In reply: Duggan and Duggan are correct to highlight the well recognised role of alcohol consumption in progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Alcohol consumption has been found to increase viral load and accelerate hepatic fibrosis in HCV infection.1,2
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- Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC.
Correspondence: hellard@burnet.edu.au
- 1. Cooper CL. Obstacles to successful HCV treatment in substance addicted patients. J Addict Dis 2008; 27: 61-68.
- 2. Bhattacharya R, Shuhart MC. Hepatitis C and alcohol: interactions, outcomes, and implications. J Clin Gastroenterol 2003; 36: 242-252.
- 3. Chang A, Skole K, Gautam M, et al. The impact of past alcohol use on treatment response rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2005; 22: 701-706.
- 4. Anand BS, Currie S, Dieperink E, et al. Alcohol use and treatment of hepatitis C virus: results of a national multicenter study. Gastroenterology 2006; 130: 1607-1616.
- 5. Edlin BR. Prevention and treatment of hepatitis C in injection drug users. Hepatology 2002; 36 (5 Suppl 1): S210-S219.
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