Recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C in special population groups (migrants, intravenous drug users and prison inmates)

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http://www.dldjournalonline.com/article/PIIS1590865810003944/abstract?rss=yes

JOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE AND LIVER DISEASE

Recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic

hepatitis B and C in special population groups (migrants, intravenous drug users

and prison inmates)

Piero L. Almasioa, Babudierib, Giorgio Barbarinic, Maurizia Brunettod,

Dario Contee, Pietro Denticof, Giovanni B. Gaetag, Claudio Leonardih, Massimo

Levreroi, Francesco Mazzottaj, Aldo Morronek, Lorenzo Nosottik, e Pratil,

Rapicettam, Evangelista Sagnellin, Gaetano oo, Giulio Starninip

Received 27 August 2010; accepted 4 December 2010. published online 24 January

2011.

Corrected Proof

Abstract

The global spread of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), their

high chronicity rates and their progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular

carcinoma, are major public health problems. Research and intervention

programmes for special population groups are needed in order to assess their

infection risk and set up suitable prevention and control strategies.

Aim of this paper is to give health care professionals information on HBV and

HCV infections amongst migrants, drug users and prison inmates. The manuscript

is an official Position Paper on behalf of the following Scientific Societies:

Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (A.I.S.F.), Italian Society of

Infectious and Tropical Diseases (S.I.M.I.T.), Italian Federation Department's

Operators and Addiction Services (FederSerD), Italian Prison Medicine and

Healthcare Society (S.I.M.S.Pe.).

The considered population groups, having a high prevalence HBV and HCV

infections, require specific interventions. In this context, the expression

“special population” refers to specific vulnerable groups at risk of social

exclusion, such as migrants, prison inmates, and intravenous drug users. When

dealing with special population groups, social, environmental and clinical

factors should be considered when selecting candidates for therapy as indicated

by national and international guidelines.

a Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

b Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

c Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, San Matteo Foundation, Pavia,

Italy

d Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy

e Gastroenterology Department, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

f Infectious Disease Department, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

g Infectious Disease Department of the 2nd University of Naples, Naples, Italy

h Drug Addiction and Alcoholism Prevention and Treatment Operating Unit, RMC

Local Health Service, Rome, Italy

i Department of Internal Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

j Infectious Disease Department, SM Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy

k National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty-NIHMP, Rome, Italy

l Transfusion and Hematology Department, A. Manzoni Hospital, Lecco, Italy

m Infectious Disease Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy

n Infectious Disease Department, S. Sebastiano Hospital, Caserta, Italy

o Infectious Disease Clinic, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy

p Guarded Department of Infectious Diseases, Belcolle Hospital, Viterbo, Italy

Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 3356071742.

PII: S1590-8658(10)00394-4

doi:10.1016/j.dld.2010.12.004

© 2010 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Inc All

rights reserved.