Impact of advanced practice providers on characteristics and quality of care of patients with chronic hepatitis B

Background Advanced practice providers (APP) may be able to play a role in improving the linkage to care in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but data are limited. Aim To compare management of CHB patients under APP-assisted versus physician-only care. Methods This retrospective analysis identified patients with CHB infection from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics (R) Data Mart Database (2003-2021) using ICD-9/ICD-10 codes. We compared the proportion of patients with CHB who had adequate evaluation for treatment (defined as ALT, HBV DNA, +/- HBeAg), and the proportion of treatment-eligible patients with CHB who received treatment between APP versus physician-only care. Results We included 42,140 eligible patients (mean age: 51.9 +/- 15.1, 56.1% male). Overall, 34.3% received APP care with increasing utilisation over time. Compared to physician-only care, patients who also received APP care were more likely to have viral co-infection, and more likely to have been seen by a specialist (72.1%). Overall, 62.8% and 56.2% of treatment-eligible patients based on AASLD and EASL guidelines, respectively, received treatment; APP care patients were more likely to be treated (AASLD adjusted HR: 1.18, 95%CI: 1.03-1.34; EASL adjusted HR:1.24, 95%CI: 1.09-1.41) after adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, viral dual infection, baseline cirrhosis/liver cancer, number of HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase measurements, and physician provider type. Conclusion Treatment-eligible patients with CHB receiving APP care were more likely to receive antiviral therapy. APP care may help to expand the pool of providers for patients with CHB, and to improve current suboptimal treatment rates.

Automated summary

This study retrospectively analyzed the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) under the assistance of advanced practice providers (APP) compared to physician-only care. The results showed that treatment-eligible patients with CHB receiving APP care were more likely to receive antiviral therapy. APP care may help to expand the pool of providers for patients with CHB, and to improve current suboptimal treatment rates.