Naslov
Barriers to diagnose and treat hepatitis C in intravenous drug users and how to overcome them

Autori
Vince, Adriana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
ECCMID 2016 - Abstract Book / - , 2016

Skup
ECCMID 2016

Mjesto i datum
Amsterdam, Nizozemska, 09.04.2016. - 12.04.2016

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
Hepatitis C; treatment; intravenous drug users

Sažetak
Injecting drug use is a major public health problem worldwide as 16 million people injected drugs in 2007. According to the 2013 European drug Report, injecting drug use accounted for 58% of all HCV diagnoses in 18 European countries in the period 2010-2011. Most new cases of HCV are now transmitted through injection drug use. The aims of this presentation are to review the epidemiology of HCV infection in people who inject drugs (PWID) from Europe and summarise the results of chronic hepatitis C treatment in this patient group. Additionally, real-life obstacles in clinical care for PWID will be discussed in details including pphysician’s reluctance to provide hepatitis C treatment to PWID, stigmatization of HCV patients due to drug use and HCV infection that prevent patients from seeking treatment as well as the lack of treatment settings suitable for PWID across Europe. Possible strategies to improve HCV clinical care in PWID will be discussed including creation of national HCV treatment strategies, action plans and clinical guidelines that recognize PWID as a distinct patient population. Additionally, promotion of multidisciplinary concept of HCV treatment of PWID as well as introduction of novel treatment-setting concepts can also contribute to the reduction of barriers in access to treatment by PWID. In conclusion, PWID should represent one of the most important target populations for HCV prevention and treatment. Treatment of PWID for chronic HCV should be considered not only as an individual benefit and right to health care but also as treatment-as prevention approach. Stronger national and international efforts are needed to collect key data on PWID with HCV and develop HCV treatment policies for PWID in Europe. Possible treatment models for PWID are quite diverse and have to be tailored specifically on a national and local level to ensure effectiveness.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA