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Volume 39, Isssue 1

Original Article

An Innovative Approach to Chronic Hepatitis C Eradication: The Role of Patient Alert Systems

Yusuf Arslan
Affiliations
  • Batman Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, İnfeksiyon Hastalıkları ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Kliniği, Batman, Türkiye
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1479-6009
,
Fethiye Akgül
Affiliations
  • Batman Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, İnfeksiyon Hastalıkları ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Kliniği, Batman, Türkiye
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8518-4598
  • Diagnostic Testing
  • HCV RNA
  • hepatitis C
  • Patient reminder systems
  • screening

Abstract

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims for more than 90% of individuals with HCV infection to be diagnosed and more than 80% to have access to treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a patient alert system (PAS), which sends notification messages to registered phone numbers in the automation system when anti-HCV positivity is detected, on the identification of HCV-infected individuals and their access to treatment.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included individuals who underwent anti-HCV testing for any reason and received a positive result between January 2018 and March 2025. HCV RNA test request rates, access to treatment for viremic cases, and data before and after the implementation of PAS were analyzed using hospital information management system records. Findings were compared by year and age group.

Results: A total of 1698 cases tested positive for anti-HCV. In 1032 (60.8%) cases, anti-HCV test positivity was present only before the PAS, in 436 (25.7%) cases only after the PAS, and in 230 (13.5%) cases in both periods. In 963 (56.7%) cases, at least one HCV RNA test was requested, and HCV RNA positivity was found in 72 of these (7.5%). There was no difference in the rate of HCV RNA testing between individuals who tested positive for anti-HCV before and after the implementation of the PAS. When analyzed by age groups, an increase in the rate of HCV RNA testing requests was observed, particularly in individuals under 40 years of age, following the implementation of the PAS. With the integration of the system, the rate of HCV RNA testing increased from 44% to 72% in the 0–17 age group (p=0.036) and from 54% to 65% in the 18–40 age group (p=0.014).

Conclusion: The positive effect of the patient alert system was observed to be more pronounced in younger age groups. Considering that this demographic segment will constitute the future adult population, PAS applications may contribute to increasing the rates of chronic HCV diagnosis and treatment. Widespread adoption of this approach may also support the achievement of WHO targets.

  • 33-7
  • Yusuf Arslan
  • [email protected]
  • 10.36519/kd.2026.5473
  • January 5, 2026
  • March 8, 2026
  • March 24, 2026

  • Arslan Y, Akgül F. [An innovative approach to chronic hepatitis C eradication: The role of patient alert systems]. Klimik Derg. 2026;39(1):33–7. Turkish.
  • 12
  • 6
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  • This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International License. CC BY-NC
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