Relink Programmes: Impact of Reengagement on Linkage to Care Across 82 006 People With Hepatitis C
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A major barrier to hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination is the failure to ensure that individuals complete the HCV care cascade after they test positive for HCV RNA and/or antibody. Microelimination programmes support protocols that reengage patients with care/treatment. We describe 18 microelimination programmes aimed at identifying persons who were diagnosed but untreated/not cured and reconnecting them to care. Here, we report the programmes' effectiveness, identify key challenges and suggest best practices for future initiatives. METHODS: Pooled and individual programme data (available as of 31 January 2024) were assessed. Each programme had a retrospective phase in which medical/laboratory records were searched within a specified date range for patients who were positive for HCV antibody and/or RNA at last testing. In a prospective phase, programmes attempted to reengage these patients with care. RESULTS: Across the 18 programmes worldwide, 82 006 individuals were identified as eligible for follow-up. Overall, 21 235 people were selected for attempted contact, and 5308 were relinked to care. In 17 programmes reporting treatment data, 51% (1513 of 2976) of relinked patients initiated treatment. Four programmes used innovative care models and achieved treatment initiation rates ≥ 80%. Amongst patients with results available, 89% (643 of 722) who initiated treatment achieved HCV cure. Challenges included the inability to contact people and missed appointments. CONCLUSION: Systematic screening of medical/laboratory records was effective in identifying patients who had been lost to follow-up, and the use of innovative care models, such as test-and-treat or decentralised approaches, resulted in higher treatment numbers.
Source: Liver International
DOI: 10.1111/liv.70275
Authors: Maria Buti, Joost P. H. Drenth, Manuel Mendizabal, Paulo L. Bittencourt, Sophie Metivier, Victor de Ledinghen, Thomas Reiberger, Carolina Freyre, Isidoro Narváez Rodríguez, Rocio González‐Grande, Juan C. Alados, Manuel Hernández‐Guerra, Sandra Dröse, André‐Jean Remy, Rosa M. Morillas, Francisco Vera, Paula Moreno Martin, Gema Romero, Stacey Scherbakovsky, Candido Hernandez, Maria Sainz, Nicolas J.‐P. Martin, Audrey Le Blevec, Bruce Kreter, Andrea D. Branch
Institutions: Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Hospital Universitario Austral, Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Hospital de São Marcos, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Medical University of Vienna, Hospital Universitario Puerto Real, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Hospital Universitario de Jerez, Universidad de La Laguna, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, University of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, Centre Hospitalier de Perpignan, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Hospital Juan Ramón Jiménez, Gilead Sciences (United States), Gilead Sciences (Spain), Gilead Sciences (France), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Language: English
Topic: Hepatitis C virus research
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Gilead Sciences
OpenAlex ID: W4414308474