To the Editor: Davis and colleagues recently described outcomes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the Northern Territory who received antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.1 They showed similar outcomes when comparing eight Indigenous people with 88 non-Indigenous people who were assessed for sustained virological response (SVR) after interferon-based treatment — SVR was achieved by 50% and 61%, respectively. Outcomes of therapy for HCV infection in Indigenous Australians had not previously been reported.
The full article is accessible to AMA
members and paid subscribers.
Login to MJA or subscribe now.
- 1. Davis JS, Kulatunga AC, Hajkowicz K. Outcomes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients who access treatment for hepatitis C in the Top End of the Northern Territory [letter]. Med J Aust 2013; 199: 23. <MJA full text>
- 2. Boonwaat L, Haber PS, Levy MH, Lloyd AR. Establishment of a successful assessment and treatment service for Australian prison inmates with chronic hepatitis C. Med J Aust 2010; 192: 496-500. <MJA full text>
- 3. Lloyd AR, Clegg J, Lange J, et al. Safety and effectiveness of a nurse-led outreach program for assessment and treatment of chronic hepatitis C in the custodial setting. Clin Infect Dis 2013; 56: 1078-1084.
- 4. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Prisoners in Australia. Canberra: ABS, 2013. (ABS Cat. No. 4517.0.) http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/4517.02012?Open Document (accessed Jul 2013).
Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.
No relevant disclosures.