Year 2023 / Volume 115 / Number 4
Original
A slowdown of hepatitis C diagnosis in high-prevalence groups and with decentralized diagnostic strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic

175-180

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8412/2021

Dalia Morales-Arráez, Federica Benítez-Zafra, Felicitas Díaz-Flores, María Jesús Medina-Alonso, Luz Goretti Santiago, Víctor Pérez-Pérez, Fernando Gutiérrez-Nicolás, Manuel Hernández-Guerra,

Abstract
Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis by hindering the path to elimination. Albeit, in an uneven manner, depending on the risk group and diagnostic strategy. Methods: the requests of antibodies/RNA by venipuncture at hospitals and Primary Care centers (centralized) and via venipuncture or dried blood spot tests at prison and drug treatment centers referred for central processing (integrated decentralized) were recorded for one year, before and after the onset of the COVID-19 health crisis. Results: a total of 20,600 tests (51 % male, 47.9 ± 1 5.8 years) were recorded. Among them, 96.5 % of the cases came from centralized and 3.5 % from decentralized settings, with an active infection rate of 0.2 % and 2.3 % (p < 0.001), respectively. There was a 31.3 % decrease in the number of requests during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, which was more pronounced in the decentralized than centralized diagnosis setting (60 vs 30 %, p < 0.001). In addition, there was a 31.5 % decline in screening and 18.2 % decrease in the diagnosis of new cases of active infection, with a statistically significant decrease in decentralized compared to centralized diagnosis. Conclusions: during the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline in HCV diagnostic effort was observed, especially in decentralized strategies, with a higher prevalence of infection. Our results suggest a diagnostic delay that will prevent Spain from reaching the elimination target in 2023. Therefore, the reactivation of strategies, particularly targeting the priority groups, is urgently required.
Share Button
New comment
Comments

17/04/2023 23:56:23
RECOVERY OF LOST FUNDS FROM SCAMMER.

Tracking Down Lost Bitcoins and Other Cryptos: Fast without wasting time Contact: Telegram: https://t.me/WizardWebRecovery / Email: wizardwebrecovery@gmail.com, Do you need support of recovery of your lost or stolen bitcoin, trying to obtain cryptocurrency transferred to the wrong wallet address, or believe your wallet has been compromised, get in touch with Wizard Web Recovery Group Hackers . I lost over 412,040 $ after participating in a SINCODE binary scam. The money I fraudulently lost has been recovered thanks to the super work of Wizard Web Recovery Group Hackers . They Working with the new digital software that recovers funds without a twinkle of eyes beep Wizard Web Recovery Group Hackers is trustworthy you can always contact them via
Telegram: https://t.me/WizardWebRecovery
Email: wizardwebrecovery@gmail.com


References
1. European Association for the Study of the Liver. Electronic address: easloffice@easloffice.eu; Clinical Practice Guidelines Panel: Chair:; EASL Governing Board representative:; Panel members:. EASL recommendations on treatment of hepatitis C: Final update of the series☆. J Hepatol. 2020;73(5):1170-1218. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.08.018
2. Morales-Arraez D, Nieto Bujalance Y, Diaz-Flores F, et al. Risk of liver fibrosis progression in patients with suboptimal diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;32(4):528-534.
3. WHO. Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016–2021, Towards ending viral hepatitis. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization June; 2016.
4. Plan Estratégico para el abordaje de la Hepatitis C en el SNS (PEAHC). Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social. October 2020. Available in: https://www.mscbs.gob.es/ciudadanos/enfLesiones/enfTransmisibles/hepatitisC/PlanEstrategicoHEPATITISC/docs/Plan_Estrategico_Abordaje_ Hepatitis_C_(PEAHC).pdf.
5. Crespo J, Albillos A, Buti M, et al. Elimination of hepatitis C. Positioning document of the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver (AEEH). Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2019;111(11):862-873. DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.6700/2019
6. Razavi H, Sanchez Gonzalez Y, Yuen C, et al. Global timing of hepatitis C virus elimination in high-income countries. Liver Int. 2020;40(3):522-529.
7. Bedford J, Enria D, Giesecke J, et al. COVID-19: towards controlling of a pandemic. Lancet 2020;395:1015-1018.
8. Crespo J, Iglesias-García J, Hinojosa Del Val JE, et al. COVID-19 and the digestive system: protection and management during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2020;112(5):389-396.
9. Crespo J, Fernández Carrillo C, Iruzubieta P, et al. Massive impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on gastroenterology and hepatology departments and doctors in Spain. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;36(6):1627-1633.
10. Sperring H, Ruiz-Mercado G, Schechter-Perkins EM. Impact of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic on Ambulatory Hepatitis C Testing. J Prim Care Community Health. 2020;11:2150132720969554.
11. Kaufman HW, Bull-Otterson L, Meyer WA 3rd, et al. Decreases in Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Prev Med. 2021;61(3):369-376.
12. Blach S, Kondili LA, Aghemo A, et al. Impact of COVID-19 on global HCV elimination efforts. J Hepatol. 2021;74(1):31-36.
13. Buti M, Domínguez-Hernández R, Casado MA. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCV elimination in Spain. J Hepatol. 2021;74(5):1246–8.
14. Gómez L, Reygosa C, Morales-Arráez DE, et al. Diagnostic test accuracy of the cobas 6800 system for detection of hepatitis c virus viraemia levels from dried blood spots. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin (Engl Ed). 2020;38(6):267-274.
15. Morales-Arraez D, Hernández-Bustabad A, Medina-Alonso MJ, et al. Telemedicine and decentralized hepatitis C treatment as a strategy to enhance retention in care among people attending drug treatment centres. Int J Drug Policy. 2021;94:103235.
16. Rehman ST, Rehman H, Abid S. Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on prevention and elimination strategies for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. World J Hepatol. 2021;13(7):781-789.
17. Frost MC, Sweek EW, Austin EJ, et al. Program Adaptations to Provide Harm Reduction Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of Syringe Services Programs in the U.S. AIDS Behav. 2021:1–12.
18. Blach S, Blomé M, Duberg AS, et al. Hepatitis C elimination in Sweden: Progress, challenges and opportunities for growth in the time of COVID-19. Liver Int. 2021;41(9):2024-2031.
19. Lopes H, Baptista-Leite R, Franco D, et al. Fighting Hepatitis C in a COVID-19 ecosystem. Public health policies are needed more than ever. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2020;29(4):692-693.
20. Crespo J, Díaz-González Á, Iruzubieta P, et al. SARS-CoV-2 massive testing: A window of opportunity to catch up with HCV elimination. J Hepatol. 2021;74(4):966-967.
21. Giacomelli A, Pagani G, Conti F, et al. Detecting HCV infection by means of mass population SARS-CoV-2 screening: A pilot experience in Northern Italy. J Hepatol. 2021;75(2):484-486.
22. Mulchandani R, Brown B, Brooks T, et al. Use of dried blood spot samples for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection using the Roche Elecsys ® high throughput immunoassay. J Clin Virol. 2021;136:104739.
23. Mendlowitz AB, Naimark D, Wong WWL, et al. The emergency department as a setting-specific opportunity for population-based hepatitis C screening: An economic evaluation. Liver Int. 2020;40(6):1282-1291.
24. Burgui C, Martín C, Aguinaga A, et al. Prevalence and detection of undiagnosed active hepatitis C virus infections in Navarre, Spain, 2017-2019. Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2021;113(1):28-34. DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7000/2020
25. Cuadrado A, Cobo C, Mateo M, et al. Telemedicine efficiently improves access to hepatitis C management to achieve HCV elimination in the penitentiary setting. Int J Drug Policy. 2021;88:103031.
26. Mangia A, Albanese AP, Bourliére M, et al. Guidelines Have a Key Role in Driving HCV Elimination by Advocating for Simple HCV Care Pathways. Adv Ther. 2021;38(3):1397-1403.
Related articles

Letter

Calcifying fibrous tumor and pathological analysis

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9739/2023

Letter

Endoscopic observation of a rare duodenal tumor

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9679/2023

Editorial

Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of Wilson’s disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9633/2023

Letter

Vaginal lesion as first manifestation of colorectal disease

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9270/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

Endosonographic and ERCP findings in COVID-19 critical illness cholangiopathy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9218/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

Acute respiratory failure secondary to megaesophagus: think beyond COVID-19

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8847/2022

Digestive Diseases Image

An unusual cause of a protuberant lesion of the gastric antrum

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8771/2022

Letter

Surgical acute abdomen and COVID-19 vaccination

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8721/2022

Letter

Sigmoid colon Schwannoma simulating colon cancer

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8684/2022

Letter

AMA-positive hepatitis induced by the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8533/2021

Letter

A case of COVID-19 with concomitant infection with hepatitis A

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8372/2021

Editorial

Cases of liver disease lost in the health system: a call to action

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8316/2021

Letter

COVID-19 and aorto-enteric fistula

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8272/2021

Original

Active search for hepatitis C patients in primary care

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8067/2021

Digestive Diseases Image

Abdominal cocoon sign: an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8057/2021

Letter

Autoimmune hepatitis triggered by COVID-19

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8045/2021

Letter

POEMS syndrome: an uncommon cause of peritoneal effusion

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8027/2021

Letter

Pneumoperitoneum and COVID-19. A causal association?

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.7877/2021

Letter

COVID-19 and the liver: the chicken or the egg dilemma

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.7861/2021

Letter

Pancreatic injury and acute pancreatitis in COVID-19 patients

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.7807/2021

Original

Hepatitis C in homeless people: reaching a hard-to-reach population

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.7737/2020

Editorial

Screening guide for hepatitis C virus infection in Spain

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7728/2020

Editorial

Leading in turbulent times with the aim to serve

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7684/2020

Letter

Pancreatic injury in COVID-19: pathogenesis and challenges

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7541/2020

Letter

SARS-CoV-2 and acute pancreatitis: a new etiological agent?

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7481/2020

Letter

Latin American authorship in scientific production on COVID-19

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7432/2020

Digestive Diseases Image

Phlebosclerotic colitis: an unusual cause of abdominal pain and hematochezia

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7358/2020

Letter

COVID-19. Immunothrombosis and the gastrointestinal tract

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7292/2020

Review

New non-invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer screening

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7233/2020

Letter

The effect of Adacolumn® on ulcerative colitis with COVID-19

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7156/2020

Special Article

Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis C in Cantabria

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7108/2020

Editorial

Reflex testing. A key tool for the elimination of hepatitis C

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7201/2020

Letter

Chilaiditi’s and Ogilvie syndromes

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7036/2020

Letter

Hepatocarcinoma diagnosis. Reflection is required

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.6845/2019

Original

Quality of life study in asymptomatic patients with hepatitis C

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.6339/2019

Letter

Acute seronegative hepatitis C: two case reports

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2019.5921/2018

Letter to the Editor

Sternal cutaneous metastasis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2017.4979/2017

Letter to the Editor

About human taeniasis and Taenia saginata diagnosis by endoscopy

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2016.4297/2016

Citation tools
Morales-Arráez D, Benítez-Zafra F, Díaz-Flores F, Medina-Alonso M, Santiago L, Pérez-Pérez V, et all. A slowdown of hepatitis C diagnosis in high-prevalence groups and with decentralized diagnostic strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. 8412/2021


Download to a citation manager

Download the citation for this article by clicking on one of the following citation managers:

Metrics
This article has received 1478 visits.
This article has been downloaded 85 times.

Statistics from Dimensions


Statistics from Plum Analytics

Publication history

Received: 20/10/2021

Accepted: 13/12/2021

Online First: 11/01/2022

Published: 03/04/2023

Article revision time: 51 days

Article Online First time: 83 days

Article editing time: 530 days


Share
This article hasn't been rated yet.
Reader rating:
Valora este artículo:




Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva
The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology is the official organ of the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva, the Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva and the Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva
Cookie policy Privacy Policy Legal Notice © Copyright 2023 y Creative Commons. The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology