Impact of Public Policy and COVID-19 Pandemic on Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment in France, 2014-2021.

Given the World Health Organization's target to eliminate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030, we assessed the impact of French public policies and the COVID-19 pandemic on HCV testing and initiation of direct-antiviral agents (DAAs). Using the French National Health Data System, we identified individuals living in metropolitan France with at least one reimbursement for an anti-HCV test and those with a first delivery of DAAs between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2021. During this period, the annual number of people tested increased each year between 3.

Association of Age With Short-term and Long-term Mortality Among Patients Discharged From Intensive Care Units in France.

Importance: An aging population is increasing the need for intensive care unit (ICU) beds. The benefit of ICU admission for elderly patients remains a subject of debate; however, long-term outcomes across all adult age strata are unknown.

Objective: To describe short-term and long-term mortality (up to 3 years after discharge) across age strata in adult patients admitted to French ICUs.

Overuse of preoperative laboratory coagulation testing and ABO blood typing: a French national study.

Background: Following publication of guidelines on routine preoperative tests, the French Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (SFAR), in association with French national public health insurance, conducted a survey to evaluate adherence to guidelines and the economic consequences.

Methods: Using the French Hospital Discharge Database and National Health Insurance Information system, tests performed during the 30 days before surgery were analysed for two situations: (1) standard laboratory coagulation tests and ABO blood typing in children able to walk and scheduled for tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy; and (2) ABO blood typing in adults before laparoscopic cholecystectomy, thyroidectomy, lumbar discectomy or breast surgery. Guidelines do not recommend any preoperative tests in these settings.

Varying gestational age patterns in cesarean delivery: an international comparison.

Background: While international variations in overall cesarean delivery rates are well documented, less information is available for clinical sub-groups. Cesarean data presented by subgroups can be used to evaluate uptake of cesarean reduction policies or to monitor delivery practices for high and low risk pregnancies based on new scientific evidence. We studied differences and patterns in cesarean delivery rates by multiplicity and gestational age in Europe and the United States.

Where does distance matter? Distance to the closest maternity unit and risk of foetal and neonatal mortality in France.

Background: The number of maternity units has declined in France, raising concerns about the possible impact of increasing travel distances on perinatal health outcomes. We investigated impact of distance to closest maternity unit on perinatal mortality.

Methods: Data from the French National Vital Statistics Registry were used to construct foetal and neonatal mortality rates over 2001-08 by distance from mother's municipality of residence and the closest municipality with a maternity unit.