To evaluate the HCV care cascade and identify gaps among hemodialysis patients in Taiwan during the DAA era, highlighting its significance for public health.
Key Findings:
48.2% of HCV antibody-positive patients underwent confirmatory RNA testing, indicating a critical gap in the care cascade.
Greatest attrition occurred at the RNA confirmation step, suggesting a need for targeted interventions.
Testing rates were lower among males, older adults, and patients treated in tertiary hospitals, highlighting disparities.
Annual treatment initiation rose from 3.0% in 2017 to 50% in 2019, then declined to 33% in 2021, indicating fluctuating access.
Cumulative treatment increased from 10% before 2018 to 73.4% by 2021, demonstrating significant progress.
Interpretation:
HCV care among hemodialysis patients in Taiwan has improved significantly in the DAA era, but incomplete RNA testing remains a major barrier that must be addressed to sustain progress.
Limitations:
Study limited to hemodialysis patients; findings may not generalize to other populations, potentially affecting the applicability of results.
Retrospective nature may introduce biases in data collection, impacting the reliability of the findings.
Conclusion:
Addressing gaps in RNA testing is essential to sustain progress and achieve HCV elimination in this high-risk population, aligning with national health goals.
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