The impact of unrestricted access to direct-acting antiviral among incarcerated hepatitis C virus-infected patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aims

Despite the disproportionally high prevalence rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) amongst the incarcerated population, eradication remains challenging due to logistic and financial barriers. Although treatment prioritization based on disease severity is commonly practiced, the efficacy of such approach remained uncertain. We aimed to compare the impact of unrestricted access to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) among incarcerated HCV-infected patients in Singapore.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we reviewed all incarcerated HCV-infected patients treated in our hospital during the restricted DAA era (2013-2018) and unrestricted DAA access era (2019). Study outcomes included the rate of sustained virological response (SVR), treatment completion and treatment def

SUBMITTER: Wong YJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8273645 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature