Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions
HCV Testing & Linkage to Care in STD Clinics
Sex Transm Dis; 2018 Apr; Rhea, Seña, et al
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and linkage-to-care programs at local health department sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinical should consider prioritizing essential program resources, including reflex HCV ribonucleic acid testing, a dedicated HCV bridge counselor, and referral relationships for local HCV management and treatment. This according to a study evaluated a federally funding HCV testing and linkage-to-care program at an STD clinic in North Carolina. Among the findings:
- The program tested 733 patients for HCV who reported ≥1 HCV risk factor from December 10, 2012, to March 31, 2015.
- 81 (11%) patients were HCV-infected.
- 51 (63%) infected patients were linked to care.
- Program resources including health education and linkage-to-care assistance are essential to positive outcomes.
Rhea S, Seña AC, Hilton A, Hurt CB, Wohl D, Fleischauer A. Integrated hepatitis C testing and linkage to care at a local health department sexually transmitted disease clinic: Determining essential resources and evaluating outcomes. Sex Transm Dis. 2018;45(4):229-232. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000748.
This Week's Must Reads
Must Reads in Hepatitis
Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir Efficacy & Safety Assessed, J Hepatol; ePub 2018 Nov 23; D’Ambrosio, et al
HCV Infection Among Children & Young Persons, J Hepatol; ePub 2018 Nov 26; Modin, et al
HCV Patients with Limited Access to Antiviral Therapy, Dig Liver Dis; ePub 2018 Nov 29; Lens, et al
Progression in the Elimination of HCV Infection, PLoS One; ePub 2018 Dec 4; Juanbeltz, et al
Increased HCV Screening in Veteran Populations, Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf; ePub 2018 Sep 25; Wray, et al