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The Massachusetts Hepatitis C Testing Cascade, 2014-2016

Quynh T Vo1, Shauna Onofrey1, Daniel Church1

  • 1Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.

Microbiology Insights
|July 2, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C testing in Massachusetts shows that 61% of those with a positive antibody test received a follow-up RNA test, confirming active infection in 79%. Gaps in care exist, particularly by birth cohort and race/ethnicity.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding the HCV testing cascade is crucial for effective disease control and elimination strategies.
  • Massachusetts data provides a localized perspective on HCV testing patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the hepatitis C testing cascade in Massachusetts from 2014-2016.
  • To identify factors influencing progression through the HCV testing and diagnosis pathway.
  • To inform stakeholders on improving care for individuals with hepatitis C.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of laboratory reports for anti-HCV antibody positive individuals (2014-2016).
  • Evaluation of subsequent nucleic acid tests (RNA) or genotype tests as outcomes.
  • Logistic regression to identify factors associated with testing cascade progression.

Main Results:

  • 61% (13,194) of anti-HCV antibody positive cases had a subsequent RNA-based test.
  • 79% (10,374) of these cases confirmed active HCV infection.
  • Significant variations in testing cascade progression were observed based on birth cohort and race/ethnicity.

Conclusions:

  • Active HCV infection confirmation rates are substantial among those tested.
  • Disparities in accessing confirmatory testing and genotyping exist across demographic groups.
  • Enhanced demographic data capture in surveillance is essential for achieving health equity in HCV diagnosis and care linkage.
Abstract

Keywords:
hepatitis Csurveillancetesting cascade

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