Review

Therapeutic challenges in hepatitis C-infected injection drug using patients

Curtis L Cooper^1,2 and Edward J Mills^2,3

¹  Associate Professor of Medicine-University of Ottawa Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases-The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada

²  Centre for International Health and Human Rights Studies, Toronto, Canada

³  Faculty of Health Sciences, Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

author email corresponding author email

Harm Reduction Journal 2006, 3:31doi:10.1186/1477-7517-3-31

Published:	10 November 2006

Abstract

Hepatitis C Viral (HCV) infection in the injection drug user (IDU) population is a major medical concern. Concurrent substance abuse, co-morbid mental health conditions, poor socioeconomic status and a complex treatment protocol that is often incompatible with the life styles of IDUs combine to account for poor uptake and completion of HCV treatment. This article discusses HCV antiviral treatment issues relevant to IDUs chronically infected with this virus. The effect of non-injected substances of abuse on treatment outcome is considered. Priority issues requiring research are discussed.