Addicts with chronic hepatitis C: difficult to reach, manage or treat?

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To assess the acceptance, safety and efficacy of care and treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in drug addicts.

Methods

We designed a multidisciplinary, phase IV prospective cohort study. All illicit drug users (IDUs) visited a Territorial Addiction Service (SerT) in the District of Brescia, and hepatitis C antibody (HCVAb) testing positive were offered as part of a standardised hepatologic visit in our Gastroenterology Unit. Patients with confirmed CHC and without medical contraindications were administered peginterferon alfa-2b 1.5 μg/kg per week plus ribavirin (800-1400 mg/d) for 16-48 wk. All IDUs were unselected because of ongoing addiction and read and signed an informed consent form. Virologic responses at weeks 4 and 12 of therapy, at the end of treatment and

SUBMITTER: Zanini B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3848148 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature