Bloodborne viral infection in Irish injecting drug users

Smyth, Bobby P; Keenan, Eamon; O’Connor, John

doi:10.1046/j.1360-0443.1998.931116493.x

Cited by 60 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Many of the identified risk factors for hepatitis C infection in this study are similar to those previously reported with duration of injection most often cited [5,6,15,19,[22][23][24][25]. Other often cited risk factors crudely confirmed in our study include sharing needles/syringes and other injection paraphernalia.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Prevalence of hepatitis C in drug users in Flanders: determinants and geographic differences

et al. 2004

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SUMMARYThe prevalence of hepatitis C and related risk factors in drug users were compared in two geographic regions in Belgium, the city of Antwerp and the mixed urban-rural area of Limburg. All 310 participants were surveyed and screened for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Prevalence rates of anti-HCV, anti-HBc and anti-HIV were 71, 62 and 4% in Antwerp and 46, 21 and 0% in Limburg respectively. Injecting drug use, duration of injecting drug use, work as a commercial sex-worker, originating from Turkey or Northern Africa, marginalization and anti-HBc positivity were identified as independent predictors for hepatitis C infection. In this study an important difference in HCV seroprevalence among drug users in a methadone maintenance programme across two geographic regions in Belgium was demonstrated. This was explained not only by variations in drug-related risk behaviour, but also by differences in sexual risk behaviour and socio-economic status.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Prevalence of hepatitis C in drug users in Flanders: determinants and geographic differences

et al. 2004

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“…Hepatitis infections are very common in opioid users [55]. Prevalence estimates of hepatitis C range from 64 to 100% in many cohorts [56,57,58,59,60,61,62].…”

Section: Clinical Correlates Of Aud In Opioid Dependencementioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol Use Disorders in Opioid Maintenance Therapy: Prevalence, Clinical Correlates and Treatment

Soyka¹

2014

Eur Addict Res

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Maintenance therapy with methadone or buprenorphine is an established and first-line treatment for opioid dependence. Clinical studies indicate that about a third of patients in opioid maintenance therapy show increased alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders. Comorbid alcohol use disorders have been identified as a risk factor for clinical outcome and can cause poor physical and mental health, including liver disorders, noncompliance, social deterioration and increased mortality risk. The effects of opioid maintenance therapy on alcohol consumption are controversial and no clear pattern has emerged. Most studies have not found a change in alcohol use after initiation of maintenance therapy. Methadone and buprenorphine appear to carry little risk of liver toxicity, but further research on this topic is required. Recent data indicate that brief intervention strategies may help reduce alcohol intake, but the existing evidence is still limited. This review discusses further clinical implications of alcohol use disorders in opioid dependence.

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“…In this context, the association between injection drug use and HCV infection, which has already been established in the general population and among drug addicts, arises as a possible risk factor for HCV infection in HD patients. 2,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of positive HCV RNA and investigate injection drug use as an emerging risk factor in chronic renal disease patients on hemodialysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis C in hemodialysis: the contribution of injection drug use

et al. 2010

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Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common cause of acute or chronic hepatitis in patients on hemodialysis (HD). The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of positive HCV RNA and investigate injection drug use as an emerging risk factor in patients with chronic renal disease on HD. Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study with 325 patients with chronic renal disease on HD in the period between August 1, 2005 to August 30, 2006, receiving care at four institutions in the city of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. Epidemiological data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire. The following laboratory tests were performed: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV), and qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Of 325 patients, 68 had positive HCV RNA results. The comparison between patients with positive and negative PCR results revealed signifi cant differences in duration of HD (mean = 71 versus 52.4 months; p = 0.02); previous blood transfusion (92% versus 72%; p < 0.01); injection drug use (13% versus 0.7%; p < 0.01); anti-HCV positivity at start of HD therapy (60% versus 4%; p < 0.01); and mean ALT value (39 versus 26.5; p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed a positive HCV RNA independently associated to being on HD for more than fi ve years [OR: 2.1 (95% CI 1.2 -3.8)]; previous blood transfusion [OR: 3.7 (95% CI 1.4 -9.5)]; and injection drug use [OR: 22.6 (95% CI 4.2 -119.6)]. Conclusion: Injection drug use was an independent risk factor for HCV infection among chronic renal disease patients on HD.

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Bloodborne viral infection in Irish injecting drug users

Abstract: HIV prevalence has sustained a low level in this population. Interventions which aim to halt transmission of HCV are necessary and will need to target IDU very early in their injecting careers and also those at risk of commencing to inject.

Cited by 60 publications

References 12 publications

Prevalence of hepatitis C in drug users in Flanders: determinants and geographic differences

Prevalence of hepatitis C in drug users in Flanders: determinants and geographic differences

Alcohol Use Disorders in Opioid Maintenance Therapy: Prevalence, Clinical Correlates and Treatment

Hepatitis C in hemodialysis: the contribution of injection drug use

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