Real-life experience of hepatitis C treatment in a Spanish prison

Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem that causes multiple comorbidities. People in prisons who inject intravenous drugs are at increased risk of HCV infection, and HCV infection is 15-fold more prevalent among prisoners compared with the community. The objective of this study was to analyse the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of residents of a Spanish prison with HCV infection who received antiviral treatment. Material and methods. An observational, descriptive and retrospective study was performed. All patients with HCV infection diagnosed or followed up in an Infectious Diseases attached to a penitentiary were included in this study. Results. Of 81 patients analysed, sixty-nine (83.1%) patients were male. The mean age was 50.1 (SD8.8) years, and 70% of the inmates had a history of injection drug use. Coinfection with HIV was detected in 30%. In up to 25% of the sample, there were data on chronic liver disease in the degree of liver cirrhosis. The diagnosis of HCV infection had been made more than 15 years earlier in 28% of those studied. Decompensations from liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, or hospital admissions were exceptional. Most of the inmates with HCV accepted treatment, and approximately 94% of the patients who completed treatment achieved a sustained virological response without interactions or complications of interest. Conclusions. The availability of direct-acting antivirals and their exceptional side effects constitute an opportunity to reduce the burden of HCV infection in Spain, particularly in these high-risk populations.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of HCV-infected residents of a Spanish prison who received antiviral treatment. The results showed that most of the inmates achieved a sustained virological response without significant complications. This provides an opportunity to reduce the burden of HCV infection, especially in high-risk populations.