Estimating the cascade of hepatitis C testing, care and treatment among people who inject drugs in Australia

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is endemic among people who inject drugs (PWID) globally. Despite high prevalence, treatment uptake is low, with cumulative uptake <10% in most settings. This study aimed to populate the cascade of HCV testing, care and treatment among PWID using data collected in Australia prior to the introduction of broadly accessible interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies in March 2016.

Methods: The Australian Needle and Syringe Program Survey is a cross-sectional surveillance system that recruits ∼2300 PWID annually and collects behavioural data and dried blood samples (DBS). HCV antibody and ribonucleic acid (RNA) test results from DBS collected in 2015 were combined with data on HCV diagnostic testing, care and treatment to populate the HCV cascade among Australian PWID.

Results: Among an estimated 93,000 PWID in Australia in 2015, the majority (89%) had a lifetime history of HCV antibody testing. More than half (57%) of PWID tested HCV antibody positive and of these, 79% had detectable HCV RNA consistent with active infection. Less than half (46%) of HCV antibody positive PWID had received confirmatory HCV RNA testing. Among the estimated 43,201 PWID with active infection or chronic infection that had been successfully treated, 31% had received specialist HCV assessment, 8% had received antiviral treatment and 3% were cured.

Conclusion: This study provides baseline estimates of the cascade of HCV testing, care and treatment among PWID through enhancement of a well-established surveillance mechanism. Characterisation of the HCV cascade among PWID will be crucial to evaluating and monitoring the roll out of direct-acting antiviral therapies in Australia, including assessing potential HCV treatment as prevention benefits.

Keywords: Australia; Cascade of care; Cross-sectional studies; Hepatitis C virus; Injection drug use; Intravenous/epidemiology/prevention & control; Surveillance; Testing; Treatment.