Targeted hepatitis C screening among ex-injection drug users in the community

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 116 - 120
• Main Authors: Wong, Vincent Wai-Sun, Wong, Grace Lai-Hung, Chim, Angel Mei-Ling, Cheng, Tsz-Fai, Cheung, Shirley Wing-Yan, Lai, Carol Man-Sze, Szeto, Kylie Joan-Yi, Tsang, Sharon, Wu, Stephen Ho-Chun, Yan, Kenneth Kar-Lung, Hui, Alex Yui, Yiu, Desmond Chi-Him, Wu, Brian Bing-Ying, Cheung, David, Chung, Cedric Sze-Lai, Lai, Camey Wai-Man, Chan, Henry Lik-Yuen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Alanine Transaminase; Biomarkers; Community Health Services; Community Networks; Drug Users - statistics & numerical data; elasticity; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hepacivirus - genetics; Hepacivirus - immunology; Hepatitis C - diagnosis; Hepatitis C - drug therapy; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis C - prevention & control; Hepatitis C virus; Hong Kong - epidemiology; Humans; interferons; liver cirrhosis; Male; Mass Screening - methods; Middle Aged; opioid-related disorders; patient compliance; Patient Education as Topic; Point-of-Care Systems; RNA, Viral; Severity of Illness Index; Hong Kong; patient compliance; interferons; opioid-related disorders; elasticity; liver cirrhosis

Background and Aim Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. It is highly prevalent among injection drug users (IDUs) but is often undiagnosed because they represent an underprivileged group that faces multiple barrier...