Clinical Report: Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Hepatitis C Management
Overview
This scoping review examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatitis C management across the care continuum. It highlights significant disruptions in the cascade of care, including diagnosis, linkage to care, treatment, and cure.
Background
Remove unsupported claims about the impact on elimination goals without citations.
Data Highlights
No numerical data was provided in the source material.
Key Findings
COVID-19-related health service disruptions have negatively impacted HCV management in multiple countries.
A modeling study indicated that a one-year delay in HCV screening and treatment could lead to significant increases in hepatocellular carcinoma cases and liver disease deaths.
The HCV cascade of care includes stages of diagnosis, linkage to care, treatment, and cure, which were all affected during the pandemic.
Previous reviews have primarily focused on individual clinical outcomes rather than the entire cascade of care.
Linkage to care was the stage most consistently reported as disrupted during the pandemic.
Clinical Implications
Healthcare providers should be aware of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatitis C management and consider strategies to mitigate these effects. Continuous monitoring of the HCV cascade of care is essential to identify and address gaps in service delivery.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on hepatitis C management across the care continuum, necessitating a reevaluation of strategies to ensure progress toward elimination goals.
