O-19 COLLABORATIVE CARE TOWARDS MICROELIMINATION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN A DIALYSIS POPULATION IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Introduction and Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication from dialysis facilities in a community using direct acting antivirals (DAAs) may be achieved more effectively under a collaborative care model, including a network of hepatologists, nephrologists and specialized dialysis staff. This s...

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Main Authors: Hugo Cheinquer, Alexandre de Araujo, Dirceu da Silva Reis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-03-01
Series:Annals of Hepatology
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1665268123001333
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author Hugo Cheinquer
Alexandre de Araujo
Dirceu da Silva Reis
author_facet Hugo Cheinquer
Alexandre de Araujo
Dirceu da Silva Reis
author_sort Hugo Cheinquer
collection DOAJ
description Introduction and Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication from dialysis facilities in a community using direct acting antivirals (DAAs) may be achieved more effectively under a collaborative care model, including a network of hepatologists, nephrologists and specialized dialysis staff. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy in all registered dialysis units operating in Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), in Southern Brazil. Furthermore, to implement a strategy to treat HCV infection locally at these units. Materials and Methods: All dialysis units in RS State were contacted between January 2020 and January 2022 to provide results of anti-HCV screening in dialysis patients. Those with positive results were discussed via telemedicine with a team of two hepatologists and one nephrologist located in Clinics Hospital of Porto Alegre, a tertiary health care facility. Dialysis staff was instructed to test HCV RNA with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and calculate FIB-4 and APRI scores. Viremic patients were selected for therapy and those with FIB-4 >3.25 and/or APRI >1.5 were required to undergo ultrasonography and/or elastography. DAA therapy was started locally by the dialysis unit staff under the supervision of the hepatologists. Results: A total of 6,991 patients from all 66 dialysis facilities in RS State were enrolled. Most patients (93.3%) were on hemodialysis. All patients completed HCV screening and 454 (6.5%) were anti-HCV positive. So far, nine units have completed the proposed model, with 89 anti-HCV positive patients that resulted in 49 (55.5%) with detectable HCV RNA by PCR. All viremic patients started HCV therapy. Interim analysis showed SVR in 21 (95.5%) of 22 patients. Conclusions: A collaborative care model increased the rates of diagnosis and treatment for HCV in dialysis facilities to levels near those established by the World Health Organization towards HCV elimination up to 2030.
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spelling doaj.art-4a9fc53a1d664dfd8000014dd0966c4b2023-03-23T04:34:37ZengElsevierAnnals of Hepatology1665-26812023-03-0128101029O-19 COLLABORATIVE CARE TOWARDS MICROELIMINATION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN A DIALYSIS POPULATION IN SOUTHERN BRAZILHugo Cheinquer0Alexandre de Araujo1Dirceu da Silva Reis2Clinics Hospital of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, BrazilClinics Hospital of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, BrazilClinics Hospital of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, BrazilIntroduction and Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication from dialysis facilities in a community using direct acting antivirals (DAAs) may be achieved more effectively under a collaborative care model, including a network of hepatologists, nephrologists and specialized dialysis staff. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy in all registered dialysis units operating in Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), in Southern Brazil. Furthermore, to implement a strategy to treat HCV infection locally at these units. Materials and Methods: All dialysis units in RS State were contacted between January 2020 and January 2022 to provide results of anti-HCV screening in dialysis patients. Those with positive results were discussed via telemedicine with a team of two hepatologists and one nephrologist located in Clinics Hospital of Porto Alegre, a tertiary health care facility. Dialysis staff was instructed to test HCV RNA with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and calculate FIB-4 and APRI scores. Viremic patients were selected for therapy and those with FIB-4 >3.25 and/or APRI >1.5 were required to undergo ultrasonography and/or elastography. DAA therapy was started locally by the dialysis unit staff under the supervision of the hepatologists. Results: A total of 6,991 patients from all 66 dialysis facilities in RS State were enrolled. Most patients (93.3%) were on hemodialysis. All patients completed HCV screening and 454 (6.5%) were anti-HCV positive. So far, nine units have completed the proposed model, with 89 anti-HCV positive patients that resulted in 49 (55.5%) with detectable HCV RNA by PCR. All viremic patients started HCV therapy. Interim analysis showed SVR in 21 (95.5%) of 22 patients. Conclusions: A collaborative care model increased the rates of diagnosis and treatment for HCV in dialysis facilities to levels near those established by the World Health Organization towards HCV elimination up to 2030.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1665268123001333
spellingShingle Hugo Cheinquer
Alexandre de Araujo
Dirceu da Silva Reis
O-19 COLLABORATIVE CARE TOWARDS MICROELIMINATION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN A DIALYSIS POPULATION IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
Annals of Hepatology
title O-19 COLLABORATIVE CARE TOWARDS MICROELIMINATION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN A DIALYSIS POPULATION IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
title_full O-19 COLLABORATIVE CARE TOWARDS MICROELIMINATION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN A DIALYSIS POPULATION IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
title_fullStr O-19 COLLABORATIVE CARE TOWARDS MICROELIMINATION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN A DIALYSIS POPULATION IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
title_full_unstemmed O-19 COLLABORATIVE CARE TOWARDS MICROELIMINATION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN A DIALYSIS POPULATION IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
title_short O-19 COLLABORATIVE CARE TOWARDS MICROELIMINATION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN A DIALYSIS POPULATION IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
title_sort o 19 collaborative care towards microelimination of hepatitis c virus in a dialysis population in southern brazil
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1665268123001333
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AT alexandredearaujo o19collaborativecaretowardsmicroeliminationofhepatitiscvirusinadialysispopulationinsouthernbrazil
AT dirceudasilvareis o19collaborativecaretowardsmicroeliminationofhepatitiscvirusinadialysispopulationinsouthernbrazil