Treating Hepatitis C in a Ryan White-Funded HIV Clinic: Has the Treatment Uptake Improved in the Interferon-Free Directly Active Antiviral Era?

AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2016 Feb;30(2):51-5. doi: 10.1089/apc.2015.0222. Epub 2016 Jan 8.

Abstract

Now that highly efficacious, interferon-free (IFN-free), direct acting antivirals (DAA) for the treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) have closed the gap between treatment and cure, identifying barriers that prevent initiation of treatment is more crucial than ever. This is a retrospective study utilizing Electronic Medical Records and Prior Authorization Records to identify HCV treatment gaps, including predictors for intention-to-treat and treatment initiation in the first 15 months of a Ryan White funded human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV co-infection clinic. This study included 128 adults ≥ 18 years old with HIV and chronic HCV infection who had visited the treatment center at least once since January 2013. Provider intent-to-treat was used to differentiate patients actively considered for treatment based on documentation kept by a multidisciplinary HCV team. Members of this group who had gone on to initiate treatment were identified. Baseline characteristics were compared. Rates of active treatment consideration and treatment initiation were 30% and 14%, respectively. HCV treatment-naïve individuals were less likely to be considered for treatment [risk ratio (RR) 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-2.32] and initiate therapy (RR 2.33, 95% CI 0.97-5.60). Advanced liver disease had no significant association. Black race (RR 1.96, 95% CI 0.90-4.25) and Medicaid insurance holders (RR 1.90, 95% CI 0.95-3.82) tended to be less likely to initiate therapy. The availability of IFN-free DAA regimens has yet to increase HCV treatment uptake in our HIV/HCV co-infected population. Barriers to HCV treatment initiation have shifted from medical contraindications to socioeconomic variables.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Coinfection / drug therapy
  • Coinfection / virology*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Interferons / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ribavirin
  • Interferons