Alcohol Use Disorder and Hepatitis C Prevention and Care in People Who Inject Drugs: The State of Play

Semin Liver Dis. 2021 May;41(2):109-116. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1716343. Epub 2020 Aug 26.

Abstract

Safe and effective treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has ushered in an era in which hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination, as set out by the World Health Organization, is possible. However, alcohol use disorder (AUD) has the potential to reduce the benefits of prevention interventions and reduce access to and continuity of HCV care in at-risk populations, such as people who inject drugs (PWID). We review the literature on the consequences of AUD on the effectiveness of HCV prevention and the cascade of care in PWID and provide recommendations for future research in the field of alcohol use and HCV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism* / complications
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Hepatitis C* / complications
  • Hepatitis C* / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C* / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations*
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous* / complications
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations