[Short-term treatment of Hepatitis C in heroin-dependent patients]. / Korttids hepatitt C-behandling av heroinavhengige pasienter.
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen
; 129(16): 1639-42, 2009 Aug 27.
Article
in Nor
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19721480
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Standardized treatment (24-week) with pegylated interferon and ribavirin induces sustained virological response in 80 % of patients with Hepatitis C (HCV) genotype 2 or 3. Most patients who are dependent on heroin and receiving methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) have been excluded from this treatment due to concerns about compliance. Short-term therapy (14 weeks) of other patient groups have shown promising results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility, efficacy and adverse effects of short-term treatment in a group of MMT patients with chronic hepatitis C infection genotype 3. MATERIAL ANDMETHODS:
Eight such patients were treated with weekly pegylated interferon injections (180 microg) and daily ribavirin tablets (800 mg) for 14 weeks. A nurse gave the injections and the patients were followed-up closely with weekly meetings, telephone and SMS.RESULTS:
Virus was eradicated in all patients after four weeks (RVR = 100 %). Seven patients completed treatment and all had undetectable virus at 14 weeks (88 %). At follow-up six months post treatment, six patients had sustained virus response (SVR = 75 %), the last patient refused to be tested. The adverse effects were of moderate intensity and could be treated with dose adjustments and supportive therapy, without additional medication. Drug abuse was a minor problem during treatment and no one relapsed to drug injections.INTERPRETATION:
Short-term (14 weeks) therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin can then be feasible, efficient and safe for Hepatitis C genotype 3. We stress the importance of close monitoring and support from a multidisciplinary team. MMT is a good opportunity to introduce HCV treatment.
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Antiviral Agents
/
Polyethylene Glycols
/
Ribavirin
/
Substance Abuse, Intravenous
/
Interferon-alpha
/
Hepatitis C, Chronic
/
Heroin Dependence
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
Nor
Year:
2009
Type:
Article