“Metabolic dysfunction is more common than ultrasonographic steatosis in patients cured of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) who were treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAA).”
Women, younger injection drug users have a higher risk for HIV, HCV
“Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated greater risk for hepatitis C virus and HIV infection among women and younger people who inject drugs, according to data reported in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.”
HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C can be detected from a single drop of blood, study shows
“Mr. Nilsson-Møller says, “We’ve shown that using existing hospital equipment, it is possible to detect HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C from a single drop of blood.”
New tool to study hepatitis B could open the door to a cure
“Hepatitis C and hepatitis B viruses both attack the liver, eventually causing deadly cirrhosis or cancer. But while antivirals can cure 95 percent of HCV infections, its cousin HBV has long eluded effective therapeutics. As a result, nearly 1 million people die from HBV every year.”
World Liver Day: 7 habits that you should get rid of for a healthy liver
“With World Liver Day (April 19) around the corner, show some tender, loving, care for healthy liver.”
Characterizing the cascade of care for hepatitis C virus infection among Status First Nations peoples in Ontario: a retrospective cohort study
“Interpretation: In comparison with HCV testing and diagnosis, a substantial gap in treatment initiation remains among Status First Nations populations in Ontario. Elimination efforts that prioritize linkage to care and integration with harm reduction and substance use services are needed to close gaps in HCV care among First Nations populations in Ontario. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains an important public health problem in Canada, causing more years of life lost than any other infectious disease. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens have revolutionized the treatment of HCV infection, offering the opportunity for cure before advanced liver disease develops.”
Review Quantifies Incidence of HIV, Hep C in Persons Who Inject Drugs
“MONDAY, April 10, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Among people who inject drugs (PWID), the pooled incidences of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are 1.7 and 12.1 per 100 person-years, respectively, with increased risks in young PWID and in women, according to a review published online March 27 in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.”
Harm Reduction- Deschutes County Oregon
The Harm Reduction/Syringe Exchange events provide free services to people 18 years and older
Overcome Health Inequities to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis
“In 2011, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services, released the first US Viral Hepatitis Action Plan to prevent the silent epidemic of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and subsequent mortality from liver cancer and liver disease. A year earlier, the National Academy of Medicine had called out viral hepatitis as an “underappreciated health concern for the nation.” Building on the academy’s recommendations, the plan, developed by representatives from across the Department of Health and Human Services with input from multiple external partners, recommended 55 major strategies and some 150 specific, government-wide actions to prevent new infections and improve early diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis. An overarching theme of the plan was health equity by expanding access to prevention and care services for populations with an excessive burden of infection and disease.”
Savings from the United States National Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative
“The national hepatitis C elimination initiative provides an opportunity to dramatically expand access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment and put the US on a path to eliminating hepatitis C. Our objective was to project the health benefits and cost savings of this initiative. A previously developed mathematical model was updated to simulate trends in HCV disease burden and cost of care in the US for the next 20 years under status quo and national hepatitis C elimination initiative. Within five years, the initiative will diagnose 92.5% of all persons with HCV and cure 89.6% of HCV infection. Over 10 years, compared with the status quo, the initiative will avert 20,000 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 49,100 cases of diabetes, and 25,000 cases of chronic kidney disease. The initiative will also avert 24,000 deaths adding 220,000 life years. These benefits in improved health will save $18.1 billion in direct healthcare spending, of which $13.3 billion would accrue to the federal government. Over 20 years, the health benefits would increase by more than 2-fold and cost savings by 3-fold. The cost savings would further increase if the HCV incidence rate decreases because of rapid decline in HCV prevalence. In conclusion, the national hepatitis C elimination initiative would substantially reduce HCV-related morbidity and mortality and would reduce healthcare spending at 10 years and beyond.”
New recommendation on hepatitis C virus testing and treatment for people at ongoing risk of infection
“In 2022, WHO published the Consolidated guidelines on HIV, viral hepatitis and STI prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations. These guidelines outline a public health response to HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for 5 key populations (men who have sex with men, sex workers, people in prisons and other closed settings, people who inject drugs and trans and gender diverse people). In this policy brief, we give an update on those parts of the guidelines related to hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment for key populations.”
