Addicts with chronic hepatitis C: difficult to reach, manage or treat?

Aim: To assess the acceptance, safety and efficacy of care and treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in drug addicts.

Methods: We designed a multidisciplinary, phase IV prospective cohort study. All illicit drug users (IDUs) visited a Territorial Addiction Service (SerT) in the District of Brescia, and hepatitis C antibody (HCVAb) testing positive were offered as part of a standardised hepatologic visit in our Gastroenterology Unit.