A liberalized approach to directly observed therapy for HCV retains excellent cure rates among PWID in Vienna.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Directly observed therapy (DOT) is an effective strategy to optimize hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure rates in people who inject drugs (PWID) on stable opioid agonist therapy (OAT). While adherence to daily DOT is excellent, it remains unclear if extended DOT distribution intervals result in similar sustained virologic response (SVR) rates.

Methods

PWID undergoing DOT with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) alongside OAT for HCV infection at a low-threshold institution were included. Social distancing requirements during the COVID19 pandemic led to an extension in DOT dispensation intervals; therefore, the study population was classified according to "tight period" (DAA start 2014-2020) and "liberal period" (DAA start 2020-2023) cohorts. Socioeconomic characterist

SUBMITTER: Schwarz C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12547221 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature