Barriers to receiving hepatitis c treatment for people who inject drugs myths and evidence

Background: Alcohol consumption, current injecting drug use, and pre-existing mental illness have been identified as 3 of the main reasons for excluding patients from treatment for hepatitis C. Objectives: We reviewed the literature to obtain an evidence base for these common exclusion criteria. Mat...

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Main Authors: Higgs, Peter, Sacks-Davis, R., Gold, J., Hellard, M.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Tehran Hepatitis Center 2011
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54407
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author Higgs, Peter
Sacks-Davis, R.
Gold, J.
Hellard, M.
author_facet Higgs, Peter
Sacks-Davis, R.
Gold, J.
Hellard, M.
author_sort Higgs, Peter
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: Alcohol consumption, current injecting drug use, and pre-existing mental illness have been identified as 3 of the main reasons for excluding patients from treatment for hepatitis C. Objectives: We reviewed the literature to obtain an evidence base for these common exclusion criteria. Materials and Methods: We reviewed original research and meta-analyses investigating the effects of alcohol consumption, current injecting drug use, and pre-existing mental illness. Results: We identified 66 study reports relevant to the review, but found only limited evidence to support withholding of treatment on the basis of the 3 previously mentioned exclusion criteria. Conclusions: Currently, there is a lack of evidence for many of the barriers faced by patients in availing treatment for hepatitis C. Adherence to treatment routine was found to be a better predictor of sustained virological response than injecting drug or alcohol consumption during treatment period or the presence of a pre-existing mental disorder. Although several challenges remain, we need to ensure that treatment decisions are based on the best available evidence and the treatment is performed appropriately on a case-by-case basis. © 2011 Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-544072017-07-27T05:20:57Z Barriers to receiving hepatitis c treatment for people who inject drugs myths and evidence Higgs, Peter Sacks-Davis, R. Gold, J. Hellard, M. Background: Alcohol consumption, current injecting drug use, and pre-existing mental illness have been identified as 3 of the main reasons for excluding patients from treatment for hepatitis C. Objectives: We reviewed the literature to obtain an evidence base for these common exclusion criteria. Materials and Methods: We reviewed original research and meta-analyses investigating the effects of alcohol consumption, current injecting drug use, and pre-existing mental illness. Results: We identified 66 study reports relevant to the review, but found only limited evidence to support withholding of treatment on the basis of the 3 previously mentioned exclusion criteria. Conclusions: Currently, there is a lack of evidence for many of the barriers faced by patients in availing treatment for hepatitis C. Adherence to treatment routine was found to be a better predictor of sustained virological response than injecting drug or alcohol consumption during treatment period or the presence of a pre-existing mental disorder. Although several challenges remain, we need to ensure that treatment decisions are based on the best available evidence and the treatment is performed appropriately on a case-by-case basis. © 2011 Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved. 2011 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54407 Tehran Hepatitis Center restricted
spellingShingle Higgs, Peter
Sacks-Davis, R.
Gold, J.
Hellard, M.
Barriers to receiving hepatitis c treatment for people who inject drugs myths and evidence
title Barriers to receiving hepatitis c treatment for people who inject drugs myths and evidence
title_full Barriers to receiving hepatitis c treatment for people who inject drugs myths and evidence
title_fullStr Barriers to receiving hepatitis c treatment for people who inject drugs myths and evidence
title_full_unstemmed Barriers to receiving hepatitis c treatment for people who inject drugs myths and evidence
title_short Barriers to receiving hepatitis c treatment for people who inject drugs myths and evidence
title_sort barriers to receiving hepatitis c treatment for people who inject drugs myths and evidence
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/54407