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Impact of hepatitis C cure on hepatitis C related liver morbidity and mortality

Introduction of universal access to hepatitis C curative treatment in Australia has revolutionised care for people living with hepatitis C. However, the impact of hepatitis C cure on liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma incidence and survival is not well described in Australia.

Objective

Primary objectives

We aim to describe the impact of universal access to hepatitis C treatment on:

  • incidence of hepatitis C-related cirrhosis
  • mortality from hepatitis C-related cirrhosis
  • incidence of hepatitis C-related liver cancer
  • mortality from hepatitis C-related liver cancer.

We aim to determine the proportion of people with hepatitis C-related cirrhosis who are:

  • linked to specialist care
  • enrolled in liver cancer surveillance.

We also aim to determine the impact of hepatitis C treatment availability in community settings on the timely referral of people with cirrhosis to specialist care and liver cancer surveillance.

Secondary objectives

We aim to determine factors associated with linkage of people with cirrhosis to specialist care and liver cancer surveillance.

Timeline

2021–2027.

Approach

This is a longitudinal cohort study with data linkage, combining several datasets from the HOMER2, PRECISE and ANZLITR registries and state hospital admissions, emergency admissions and Victorian Cancer registry databases.

Community impact

Understanding the impact of hepatitis C related health policies on clinical outcomes and mortality is essential to support ongoing investment in hepatitis C elimination activities.

It is also vital to understand potential gaps and barriers to people with hepatitis C cirrhosis receiving timely best-practice care, referral to specialist services and enrolment in liver cancer surveillance.

Partners

Funding partners

  • NHMRC Program grant
  • Ramsay program grant
  • Avant Foundation grant

Collaborators

  • Eliminate Hepatitis C (EC) Australia collaborators
  • St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne
  • Melbourne Liver Group
  • ANZLITR registry consortium
  • Alfred Health
  • Monash Health
  • Eastern health
  • Western Health
  • Melbourne Health
  • Northern Health
  • Austin Health
  • University of Melbourne

Project contacts

Main contacts

Associate Professor Jessica Howell

Associate Professor Jessica Howell

Co-head, Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer; Senior Research Fellow
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Project team

Dr Anna Wilkinson

Dr Anna Wilkinson

Research Fellow
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Associate Professor Alisa Pedrana

Associate Professor Alisa Pedrana

Senior Research Fellow; Deputy Discipline Head, Public Health; Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia Coordinator
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Associate Professor Jessica Howell

Associate Professor Jessica Howell

Co-head, Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer; Senior Research Fellow
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Professor Joseph (Joe) Doyle

Professor Joseph (Joe) Doyle

Deputy Program Director, Disease Elimination; Co-Head, Infectious Diseases Clinical Research; President, Hepatitis Australia; NHMRC Clinical Research Fellow
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Professor Margaret Hellard AM

Professor Margaret Hellard AM

Deputy Director, Programs; Adjunct Professor, Monash University, DEPM.
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Professor Mark A  Stoové

Professor Mark A Stoové

Head of Public Health
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Dr Michael Curtis

Dr Michael Curtis

Postdoctoral Research Officer
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