title: Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in a state correctional facility.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Rhode Island Department of Corrections, 39 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920, USA.
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Spaulding
authors.forename: Albert M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Osei
authors.forename: Lynn E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Asya M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: Josiah D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rich
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012254:Ribavirin