Theme: Clinical Research Year: 2019
Background: Until recently reimbursement of CHC treatment with (DAA’s) in Greece
prioritized cirrhotics or F3 treatment experienced patients. After price negotiations and the
launch of the Greek national HCV elimination plan in July 2017 treatment criteria have been
expanded to all patients with fibroscan> 7kPa and no restriction in patients with
comorbidities. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of the therapeutic criteria
expansion on linkage to care of patients with CHC.
Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 441 patients with CHC (M/F: 281/160, mean age
54±12) treated with DAAs between January 2015-June 2017 (period A) and July 2017-April
2018 (period B). Patients were connected with our Liver Unit as: regular appointments
without referral, referrals by other physicians, referral of PWID from substitution or dry
programs and re-call of previously diagnosed and warehoused patients.
Results: 249 (56.5%) and 192 (43.5%) patients received DDAs at periods “A” and “B”
respectively. Overall treatment rate per month significantly increased in period “B”( 19
patients per month )compared to period “A” ( 8 patients). Regular appointments were more
frequent in period “B” vs “A” [123/249 (49.5%) vs 56/192 (29%), p<0.001], while there was
no difference in referrals from other physicians [81/249 (32.5%) vs 55/192 (28.5%),
p=0.220]. There was an increase in referrals of PWID from substitution or dry programs
[58/192 (30%) vs 42/249 (17%), p=0.001] and in re-calls [24/192 (12.5%) vs 4/249 (1.5%),
p<0.001] In multivariable analysis, re-called patients (OR: 6.8, 95% CI: 2.20-20.60; p=0.001)
and PWID’s referred from substitution or dry programs (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.15-3.60, p=0.014)
were independently associated with treatment in period “B”.
Conclusion: The expansion of therapeutic criteria for anti-HCV treatment in Greece, led to a
significant increase in linkage to care in PWID’s and in patients who were previously
diagnosed but warehoused.
Disclose of interest: none