Prevalence and Risk Factors of MASLD and Liver Fibrosis amongst the Penitentiary Population in Catalonia: The PRISONAFLD Study.

Background And Aims: The prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases, particularly metabolic syndrome (MetS), has increased among the prison population. Nevertheless, we have limited data on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the hepatic manifestation of this syndrome. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of MASLD and MASLD-associated liver fibrosis in the penitentiary population in Catalonia, Spain.

Incidence and molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus reinfection in prisons in Catalonia, Spain (Re-HCV study).

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection may hamper HCV elimination in prisons. We aimed to (i) determine the reinfection rate in people treated for HCV in Catalan prisons, (ii) measure reinfection in people entering prisons, and (iii) characterize the molecular epidemiology of HCV in prisons and people who inject drugs (PWID) in the community. Re-HCV was a prospective study in eight prisons (2019-2020) including two groups: (1) people cured with treatment in prison and followed-up every 6 months, and (2) people testing HCV-RNA positive at incarceration.

Public health response to an outbreak of SARS-CoV2 infection in a Barcelona prison.

An outbreak of SARS-CoV2 infection in a Barcelona prison was studied. One hundred and forty-eight inmates and 36 prison staff were evaluated by rt-PCR, and 24.1% (40 prisoners, two health workers and four non-health workers) tested positive.

[Control of SARS-CoV-2 in prisons].

Objective: Review of control and management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in penitentiary institutions in Spain and other countries.

Material And Methods: A systematic review a comprehensive literature search in Global Health, SCOPUS, Medline and EMBASE was performed using relevant keywords and medical descriptors (MeSH) related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and prisons. National and international recommendations and guides were examined as well as documents published by some countries.

Asistencial and therapeutic continuity after release from prison: an urgent problem that requires solutions. The model applied in Catalonian prisons.

Deficits in health after being released are common, even with a higher risk of death. In these cases, the main cause of death is the use of heroin and other opioids, but there are more causes of death and most are potentially preventable. The most vulnerable groups to the increase of post-release morbidity and mortality are the drug users, the mentally ill and the foreign inmates from countries with few economic resources.

Prevalence and predictive factors of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection in inmates 25 to 65 years old in four Catalan prisons.

Objectives: Determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection, the risk factors for infection in inmates aged 25 to 65 years old in four Catalan prisons.

Materials And Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted in four Catalan prisons chosen at convenience with a random stratified sample of the penitentiary population 25 to 65 years old taken within these centres. A urine specimen was analysed using the Anyplex CT/NG Seegene technique.

Is it possible to eliminate hepatitis C from the prisons of Catalonia, Spain, in 2021?

Aim: Predict the elimination of chronic hepatitis C in Catalan prisons.

Material And Method: We analyzed the trend of the prevalence of HCV-RNA and anti-hepatitis C treatments prescribed in Catalonia in the period 2002-2016. Using linear exponential smoothing from the historical values in the time series, we estimate the time required to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health problem in prisons (prevalence of hepatitis C virus RNA<1%).

Reinfection in a large cohort of prison inmates with sustained virological response after treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Catalonia (Spain), 2002-2016.

Background: Prisoners and other high-risk patients who show a sustained virological response (SVR) after treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) can become reinfected. We aimed to calculate the rate of HCV reinfection in a large cohort of inmates with SVR and to determine factors that predict reinfection.

Methods: We included all inmates treated for hepatitis C in Catalonia (Spain) from January 2002 to December 2016 who achieved SVR and in whom viral load was subsequently determined.

Catalan contribution in the European project MEntally Disturbed Inmates Care and Support (MEDICS).

Objective: To know the criteria of penitentiary professionals about the causes, management methods and improvement proposal, in the attention and care of inmates suffering non-serious mental disorders.

Material And Methods: Activity developed from March to May 2015. In Catalonia, three prisons participated.