Faculty Articles

Effect of Health Insurance on Hepatitis C Sustained Virologic Response Rates to Sofosbuvir-Based Treatment Regimens in a South Florida Community Hospital

ISBN or ISSN

2325-9582

Publication Title

Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC)

Volume

18

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2019

First Page

2325958219835590

Last Page

2325958219835590

Publisher

Sage Publications

DOI Number

10.1177/2325958219835590

Abstract

The high cost of direct-acting antiviral-based regimens raises concerns about the outcome of treatment in uninsured patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study assessed the relationship between health insurance status and sustained virologic response (SVR) rates in a community hospital in South Florida. Sofosbuvir-based therapy was initiated in 82 patients, of which 73% were uninsured and 28 (34%) were HIV coinfection. The overall SVR rate for those tested was 98%. The SVR rates were similar between HCV mono- and HCV/HIV coinfected patients (96% versus 100%, P = .204). Uninsured patients, with access to patient assistance programs, had comparable SVR rates to insured patients (100% versus 95%, P = .131). However, there was a trend toward a higher rate of loss to follow-up in uninsured compared to insured patients (25% versus 9%, P = .116). Strategies specific to adherence to treatment for uninsured patients are needed to reduce rates of loss to follow-up.

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Keywords

chronic hepatitis C, HIV, SVR, sofosbuvir-based regimens, insurance status

Peer Reviewed

Find in your library

Share

 
COinS