RT Journal Article
T1 Practical steps to improve chronic hepatitis C treatment in people with opioid use disorder.
A1 Roncero, Carlos
A1 Ryan, Pablo
A1 Littlewood, Richard
A1 Macías, Juan
A1 Ruiz, Juan
A1 Seijo, Pedro
A1 Palma-Álvarez, Raúl Felipe
A1 Vega, Pablo
K1 HCV
K1 elimination
K1 opioid use disorder
K1 practical recommendations
K1 treatment
AB People with a history of injecting drugs have high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and many have opioid use disorder (OUD). Modern HCV therapies with improved efficacy and tolerability are available, but access is often limited for this group, who may be underserved for health care and face social inequity. This work develops practical steps to improve HCV care in this population. Practical steps to improve HCV care in OUD populations were developed based on clinical experience from Spain, structured assessment of published evidence. Options for improving care at engagement/screening stages include patient education programs, strong provider-patient relationship, peer support, and adoption of rapid effective screening tools. To facilitate work up/treatment, start options include simplified work up process, integration of HCV and OUD care, and continuous psychosocial support prior, during, and after HCV treatment. It is important to plan on local basis to set up a joint integrated approach between specific drug treatment services and local points of HCV care. The elements for a specific integrated program should be chosen from options identified, including education services, peer input, organization to make HCV screening and treatment easier by co-location of services, and wider access to prescribing direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy.
SN 1179-1535
YR 2018
FD 2018-12-24
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10668/27160
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10668/27160
LA en
DS RISalud
RD Apr 11, 2025