John S. Lambert|Ross Murtagh|Dee Menezes|Austin O’Carroll|Catherine Murphy|William R. Cullen|Tina McHugh|Gordana Avramovic|Willard Tinago|Marie Claire Van Hout
‘HepCheck Dublin’: an intensified hepatitis C screening programme in a homeless population demonstrates the need for alternative models of care
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital|University College Dublin|University College London|Mater Misericordiae University Hospital|University College Dublin|Mater Misericordiae University Hospital|Mater Misericordiae University Hospital|University College Dublin|Liverpool John Moores University
hepatitis c virus hcv one main causes chronic liver disease worldwide prevalence hcv homeless populations ranges 39 362 hepcheck study sought investigate establish characterisation hcv burden among individuals attended intensified screening programme hcv homeless services dublin irelandthe hepcheck study conducted part larger european wide initiative called hepcare europe study consisted three phases 1 subjects completed short survey offered rapid oral hcv test 2 convenience sample hcv positive participants phase 1 selected complete survey health social risk factors 3 subjects tracked along referral pathway identify whether referred specialist clinic attended specialist clinic assessed cirrhosis transient elastography fibroscan treated hcvfive hundred ninetyseven individuals offered hcv screening 73 male 63 reported previous hcv screening screened 538 90 offered screening 37 testing positive among tested positive 112 56 new positives 44 known positives undiagnosed hcv prevalent 19 study sample active past 30day drug use common along attendance drug treatment unstable accommodation common barrier attending specialist appointments accessing treatment depression anxiety dental problems respiratory conditions common reported health problems fortysix subjects referred specialised services two subjects completed hcv treatmentthis study demonstrates current hospitalbased model care inadequate addressing specific needs homeless population emphasises need communitybased treatment approach findings intended inform hepcare europe development communitybased model care order engage homeless individuals multiple comorbidities including substance abuse affected infected hcv