Table 4.
Outcome | Study designs/ No. Studies |
Findings and Direction of Effect | GRAD E[21] |
---|---|---|---|
1. Uptake of HCV treatment |
RCT – 2 Cohort – 3 Observational – 5 |
Two RCTs assessed as having low risk of bias reported a positive effect on uptake with precision and a consistent positive direction of effect. One cohort study assessed as having medium-grade study limitations also reported a positive effect on uptake. | Medium |
2. Completion of Treatment |
Cohort - 1 Observational - 2 |
One cohort study with medium study limitations reported a positive direction of effect on uptake. | Low |
3. Sustained Viral Response at 12 weeks (%)(SVR12) |
RCT −2 Cohort - 4 Observational - 11 |
Two RCTs assessed as having low risk of bias reported a positive effect on SVR but were imprecise in the estimate of effect size. Four cohort studies and 11 observational studies with over 10,000 participants all reported a consistent positive direction of effect, but with significant study limitations. | Medium |