HepBCPPA supported publications

Younossi Z^1,2, Papatheodoridis G³, Cacoub P^4,5, Negro F⁶, Wedemeyer H⁷, Henry L⁸, Hatzakis A^9,10.

J Viral Hepat. 2018 Nov;25 Suppl 3:6-14. doi: 10.1111/jvh.13005.

Abstract

Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been revolutionized with the introduction of pangenotypic, interferon- and ribavirin-free regimens associated with high cure rates and a low side effect profile. Additionally, there is evidence that HCV cure reduces HCV complications, improves patient-reported outcomes and is cost-saving in most western countries in the long term. This is a review of the comprehensive burden of HCV and the value of eliminating HCV infection. With the introduction of the interferon-free all-oral, once a day pill treatment regimen for the cure of HCV, the potential to eliminate HCV by 2030 has become a possibility for some regions of the world. Nevertheless, there are barriers to screening, linkage to care, and treatment in many countries that must be overcome in order to reach this goal. In conclusion, globally, work must continue to ensure national policies are in place to support screening, linkage to care and affordable treatment in order to eliminate HCV.

© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Papatheodoridis GV¹, Hatzakis A¹, Cholongitas E¹, Baptista-Leite R^2,3, Baskozos I⁴, Chhatwal J⁵, Colombo M⁶, Cortez-Pinto H^7,8, Craxi A⁹, Goldberg D¹⁰, Gore C¹¹, Kautz A¹², Lazarus JV^13,14, Mendão L^15,16, Peck-Radosavljevic M¹⁷, Razavi H¹⁸, Schatz E¹⁹, Tözün N²⁰, van Damme P^21,22, Wedemeyer H²³, Yazdanpanah Y²⁴, Zuure F^25,26, Manns MP²³.

J Viral Hepat. 2018 Mar;25 Suppl 1:6-17. doi: 10.1111/jvh.12875.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem in the European Union (EU). An estimated 5.6 million Europeans are chronically infected with a wide range of variation in prevalence across European Union countries. Although HCV continues to spread as a largely “silent pandemic,” its elimination is made possible through the availability of the new antiviral drugs and the implementation of prevention practices. On 17 February 2016, the Hepatitis B & C Public Policy Association held the first EU HCV Policy Summit in Brussels. This summit was an historic event as it was the first high-level conference focusing on the elimination of HCV at the European Union level. The meeting brought together the main stakeholders in the field of HCV: clinicians, patient advocacy groups, representatives of key institutions and regional bodies from across European Union; it served as a platform for one of the most significant disease elimination campaigns in Europe and culminated in the presentation of the HCV Elimination Manifesto, calling for the elimination of HCV in Europe by 2030. The launch of the Elimination Manifesto provides a starting point for action in order to make HCV and its elimination in Europe an explicit public health priority, to ensure that patients, civil society groups and other relevant stakeholders will be directly involved in developing and implementing HCV elimination strategies, to pay particular attention to the links between hepatitis C and social marginalization and to introduce a European Hepatitis Awareness Week.

© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Papatheodoridis G¹, Thomas HC², Golna C³, Bernardi M⁴, Carballo M⁵, Cornberg M⁶, Dalekos G⁷, Degertekin B⁸, Dourakis S¹, Flisiak R⁹, Goldberg D¹⁰, Gore C^3,11, Goulis I¹², Hadziyannis S¹, Kalamitsis G¹³, Kanavos P¹⁴, Kautz A¹⁵, Koskinas I¹, Leite BR¹⁶, Malliori M¹, Manolakopoulos S¹, Matičič M¹⁷, Papaevangelou V¹, Pirona A¹⁸, Prati D¹⁹, Raptopoulou-Gigi M²⁰, Reic T¹⁵, Robaeys G²¹, Schatz E²², Souliotis K²³, Tountas Y¹, Wiktor S²⁴, Wilson D²⁵, Yfantopoulos J¹, Hatzakis A¹.

J Viral Hepat. 2016 Feb;23 Suppl 1:1-12. doi: 10.1111/jvh.12493.

Abstract

In the WHO-EURO region, around 28 million people are currently living with chronic viral hepatitis, and 120,000 people die every year because of it. Lack of awareness and understanding combined with the social stigma and discrimination exacerbate barriers related to access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment services for those most in need. In addition, the persisting economic crisis has impacted on public health spending, thus posing challenges on the sustainable investment in promotion, primary and secondary prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis across European countries. The Hepatitis B and C Public Policy Association in cooperation with the Hellenic Center for Disease Prevention and Control together with 10 partner organizations discussed at the Athens High Level Meeting held in June 2014 recent policy developments, persisting and emerging challenges related to the prevention and management of viral hepatitis and the need for a de minimis framework of urgent priorities for action, reflected in a Call to Action (Appendix S1). The discussion confirmed that persisting barriers do not allow the full realisation of the public health potential of diagnosing and preventing hepatitis B and C, treating hepatitis B and curing hepatitis C. Such barriers are related to (a) lack of evidence-based knowledge of hepatitis B and C, (b) limited access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment services with poor patient pathways, (c) declining resources and (d) the presence of social stigma and discrimination. The discussion also confirmed the emerging importance of fiscal constraints on the ability of policymakers to adequately address viral hepatitis challenges, particularly through increasing coverage of newer therapies. In Europe, it is critical that public policy bodies urgently agree on a conceptual framework for addressing the existing and emerging barriers to managing viral hepatitis. Such a framework would ensure all health systems share a common understanding of definitions and indicators and look to integrate their responses to manage policy spillovers in the most cost-effective manner, while forging wide partnerships to sustainably and successfully address viral hepatitis.

© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Papatheodoridis GV¹, Tsochatzis E, Hardtke S, Wedemeyer H.

Liver Int. 2014 Nov;34(10):1452-63. doi: 10.1111/liv.12565. Epub 2014 May 16.

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS:

Despite the availability of effective therapies for hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV), only a minority of these patients receive treatment. We systematically reviewed published data on barriers to management for chronic HBV/HCV patients in Europe.

METHODS:

Literature search to identify studies including adult patients with chronic HBV/HCV infection from European countries and data on barriers to treatment.

RESULTS:

Twenty-five studies including 6253 chronic HBV and 19,014 HCV patients were identified, of which only two were from Eastern Europe. The mean rate of no treatment in HBV patients was 42% being higher in North-Western European countries than Italy (56% vs. 39%, P < 0.001). Immigrants represented the most common barrier to HBV treatment. The mean rate of no treatment in HCV RNA-positive patientswas 57%, being highest in Romania (89%), intermediate in France (79%) and lower though still high in other European countries (52%, P < 0.001). The predominant barriers to HCV treatment were lack of financial resources in Romania and direct/indirect limitations of interferon-alfa and/or parenteral drug and alcohol abuse in other countries. The mean rate of no treatment was highest in HCV RNA-positive parenteral drug users (72%) and intermediate in those with HCV-HIV co-infection (64%).

CONCLUSIONS:

A substantial proportion of diagnosed chronic HBV and the majority of diagnosed HCV patients remain untreated. The rates and most importantly the reasons of barriers to treatment in chronic HBV/HCV patients vary widely among European countries supporting the need for country-specific national strategies, resource allocation and implementation of global management policies.

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

J Viral Hepat. 2013 Aug;20 Suppl 2:1-20. doi: 10.1111/jvh.12120.

Hatzakis A¹, Van Damme P, Alcorn K, Gore C, Benazzouz M, Berkane S, Buti M, Carballo M, Cortes Martins H, Deuffic-Burban S, Dominguez A, Donoghoe M, Elzouki AN, Ben-Alaya Bouafif N, Esmat G, Esteban R, Fabri M, Fenton K, Goldberg D, Goulis I, Hadjichristodoulou C, Hatzigeorgiou T, Hamouda O, Hasurdjiev S, Hughes S, Kautz A, Malik M, Manolakopoulos S, Matičič M, Papatheodoridis G, Peck R, Peterle A, Potamitis G, Prati D, Roudot-Thoraval F, Reic T, Sharara A, Shennak M, Shiha G, Shouval D, Sočan M, Thomas H, Thursz M, Tosti M, Trépo C, Vince A, Vounou E, Wiessing L, Manns MP

Abstract

The burden of disease due to chronic viral hepatitis constitutes a global threat. In many Balkan and Mediterranean countries, the disease burden due to viral hepatitis remains largely unrecognized, including in high-risk groups and migrants, because of a lack of reliable epidemiological data, suggesting the need for better and targeted surveillance for public health gains. In many countries, the burden of chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B and C is increasing due to ageing of unvaccinated populations and migration, and a probable increase in drug injecting. Targeted vaccination strategies for hepatitis B virus (HBV) among risk groups and harm reduction interventions at adequate scale and coverage for injecting drug users are needed. Transmission of HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in healthcare settings and a higher prevalence of HBV and HCV among recipients of blood and blood products in the Balkan and North African countries highlight the need to implement and monitor universal precautions in these settings and use voluntary, nonremunerated, repeat donors. Progress in drug discovery has improved outcomes of treatment for both HBV and HCV, although access is limited by the high costs of these drugs and resources available for health care. Egypt, with the highest burden of hepatitis C in the world, provides treatment through its National Control Strategy. Addressing the burden of viral hepatitis in the Balkan and Mediterranean regions will require national commitments in the form of strategic plans, financial and human resources, normative guidance and technical support from regional agencies and research.

© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Papatheodoridis G¹, Hatzakis A.

Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2012 Aug;26(4):371-80. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2012.09.012.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide, as 130-170 million individuals are chronically infected and 350,000 patients die every year from HCV infection. The HCV prevalence varies widely among countries being highest in several African and Eastern Mediterranean countries. The incidence of new HCV infections may be declining in developed countries, but there is still a large reservoir of chronic infections. The most important mode of HCV transmission has been injecting drug use in developed countries with low prevalence and unsafe therapeutic injections in developing countries with moderate-high prevalence. Since there are no systematic screening policies, most patients remain undiagnosed. Even among diagnosed patients, a minority receives treatment due to several barriers to therapy. Given the high efficacy of treatment, public health authorities should recognise the importance of HCV and make resources available for the implementation of effective primary prevention, screening and management policies.

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hatzakis A¹, Wait S, Bruix J, Buti M, Carballo M, Cavaleri M, Colombo M, Delarocque-Astagneau E, Dusheiko G, Esmat G, Esteban R, Goldberg D, Gore C, Lok AS, Manns M, Marcellin P, Papatheodoridis G, Peterle A, Prati D, Piorkowsky N, Rizzetto M, Roudot-Thoraval F, Soriano V, Thomas HC, Thursz M, Valla D, van Damme P, Veldhuijzen IK, Wedemeyer H, Wiessing L, Zanetti AR, Janssen HL.

J Viral Hepat. 2011 Sep;18 Suppl 1:1-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2011.01499.x

Abstract

Worldwide, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) cause, respectively, 600,000 and 350,000 deaths each year. Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer, which in turn ranks as the third cause of cancer death worldwide. Within the WHO European region, approximately 14 million people are chronically infected with HBV, and nine million people are chronically infected with HCV. Lack of reliable epidemiological data on HBV and HCV is one of the biggest hurdles to advancing policy. Risk groups such as migrants and injecting drug users (IDU) tend to be under-represented in existing prevalence studies; thus, targeted surveillance is urgently needed to correctly estimate the burden of HBV and HCV. The most effective means of prevention against HBV is vaccination, and most European Union (EU) countries have universal vaccination programmes. For both HBV and HCV, screening of individuals who present a high risk of contracting the virus is critical given the asymptomatic, and thereby silent, nature of disease. Screening of migrants and IDUs has been shown to be effective and potentially cost-effective. There have been significant advances in the treatment of HCV and HBV in recent years, but health care professionals remain poorly aware of treatment options. Greater professional training is needed on the management of hepatitis including the treatment of liver cancer to encourage adherence to guidelines and offer patients the best possible outcomes. Viral hepatitis knows no borders. EU Member States, guided by the EU, need to work in a concerted manner to implement lasting, effective policies and programmes and make tackling viral hepatitis a public health priority.

© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.