1. Rates of HCV Treatment Eligibility Among HCV-Monoinfected and HCV/HIV-Coinfected Patients in Tertiary Care Referral Centers.
- Author
-
Uzma Khan, Obaid Shaikh, Deborah McMahon, Zachariah Dorey-Stein, Joel Tsevat, and Vincent Lo Re III
- Subjects
HEPATITIS C treatment ,HIV-positive persons ,HEPATITIS C virus ,REFERRAL centers (Information services) ,LIVER biopsy ,ACADEMIC medical centers - Abstract
Background: Treatment eligibility rates in patients with HCV monoinfection have not been directly compared with patients with HCV/HIV coinfection. These data are important for planning interventions to optimize HCV management. Method: We enrolled consecutive HCV-monoinfected and HCV/HIV-coinfected subjects presenting to hepatology and HIV clinics at three academic medical centers. Data were obtained through structured subject and provider interviews and a review of medical records. Results: Of the 399 subjects enrolled, 241 (60%) were HCV monoinfected and 158 (40%) were HCV/HIV coinfected. HCV/HIV-coinfected subjects were less likely to have indications for treatment based on HCV RNA positivity (70.9% vs. 81.3%, p = .04) but were more likely to have at least one contraindication to treatment (81.6% vs. 64.9%, p Conclusions: HCV/HIV-coinfected persons are less likely to undergo a liver biopsy or be eligible for HCV therapy and are more likely to have treatment contraindications compared with HCV-monoinfected subjects. Strategies to address modifiable factors (e.g., depression, substance abuse) may enhance treatment eligibility in HCV-infected populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009