1750P - Knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B and C virus reactivation among oncologists in Dutch-speaking Belgium: The CHOICe trial (Chronic Hepatitis B/C screening in patients on immunosuppressive therapy and chemotherapy)

Background

Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV, HCV) reactivations are an emerging problem. Several societies have composed screening guidelines, but HBV reactivation still occurs in daily practice. This survey aims to assess knowledge and awareness of HBV/HCV reactivation in oncologists.

Methods

A questionnaire was designed to assess descriptive variables (i.e., subdiscipline, years of experience, working in an academic center, and having witnessed an HBV reactivation in clinical practice) and nine content questions (four background and five clinically oriented). The survey was disseminated in spring 2022 in 11 hospitals in Belgium (3 university, 8 non-university).

Results

Table: 1750P

Characteristics of responding oncologists

The table provides an overview of characteristics of responding oncologists. Mean overall scores were 33.7%, and mean scores for background and clinical questions were 20.3% and 44.4%, respectively. Less than half of participating oncologists was aware of universal HBV screening prior to initiation of chemotherapy (48.4%) and immunosuppression (37.5%). Only 7.8% of them was aware of the high reactivation risk that comes with administration of anthracyclines. Moreover, oncologists that have already witnessed a hepatitis B reactivation in clinical practice, are better aware of hepatitis B screening guidelines prior to administration of chemotherapy (p=0.005) and immunosuppression (p=0.033).

Conclusions

Knowledge of HBV/HCV reactivation is insufficient in oncologists. In addition, HBV screening guidelines prior to initiation of chemotherapy and immunosuppression are poorly implemented, given that over one third of responding oncologists already witnessed an HBV reactivation in clinical practice. Encouragingly, these respondents are also better aware of HBV screening guidelines. Oncology organisations play an important role in raising awareness and providing clear guidance.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Gilead Sciences.

Disclosure

M. Coessens: Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Travel Grant: Gilead Sciences. W. Verlinden: Financial Interests, Personal and Institutional, Research Grant: Gilead Sciences; Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Gilead Sciences. J. Schouten: Financial Interests, Personal and Institutional, Research Grant: Gilead Sciences. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.