Hepatitis C in methadone maintenance patients: prevalence and public policy implications.
OBJECTIVE
This study measured the extent and examined implications of hepatitis C (HCV) infection in a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) population.


METHODS
Four hundred and sixty patients were tested for HCV-Ab, hepatic enzymes and bilirubin, HCV-RNA, and hepatitis B antibody.


RESULTS
Overall, 87% of this population had evidence of HCV-Ab. Among drug injectors (IDU), 96% were HCV-Ab positive. Among a subset of Laotian opium-smoking patients prevalence was only 11%. Sixty-two percent of patients with HCV-Ab had detectable HCV-RNA. Only 41% had elevated hepatic enzymes, and 5% had elevated bilirubin levels. All age groups were equally infected. Systemic problems in screening and treating HCV in drug users were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV infection poses significant long-term health risks for this population. Harm reduction interventions aimed at reducing transmission of HCV and other needle-related infectious disease deserves more consideration.
McCarthy
J J
JJ
Bi-Valley Medical Clinic, University of California, Davis, USA.
Flynn
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos / Q000208:ethnology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000009:adverse effects; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009892:Opium; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
D009892:Opium; D008691:Methadone