scholarly journals Declines in Depressive Symptoms Among People who Inject Drugs Treated With Direct-Acting Antivirals While on Opioid Agonist Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Pericot-Valverde ◽  
Moonseong Heo ◽  
Jiajing Niu ◽  
Brianna L Norton ◽  
Matthew J Akiyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Sustained Viral Response ◽  
Addiction Severity Index ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) frequently co-occurs with symptoms of depression, which are aggravated on interferon-based regimens. However, it is unknown whether HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has effects on depressive symptoms among people who inject drugs (PWID). In this study, we examined changes in depressive symptoms during and after HCV treatment among PWID on opioid agonist therapies (OATs). Methods Participants were 141 PWID who achieved sustained viral response after on-site HCV treatment at 3 OAT programs. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II) at baseline, every 4 weeks during treatment, and 12 and 24 weeks after treatment completion. Current diagnosis of depression or other psychiatric diagnoses were obtained through chart review. Use of illicit drugs was measured by urine toxicology screening. Alcohol use was measured using the Addiction Severity Index–Lite. Results Of the 141 PWID infected with HCV, 24.1% had severe, 9.9% had moderate, 15.6% had mild, and 50.4% had minimal levels of depression as per BDI-II scores at baseline. HCV treatment was significantly associated with reductions in depressive symptoms that persisted long term, regardless of symptom severity (P < .001) or presence of depression (P ≤ .01) or other psychiatric diagnoses (P ≤ .01) at baseline. Concurrent drug use (P ≤ .001) or hazardous alcohol drinking (P ≤ .001) did not interfere with reductions in depressive symptoms. Conclusions Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among HCV-infected PWID. HCV treatment was associated with sustained reductions in depressive symptoms. HCV therapy with DAAs may have important implications for PWID that go beyond HCV cure.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Access Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Coinfected People Who Inject Drugs in Guangzhou, China: Implications for HCV Treatment Expansion

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carissa E. Chu ◽  
Feng Wu ◽  
Xi He ◽  
Kali Zhou ◽  
Yu Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Treatment Access ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background.  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment access among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected people who inject drugs is poor, despite a high burden of disease in this population. Understanding barriers and facilitators to HCV treatment uptake is critical to the implementation of new direct-acting antivirals. Methods.  We conducted in-depth interviews with patients, physicians, and social workers at an HIV treatment facility and methadone maintenance treatment centers in Guangzhou, China to identify barriers and facilitators to HCV treatment. We included patients who were in various stages of HCV treatment and those who were not treated. We used standard qualitative methods and organized data into themes. Results.  Interview data from 29 patients, 8 physicians, and 3 social workers were analyzed. Facilitators and barriers were organized according to a modified Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research schematic. Facilitators included patient trust in physicians, hope for a cure, peer networks, and social support. Barriers included ongoing drug use, low HCV disease knowledge, fragmented reimbursement systems, HIV exceptionalism, and stigma. Conclusions.  Expanding existing harm reduction programs, HIV treatment programs, and social services may facilitate scale-up of direct-acting antivirals globally. Improving integration of ancillary social and mental health services within existing HIV care systems may facilitate HCV treatment access.

scholarly journals The Impact of Direct-Acting Antivirals in the Hepatitis C-Sustained Viral Response in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients With Ongoing Barriers to Care

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward R. Cachay ◽  
David Wyles ◽  
Lucas Hill ◽  
Craig Ballard ◽  
Francesca Torriani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Barriers To Care ◽  
Sustained Viral Response ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Viral Response ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background.  Access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with ongoing barriers to care is restricted by healthcare payers in the absence of HCV treatment outcomes data in the era of direct-acting antivirals (DAA). Methods.  Retrospective analysis of HCV treatment outcomes using interferon (IFN)-free DAA regimens and an inclusive treatment protocol in an urban HIV clinic where ongoing barriers to care (drug or alcohol use, psychiatric disease, and/or unstable housing) are common. Then, using logistic regression analysis, we compared the proportion of HIV-infected patients who achieved HCV sustained viral response (SVR) in the pegylated-IFN plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV, 2008–2011), pegylated-IFN plus ribavirin and telaprevir (PEG-IFN/RBV/PI, 2011–2013), and IFN-free DAA therapy eras (2014). Results are displayed using forest plots. Results.  The proportion of patients who achieved HCV SVR in the PEG-IFN/RBV, PEG-IFN/RBV/PI, and IFN-free DAA therapy eras increased from 38.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.2–53.7) and 48% (95% CI, 28.4–67.6) to 83.3% (95% CI, 70.0–96.7), respectively. Similar proportions of patients with ongoing barriers to care were treated during the PEG-IFN/RBV (25 of 39 [64%]), PEG-IFN/RBV/PI (14 of 25 [56%]), and IFN-free DAA (16 of 30 [53%]) eras. Hepatitis C virus SVR among patients with ongoing barriers to care improved from 40% (95% CI, 21–59) to 76.5% (95% CI, 56–97) in the PEG-IFN/RBV and IFN-free DAA eras, respectively. After stratification for factors associated with HCV SVR such as HCV genotype and cirrhosis, HCV SVR were similar in patients regardless of the presence of ongoing barriers to care. Conclusions.  Using IFN-free DAA and an inclusive HCV treatment protocol, 76.5% of HIV/HCV-treated patients with ongoing barriers to care achieved HCV SVR.

scholarly journals ‘Treat my whole person, not just my condition’: qualitative explorations of hepatitis C care delivery preferences among people who inject drugs

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith I. Tsui ◽  
Michael P. Barry ◽  
Elizabeth J. Austin ◽  
Elsa W. Sweek ◽  
Elyse Tung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Addiction Treatment ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs)—a form of hepatitis C (HCV) treatment associated with shorter treatment course and greater efficacy—offers an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate HCV, but only if care delivery systems are developed to extend treatment to people who inject drugs (PWID). To support the design of a community-pharmacy program, we explored perspectives of PWID with chronic HCV with regard to barriers, motivators, preferences, and prior experiences related to HCV treatment and pharmacists. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with people living with HCV who reported active injection drug use. Participants were recruited from local community service and clinical organizations in the Seattle, Washington region, and focus groups and interviews were conducted in-person or via phone/video-conference. Rapid Assessment Process was used to analyze qualitative data. Dual coders used structured templates to summarize findings and engaged in iterative review to identify themes. Results Among the 40 participants, 65% were male, 52.5% were white, and 80% were not stably housed. On average, participants had been injecting drugs for 14 years and living with HCV for 6 years. Analyses revealed 3 themes: (1) limited knowledge regarding HCV and DAA treatments; (2) barriers/motivators for receiving treatment included fear of side effects, prior stigmatizing behaviors from physicians, and desire to protect relatives and the PWID community from HCV transmission; and (3) preferences for HCV care delivery, including a need for person-centered, low-barrier, and collaborative treatment integrated with other care (e.g. primary care and addiction treatment) for PWID. Participants were generally receptive to a community-pharmacy model for HCV treatment, but prior interactions with pharmacists were mixed and there were some concerns expressed that care delivered by pharmacists would not be equivalent to that of physicians. Conclusions Even in the direct-acting antivirals era, people who inject drugs still face major barriers to hepatitis C treatment which may be reduced by providing low-barrier points of access for care through pharmacists. Key recommendations for community-pharmacy design included providing care team training to reduce stigma and ensuring care team structures and culture target PWID-specific needs for education and engagement.

scholarly journals Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes of Direct-Acting Antivirals for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Among Patients on Opioid Agonist Treatment: A Real-world Prospective Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Schulte ◽  
Christiane S Schmidt ◽  
Jakob Manthey ◽  
Lisa Strada ◽  
Stefan Christensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Real World ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Direct Acting ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can help to reduce uncertainties about hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) among people who inject drugs and increase treatment uptake in this high-risk group. Besides clinical data, this study analyzed for the first time PROs in a real-world sample of patients on opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and HCV treatment with DAAs. Methods HCV treatment data including virological response, adherence, safety, and PROs of 328 German patients on OAT were analyzed in a pragmatic prospective cohort study conducted from 2016 to 2018. Clinical effectiveness was defined as sustained virological response (SVR) at week 12 after end of treatment and calculated in per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses. Changes over time in PROs on health-related quality of life, physical and mental health, functioning, medication tolerability, fatigue, concentration, and memory were analyzed by repeated-measures analyses of variances (ANOVAs). Results We found high adherence and treatment completion rates, a low number of mainly mild adverse events, and high SVR rates (PP: 97.5% [n = 285]; ITT: 84.5% [n = 328]). Missing SVR data in the ITT sample were mainly caused by patients lost to follow-up after treatment completion. Most PROs showed statistically significant but modest improvements over time, with more pronounced improvements in highly impaired patients. Conclusions This real-world study confirms that DAA treatment among OAT patients is feasible, safe, and effective. PROs show that all patients, but particularly those with higher somatic, mental, and social burden, benefit from DAA treatment.

Hepatitis C virus DAA treatment adherence patterns and SVR among people who inject drugs treated in opioid agonist therapy programs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moonseong Heo ◽  
Irene Pericot-Valverde ◽  
Lior Rennert ◽  
Matthew J Akiyama ◽  
Brianna L Norton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Sustained Viral Response ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Agonist Therapy ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Direct Acting Antiviral

Abstract Background Adequate medication adherence is critical for achieving sustained viral response (SVR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID). However, it is less known which patterns of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment adherence are associated with SVR in this population or what factors are associated with each pattern. Methods The randomized three-arm PREVAIL study utilized electronic blister packs to obtain daily time frame adherence data in opiate agonist therapy program settings. Exact logistic regressions were applied to test the associations between SVR and six types of treatment adherence patterns. Results Of the 113 participants treated with combination DAAs, 109 (96.5%) achieved SVR. SVR was significantly associated with all pattern parameters except for number of switches between adherent and missed days: total adherent daily doses (exact AOR=1.12; 95%CI=1.04-1.22), percent total doses (1.09; 1.03-1.16), days on treatment (1.16; 1.05-1.32), maximum consecutive adherent days (1.34; 1.06-2.04), maximum consecutive non-adherent days (.85; .74-.95=.003). SVR was significantly associated with total adherent doses in the first two months of treatment, it was not in the last month. Compared to White participants (30.7±11.8(se)), Black (18.4±7.8) and Hispanic participants (19.2±6.1) had significantly shorter maximum consecutive adherent days. While alcohol intoxication was significantly associated with frequent switches, drug use was not associated with any adherence pattern. Conclusion Consistent maintenance of adequate total dose adherence over the entire course of HCV treatment is important in achieving SVR among PWID. Additional integrative addiction and medical care may be warranted for treating PWID experiencing alcohol intoxication.

scholarly journals Direct‐acting antivirals for HCV treatment in older patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 1249-1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosanna Villani ◽  
Matteo Monami ◽  
Francesca Di Cosimo ◽  
Gilda Fioravanti ◽  
Edoardo Mannucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Direct Acting
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