title: HCV prevalence in methadone maintenance: self-report versus serum test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess hepatitis C virus (HCV) serostatus, risk factors, and desire for education about HCV among methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 200 MMT patients and reviewed charts for 276 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The self-report HCV seroprevalence was 34%, adjusted to 52%. The chart review HCV seroprevalence was 70%. Most participants had risk factors for contracting or spreading HCV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is discrepancy in HCV seroprevalence by self-report versus serum test results among MMT patients. Some HCV+ MMT patients engage in high-risk behaviors for HCV transmission and may not disclose HCV+ status. MMT patients want HCV education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. mfweaver@vcu.edu
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Cropsey
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone