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Assessment of HCV-RNA test results and access rates to antiviral treatment in patients with anti-HCV positivity—a 10-year analysis

BACKGROUND/AIM: Currently, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can be cured by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). In this study, we aimed to find the rate of viremia among patients with a positive anti-HCV test and the rate of antiviral treatment given to viremic patients. We also aimed to reach patient...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: TÜRKOĞLU YILMAZ, Emine, PARLAK, Zafer, BARUT, Hüseyin Şener
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10390156/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36945985
http://dx.doi.org/10.55730/1300-0144.5546
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND/AIM: Currently, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can be cured by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). In this study, we aimed to find the rate of viremia among patients with a positive anti-HCV test and the rate of antiviral treatment given to viremic patients. We also aimed to reach patients with anti-HCV positivity but not tested for HCV-RNA, and patients, who were diagnosed with HCV-RNA positivity but received no treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, individuals tested for anti-HCV in Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Research and Application Hospital in the period between January 2010 and January 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Anti-HCV positive patients, who were not tested for HCV-RNA, and HCV-RNA positive patients, who did not receive treatment, were called for a follow-up visit in the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: The prevalences of anti-HCV positivity and viremia among patients were 2.24% and 0.67%, respectively. A HCV-RNA test was ordered in 71.7% of the anti-HCV positive patients. Antiviral treatment was not given to 44.4% of the viremic patients. Of the patients, who were called for a follow-up visit in the outpatient clinic, 3.9% attended the visit. Of these patients, 0.8% were HCV-RNA positive and 0.7% received treatment. CONCLUSION: Although the rate of HCV-RNA testing was relatively high in patients with anti-HCV positivity, almost half of them did not receive treatment. We could reach only one-third of the patients, who were called for a follow-up visit, and only a few patients received treatment. Individuals with anti-HCV positivity should be referred to a specialist without delay and HCV-RNA testing should be performed immediately to achieve HCV elimination targets. The likelihood of difficulties in reaching patients later should be considered.