%0 Journal Article
%T Patterns and predictors of treatment initiation and completion in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection
%A Clark BT
%A Garcia-Tsao G
%A Fraenkel L
%J Patient Preference and Adherence
%D 2012
%I Dove Medical Press
%R http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S30111
%X tterns and predictors of treatment initiation and completion in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection Original Research (2160) Total Article Views Authors: Clark BT, Garcia-Tsao G, Fraenkel L Published Date April 2012 Volume 2012:6 Pages 285 - 295 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S30111 Received: 22 January 2012 Accepted: 07 February 2012 Published: 04 April 2012 Brian T Clark1,2, Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao1,2, Liana Fraenkel1,2 1Veterans Administration, Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, 2Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA Objectives: Guidelines for hepatitis C (HCV) strongly recommend antiviral treatment for patients with more severe liver disease given their increased risk of developing cirrhosis and other liver-related complications. Despite the proven benefits of therapy, 70%¨C88% of patients chronically infected with HCV do not undergo treatment. The goal of this paper is to describe patterns of treatment initiation among patients with both mild and severe disease and to assess the factors that are associated with treatment initiation and completion. Methods: Subjects completed previously validated questionnaires to ascertain sociodemographic characteristics, choice predisposition, and clinical characteristics prior to meeting with the hepatologist to discuss treatment initiation and were followed for 12 months. We examined the association between patient characteristics and treatment patterns controlling for liver disease severity. Results: Of the 148 eligible subjects entered into our study, 55 (37%) initiated treatment during the 12-month follow-up period. Of the 86 subjects with severe liver disease, 43 (50%) initiated treatment. Financial barriers and geographic access to care were the most common reasons for treatment deferral. Of the 55 patients initiating treatment, 24 (44%) discontinued treatment, with intolerance of side effects being the most common reason for discontinuation. After adjusting for liver disease severity, patient choice predisposition (prior to discussion with their provider) was strongly associated with initiation of treatment, while sociodemographic characteristics were not. Conclusion: Treatment initiation did align with current recommendations (patients with severe disease were more likely to initiate treatment), however, rates of treatment initiation and completion were low. Patient choice predisposition is the strongest predictor of treatment initiation, independent of disease severity. Improving individualized treatment outcomes for patients with chronic HCV requires efforts at identifying patientsĄŻ choice predisposition, and improving access for those wishing to initiate therapy.
%K barriers
%K access
%K preferences
%K utilization
%K adverse events
%U https://www.dovepress.com/patterns-and-predictors-of-treatment-initiation-and-completion-in-pati-peer-reviewed-article-PPA