Hepatitis C cascade of care among people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada

AbstractBackground: People who inject drugs (PWID) have high rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Little is known about the rates of diagnosis and treatment for HCV among PWID. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the cascade of care in Vancouver, Canada, to improve HCV treatment access and delivery for PWID. Methods: Data were derived from 3 prospective cohort studies of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, between December 2005 and May 2015. The progression of participants was identified through 5 steps in the cascade of care: (1) chronic HCV; (2) linkage to HCV care; (3) liver disease assessment; (4) initiation of treatment; and (5) completion of treatment. Predictors of undergoing liver disease assessment for HCV treatment were identified using a multivariable extended Cox regression model. Results: Among 1571 participants with chronic HCV, 1359 (86.5%) had ever been linked to care, 1257 (80.0%) had undergone liver disease assessment, 163 (10.4%) had ever started HCV treatment, and 71 (4.5%) had ev...