Incidence and risk factors of HCV and HIV infections in a cohort of intravenous drug users in the North and East of France

Epidemiol Infect. 2004 Aug;132(4):699-708. doi: 10.1017/s095026880400247x.

Abstract

In order to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) among injecting drug users (IDUs), we conducted a prospective cohort study of HCV- and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative IDUs in the North and East of France. A total of 231 HCV and HIV IDUs who had injected drugs at least once in their lifetime were followed up every 3 months over a 12-month period. Serum anti-HCV and anti-HIV were tested at inclusion in the study and at the end of the follow-up. Data on injecting practices were collected at inclusion and at each visit. Of the 231 participants included, 165 (71.4%) underwent a final HCV and HIV serum test. The incidence was nil for HIV infection and 9/100 person-years (95% CI 4.6-13.4) for HCV infection. In a multivariable analysis, we found that syringe and cotton sharing were the only independent predictive factors of HCV seroconversion.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / etiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / etiology
  • Hepatitis C / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Syringes / virology