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Huber, M., Weber, R., Oppliger, R., Vernazza, P., Schmid, P., Schönbucher, P., et al. (2005). Interferon-alpha2a plus ribavirin 1000/1200 mg versus interferon-alpha2a plus ribavirin 600 mg for treatment of chronic hepatitis C among patients in opiate substitution programs : an open-label randomized multicenter trial : Korrekturexemplar. Infection, 33(1), 93–97.
Abstract: Background: Many intravenous opiate users are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) but few are treated. Although this complies with various guidelines, virtually no published evidence supports such a recommendation. Patients and Methods: In a multicenter study, HCV-infected patients in opiate maintenance treatment programs received interferon plus high- or low-dose ribavirin (1000/1200 mg or 600 mg). HIV-coinfected patients were not included. Endpoints were feasibility, efficacy, side effects, and reasons for dropout. Results: Of the 420 patients who tested positive for HCV, 27 (6%) were enrolled; 393 (94%) either failed to meet the inclusion criteria or refused treatment. Virologic end-of-treatment response was achieved in 12/27 patients, and sustained response in 13/27 (48%). Response depended on viral genotype, not ribavirin dose. The two doses of ribavirin did not differ in their side effects. Conclusion: In a small fraction of HCV-infected intravenous drug users in an opiate maintenance treatment program, antiviral therapy was feasible, safe and effective. The success rate was comparable to that achieved in controlled studies that excluded drug users.
Keywords: health promotion; viral hepatitis; hepatitis C
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Edlin, B. R., Seal, K. H., Lorvick, J., Kral, A. H., Ciccarone, D. H., Moore, L. D., et al. (2001). Is it justifiable to withhold treatment for hepatitis C from illicit-drug users? The New England journal of medicine, 345(3; 19.07.2001), 211–214.
Keywords: health promotion; viral hepatitis; hepatitis C
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Davis, G. L., & Rodrigue, J. R. (2001). Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in active drug users. The New England journal of medicine, 345(3; 19.07.2001), 215–217.
Keywords: health promotion; viral hepatitis; hepatitis C
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Dalgard, O., Bjøro, K., Hellum, K., Myrvang, B., Skaug, K., Gutigard, B., et al. (2002). Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in Injecting Drug Users: 5 Years' Follow-Up. European addiction research, 8, 45–49.
Abstract: Aim of the Study: To assess the long-term hepatitis C (HCV) treatment outcome in former injecting drug users (IDUs). Materials and Methods: A long-term follow-up of 27 former IDUs who had been successfully treated for chronic hepatitis C was performed. These patients represented ailiDUs who had obtained a sustained virological response in a Norwegian HCV treatment trial. The patients had been treated with interferon-a alone or in combinatlon with ribavirin. At 5 years’ follow-up the 27 IDUs were retested for HCV RNA and risk behaviour for HCV transmission after treatment was assessed. In the control group ail 18 non-IDUs who had obtained a sustained virological response in the same treatment trial were included. Results: At follow-up 13-82 months (median 64) after the end of treatment only one case of probable reinfection was seen among the 27 IUDs. No reoccur- rence of HCV was observed in the control group. The IDU who was HCV RNA positive at follow-up had continued injecting drugs and reported frequent needle sharing. At follow-up HCV of genotype 1a was detected in contrast to genotype 1b before treatment indicating that this patient was reinfected with HCV. A return to injecting drug use occurred in 9 (33%) of 27 IDUs. Conclusion: The long-term outcome of HCV treatment in former IDUs was excellent. Despite frequent reinitiation of drug injection ail but 1 remained HCV RNA negative.
Keywords: health promotion; viral hepatitis; hepatitis C
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Seller, C. (2001). Treatment Denied : Inmates and Hepatitis C. Harm Reduction Communication, 11, 14–16.
Keywords: health promotion; viral hepatitis; hepatitis C
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Finch, E., & Griffiths, P. (1996). Questions and Answers – Hepatitis C. Drug News, Summer 96, 18–22.
Keywords: health promotion; viral hepatitis; hepatitis C
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Kerssemakers, R. (1996). Hepatitis C – A Forgotten Virus. Jellinek Quarterly, 1(03/1996), 2–3.
Keywords: health promotion; viral hepatitis; hepatitis C
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Bousingen, D. D. de. (2001). Drug firm compensates patients for suspected hepatitis B vaccine failure. The Lancet, 357(19.05.2001), 1598.
Abstract: A French appeal court has ordered GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to pay US$6686 and US$10 697 in compensation to two women with multiple sclerosis who claim the chronic disease was caused by a hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix B) manufactured by the pharmaceutical company.
Keywords: health promotion; viral hepatitis; hepatitis B
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Weinbaum, C., Lyerla, R., & Margolis, H. S. (2003). Prevention and control of infections with hepatitis viruses in correctional settings. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report : Recommendations and Reports, 52(Rr01; 24.01.2003), 1–33.
Abstract: This report consolidates previous recommendations and adds new ones for preventing and controlling infections with hepatitis viruses in correctional settings. These recommendations provide guidelines for juvenile and adult correctional systems regarding 1) identification and investigation of acute viral hepatitis; 2) preexposure and postexposure immunization for hepatitis A and hepatitis B; 3) prevention of hepatitis C virus infection and its consequences; 4) health education; and 5) release planning. Implementation of these recommendations can reduce transmission of infections with hepatitis viruses among adults at risk in both correctional facilities and the outside community. These recommendations were developed after consultation with other federal agencies and specialists in the fields of corrections, correctional health care, and public health at a meeting in Atlanta, March 5–7, 2001. This report can serve as a resource for those involved in planning and implementing health-care programs for incarcerated persons.
Keywords: health promotion; viral hepatitis
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Coffin, P. O., Galea, S., Ahern, J., Leon, A. C., Vlahov, D., & Tardiff, K. (2003). Opiates, cocaine and alcohol combinations in accidental drug overdose deaths in New York City, 1990-98. Addiction, 98(6), 739–747.
Abstract: AIMS: Accidental drug overdose contributes substantially to mortality among drug users. Multi-drug use has been documented as a key risk factor in overdose and overdose mortality in several studies. This study investigated the contribution of multiple drug combinations to overdose mortality trends. DESIGN: We collected data on all overdose deaths in New York City between 1990 and 1998 using records from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). We standardized yearly overdose death rates by age, sex and race to the 1990 census population for NYC to enable comparability between years relevant to this analysis. FINDINGS: Opiates, cocaine and alcohol were the three drugs most commonly attributed as the cause of accidental overdose death by the OCME, accounting for 97.6% of all deaths; 57.8% of those deaths were attributed to two or more of these three drugs in combination. Accidental overdose deaths increased in 1990-93 and subsequently declined slightly in 1993-98. Changes in the rate of multi-drug combination deaths accounted for most of the change in overdose death rates, whereas single drug overdose death rates remained relatively stable. Trends in accidental overdose death rates within gender and racial/ethnic strata varied by drug combination suggesting different patterns of multi-drug use among different subpopulations. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that interventions to prevent accidental overdose mortality should address the use of drugs such as heroin, cocaine and alcohol in combination.
Keywords: monitoring
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