Liver function tests in primary care provide a key opportunity to diagnose and engage patients with hepatitis C.

ABSTRACT: Since the advent of direct-acting antiviral therapy, the elimination of hepatitis c virus (HCV) as a public health concern is now possible. However, identification of those who remain undiagnosed, and re-engagement of those who are diagnosed but remain untreated, will be essential to achieve this. We examined the extent of HCV infection among individuals undergoing liver function tests (LFT) in primary care. Residual biochemistry samples for 6007 patients, who had venous blood collected in primary care for LFT between July 2016 and January 2017, were tested for HCV antibody. Through data linkage to national and sentinel HCV surveillance databases, we also examined the extent of diagnosed infection, attendance at specialist service and HCV treatment for those found to be HCV positive. Overa

SUBMITTER: McLeod A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9306009 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature