Node Smith, ND
The Canadian Medical Association has recently published a recommendation that all Canadians born between the years 1945 and 1975 be screened for hepatitis C.1 This is a new guideline focused on the nearly 250,000 people infected with the disease in Canada, with an aim to eradicate the disease from the country.
Those born before 1945 or after 1975 should get tested only if they are at high risk of infection
The recommendation comes from a blue-ribbon panel of experts and says that those born before 1945 or after 1975 should get tested only if they are at high risk of infection. High risk includes intravenous drug use, sexual intercourse with individuals who use intravenous drugs, incarceration or sexual intercourse with previously incarcerated individuals, receiving blood transfusions before 1992, or a history that contains any of the above risk factors.
It is estimated that up to 70 percent of this population don’t know they are infected
Baby boomers are not being singled out needlessly. People born between 1945 and 1975 account for the highest number of disease carrying individuals. It is estimated that up to 70 percent of this population don’t know they are infected – hepatitis C is relatively benign until complications develop.
Previous guidelines likely missing many baby boomers who are infected
The previous guidelines, which recommend only testing those in high-risk categories, were likely missing many baby boomers who are infected. Another reason for universal testing is that testing and treatment have decreased in cost to a level where it is now more affordable.
Current treatment of hepatitis C
Current treatment of hepatitis C with antiviral medication is thought to be safe and effective, and most patients tolerate the treatments well. Previous drug treatments were known to have numerous undesirable side effects. There are various subtypes of hepatitis C, and treatments are specific to these subtypes.
Under the new guidelines, all patients diagnosed with hepatitis C would be candidates for treatment
Under the new guidelines, all patients diagnosed with hepatitis C would be candidates for treatment, and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) negotiated reduced prices of five of the drug regimens. The pCPA is an agency that facilitates joint negotiation of prescription drug prices.
Only 9 countries on track to meet World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal to eradicate hepatitis C by the year 2030
This is occurring in the context of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal to eradicate hepatitis C by the year 2030. According to data presented in 2017 at the World Hepatitis Summit, only Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Japan, the Netherlands and Qatar are on track to meet this goal.
Source:
- Shah H, Bilodeau M, Burak KW, et al. The management of chronic hepatitis C: 2018 guideline update from the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver. CMAJ Jun 2018, 190 (22) E677-E687; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.170453
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Node Smith, ND, is a naturopathic physician in Portland, OR and associate editor for NDNR. He has been instrumental in maintaining a firm connection to the philosophy and heritage of naturopathic medicine among the next generation of docs. He helped found the first multi-generational experiential retreat, which brings elders, alumni, and students together for a weekend camp-out where naturopathic medicine and medical philosophy are experienced in nature. Four years ago he helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization (ANR), for which he serves as the board chairman. ANR has a mission to inspire health practitioners to embody the naturopathic principles through experiential education. Node also has a firm belief that the next era of naturopathic medicine will see a resurgence of in-patient facilities which use fasting, earthing, hydrotherapy and homeopathy to bring people back from chronic diseases of modern living; he is involved in numerous conversations and projects to bring about this vision.
