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Decreases in Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Harvey W Kaufman1, Lara Bull-Otterson2, William A Meyer1

  • 1Quest Diagnostics, Secaucus, New Jersey.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|June 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment, leading to fewer diagnoses and ongoing transmission. Public health efforts are crucial to restore services and work towards HCV elimination.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted essential healthcare services, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening, care, and treatment.
  • This disruption may lead to later diagnoses at advanced stages, increasing morbidity and mortality, and facilitating further virus transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCV testing and treatment rates.
  • To analyze trends in HCV antibody testing, RNA-positive results, and direct-acting antiviral prescriptions.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated data from a national clinical laboratory and prescription estimates for HCV treatment.
  • Compared monthly testing and treatment data from January-July 2018-2019 with the same period in 2020.
  • Utilized negative binomial models for statistical trend analysis.

Main Results:

  • HCV antibody testing volume dropped by 59% in April 2020, with a 6% reduction by July 2020.
  • HCV RNA-positive results decreased by 62% in March 2020, remaining 39% below baseline by July 2020.
  • Prescriptions for HCV direct-acting antiviral medications fell by 37-43% during May-July 2020.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial declines in HCV testing and treatment.
  • Continued public health messaging and interventions are vital to resume services and work towards HCV elimination.
  • Restoring services to prepandemic levels is essential to mitigate increased disease burden and transmission.
Abstract

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