High real-world effectiveness of 12-week elbasvir/grazoprevir without resistance testing in the treatment of patients with HCV genotype 1a infection in Norway.

Background And Aims: The recommended treatment duration of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1a (GT1a) infection with elbasvir/grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) in the presence of a high baseline viral load and resistance associated substitutions (RAS) is 16 weeks with ribavirin added. The objective of this study was to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of 12 weeks of EBR/GZR without ribavirin and regardless of baseline viral load and RAS testing.

Method: This retrospective, observational cohort study was performed at five Norwegian hospitals that did not systematically utilize RAS testing.

Colorectal Cancer Screening With Repeated Fecal Immunochemical Test Versus Sigmoidoscopy: Baseline Results From a Randomized Trial.

Background & Aims: The comparative effectiveness of sigmoidoscopy and fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is unknown.

Methods: Individuals aged 50-74 years living in Southeast Norway were randomly invited between 2012 and 2019 to either once-only flexible sigmoidoscopy or FIT screening every second year. Colonoscopy was recommended after sigmoidoscopy if any polyp of ≥10 mm, ≥3 adenomas, any advanced adenomas, or CRC was found or, subsequent to, FIT >15 μg hemoglobin/g feces.

Hepatitis C treatment at three Norwegian hospitals 2000-2011.

Background: In the period 2000 – 2011, chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV infection) was primarily treated with a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. New antiviral drugs, which are effective but very expensive, are in the process of replacing this regimen. We have investigated the results pegylated interferon and ribavirin have yielded in ordinary clinical practice and examined the part this treatment may play in the near future.

[Pain in connection with colonoscopy in Norway].

Background: Colonoscopies are common examinations at Norwegian hospitals. In contrast to many other countries, the majority of colonoscopies in Norway are conducted without routine sedation or analgesia. We wanted to investigate whether current Norwegian practice offers adequate pain relief.

The Norwegian Gastronet project: Continuous quality improvement of colonoscopy in 14 Norwegian centres.

Objective: The burden on colonoscopy capacity is considerable and expected to increase further as colorectal cancer screening programmes gain a foothold in Europe. In this situation, it is particularly important to evaluate the quality of the service given. In this article we present our first year of experience with a quality network of endoscopy centres in Norway (Gastronet).