HCV Infected Prisoners: A Difficult to Treat Population?
HCV Infected Prisoners: A Difficult to Treat Population?
In Italy the estimated prevalence of anti-Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody seropositivity in the general population is 2,9%,with a north–south gradient and increasing with age. Rates are considerably higher in the Italian correctional population (38%) because of the higher proportion of intravenous drug users (IVDUs).
Despite the relatively high success rates reported in the U.S. and Canada correctional population, several factors reported as potential obstacles to treatment of chronic HCV infection in the general population, such as active drug substance abuse, psychiatric illness, length of treatment, risk of re-infection, poor adherence and low success rates, may be more prevalent in this setting.
Many accurate data are published on the prevalence of HCV infection in the correctional population in Europe, but in the same population few data are available on the outcome of treatment of chronic HCV infection.
To evaluate feasibility and efficacy of treatment of chronic HCV infection in this setting, a retrospective review of medical records was performed in a cohort of inmates in five correctional facilities in Rome.
Background
In Italy the estimated prevalence of anti-Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody seropositivity in the general population is 2,9%,with a north–south gradient and increasing with age. Rates are considerably higher in the Italian correctional population (38%) because of the higher proportion of intravenous drug users (IVDUs).
Despite the relatively high success rates reported in the U.S. and Canada correctional population, several factors reported as potential obstacles to treatment of chronic HCV infection in the general population, such as active drug substance abuse, psychiatric illness, length of treatment, risk of re-infection, poor adherence and low success rates, may be more prevalent in this setting.
Many accurate data are published on the prevalence of HCV infection in the correctional population in Europe, but in the same population few data are available on the outcome of treatment of chronic HCV infection.
To evaluate feasibility and efficacy of treatment of chronic HCV infection in this setting, a retrospective review of medical records was performed in a cohort of inmates in five correctional facilities in Rome.
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