Recent IV-drug users with chronic hepatitis C can be efficiently treated with daily high dose induction therapy using consensus interferon: An open-label pilot study

Table 1 Demographic and clinical characteristics of 58 patients, n (%)

Characteristics
Mean age, years, (range)	36 (22–62)
Sex
Male	33
Female	25
Race
Caucasian	48 (100)
ALT, IU/L (range)	57 (9-263)
HCV-RNA level, > 800.000 IU/mL	23 (40)
Mean level, IU/mL	615.000
HCV genotype
1, 1a, 1b, 4	32 (55)
2a, 2b, 3	24 (42)
Not available	2 (3)
HCV genotype 1 and HCV-RNA > 800.000 IU/mL	19 (33)
Liver biopsy (available in 56 out of 58 patients)
No chronic hepatitis	10 (17)
Chronic hepatitis	43 (74)
Cirrhosis	3 (5)
Co-medication
Methadone	4 (7)
Codeine	7 (12)