Hepatitis C infection among drug users attending general practice

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection among injection drug users is high and addiction-related care is increasingly being provided by GPs in Ireland.

Aims: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of HCV infection among injecting drug users attending general practice.

Methods: The records of 571 patients attending 42 general practices in the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) area for methadone maintenance treatment were reviewed.

Results: The HCV status was recorded in 380 cases (67%). Of these, 193 had a test performed by their GP, 74 had been tested by another service and 113 had no evidence of being tested, but HCV status was recorded based on information provided by the patient himself. A total of 276 cases were identified as being HCV positive (prevalence 73%), with no difference in prevalence between the three sources of information (p = 0.12). A history of injecting drug use was the major determinant of testing for HCV.

Conclusions: While a large proportion of drug users attending GPs for methadone maintenance treatment are known to be HCV positive, a considerable number have not been tested. Barriers to testing need to be explored to facilitate comprehensive screening.