Priyanka Kumar1,2,3, Catherine Freeland2,4, Sierra Bodor4, Sean Farrell2,5, Chari Cohen4, Rosemary Frasso2. 1. Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2. Jefferson College of Population Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3. 101 The City Drive S, Suite 400, Orange, CA 92868. Email: prkumar@hs.uci.edu. 4. Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. 5. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a serious coinfection of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that is estimated to affect between 48 to 72 million people worldwide. Data are limited on the informational needs of people living with HDV. The Hepatitis B Foundation, a US-based nonprofit organization that provides support to people living with HBV and HDV, receives emails (queries) as part of a helpline, a service to provide information, resources, and support to people affected by HBV and HDV. METHODS: Query content was analyzed to assess the impact of HDV at the individual level. A total of 65 HDV-related queries from 17 countries were received from October 2016 to January 2019, and all were analyzed for this study. RESULTS: Thematic analysis of queries indicated 4 dominant themes. Three were related to a need for information about 1) the disease and prevention of it, 2) disease symptoms and outcomes, and 3) treatment options. The fourth theme was related to barriers and quality of life. Individuals requested information on treatment options, medication access, diagnostic test interpretation, and clinical trials. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the needs and lived experience of patients with HDV and summarizes critical information gaps. Findings can inform health care providers, public health professionals, and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries about the informational needs and lived experiences of individuals living with HDV and help create future HDV-related educational resources, care, and clinical trials.
INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a serious coinfection of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that is estimated to affect between 48 to 72 million people worldwide. Data are limited on the informational needs of people living with HDV. The Hepatitis B Foundation, a US-based nonprofit organization that provides support to people living with HBV and HDV, receives emails (queries) as part of a helpline, a service to provide information, resources, and support to people affected by HBV and HDV. METHODS: Query content was analyzed to assess the impact of HDV at the individual level. A total of 65 HDV-related queries from 17 countries were received from October 2016 to January 2019, and all were analyzed for this study. RESULTS: Thematic analysis of queries indicated 4 dominant themes. Three were related to a need for information about 1) the disease and prevention of it, 2) disease symptoms and outcomes, and 3) treatment options. The fourth theme was related to barriers and quality of life. Individuals requested information on treatment options, medication access, diagnostic test interpretation, and clinical trials. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the needs and lived experience of patients with HDV and summarizes critical information gaps. Findings can inform health care providers, public health professionals, and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries about the informational needs and lived experiences of individuals living with HDV and help create future HDV-related educational resources, care, and clinical trials.
Authors: Norah A Terrault; Anna S F Lok; Brian J McMahon; Kyong-Mi Chang; Jessica P Hwang; Maureen M Jonas; Robert S Brown; Natalie H Bzowej; John B Wong Journal: Hepatology Date: 2018-04 Impact factor: 17.425
Authors: Robert G Gish; Debbie Hana Yi; Steve Kane; Margaret Clark; Michael Mangahas; Sumbella Baqai; Mark A Winters; James Proudfoot; Jeffrey S Glenn Journal: J Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2013-09 Impact factor: 4.029