + SOF (94.5%) and VEL/SOF (94.4%) or between DCV + SOF + RBV (88.1%) and VEL/SOF + RBV (89.5%). For genotype 3, SVR rates did not differ between DCV + SOF (90.8%) and VEL/SOF (92.0%) or between DCV + SOF + RBV (88.1%) and VEL/SOF + RBV (86.4%). In multivariate models of patients with genotype 2 and 3 infection, the treatment regimen was not a significant predictor of the odds of SVR. For genotype 3, significant predictors of reduced odds of SVR were prior HCV treatment-experience (odds ratio [OR] 0.51, 95% CI 0.36-0.72; p <0.001), FIB-4 >3.25 (OR 0.60; 95%CI 0.43-0.84; p = 0.002) and a history of decompensated liver disease (OR 0.68; 95%CI 0.47-0.98; p = 0.04). For patients with genotype 2 and 3, treated with VEL/SOF ±â€¯RBV, 89% and 85% received 12-weeks of treatment, respectively. For DCV + SOF ±â€¯RBV, 56% and 20% of patients with HCV genotype 2 received 12-weeks and 24-weeks of treatment, respectively; while 53% and 23% of patients with HCV genotype 3 received 12-weeks and 24-weeks, with most direct-acting antiviral experienced patients receiving 24-weeks. CONCLUSIONS: In patients infected with HCV genotype 2 and 3, DCV + SOF ±â€¯RBV and VEL/SOF ±â€¯RBV produced similar SVR rates within each genotype, and the regimen did not have a significant impact on the odds of SVR. For patients with genotype 3, prior treatment-experience and advanced liver disease were significant predictors of reduced odds of SVR regardless of regimen. LAY SUMMARY: In clinical practice, cure rates for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 were 94% and cure rates for HCV genotype 3 were 90%. The chance of achieving cure was the same whether a person received daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir or velpatasvir/sofosbuvir. Ribavirin did not affect cure rates. The chance of a cure was lowest in people who had received HCV medication in the past.


Subject(s)
Carbamates/therapeutic use , DNA, Viral/genetics , Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings/therapeutic use , Imidazoles/therapeutic use , Registries , Sofosbuvir/therapeutic use , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Genotype , Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pyrrolidines , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Valine/analogs & derivatives
13.
Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis ; 92(1): 34-36, 2018 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29866411

ABSTRACT

In direct acting antiviral (DAA)-treated HCV genotype 1, the sustained virologic response rate with the ∆G/∆G genotype of IFNL4 rs368234815 (86.8%) was significantly lower than with ∆G/TT (95.9%, P = 0.03) or TT/TT (98.6%, P = 0.01). The SVR odds ratio for ∆G/∆G compared to TT/TT was 0.10 (P = 0.03). IFNL4 genotype might predict DAA-response.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Hepatitis C, Chronic/genetics , Interleukins/genetics , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Genotype , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sustained Virologic Response
14.
Infect Dis Clin North Am ; 32(2): 281-292, 2018 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29778256

ABSTRACT

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made significant progress in treating hepatitis C virus, experiencing more than a 75% reduction in veterans remaining to be treated since the availability of oral direct-acting antivirals. Hepatitis C Innovation Teams use lean process improvement and system redesign, resulting in practice models that address gaps in care. The key to success is creative improvements in veteran access to providers, including expanded use of nonphysician providers, video telehealth, and electronic technologies. Population health management tools monitor and identify trends in care, helping the VA tailor care and address barriers.


Subject(s)
Hepatitis C/drug therapy , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , United States Department of Veterans Affairs , Veterans Health , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Disease Management , Hepacivirus/drug effects , Hepatitis C/diagnosis , Hepatitis C/virology , Humans , Telemedicine , United States/epidemiology , Veterans/statistics & numerical data
15.
Ann Intern Med ; 168(9): 682-683, 2018 05 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29710257
16.
Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol ; 3(3): 172-180, 2018 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29371017

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection might pose a risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients coinfected with chronic or resolved HBV infection. The need for HBV antiviral prophylaxis during DAA treatment remains controversial. We aimed to analyse the absolute risk of HBV reactivation in patients with active or resolved HBV infection treated with DAAs for HCV infection. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science from Oct 1, 2010, to Sept 30, 2017, to identify studies of patients with chronic or resolved HBV infection at baseline treated with DAAs for chronic HCV infection. Conference proceedings, abstract books, and references from relevant reviews were also examined for potential studies. Two independent researchers extracted data and assessed quality and risk of bias. Data were pooled by use of random-effects models. The primary outcome was HBV reactivation defined by standardised nomenclature. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42017065882. FINDINGS: We identified 17 observational studies involving 1621 patients with chronic (n=242) or resolved (n=1379) HBV infection treated with different DAAs. The pooled proportion of patients who had HBV reactivation was 24% (95% CI 19-30) in patients with chronic HBV infection and 1·4% (0·8-2·4) in those with resolved HBV infection. In patients with chronic HBV infection, the pooled proportion of patients with HBV-reactivation-related hepatitis was 9% (95% CI 5-16) and the relative risk (RR) of HBV-reactivation-related hepatitis was significantly lower in patients with HBV DNA below the lower limit of quantification at baseline than in those with quantifiable HBV DNA (RR 0·17, 95% CI 0·06-0·50; p=0·0011). Three major clinical events related to HBV reactivation in patients with chronic HBV infection were reported (one patient had liver decompensation and two had liver failure, one of whom required liver transplantation). In patients with resolved HBV infection, no HBV-reactivation-related hepatitis was reported. INTERPRETATION: HBV reactivation occurs frequently in patients with chronic HBV and HCV coinfection receiving DAA therapy but is rare among patients with resolved HBV infection. Use of antiviral prophylaxis might be warranted in patients who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), particularly those with quantifiable HBV DNA. FUNDING: None.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Hepatitis B virus/physiology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology , Virus Activation , Coinfection , Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications , Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications , Humans , Interferons/therapeutic use
17.
Hepatology ; 68(3): 827-838, 2018 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29377196

ABSTRACT

The impact of sustained virologic response (SVR) on mortality after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment is not well documented in patients without advanced liver disease and affects access to treatment. This study evaluated the impact of SVR achieved with interferon-free DAA treatment on all-cause mortality in hepatitis C virus-infected patients without advanced liver disease. This observational cohort analysis was comprised of 103,346 genotype 1, 2, and 3, hepatitis C virus-monoinfected patients without advanced liver disease, defined by FIB-4 ≤3.25 and no diagnosis of cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, or hepatocellular carcinoma or history of liver transplantation, identified from the Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Clinical Case Registry. Among 40,664 patients treated with interferon-free DAA regimens, 39,374 (96.8%) achieved SVR and 1,290 (3.2%) patients were No SVR; 62,682 patients constituted the untreated cohort. The mortality rate for SVR patients of 1.18 deaths/100 patient-years was significantly lower than the rates for both No SVR patients (2.84 deaths/100 patient-years; P < 0.001) and untreated patients (3.84 deaths/100 patient-years; P < 0.001). SVR patients with FIB-4 <1.45 and 1.45-3.25 had a 46.0% (P = 0.036) and 63.2% (P < 0.001) reduction in mortality rates, respectively, compared to No SVR patients and 66.7% (P < 0.001) and 70.6% (P < 0.001) reduction in mortality rates, respectively, compared to untreated patients. In multivariate Cox proportional hazard models controlling for baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, and comorbidities, SVR was independently associated with reduced risk of death compared to No SVR (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.59; P < 0.001) and compared to untreated patients (hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.36; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Successfully treating hepatitis C virus with DAAs in patients without clinically apparent advanced liver disease translates into a significant mortality benefit. (Hepatology 2018).


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Hepatitis C, Chronic/mortality , Sustained Virologic Response , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Severity of Illness Index , Young Adult
18.
Ann Intern Med ; 167(7): 499-504, 2017 Oct 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28973196

ABSTRACT

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the nation's largest care provider for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients and is uniquely suited to inform national efforts to eliminate HCV. An extensive array of delivery of services, policy guidance, outreach efforts, and funding has broadened the reach and capacity of the VA to deliver direct-acting antiviral (DAA) HCV therapy, supported by an infrastructure to effectively implement change and informed by extensive population health data analysis. The VA has treated more than 92 000 HCV-infected veterans since all-oral DAAs became available in January 2014, with cure rates exceeding 90%; only 51 000 veterans in VA care are known to remain potentially eligible for treatment. Key actions advancing the VA's aggressive treatment of HCV infection that are germane to non-VA settings include expansion of treatment capacity through the use of nonphysician providers, video telehealth, and electronic technologies; expansion of integrated care to address psychiatric and substance use comorbidities; and electronic data tools for patient tracking and outreach. A critical component of effective implementation has been building infrastructure through the creation of regional multidisciplinary HCV Innovation Teams, whose system redesign efforts have produced innovative HCV practice models addressing gaps in care while providing more efficient and effective HCV management for the populations they serve. Financing for HCV treatment and infrastructure resources coupled with reduced drug prices has been paramount to the VA's success in curing HCV infection. The VA is poised to share and extend best practices to other health care organizations and providers delivering HCV care, contributing to a concerted effort to reduce the overall burden of HCV infection.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Hepatitis C/drug therapy , United States Department of Veterans Affairs , Comorbidity , Delivery of Health Care/methods , Female , Financing, Government , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Telemedicine , United States/epidemiology , United States Department of Veterans Affairs/economics , Veterans/statistics & numerical data , Veterans Health/statistics & numerical data
19.
Clin Infect Dis ; 65(2): 252-258, 2017 Jul 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28379316

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Veterans are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Homeless veterans are at particularly high risk for HIV, HCV, and HBV due to a variety of overlapping risk factors, including high rates of mental health disorders and substance use disorders. The prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans nationally is currently unknown. This study describes national testing rates and prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans. METHODS: Using data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Warehouse Data from 2015, we evaluated HIV, HCV, and HBV laboratory testing and infection confirmation rates and diagnoses on the Problem List for nonhomeless veterans and for veterans utilizing homeless services in 2015. RESULTS: Among 242740 homeless veterans in VA care in 2015, HIV, HCV, and HBV testing occurred in 63.8% (n = 154812), 78.1% (n = 189508), and 52.8% (n = 128262), respectively. The HIV population prevalence was 1.52% (3684/242740) among homeless veterans, compared with 0.44% (23797/5424685) among nonhomeless veterans. The HCV population prevalence among homeless veterans was 12.1% (29311/242740), compared with 2.7% (148079/5424685) among nonhomeless veterans, while the HBV population prevalence was 0.99% (2395/242740) for homeless veterans and 0.40% (21611/5424685) among nonhomeless veterans. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this work represents the most comprehensive tested prevalence and population prevalence estimates of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans nationally. The data demonstrate high prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans, and reinforce the need for integrated healthcare services along with homeless programming.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections/epidemiology , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Ill-Housed Persons , Veterans , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , HIV/isolation & purification , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/virology , Hepacivirus/isolation & purification , Hepatitis B/diagnosis , Hepatitis B/virology , Hepatitis B virus/isolation & purification , Hepatitis C/diagnosis , Hepatitis C/virology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , United States/epidemiology
20.
Clin Infect Dis ; 64(12): 1711-1720, 2017 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28199525

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND.: Large cohorts are needed to assess human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) real-world treatment outcomes. We examined the effectiveness of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin (LDV/SOF ± RBV) and ombitasvir/ paritaprevir/ritonavir plus dasabuvir (OPrD) ± RBV in HIV/HCV genotype 1 (GT1)-coinfected patients initiating HCV therapy in clinical practice. METHODS.: Observational intent-to-treat cohort analysis using the Veterans Affairs Clinical Case Registry to identify HIV/HCV GT1-coinfected veterans initiating 12 weeks of LDV/SOF ± RBV or OPrD ± RBV. Multivariate models of sustained virologic response (SVR) included age, race, cirrhosis, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescription, prior HCV treatment, body mass index, genotype subtype, and HCV treatment regimen. RESULTS.: Nine hundred ninety-six HIV/HCV GT1-coinfected veterans initiated therapy: 757 LDV/SOF, 138 LDV/SOF + RBV, 28 OPrD, and 73 OPrD + RBV. Overall SVR was 90.9% (823/905); LDV/SOF 92.1% (631/685), LDV/SOF + RBV 86.3% (113/131), OPrD 88.9% (24/27), and OPrD + RBV 88.7% (55/62). SVR was 85.9% (176/205) and 92.4% (647/700) in those with and without cirrhosis (P = .006). SVR was similar between African Americans (90.5% [546/603]) and all others (91.7% [277/302]). PPI use with LDV/SOF ± RBV did not affect SVR (89.7% [131/146] with PPI and 91.5% [613/670] without PPI). Cirrhosis was predictive of reduced SVR (0.51 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .31-.87]; P = .01). Median creatinine change did not differ among patients receiving LDV/SOF and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) without a protease inhibitor (PI) (0.18 [interquartile range {IQR}, 0.08-0.30]; n = 372), LDV/SOF and TDF/PI (0.17 [IQR, 0.04-0.30]; n = 100), and LDV/SOF without TDF (0.15 [IQR, 0.00-0.30]; n = 423). CONCLUSIONS.: SVR rates in HIV/HCV GT1-coinfected patients were high. African American race or PPI use with LDV/SOF ± RBV was not associated with lower SVR rates, but cirrhosis was. Renal function did not worsen on LDV/SOF regimens with TDF.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Coinfection/drug therapy , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepatitis C/drug therapy , Administration, Oral , Aged , Anilides/administration & dosage , Anilides/therapeutic use , Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage , Benzimidazoles/administration & dosage , Benzimidazoles/therapeutic use , Carbamates/administration & dosage , Carbamates/therapeutic use , Cohort Studies , Coinfection/virology , Cyclopropanes , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Fluorenes/administration & dosage , Fluorenes/therapeutic use , Genotype , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/virology , Hepacivirus/drug effects , Hepatitis C/complications , Hepatitis C/virology , Humans , Lactams, Macrocyclic , Macrocyclic Compounds/administration & dosage , Macrocyclic Compounds/therapeutic use , Male , Middle Aged , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Proline/analogs & derivatives , Registries , Ribavirin/administration & dosage , Ribavirin/therapeutic use , Sofosbuvir/administration & dosage , Sofosbuvir/therapeutic use , Sulfonamides , Sustained Virologic Response , Treatment Outcome , Uridine Monophosphate/administration & dosage , Uridine Monophosphate/analogs & derivatives , Uridine Monophosphate/therapeutic use , Valine , Veterans
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