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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 28, 2013; 19(44): 8011-8019
Published online Nov 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i44.8011
Published online Nov 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i44.8011
Addicts with chronic hepatitis C: Difficult to reach, manage or treat?
Barbara Zanini, Federica Benini, Marie Graciella Pigozzi, Alberto Lanzini, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, University and Spedali Civili of Brescia, I-25123 Brescia, Italy
Patrizia Furba, Ernesto Giacò, Antonia Cinquegrana, Mariagrazia Fasoli, Territorial Addiction Service (SerT), Local Health Authority (ASL) of Brescia, I-25100 Brescia, Italy
Author contributions: Zanini B, Benini F, Pigozzi MG and Lanzini A designed the research; Zanini B, Furba P, Giacò E, Fasoli M, Cinquegrana A and ARNICA Study Group performed the research; Zanini B analysed the data; Zanini B and Lanzini A wrote the paper; and all authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Alberto Lanzini, MD, PhD (London), Associate Professor of Gastroenterology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, University and Spedali Civili of Brescia, P.le Spedali Civili 1, I-25123 Brescia, Italy. lanzini@med.unibs.it
Telephone: +39-30-3995241 Fax: +39-30-396011
Received: March 5, 2013
Revised: May 31, 2013
Accepted: June 19, 2013
Published online: November 28, 2013
Revised: May 31, 2013
Accepted: June 19, 2013
Published online: November 28, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: The paper reports results from a clinical trial on the management of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in illicit drug users (IDUs). Two key elements characterise the trial: (1) the study was performed by a multidisciplinary team; and (2) the patients were unselected because of ongoing addiction. We assessed the acceptance of care and treatment for CHC among IDUs, who are classically considered to be a “difficult to reach and manage” group. For the IDUs accepting antiviral treatment, we analysed results on safety, efficacy and adherence and on the prevalence of negative prognostic factors affecting the virologic response to address whether IDUs are also “difficult to treat” patients.