TY - JOUR
T1 - Direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C
T2 - Attitudes regarding future use
AU - Gaglio, Paul J.
AU - Moss, Noah
AU - McGaw, Camille
AU - Reinus, John
N1 - Funding Information:
Conflict of interest Paul J. Gaglio, MD, Speakers Bureau, Merck; has received study support from Schering Plough (now Merck) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Noah Moss, MD: No Camille Baugh, MD: No Disclosures Noah Moss, MD: No Disclosures John Reinus, MD has received study support from Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
PY - 2011/5
Y1 - 2011/5
N2 - Introduction: Response to current therapy of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is suboptimal. Direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAA) are expected to improve treatment outcomes. Additional treatments for HCV will invariably make therapeutic choices and patient management more complex. We hypothesize that current perceptions regarding the complexity of DAA therapy will influence attitudes towards future use by practitioners who are currently treating HCV. Methods: An Internet-based survey was sent to 10,082 AASLD and AGA members to determine if they treat HCV infection, their knowledge of DAA therapies, attitudes towards current and future HCV treatments, and if they participated in clinical trials using DAA agents. Results: Out of a total of 1,757 individuals responding to the survey, 75% treat HCV; 79% were MDs, 67% were Gastroenterologists, and 24% were Hepatologists. Of the respondents, 77% indicated they were "very aware" or "aware" of DAA therapies, 20% participated in clinical trials, and 3% had minimal knowledge of DAA agents. Comparing treatment "today" versus in the future when DAAs were available, 85 vs. 81% would treat (p = 0.0054), 6 vs. 10% would refer to an "HCV expert" (p = 0.016), and 1% would refer to an ID specialist. Of respondents with "minimal knowledge" of DAA, 52% stated that they would use them in the future. Conclusions: Although the majority of respondents appear ready to utilize DAA agents in the future, referrals to "hepatitis C experts" will increase. More than half of respondents with "minimal knowledge" of DAA therapies also appear to be willing to utilize these compounds, raising concerns regarding their inappropriate use. Broad education of healthcare providers to prevent inappropriate use of these agents will be critical.
AB - Introduction: Response to current therapy of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is suboptimal. Direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAA) are expected to improve treatment outcomes. Additional treatments for HCV will invariably make therapeutic choices and patient management more complex. We hypothesize that current perceptions regarding the complexity of DAA therapy will influence attitudes towards future use by practitioners who are currently treating HCV. Methods: An Internet-based survey was sent to 10,082 AASLD and AGA members to determine if they treat HCV infection, their knowledge of DAA therapies, attitudes towards current and future HCV treatments, and if they participated in clinical trials using DAA agents. Results: Out of a total of 1,757 individuals responding to the survey, 75% treat HCV; 79% were MDs, 67% were Gastroenterologists, and 24% were Hepatologists. Of the respondents, 77% indicated they were "very aware" or "aware" of DAA therapies, 20% participated in clinical trials, and 3% had minimal knowledge of DAA agents. Comparing treatment "today" versus in the future when DAAs were available, 85 vs. 81% would treat (p = 0.0054), 6 vs. 10% would refer to an "HCV expert" (p = 0.016), and 1% would refer to an ID specialist. Of respondents with "minimal knowledge" of DAA, 52% stated that they would use them in the future. Conclusions: Although the majority of respondents appear ready to utilize DAA agents in the future, referrals to "hepatitis C experts" will increase. More than half of respondents with "minimal knowledge" of DAA therapies also appear to be willing to utilize these compounds, raising concerns regarding their inappropriate use. Broad education of healthcare providers to prevent inappropriate use of these agents will be critical.
KW - DAA
KW - Direct-acting antiviral therapy
KW - Hepatitis C
KW - STAT C
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U2 - 10.1007/s10620-011-1604-3
DO - 10.1007/s10620-011-1604-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 21336604
AN - SCOPUS:79955649354
SN - 0163-2116
VL - 56
SP - 1509
EP - 1515
JO - Digestive Diseases and Sciences
JF - Digestive Diseases and Sciences
IS - 5
ER -
