Knowledge of HCV high among those successfully treated with DAAs

Patients successfully treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) show high knowledge about hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a recent study has shown.

The study included 227 patients (median age 52 years, 64.7 percent men) who had attained sustained virologic response to HCV after DAA treatment. A 19-item HCV knowledge scale was administered at study entry. Knowledge was assessed in the overall cohort as well as in specific subpopulations: people who inject drugs (PWIDs; n=71), people with co-occurring HIV (n=23), PWIDs with co-occurring HIV (n=29), and others (n=104).

The total mean percentage of correct responses in the knowledge scale was 83 percent in the overall sample, suggesting a high level of HCV knowledge. In all subcohorts, knowledge of HCV reinfection was slightly better than awareness regarding transmission and vaccination.

Of note, PWIDs showed knowledge scores on par with the overall population whereas participants with HIV co-infection had slightly lower scores.

Age (p=0.28), gender (p=0.83), treatment location (p=0.61), indication of injection drug use in the past 12 months (p=0.44), ethnicity (p=0.51), history of sex work (p=0.08), or homelessness (p=0.6) did not affect knowledge levels. In contrast, mental disorders (p=0.003) and education level (p=0.01) did have an effect.

“Continued evaluation of HCV knowledge levels among those who complete DAA treatment will be important to ensure that ongoing engagement in follow-up care for those requiring surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma or prevention of HCV re-infection, is maintained,” the researchers said.