Factors associated with lost to follow-up after hepatitis C treatment delivered by primary care teams in an inner-city multi-site program, Vancouver, Canada

Abstract

BackgroundTreatment of hepatitis c virus (HCV) with direct-acting-antivirals (DAAs) by family physicians in primary care and addiction settings may allow treatment expansion to inner-city populations, including people who inject drugs (PWID). Real-world data however, suggests high rates of non-attendance to SVR 12 testing. This study examines outcomes of HCV treatment delivered by family physicians working in interdisciplinary treatment programs, integrated into inner-city primary care clinics. MethodsIn this prospective cohort, participants completed baseline questionnaires, including questions on demographics and substance use. Participants were recorded as achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR 12) if HCV RNA was undetectable 12 weeks following end of therapy, and were recorded as lost to follow-up (LTFU) if they did not present for an HCV follow-up visit. SVR was calculated in intention to treat (ITT) as well as modified intention to treat (mITT) analysis, which excluded those who completed treatment but had no SVR 12 result. A logistic regression model assessed factors associated with LTFU. ResultsOf 138 individuals included in the analysis, 52% were on opioid agonist therapy (OAT), 75% reported a history of injection drug use (IDU), with 25% reporting IDU in the month prior to treatment initiation. ITT SVR across all sites and genotypes was 86% and mITT was 95%. There was a significant difference in mITT for those reporting recent IDU compared to those who did not (87% vs 99% p = 0.03). While 13% were LTFU at SVR 12, participants receiving OAT in the same clinic as HCV treatment were less likely to be LTFU (aOR 0.09(0.02–0.46)). ConclusionHCV treatment by family physicians, along with interdisciplinary teams, can be successful in inner-city populations in the era of DAAs; however, follow-up after treatment is a challenge. Integrating OAT in the same location as HCV treatment may help to improve follow-up.