Hepatitis C management by addiction medicine physicians: Results from a national survey

Alain H. Litwin, Hillary V. Kunins, Karina M. Berg, Alex D. Federman, Karyn K. Heavner, Marc N. Gourevitch, Julia H. Arnsten

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Drug users are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV), yet they face barriers to health care that place them at risk for levels of HCV-related care that are lower than those of nondrug users. Substance abuse treatment physicians may treat more HCV-infected persons than other generalist physicians, yet little is known about how such physicians facilitate HCV-related care. We conducted a nationwide survey of American Society of Addiction Medicine physicians (n = 320) to determine substance abuse physicians' HCV-related management practices and to describe factors associated with these practices. We found that substance abuse treatment physicians promote several elements of HCV-related care, including screening for HCV antibodies, recommending vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, and referring patients to subspecialists for HCV treatment. Substance abuse physicians who also provide primary medical or HIV-related care were most likely to facilitate HCV-related care. A significant minority of physicians were either providing HCV antiviral treatment or willing to provide HCV antiviral treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)99-105
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume33
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2007

Keywords

  • Addiction medicine
  • Chronic hepatitis C
  • Drug users
  • Hepatitis C virus
  • Substance abuse treatment physicians

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Phychiatric Mental Health
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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