Together against hepatitis C: almost 400 recovery in Vienna and Lower Austria

Together against hepatitis C: almost 400 recovery in Vienna and Lower Austria

(Vienna, 07-10-2024) Another milestone in the fight against hepatitis C was achieved, and that gives hope for many affected people. As part of the innovative eliminate project, which brings together various institutions in Vienna and Lower Austria, data from hospital patients have been successfully evaluated. This resulted in almost 400 people could be healed by their chronic hepatitis-C disease. The results of this groundbreaking project have recently been published in the respected specialist journal "Liver International".

The project, which started in 2020, under the title "Eliminate", pursues the goal of eliminating hepatitis C in Eastern Austria. A team of specialists: Inside the Medical University of Vienna and other partners, comprehensive studies carried out. The study of the study are Lorenz Balcar and Michael Schwarz from the MedUni Vienna as well as Caroline Schwarz and David Bauer, who are also actively involved in research.

modern therapy approaches

hepatitis C was a serious illness for which patients had to endure painful interferon injections for years, which often brought only slight healing rates. Due to new, effective medication that has been available since 2015, patients can now be healed almost without side effects within 8 to 12 weeks. The World Health Organization (WHO) has formulated the goal of containing this disease globally. However, this requires an increase in diagnostic rates and access to modern therapy approaches.

"In most hospitals, tests are carried out regularly on hepatitis C," said Lorenz Balcar. "However, not all patients receive a corresponding treatment on the inside with a positive test result." The team of the eliminate project used this gap in the supply to address the problem of "forgotten" hepatitis-C diagnoses. Caroline Schwarz explains the procedure: "We have analyzed all positive findings from hepatitis C from 2008 to 2020 to contact affected patients: inside and invite them to a check."

collaboration for success

Astonishing 5,695 patient: Inside were identified, but many had already died or had already completed the treatment in other places. From the 617 patients achieved: an antiviral therapy could be started at 397. The healing rate is 82.1 percent, whereby the actual rate is probably even higher due to the high efficiency of the new medication. Co-study director David Bauer emphasizes that the high proportion of deceased patients also underlines the challenges that are associated with this chronic disease.

The eliminate project serves as an exemplary example of the successful cooperation of several hospitals in Vienna and Lower Austria, including the AKH Vienna and several Wigev clinics. Co-study director Andreas Maieron notes: "This project shows how significant progress in public health can be made through simple but targeted measures." The positive balance of almost 400 healed patients: on the inside illustrates the relevance of such initiatives.

The comprehensive results of research are now published in the publication "A Systematic PCR Record-Based Re-Call of HCV-RNA-positive People Enables Re-Linkage to Care and HCV Elimination in Austria-The Eliminate Project" and offer valuable insights into the success of the project. These progress hope for a promising future for combating hepatitis C in Austria.