Abstract

ENHANCING HEPATITIS C MANAGEMENT THROUGH INTEGRATED COLLABORATIVE CARE MODELS: ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Ali Mesfer Alkhathami*, Mohammed Hassan Albather, Saleh Abdullah Altwaijri, Salah Mohammed Alshaghroud, Nader Saeed Alzahrani, Saleh Nashat Alotaibi

ABSTRACT

Background: The management of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection has advanced significantly with the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). However, treatment uptake remains low, especially among patients with comorbid mental health and substance use disorders. Methods: This review synthesizes current literature on the effectiveness of integrated collaborative care models in managingHCV among patients with concurrent mental health and substance use challenges. Emphasis is placed on multidisciplinary approaches that combine hepatology, mental health services, nursing, pharmacy, and laboratory support to improve treatment accessibility and outcomes. Results: Evidence indicates that patients with mental health and substance abuse issues can safely receive antiviral treatment within amultidisciplinary framework, achieving comparable sustained virological response (SVR) rates to those without such comorbidities. Integrated care models, including co-located mental health specialists and collaborative partnerships with community services, have demonstrated increased eligibility rates for antiviral therapy. A randomized clinical study showed that patients receiving integrated care were 2.4 times more likely to qualify for treatment compared to those receiving standard care. Conclusion: The integration of mental health and substance use services into HCV treatment protocols is essential for enhancing patient outcomes and expanding treatment access. Multidisciplinary teams can effectively address the complex needs of HCV patients, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Future research should focus on optimizing these collaborative care models to further improve treatment delivery and patient adherence.

Keywords: Hepatitis C, Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders, Integrated Care, Antiviral Treatment.