Sustained virologic response from hepatitis C from an emergency department screening & linkage program: A...

The role of the Emergency Department (ED) as a vital constituent in Hepatitis C (HCV) screening has become increasingly evident. A key component of the ED's role in HCV screening is the ability to effectively link HCV-RNA positive patients to definitive, HCV-specific care, to include direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medication with resultant sustained virologic response (SVR). We sought to consider the rate of HCV-specific linkage, DAA initiation, and SVR obtained in HCV patients identified from an ED screening program.

A retrospective chart review was conducted in February of 2022 of all individuals who participated in an opt-out ED-based HCV screening program between January 2018 and December 2019. Data was disaggregated by race, gender, age/birth cohort, insurance status, and achievement of sustained virologic response (SVR). Bivariate analysis using Pearson's chi-square was utilized to compare outcomes based on insurance status, race, sex, and birth cohort.

Of 66,634 individuals screened for HCV during the study period, 885 (1.33%) patients were RNA-positive. Of those individuals, 121 (13.67%) were linked to HCV-specific care. Of those linked, the majority (66.9%) were male, white (66.1%; 33.1% Black), baby boomers or older (53.7%) and publicly insured (57.9%; private insurance 23.1%, self-pay 19%). Among linked patients, 88 (72.7%) started DAA medication. Mirroring linked demographics, majority were male (64.8%), white (64.8%), baby boomers or older (52.3%), and publicly insured (57.6%). White patients initiated on DAA were more likely to obtain SVR (64.9% versus 41.9% Black; p = .04) and uninsured patients were more likely to obtain SVR (82.4% versus 50.7% insured; p = .02). Bivariate consideration of SVR-patients specifically demonstrates that Black patients tended to be older, with significant overrepresentation of Baby boomers (77.5%) as compared to whites (37.5%; p < .0001). Black patients were also more likely to be publicly insured (82.5%) while white patients were more likely to have private insurance (28.8%) or be uninsured (26.3%) than their Black counterparts (12.5% and 5% respectively; p < .05).

An ED-based HCV screening program can result in successful HCV-specific linkage and care, to include DAA initiation and ultimately, SVR. Among linked patients, specific cohort considerations may demonstrate differences in age and insurance status which may have implications on DAA application and adherence, and therefore, individual ability to achieve SVR.