Disease progression and health care resource consumption in patients affected by hepatitis C virus in real practice setting

摘要: Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents serious health problems worldwide and is a major contributor to end-stage liver disease including cirrhosis hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In Italy, ~2% of subjects are infected with HCV. The objective this study was describe treatment patterns, progression, resource use in Methods An observational retrospective cohort analysis based on four Local Health Units administrative laboratory databases conducted. HCV-positive patients between January 1, 2009 December 31, 2010 were included followed-up for 1 year. To explore which covariates associated progression (cirrhosis, HCC, death any cause), Cox proportional hazards models performed. Results A total 9,514 analyzed 55.6% male, aged 58.1±16.1, prevalence 0.4%; 5.8% positive human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection, 3.0% hepatitis B (HBV), 1.6% HCV+HBV+HIV; 26.1% had 4.3% HCC. majority (76%) did not receive an antiviral treatment; the main factors affecting decision age, 44.1% untreated being >65 years; 31% affected by cirrhosis, 6.6% ongoing substance or alcohol abuse, 5.5% Disease observed timeframe less frequent among treated (incidence rate per 100 patients/year: 2.1±0.7 vs 13.0±1.0, HCC 0.5±0.3 3.6±0.5, 6.4±0.7). annual expenditure HCV management (drugs, hospitalizations, outpatient services) €4,700 patient. Conclusion This observational, real-life shows that only small proportion received therapy territorial services investigated; who treated, reflected cost higher than patients. These results suggest importance better defining categories can really postpone treatment, those require immediate therapy.