title: Prevalence and epidemiological correlates and treatment outcome of HCV infection in an Italian prison setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study is to test in the feasibility of a screening programme for HCV infection in an Italian prison and to evaluate the treatment outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-centre cross-sectional study carried out in Milan-Opera. The HCV infection prevalence was calculated on the imprisoned population on the January 31 2006, the data on treatment over the following 2 years. Treatment option offered to HCV chronically infected patients was then analysed, reasons for not being treated was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 965 inmates, 695 were enrolled in the study, 682 (98%) were males, the median age was 43 years. There were 131 (18.8%) foreigners and 564 (81.2%) Italians. HCV seroprevalence was 22.4%(95% CI:19.4%-25.7%), 60 subjects (38.4%) being HIV co-infected too. Prevalence of HCV infection was significantly higher in HIVAb positive (89.6%; 95% CI:79.7%-95.7%) than in HIVAb negative (15.15%; 95% CI 12.6%-18.3%) (p<0.001). Among Italian inmates HCVAb positivity was significantly higher than among foreigners (p=0.0154). Among HCVAb positive patients, 135 subjects were HCV-RNA positive. Forty-seven (36%) had major clinical contraindication to treatment, 18 (13%) refused the treatment, 7 (5%) moved to other Institute and 27 (20%) were not evaluated by infectious disease specialists. Fifteen patients (43%) who received treatment were considered responders, 9 (26%) were non responders/relapsers, 6 (17%) interrupted treatment due to side effects and 5 (14%) were released during treatment and lost in follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that the proportion of patients in a prison setting receiving diagnosis and treatment for HCV infection remained low.
authors.forename: Micaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brandolini
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Novati
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Silvestri
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tinelli
authors.forename: Savino Francesco Antonio
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Patruno
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranieri
authors.affiliation: Clinica di Malattie Infettive, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Camillo Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy. e.seminari@smatteo.pv.it.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seminari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011330:Prisons; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral