International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases | 2019
HepCheck: Characteristics of the patient population with active infection as defined by HCV RNA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND\nHepatitis C (HCV) is a main cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and is consistently under-diagnosed. Community-based screening initiatives, such as HepCheck, have been identified as important components of HCV care.\n\n\nOBJECTIVES\nHepCheck focuses on screening and identifying HCV RNA positive cases in high-risk populations and linking them to care as part of a larger European project to improve HCV care (HepCare).\n\n\nMETHODS\nHCV testing with a self-administered questionnaire were offered to 2822 individuals.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThere were 2,079 patients screened. Of those, 397 (19%) of the overall screened cohort were identified as having active HCV infections as measured by HCV RNA PCR. Those were mostly male (84%), white (88%) had a history of Injecting Drug Use (IDU) (86%), homelessness (58%) and tattooing (42%). There were 136 new cases (7% of total sample and 34% of identified active infections). Romania had the highest proportion of new identified cases with 87%, then Ireland (60%), then Spain (43%), whilst the UK had the lowest proportion of new cases (10%).\n\n\nDISCUSSION\nFor those lost to follow-up a major strategy is re-engagement For those newly diagnosed, a seek and treat approach is a key strategy thus defining different priorities for different countries.