RT Journal Article
T1 Hepatitis C virus point-of-care microelimination approach in a vulnerable population in the South of Spain.
A1 Pinazo-Bandera, José M.
A1 Aranda, Jesús
A1 García-García, Alberto M.
A1 Alcántara, Ramiro
A1 Ortega-Alonso, Aida
A1 Del Campo-Herrera, Enrique
A1 Clavijo-Frutos, Encarnación
A1 García-Escaño, M. Dolores
A1 Ruiz Ruiz, Juan J.
A1 Morales-Herrera, Mónica
A1 Valle-López, Vanesa
A1 Martín-Alarcón, Rosa
A1 Viciana, Isabel
A1 Jiménez, Juan Bautista
A1 Fernández-García, Félix
A1 Toro-Ortiz, Juan Pedro
A1 Sánchez-Yáñez, Elena
A1 Álvarez-Álvarez, Ismael
A1 Andrade-Bellido, Raúl Jesús
A1 Robles-Díaz, María Mercedes
A1 García-Cortés, Miren
K1 Hepatitis - Tratamiento
K1 Drogadictos
K1 Virus de la hepatitis C
AB Background: Since the introduction of direct-acting antivirals, thousands of chronic hepatitis C patients have been successfullytreated. However, vulnerable populations have a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and face barriers that impedetheir access to antivirals. We carried out an HCV microelimination program focused on vulnerable population groups in Malaga. Methods: People in drug addiction treatment centers and homeless shelters in Malaga who participated in the program betweenOctober 2020 and October 2021 were included. After providing participants with educational information on HCV, a dry drop test (DDT) was used to collect blood for subsequent screening for HCV infection. The participants who were diagnosed with HCV infection were scheduled for comprehensive healthcare assessments, including blood tests, ultrasonography, elastography, and the prescription of antivirals, all conducted in a single hospital visit. Sustained viral response (SVR) was analysed 12 weeks after end of treatment. Results: Of the 417 persons invited to participate, 271 (65%) agreed to participate in the program. These participants were screened for HCV infection and 28 of them were diagnosed with HCV infection (10%). These hepatitis C-infected patients had a mean age of 53±9 years; 86% were males and 93% were or had been drug users. Among 23 patients with HCV infection, HCV genotype 1a predominated (74%). Medical exams showed that 19% (4/21) had advanced fibrosis (F3–4), and 5% (1/21) had portal hypertension. Finally, 23 infected patients received treatment with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir and SVR was confirmed in 22 patients (96%). Conclusions: Drug users and homeless people have a higher prevalence of HCV infection than the general population. The microelimination program with educational activity and screening tools achieved a high participation rate, easy healthcare access, and a high rate of SVR despite the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
PB Oxford Academic
YR 2024
FD 2024-01-22
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/37989
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/37989
LA eng
NO Pinazo-Bandera JM, Aranda J, García-García AM, Alcántara R, Ortega-Alonso A, Del Campo-Herrera E, Clavijo E, García-Escaño MD, Ruiz Ruiz JJ, Morales-Herrera M, Valle-López V, Martín-Alarcón R, Viciana I, Jiménez JB, Fernández-García F, Toro-Ortiz JP, Sánchez-Yáñez E, Álvarez-Álvarez I, Andrade RJ, Robles-Díaz M, García-Cortés M. Hepatitis C virus point-of-care microelimination approach in a vulnerable population in the South of Spain. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf). 2024;12:goad077
NO This work was supported by a grant from GILEAD for hepatitis C microelimination programs and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III [Río Hortega CM21/00074 to J.M.P.B.]. The funding sources had no involvement in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 21 ene 2026