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Access to Treatment of Hepatitis C in Prison Inmates

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Abstract

We conducted a prospective study to investigate access to treatment in hepatitis C in 268 prisoners. Hepatitis C positivity had been known for 182 prisoners previously and 19 reported previous attempts to treat (10%). In comparison, during our study, 86/268 prisoners (32%) started therapy (P < 0.0001). They represented 41% of 211 prisoners with a positive viral load. In the genotype 2 or 3 group, 46 prisoners (50%) started therapy versus 40 prisoners (33%) with other genotypes (P = 0.01). This difference was due to prisoners waiting for liver biopsy. On an intention to treat basis, 45 prisoners (52%) achieved sustained virological response 6 months after the end of therapy. We conclude that a stay in prison is an effective opportunity to treat a group of hepatitis C patients which otherwise have very limited access to therapy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the nursing, GP, and psychiatric teams of Schrassig prison infirmary, Luxembourg. Without their infallible commitment, this study in particular, and taking care of prisoners with hepatitis C in general, would not have been possible. Special thanks to Professor Christine SILVAIN from the Hepatogastroenterology Unit of the University Hospital in Poitiers, France, for her invaluable help with the design of the study and the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hepatogastroenterology, Service d’Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, 4, rue Barblé, Luxembourg-City, 1210, Luxembourg

    Paul Strock

  2. Microbiology, Laboratoire National de Santé, Luxembourg-City, Luxembourg

    Joël Mossong

  3. Retrovirology Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg-City, Luxembourg

    Karine Hawotte

  4. Infectious Diseases, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg-City, Luxembourg

    Vic Arendt

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  1. Paul Strock
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  2. Joël Mossong
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  3. Karine Hawotte
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  4. Vic Arendt
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Correspondence to Paul Strock.

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Strock, P., Mossong, J., Hawotte, K. et al. Access to Treatment of Hepatitis C in Prison Inmates. Dig Dis Sci 54, 1325–1330 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0483-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0483-8

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