Effect of integrated hepatitis C virus treatment on psychological distress in people with substance use disorders.

People with substance use disorders (SUD) have a high prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and mental health disorders. We aimed to assess the impact of integrated HCV treatment on psychological distress measured by Hopkins-symptom-checklist-10 (SCL-10). This multi-center randomized controlled trial evaluated psychological distress as a secondary outcome of integrated HCV treatment (INTRO-HCV trial).

Cost-effectiveness of integrated treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs in Norway: An economic evaluation of the INTRO-HCV trial.

Background And Aims: The INTRO-HCV randomized controlled trial conducted in Norway over 2017-2019 found that integrated treatment, compared with standard-of-care hospital treatment, for hepatitis C virus (HCV) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) improved treatment outcomes among people who inject drugs (PWID). We evaluated cost-effectiveness of the INTRO-HCV intervention.

Design: A Markov health state transition model of HCV disease progression and treatment with cost-effectiveness analysis from the health-provider perspective.

The efficacy of integrated hepatitis C virus treatment in relieving fatigue in people who inject drugs: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Most people who inject drugs (PWIDs) suffer from severe fatigue, and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may play a role in this. However, there is scarce evidence about interventions that alleviate fatigue among PWIDs. The present study investigated the effect of integrated HCV treatment on fatigue in this population compared to the effect of standard HCV treatment, adjusted for sustained virological response of the HCV treatment.

Association between oral and general health related quality of life among Norwegian patients with substance use disorders in opioid agonist therapy.

Objective: Assess the association between oral and general health related quality of life using oral impacts on daily performances (OIDP) and the quality of life tool EQ-5D-5L from EuroQoL among patients with substance use disorder (SUD) who receive opioid agonist therapy.

Method: 609 patients with SUD completed the EQ-5D-5L. A dental sub-study of 167 patients completed OIDP and an oral examination when attending outpatient clinics in Western Norway for their opioid agonist therapy.

Vitamin D status and associations with substance use patterns among people with severe substance use disorders in Western Norway.

Chronic and harmful substance use is associated with a cluster of harms to health, including micronutrient deficiencies. Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D is important for musculoskeletal and other aspects of health. In this prospective longitudinal cohort study, 666 participants drawn from outpatient opioid agonist therapy (OAT) clinics and community care clinics for substance use disorder in Western Norway were assessed annually for determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [s-25(OH)D] levels.