Adult Screening for Hepatitis c and Linkage to Treatment in Hospitals in Colombia

Launched by ASOCIACIÓN COLOMBIANA DE HEPATOLOGÍA · Nov 24, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on understanding how common hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is among patients who have certain risk factors and how to help those patients get the treatment they need. Hepatitis C can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage and cancer, so it's important to identify and treat those who are infected. The study will involve around 27,160 adults in hospitals across Colombia, specifically targeting individuals over 18 years old who have risk factors for hepatitis C, such as past medical procedures, tattoos, or certain health conditions.

If you participate in this trial, you will be asked some questions to determine if you meet the criteria. If you qualify, a simple blood test will be done to check for hepatitis C antibodies. If the test shows you might have the virus, the study will cover additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. Your participation can help improve awareness and treatment of hepatitis C, especially in areas where healthcare resources are limited. It's a chance to contribute to important research that could benefit many people in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Have at least one of the following risk factors for hepatitis C.
• • Over 50 years of age with no risk factors.
• • Over 18 years old and less than 50 years old with risk factors for hepatitis C. Persons who have received medical or dental interventions in health care settings.
• • Persons who have had tattoos, body piercings, or scarification procedures. Persons with HIV or hepatitis B infection. Persons who inject drugs. Persons who have used intranasal drugs. Persons deprived of liberty and previously incarcerated persons. Anyone with abnormal liver tests or liver disease. Students, health care workers, or members of public safety (e.g. correctional service officers or police) who have come into contact with blood at work through needlestick or sharps injuries. Anyone who has undergone hemodialysis. Persons who received transfusions in Colombia before 1996. Persons with comorbidities potentially associated with CH: diabetes, ischemic heart disease, cryoglobulinemia, chronic renal failure, Sjögren's syndrome, hypothyroidism, lichen planus, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.
• • Individuals previously treated for HCV with sustained viral response in whom reinfection is suspected (individuals who continue to engage in risk behaviors)
• • Accept to participate in the study by signing the informed consent form.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Have or have had hepatitis C with a proven cure by viral load at 12 weeks after the end of treatment without risk behaviors for reinfection.
• • Be on antiviral treatment against chronic hepatitis C virus.
• • That the patient voluntarily and consciously refuses to sign the informed consent form or is unable to give it due to any type of physical and/or mental disability.