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Epidemiological Survey of Patients With Hemodialysis Complicated by Hepatitis C in Japan
Author(s) -
Okubo Tomomi,
Atsukawa Masanori,
Tsubota Akihito,
Koeda Mai,
Yoshida Yuji,
Arai Taeang,
NakagawaIwashita Ai,
Itokawa Norio,
Kondo Chisa,
Fujimori Shunji,
Tsuruoka Shuichi,
Iwakiri Katsuhiko
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
therapeutic apheresis and dialysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.415
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1744-9987
pISSN - 1744-9979
DOI - 10.1111/1744-9987.12747
Subject(s) - medicine , epidemiology , hemodialysis , hepatitis c virus , hepatitis c , antiviral treatment , genotyping , chronic hepatitis , antiviral therapy , gastroenterology , intensive care medicine , immunology , virus , genotype , biochemistry , chemistry , gene
Nowadays, interferon‐free direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatment is the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C patients. Some DAA regimens are highly effective and safe even for those with renal dysfunction/failure including those receiving HD. However, it remains unclear to what extent HD specialists gain knowledge about advances in anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. To clarify the current situation and identify problems in the treatment of HD patients with chronic hepatitis C, we performed a questionnaire survey at 36 HD facilities between June 2016 and September 2017. In a total of 3418 HD patients, 179 (5.2%) were positive for anti‐HCV antibody, and among these patients, 110/125 (88.0%) were positive for serum HCV RNA. Of the latter, only 42/110 (38.2%) patients received antiviral therapy. Moreover, HCV serotyping or genotyping was performed in 23/110 (20.9%) patients. In 26/49 (53.1%) of the remaining 68 untreated patients, “HD specialists do not know any HCV‐specific treatments” and “HD specialists have no opportunity to consult with a hepatologist” were the reasons cited for the lack of anti‐HCV treatment. This epidemiological study found that some HD patients with chronic hepatitis C had not yet received antiviral treatment despite the emergence of DAAs. To overcome such undesirable circumstances, medical cooperation between HD specialists and hepatologists should be required.