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- Title
Insights into the management of chronic hepatitis C in primary care using MedicineInsight.
- Authors
Chidwick, Kendal; Kiss, Debra; Gray, Rachel; Yoo, Jeannie; Aufgang, Michael; Zekry, Amany
- Abstract
Background and objectives Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) became available for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in primary care in March 2016, yet not all patients will have undergone pre-treatment assessment. The aim of this study was to assess where patients with CHC are situated in the diagnosis and care continuum, to encourage general practitioners (GPs) to improve pretreatment assessment and increase DAA treatment uptake. Method This was a cross-sectional study of 4025 adult patients with CHC first recorded between 2013 and 2017, using the general practice data program MedicineInsight. Results Only half of all patients with confirmed CHC had a hepatitis C virus qualitative RNA recorded, and few patients had all recommended pretreatment assessments. The majority had low aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) scores. Discussion Incomplete pretreatment assessment is likely to be a reflection of the recent shift in management of CHC to primary care. The majority of patients have APRI results that suggest cirrhosis is unlikely, and they are potentially suitable for treatment in primary care. This highlights a substantial opportunity for GPs to recall patients for further assessment and treatment.
- Subjects
CHRONIC hepatitis C; PRIMARY care; GENERAL practitioners; ASPARTATE aminotransferase; CIRRHOSIS of the liver
- Publication
Australian Journal of General Practice, 2018, Vol 47, Issue 9, p639
- ISSN
2208-794X
- Publication type
Article