Abstract

Objective: Injection drug use is a gradually increasing mode of transmission for hepatitis C virus (HCV) among adolescents and young adults. In our analysis, we aimed to present some demographic data, treatment compliance and responses, and HCV genotype analyses of the opioid-dependent adolescents and young adults who were referred to a gastroenterology clinic.

Methods: 36 patients with injection drug use (between 17 and 30 years of age) found to be HCV RNA-positive were included in the study. Twenty-one patients were residing in prison and HCV infection was identified during screenings performed in prison. Sociodemographic data and laboratory findings including complete blood count, alanine aminotransferase, aspartat aminotransferase, HCV genotype and HCV RNA level were evaluated retrospectively. Information about therapeutic response of patients and their compliance with therapy were obtained from patient files. For patients in prison, their access to treatment was controlled every 2 weeks by getting in contact with prison physicians. Patients were divided into two groups, aged 17-24 years and 25-30 years, and they were compared in terms of HCV genotype and HCV RNA levels.

Results: 35 (97%) of the patients were male. The mean age was 24.5±3.6 years. Of patients, 22 (61.1%), 12 (33.3%) and 2 (5.6%) were infected with HCV genotypes 1a, 3 and 2, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between age groups with regards to HCV genotype and HCV RNA levels. Pre-treatment HCV RNA levels of HCV genotypes 1a and 3 patients were also similar. Except one patient, all patients were treated with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin. HCV RNA had become negative in 17 (47.2%) of the patients at the end of treatment. Treatment response was not obtained in 12 (33.3%) of the patients. Optimal treatment could not be given to 7 (19.4%) patients because of incompliance and/or refusal of treatment. There were no compliance problems with oral antiviral and HCV RNA negativity developed after treatment.

Conclusions: Screening, follow-up, and regular treatment of HCV infection is important in youth with injection drug use. Young people, especially those in prison, should be considered more carefully in this regard. In this study, HCV genotype 1a was found the most frequent agent in addicted youth. Klimik Dergisi 2018; 31(3): 190-4.

Cite this article as: Yetim A, Şahin M. [Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in youth with illicit drug use: sociodemographic evaluation and HCV genotype analysis]. Klimik Derg. 2018; 31(3): 190-4. Turkish.