Nontargeted Screening Approach Better for Identifying New Hep C Infection in ED
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, July 10, 2025 -- A nontargeted screening approach in the emergency department is superior to targeted screening for identifying new hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, according to a study published online July 9 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Jason Haukoos, M.D., from Denver Health, and colleagues examined the effectiveness of HCV screening in emergency departments in a prospective, multicenter, pragmatic randomized trial. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo nontargeted screening, in which HCV testing was offered regardless of risk, or targeted screening, in which testing was offered based on risk assessment, as part of routine emergency department care.
A total of 147,498 patient visits were included: 73,847 patients underwent nontargeted screening, resulting in 13.4 percent tested for HCV and 154 new diagnoses, and 73,651 patients underwent targeted screening. Of those who underwent targeted screening, 23,400 had risk factors identified, resulting in 6.3 percent tested and 115 new HCV diagnoses. The researchers found that nontargeted screening identified significantly more new diagnoses of HCV infection compared with targeted HCV screening (relative risk, 1.34). Among those newly diagnosed with HCV, the proportion from nontargeted and targeted screening groups who were linked to follow-up care, initiated direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment, completed DAA treatment, and attained sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12) was small (19.5 versus 24.3 percent; 15.6 versus 17.4 percent; 12.3 versus 12.2 percent; and 9.1 versus 9.6 percent, respectively).
"The substantial decrease in patients who went from diagnosis to SVR12 highlights an urgent need for innovative models of HCV treatment," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2025
Read this next
Racialized Economic Segregation Linked to Advanced Cancer Diagnosis
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2025 -- People living in racially and economically segregated neighborhoods are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage breast and cervical cancer...
New Subtype of Diabetes Identified in Sub-Saharan Africans, Black Americans
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2025 -- A new diabetes subtype has been identified in Sub-Saharan Africans and Black Americans, according to a study published online July 21 in The Lancet...
Changes in Missouri Law Linked to Increased Breast Cancer Screening Rates
THURSDAY, July 31, 2025 -- Changes in Missouri law expanding breast cancer screening coverage have led to increased screening rates among Medicaid patients and an increased...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.