Reinfection and Long Term Outcomes in Intravenous Drug Users (IVDUs) After Hepatitis C Treatment
Reinfection Rates and Long Term Outcomes in Currently Injecting Drug Users Following Successful Treatment for Hepatitis C
1 other identifier
observational
90
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The investigators will identify possible participants using our database of previously treated hepatitis c patients. The investigators will identify those who have documented evidence of current injecting drug use as a risk factor for acquisition of the virus. The investigators will then search for those who have received curative treatment between 2004-2010. This covers all patients in the current database. The investigators will include those over 18 years old. The investigators will exclude those patients who are coinfected with either hepatitis B or HIV. This is because both of these conditions can accelerate liver damage when in combination with hepatitis c. The possible participants identified will be sent an information sheet giving a simple and clear outline of the proposed research. The investigator will try to obtain an au to date residential address from the PAS system in the NHS or through confirmation from the patients GP or drug worker. It will explain the purpose of the study, why they have been chosen, what taking part will involve, the potential advantages and disadvantages of taking part and that everything will be kept confidential. It will also outline who is conducting the study, how any expenses will be paid and contact details for any problems/complaints that arise. Those interested in taking part will attend an appointment at the hospital after they have had the opportunity to read through the information leaflet. They will be given time to ask any questions they have about the study and have them answered fully. They will then be asked to sign two copies of a consent form in order to take their participation any further. Once this is complete they can have their first 'liver assessment'. The assessment will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. The investigators will take three blood samples from them (approximately 10mls of blood or 4 teaspoons full). One sample is to measure the levels of hepatitis C virus in the blood. This will tell us whether there has been reinfection with hepatitis C. The second sample is to measure the levels of inflammation within the liver and the third sample is to measure the full blood count. The investigators will then perform a liver scan called a fibroscan. This is a noninvasive test similar to an ultrasound (that pregnant women have) and gives a reading that can tell us about any 'stiffness' in the liver. It takes approximately five to ten minutes to complete and involves the patient lying on their back with their right arm above their head for the duration of the scan. Following the scan the investigators will ask the participant to complete a short questionnaire. This will include questions about past and current drug use as well as any alcohol use. The answers will be kept strictly confidential. They will be stored in the researchers locked office and have no direct participant identifiers on them. They will simply have a study number on them.The participant will then be thanked for their time and offered £30 to cover all travel and time expenses for their visit. They will be invited to attend for a further liver assessment one year after their first one and annually thereafter. This is optional and they are of course free to withdraw from the study at any time without needing to give a reason. The investigators will be identifying participants at different points in time following their curative treatment. For example some will have been cured 5 year ago whereas other will have been cured 6-12 months ago. This will increase the number of patient years follow up. Once the investigators have done the first set of liver assessment the participants will then be followed prospectively for as long as they wish to participate. For the purpose of my higher degree I will present the data I have following two years of 'liver assessments'.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for all trials
Started May 2011
Typical duration for all trials
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
April 4, 2011
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
April 6, 2011
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
May 1, 2011
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
May 1, 2013
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
June 1, 2014
CompletedApril 6, 2011
March 1, 2011
2 years
April 4, 2011
April 5, 2011
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
To determine the reinfection rates in a historical cohort of drug users with Hepatitis C genotype 3 who have been previously treated and cured.
This will be calculated in terms of cases per 100 person years.
2 years
Secondary Outcomes (1)
To determine long term outcomes in those who injected drugs at the time of treatment and compare this to past injecting drug users.
2 years
Study Arms (2)
Current intravenous drug users
Those who were actively injecting drugs at the time of their hepatitis C treatment.
Past drug users
Those who stopped injecting drugs intravenously at least 6 months prior to the start of treatment for hepatitis C
Eligibility Criteria
This will focus specifically on long term outcomes for patients who are current and past injecting drug users at the time of their treatment. Injecting drug users who have already completed therapy and achieved SVR will be asked to return for assessment. During this study, the investigators will also enquire about any drug use prior to, during and after completing therapy. The investigators will compare this group with past injectors, (last injected at least 6 months prior to starting treatment) a group that most centres would consider appropriate for treatment).
You may qualify if:
- Aged 18 years or older
- Achieved cure (negative Hepatitis C pcr 6 months after completing treatment)
- Previous history of injecting drug use
- Previously infected with Hepatitis C
You may not qualify if:
- Prison resident
- Co-infection with HIV or chronic hepatitis B
- Did not achieve cure with treatment for Hepatitis C
- Pregnant females
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trustlead
- Roche Pharma AGcollaborator
Study Sites (1)
North Manchester General Hospital
Manchester, Greater Manchester, M8 5RB, United Kingdom
Biospecimen
Blood will be taken for Hepatitis C RNA, plus Hepatitis C genotype if positive. Blood will also be taken for liver function tests and a full blood count.
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Joanne M Baxter, MBChB
North Manchester General Hospital
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- observational
- Observational Model
- COHORT
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
April 4, 2011
First Posted
April 6, 2011
Study Start
May 1, 2011
Primary Completion
May 1, 2013
Study Completion
June 1, 2014
Last Updated
April 6, 2011
Record last verified: 2011-03