Evaluation of Hcv Treatment in People Who Actively Inject Drugs

Abstract

Aim: HCV treatment in people who actively inject drugs (PWID) (active PWID) is sometimes withheld. We propose that active PWID can be treated for HCV in the right setting. Methods: HCV-infected active PWID were evaluated at a multidisciplinary clinic in an observational study. The primary end point was a sustained virologic response following HCV therapy. Results: We included 40 active PWID, of which 63% used heroin, 70% used cocaine and 37% received all-oral regimens. With a mean follow-up of 570 days, 78% subjects achieved sustained virologic response (93% on all-oral regimens; p < 0.05), with no recurrent viremia. Conclusion: Active PWID can be effectively treated for HCV, especially with all-oral regimens and rates of recurrent viremia can be reduced in a multidisciplinary healthcare setting.

Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment in Patients with Drug Injection History: Findings of the INTEGRATE Prospective, Observational Study

“…For example, the C-EDGE CO-STAR study only enrolled patients on OST who had a documented compliance to appointments of at least 80% [ 12 ]. However, recent real-world studies have demonstrated that low loss-to-follow-up rates and high SVR rates (exceeding 90%) can be achieved in PWIDs receiving integrated care from multidisciplinary teams [ 23 , 24 ], and that rates of treatment completion and SVR comparable with the general patient population can be achieved in active drug users and patients receiving OST [ 25 ]. These findings support the provision of DAA therapy to such patients, the treatment of whom is key to achieving the goal of elimination of HCV transmission [ 25 ].…”