964 Patient Flow Across Physician Specialties Over the Course of the Hepatitis C Care Cascade: A Real World Analysis From the United States

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of hepatic and extrahepatic morbidity and mortality. In spite of recommendations for HCV screening, diagnosis, linkage to care and treatment, significant gaps remain in the cascade of care for HCV. As the role of physician specialties for closing these gaps is poorly understood, this study assesses the flow of HCV patients across physician specialties in the US, over the course of the care cascade. METHODS: This retrospective real-world study used two large de-identified national laboratory datasets (2013–2016). Screened patients had a HCV antibody (AB) test and/or HCV RNA viral load test. Diagnosed patients had a positive HCV RNA viral load test, and among this group, fibrosis assessment, genotype test and treatment were evaluated. Treatment was inferred with an algorithm based on changes in viral load. The number/proportion of patients at each step in the care cascade was calculated by physician specialty. Patient flow by physician specialty over the course of care cascade was assessed using Sankey Diagrams. RESULTS: Approximately 17 million patients received HCV screening, and 913,529 were diagnosed. Over the course of the care cascade, there was an increase in the proportion of patients switching to HCV specialists (gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and infectious disease specialist). Generalists (primary care, family practice, internal medicine) ordered 37% of the AB tests, and 15% initiated treatment. HCV specialists ordered 3% of screening tests and 37% initiated treatment. Most of the fibrosis assessment (30%) and genotype tests (29%) were ordered by HCV specialists. Obstetricians/gynecologists ordered 11% of screening tests but only 0.3% initiated treatment. Among 974,277 patients who received a positive AB test, 46% did not receive a confirmatory RNA test. Among diagnosed patients, 57% did not receive fibrosis assessment, 47% did not receive genotype test and 90% did not receive treatment. CONCLUSION: Generalists account for more than one third of all HCV screening tests, however, HCV specialists play a more prominent role in patient assessment (fibrosis status, genotype testing) and treatment. Significant gaps remain in all stages of the cascade of care for HCV, and improved efforts are needed for every physician specialty to address them. Timely screening, monitoring and linkage to care by generalists coupled with early treatment by specialists could effectively reduce the hepatic and extrahepatic burden of HCV.