The impact of methadone maintenance therapy on hepatitis C incidence among illicit drug users

Аннотация

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global public health concern. Currently, more than 170 million people are infected [1–4] and between 3–4 million new infections occur annually world-wide [2]. Chronic HCV infection manifests in a variety of ways [5], with the major burden of serious illness resulting from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [1,3,6]. A substantial economic burden is associated with these conditions due to high morbidity and mortality and associated healthcare costs. Specifically, more than 350 000 people die from HCV-related liver disease every year [2], and HCV infection is the leading cause for liver transplantations world-wide [7].