Hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus-1 co-infection in former heroin addicts in methadone maintenance treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) prevalence in former opiate or heroin addicts currently in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).


METHODS
Retrospective chart review for patients (n = 342) currently attending two MMT clinics affiliated with New York Presbyterian Hospital (Adolescent Development Program, ADP: n = 106, median age 30 years; Adult Clinic, AC: n = 236, median age 45 years), as of May 2000.


RESULTS
Overall seroprevalence of those tested was 67% for HCV (ADP, 44%; AC, 80%), and 29% for HIV-1 (ADP, 13%, AC, 39%). Co-infection was present in 26% of patients (ADP, 13%; AC, 35%). Prevalence of HCV reached 92% in the 45-49 year old group (n = 53). The greatest HIV-1 prevalence (45%) was in the 35-39 year old group (n = 33). There was a linear relationship between infection seroprevalence and age at admission into MMT.


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of HCV and HIV-1 infections in MMT patients varies both by current age and by age at admission to MMT. This population needs risk reduction education and treatment for HCV and HIV- 1.
Piccolo
Paola
P
Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA. piccolp@rockefeller.edu
Borg
Lisa
L
Lin
Amy
A
Melia
Dorothy
D
Ho
Ann
A
Kreek
Mary Jeanne
MJ
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009518:New York; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
D008691:Methadone