Factors associated with hepatitis C viremia in a large cohort of HIV-infected and -uninfected women

Abstract

Background-Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common among HIV-infected women.Objective-To further our understanding of the risk factors for HCV viremia and the predictors of HCV viral load among women.Study design-We investigated sociodemographic, immunologic, and virologic factors associated with presence and level of HCV viremia among 882 HIV-infected and 167 HIVuninfected HCV-seropositive women at entry into the Women's Interagency HIV Study.Results-Plasma HCV RNA was detected in 852 (81%) of these 1,049 women (range: 1.2-7.8 log 10 copies/ml). HCV-viremic women were more likely to have an HIV RNA level >100,000 copies/ml (P =0.0004), have reported smoking (P =0.01), or to be Black (P =0.005). They were less likely to have current or resolved hepatitis B infection. HCV RNA levels were higher in women who were >35 years old, or HIV-infected. Current smoking and history of drug use (crack/ freebase cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, or heroin) were each associated with both presence and level of viremia. Conflict of interest Authors do not have conflicts of interest in relation to the present manuscript.Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Conclusions-Substance abuse counseling aimed at eliminating ongoing use of illicit drugs and tobacco may reduce clinical progression, improve response to treatment, and decrease HCV transmission by lowering levels of HCV viremia in women. NIH Public Access

Dual sexual and drug-related predictors of hepatitis C incidence among sex workers in a Canadian setting: gaps and opportunities for scale-up of hepatitis C virus prevention, treatment, and care

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