Guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in injection drug users: status quo in the European Union countries

Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Apr 15:40 Suppl 5:S373-8. doi: 10.1086/427456.

Abstract

Treatment guidelines are considered to be an important tool in steering patients to medical treatment. This study was conducted to analyze guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in injection drug users (IDUs) in the European Union (EU) countries as a component of treatment access. National and international databases, expert contacts, professional societies, and health administrations were approached to acquire guidelines. According to their quality standard, guidelines were divided into expert opinions, semiofficial guidelines, official guidelines, and consensus processes. Recommendations for the treatment of HCV infection in IDUs vary substantially, from lack of recommendations and outright treatment disapproval to recommendations for treatment under specified circumstances. Recent guidelines that apply qualified process procedures that include literature research tend to be more permissive. Qualified guideline processes in each EU country and subsequently renewed pan-European guidelines are needed.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Consensus
  • European Union*
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Hepatitis C / complications
  • Hepatitis C / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / therapy*