Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in a state correctional facility.
BACKGROUND
Approximately 1 in 4 of the nearly 2 million individuals in state and federal correctional facilities are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Currently, there are few reports of treatment outcomes of this common infection in this setting.


OBJECTIVE
To describe HCV therapy in the incarcerated setting.


METHODS
Retrospective, descriptive observational study.


METHODS
Rhode Island Department of Corrections, Cranston, Rhode Island.


METHODS
93 inmates with chronic HCV infection.


METHODS
Interferon-alpha with ribavirin.


METHODS
HCV RNA levels 6 months after treatment.


RESULTS
Response rates are similar to previously published rates achieved in the community; 63% (50 of 79) of patients achieved viral clearance after 6 months of therapy, and 46% (26 of 57) achieved sustained response 6 months after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The incarcerated population (which is disproportionately affected by addiction and psychiatric illness) can be effectively treated for HCV infection with interferon and ribavirin. The correctional setting may provide an opportunity to safely treat patients with these two challenging comorbid conditions.
Allen
Scott A
SA
Rhode Island Department of Corrections, 39 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920, USA.
Spaulding
Anne C
AC
Osei
Albert M
AM
Taylor
Lynn E
LE
Cabral
Asya M
AM
Rich
Josiah D
JD
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011330:Prisons; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012237:Rhode Island; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012254:Ribavirin