A Model for Treating HCV Hepatitis in Patients Receiving Methadone Maintenance Therapy

作者：Malnick Stephen^*; Sheidvasser Victoria; Basevitz Alon; Levit Shabtai

来源：Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, 2014, 51(4): 303-306.

Introduction: Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with substance abuse, treatment of addicts is problematic. We report the results of a pilot scheme for treatment of HCV-infected substance abusers in a methadone maintenance center (MMC).
Methods: The treatment program was carried out at a single MMC. Patients were not using illicit drugs or alcohol and received regular treatment with methadone. The program consisted of 5 stages:
1. An explanatory lecture concerning HCV (50/114 attended).
2. 25 of the 50 presented for examination including HCV RNA, genotype and viral load.
3. HCV treatment with pegylated alfa-interferon-1b and ribavarin.
4. The MMC physician and staff aided the clients' medical compliance.
5. A hepatologist (SM) volunteered his services on the basis of one 3 hourly session every 4-6 weeks, in addition to open access telephone consultation with the MMC staff physician.
Results: 50 of 114 HCV seropositive clients attended the initial meeting , 25 (50%) were candidates for treatment, of whom 20 were treated. 10 had genotype 3 infection, 9 genotype 1 and 1 genotype 2. The sustained virological response (SVR) on an intention-to-treat basis was 8/20 (40%).
Discussion: We present a model for the successful treatment of chronic HCV hepatitis in patients receiving methadone.

• 出版日期2014