Care2Cure: A randomized controlled trial protocol for evaluating nurse case management to improve the hepatitis C care continuum within HIV primary care.
Co-infection with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) results in a threefold increase in relative risk of progression to end stage liver disease and cirrhosis compared to HCV alone. Although curative treatments exist, less than one quarter of people with HCV are linked to care, and even fewer have received treatment. The Care2Cure study is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial to improve the HCV care continuum among people co-infected with HIV. This ongoing study was designed to test whether a nurse case management intervention can (i) improve linkage to HCV care and (ii) decrease time to HCV treatment initiation among 70 adults co-infected with HIV who are not engaged in HCV care. The intervention is informed by the Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use and consists of nurse-initiated referral, strengths-based education, patient navigation, appointment reminders, and care coordination for drug-drug interactions in the setting of HIV primary care. Validated instruments are used to measure participant characteristics including HCV knowledge, substance use, and depression. The primary outcome is linkage to HCV care (yes/no) within 60 days. In this protocol paper, we describe the first clinical trial to examine the effects of a nurse case management intervention to improve the HCV care continuum among people co-infected with HIV/HCV in the era of all-oral HCV treatment. We describe our work in progress, challenges encountered, and strategies to engage this hard-to-reach population.
['Starbird|Laura E|LE|0000-0003-4056-2422', 'Han|Hae-Ra|HR|', 'Sulkowski|Mark S|MS|', 'Budhathoki|Chakra|C|', 'Reynolds|Nancy R|NR|', 'Farley|Jason E|JE|']
D000328:Adult D000998:Antiviral Agents D019090:Case Management D003266:Continuity of Patient Care D005260:Female D015658:HIV Infections D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic D006801:Humans D008297:Male D024802:Nurse's Role D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care
randomized controlled trials AIDS health care delivery nursing care/interventions social and economic aspects of illness