HCV testing and linkage to care for hepatitis C virus infection for marginalized drug user populations attending a harm reduction service in Bologna, Italy.

Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of HCV in a highly vulnerable population of substance users living with social difficulties and marginality who came into contact with the mobile harm reduction service in the city of Bologna (Northern Italy). Testing was offered in a van (mobile unit) by using a point-of-care HCV antibody test. For the HCV RNA test, the Xpert HCV Viral Load Fingerstick Test was used.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and alcohol use disorder: the relevance of early identification from an Italian retrospective outpatient study.

Introduction: Worldwide, almost 1.2 million people drive under the influence of alcohol. However, early identification of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in subjects driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is seldom achieved.

COVID-19-Related Death in Patients with Alcohol or Substance Use Disorders.

Background: People with substance or alcohol use disorders (SUDs/AUDs) are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection than the general population, but the evidence of COVID-19-related mortality in these patients is unclear.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to verify whether patients with AUD and SUD have a higher mortality rate for COVID-19-related mortality compared to the general population.

Method: We performed a follow-up study to assess mortality in 2020 in a cohort of patients diagnosed for the first time with AUDs or SUDs at the Public Health Services in the metropolitan area of Bologna (Northern Italy) from 2009 to 2019.