Hepatitis C screening and linkage to care with a mobile clinic in Southern Denmark.
Hepatitis C
People who use drugs
Point-of-care testing
Screening
Journal
The International journal on drug policy
ISSN: 1873-4758
Titre abrégé: Int J Drug Policy
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 9014759
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Nov 2023
Nov 2023
Historique:
received:
14
04
2023
revised:
25
08
2023
accepted:
25
08
2023
medline:
27
11
2023
pubmed:
16
9
2023
entrez:
15
9
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Knowing the prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in risk groups is essential for elimination. The aim of the study was to assess HCV prevalence among people with different risk profiles and the feasibility of linking people with HCV to care. In Southern Denmark we tested people who were using shelters, cafés, and facilities for marginalized populations and the general population. We established a mobile clinic for HCV testing offering point-of-care HCV-antibody (HCV-Ab), point-of-care HCV RNA testing, and dried blood spot (DBS) testing. People with HCV infection were linked to care. Among 802 tested persons, we found an HCV-Ab /HCV RNA prevalence of 13% (n = 101) /3% (n = 24). We found a prevalence of 20% (n = 97)/5% (n = 24) among 475 persons tested at locations attended by people who inject drugs but 0%/0% when testing the general population. Of 24 people who were HCV RNA positive, 83% (n = 20) initiated treatment, 13% (n = 3) spontaneously cleared their infection, and one was lost to follow-up. General population testing has limited utility while focus on settings attended by people with increased HCV risk is more feasible. Linkage of people with a current HCV infection to care is feasible.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Knowing the prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in risk groups is essential for elimination. The aim of the study was to assess HCV prevalence among people with different risk profiles and the feasibility of linking people with HCV to care.
METHODS
METHODS
In Southern Denmark we tested people who were using shelters, cafés, and facilities for marginalized populations and the general population. We established a mobile clinic for HCV testing offering point-of-care HCV-antibody (HCV-Ab), point-of-care HCV RNA testing, and dried blood spot (DBS) testing. People with HCV infection were linked to care.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Among 802 tested persons, we found an HCV-Ab /HCV RNA prevalence of 13% (n = 101) /3% (n = 24). We found a prevalence of 20% (n = 97)/5% (n = 24) among 475 persons tested at locations attended by people who inject drugs but 0%/0% when testing the general population. Of 24 people who were HCV RNA positive, 83% (n = 20) initiated treatment, 13% (n = 3) spontaneously cleared their infection, and one was lost to follow-up.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
General population testing has limited utility while focus on settings attended by people with increased HCV risk is more feasible. Linkage of people with a current HCV infection to care is feasible.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37714009
pii: S0955-3959(23)00227-X
doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104180
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
RNA, Viral
0
Hepatitis C Antibodies
0
Antiviral Agents
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
104180Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of Competing Interest S.D. has received travel support and speaker fees from Gilead, Abbott, and AbbVie, and research grants from Gilead, all unrelated to the current study. P.B.C. has received research grants from Gilead, AbbVie, and MSD unrelated to the current study. ALHØ has received research grants from Gilead and speaker fees and travel support from Gilead, AbbVie, and MSD unrelated to the current study. D.H. and B.R. have no conflicts of interest.