P- 63 TREATING HEPATITIS C (HCV) IN ADDICTION CENTERS IN OUR COMMUNITY: ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS MICROELIMINATION

Introduction and Objectives

To achieve the WHO objective of eliminating Hepatitis C by 2030, we must implement new strategies to reach difficult-to-treat patients. Basque Health Department-Osakidetza is implementing a project called "Action lines for the prevention and control of hepatitis C in the Basque Country." One of the strategies adopted is the treatment of people who have used intravenous drugs in Addiction Centers (AC), which simplifies access to diagnosis and treatment.

Materials and Methods

We actively looked for HCV-infected patients through database cross-checking. We identified the patients in AC of our community since January 1, 2019, and we crossed this list with HCV serological studies carried out by Osakidetza. Thus, we have identified three groups of patients: a) HCV-RNA+, b) HCV Ab+, without HCV-RNA determination, and c) patients not tested for HCV, candidates for study and treatment.

Results

We have identified 178 people who had already been treated or had cleared infection spontaneously; another two were not treated due to terminal illness and pharmacological interaction; nine patients had died, 16 were coinfected with HIV and sent to Infectious Department and nine had abandoned our community. We finally have identified and treated in the AC 22 patients (all of them have achieved SVR), and 20 more patients to test and treat, if positive.

Conclusions

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Between the time of preparation of this strategy and its performance, which was delayed due to the pandemic, many patients had already been referred to hospitals and treated there.

1. This gives us an idea of ​​the awareness of psychiatrists about the importance of detecting and treating Hepatitis C in this group of patients.

2. Adherence to treatment was very high and SVR was 100%.

3. Treating patients in AC allows us to reach difficult-to-treat populations.

4. The initiative was very well accepted by patients.