Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method to quantify the alcohol biomarker phosphatidylethanol 16:0/18:1 in dried blood spots for clinical research purposes.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a group of phospholipids detectable in red blood cells exclusively following ethanol consumption. The primary PEth analog, PEth 16:0/18:1, has an extended half-life in red cells, providing a long window of detection and tremendous potential for the quantification of cumulative alcohol consumption. We developed and validated an LC/MS-MS method to quantify PEth 16:0/18:1 in dried blood spots (DBS) for clinical research purposes.

Adherence to Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy in People Actively Using Drugs and Alcohol: The INCLUD Study.

Background: Hepatitis C virus treatment in persons who use drugs (PWUD) is often withheld due to adherence and reinfection concerns. In this study, we report treatment outcomes, technology-based adherence data, and adherence predictors in PWUD and/or alcohol.

Methods: INCLUD was a prospective, open-label study of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for 12 weeks in PWUD aged 18-70 years.