Combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin for the management of chronic hepatitis C in a prison setting
Braz. j. infect. dis
;
10(4): 274-278, Aug. 2006. ilus
Article
Dans Anglais
| LILACS
| ID: lil-440682
ABSTRACT
The elevated frequency of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection found among prison inmates, and the availability of improved pharmacological cure for this potentially life-threatening disorder, make investigations conducted in this somewhat neglected area very relevant, since only a few, open-label experiences have been reported till now. In the metropolitan prison of Bologna (Italy), HCV seroprevalence was found to be over 31 percent in 2003, so that a pilot feasibility study based on treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin was initiated, after careful counseling carried out by a joint commission of health care personnel of the correctional facility and infectious diseases consultants. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled, and despite expected dropouts due to difficulty in maintaining the same level of counseling pressure over time, and the particularly unfavorable climatic conditions during Summer 2003, a sustained virological response was obtained for 8 out of the 21 patients who remained evaluable after the first three month follow-up, although we need to take into account that a high percentage of subjects (67 percent) were selected for therapy due to their favorable HCV genotypes (types 2 and 3). Our preliminary experience shows that an intrinsically complicated therapy, such as the administration of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin, can attain a relatively high success rate, even in a very unfavorable and uncomfortable context, such as a prison, where only enforced counseling, active participation of institutional health care operators, and patient's willingness to maintain an elevated level of co-operation and adherence, can overcome most structural and relational difficulties.
Texte intégral:
Disponible
Indice:
LILAS (Amériques)
Sujet Principal:
Antiviraux
/
Prisons
/
Ribavirine
/
Interféron alpha
/
Hépatite C chronique
Type d'étude:
Étude observationnelle
/
Étude de prévalence
/
Étude pronostique
/
Facteurs de risque
Limites du sujet:
Adulte
/
Femelle
/
Humains
/
Mâle
Pays comme sujet:
Europe
langue:
Anglais
Texte intégral:
Braz. j. infect. dis
Thème du journal:
Maladies transmissibles
Année:
2006
Type:
Article
Pays d'affiliation:
Italie
Institution/Pays d'affiliation:
University of Bologna/IT
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