To understand whether HCC surveillance has rebounded from the initial COVID-19–related disruptions in care among safety-net health populations, specifically those in California, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas.
Key Findings:
A total of 6940 patients with cirrhosis were identified, with a median age of 58 years, highlighting the demographic profile of the affected population.
HCC surveillance utilization was previously reported at 24.0% among patients with cirrhosis, indicating a significant gap in care.
A prior study showed a 44% decline in HCC surveillance rates among veterans with cirrhosis during the early pandemic, underscoring the pandemic's impact.
Interpretation:
The study aims to assess the recovery of HCC surveillance rates in safety-net populations post-pandemic.
Limitations:
The study may not fully capture the impact of ongoing healthcare disruptions beyond the initial pandemic phase, which could lead to an underestimation of the long-term effects.
Exclusion of patients with a history of HCC at the time of cirrhosis identification may limit generalizability, particularly in understanding the full spectrum of HCC surveillance needs.
Conclusion:
The study seeks to provide insights into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCC surveillance in vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve care.
by Robert J. Wong, Patricia Jones, Bolin Niu, Paulo Pinheiro, Mae Thamer, Onkar Kshirsagar, Yi Zhang, Ronnie Fass, Daniela Prieto-Bello, Lisa Quirk, George Therapondos, Amit G. Singal, Mandana Khalili
