Assessing Long-term CTN 0049 Outcomes, HCV Prevalence and Progression Along the HCV Care Continuum Among HIV/HCV Co-infected Substance Users in the U.S.

The CTN 0064 study leverages the existing research infrastructure and cohort of the CTN 0049 (NCT01612169) randomized, controlled trial (RCT). CTN 0049 ("Project HOPE -- Hospital Visit as Opportunity for Prevention and Engagement for HIV-Infected Drug Users") is a three-group RCT that evaluated the most effective strategy to achieve HIV virologic suppression among HIV-infected substance users who were recruited from hospital settings. Between July 2012 and January 2014, a total of 801 HIV-infected hospitalized patients were recruited from 11 participating sites throughout the U.S. and randomized to one of the following three groups: 1) Patient Navigator intervention, 2) Patient Navigator plus Contingency Management intervention, and 3) Treatment as Usual. All CTN 0049 participants provided informed consent and completed baseline computer assisted personal interviews or CAPI (computer assisted personal interview: focusing on drug use, mental health, demographics and socio-economic factors, HIV care and drug treatment history) and blood draws (for HIV viral load and CD4 count). The two intervention groups received up to 11 patient navigation sessions over a 6-month period to actively assist participants in linking to HIV primary care and substance use treatment. Participants in all three groups completed follow-up assessments consisting of CAPI, blood draws, urine collection and breath analysis at approximately 6 and 12 months post-randomization. Medical records were reviewed to document receipt of HIV care and treatment during the study period. CTN 0064 will leverage the CTN 0049 research infrastructure and cohort by utilizing the 11 participating CTN 0049 research teams to recruit their randomized participants into the CTN 0064 study. CTN 0064 has two main components: Component 1 is the baseline assessment for CTN 0064. It will also serve as a long-term follow-up assessment for CTN 0049 for those who consent to participate in CTN 0064. Participants whose HCV antibody test result is positive in this baseline assessment will be invited to enroll in Component 2. Component 2 is an RCT that will assess the effectiveness of a Care Facilitation intervention (compared to Control) in moving HIV/HCV co-infected substance users forward along the HCV care continuum. The study's primary objective is based on Component 2 and will be operationalized as movement through a series of (potentially non-sequential) pre-defined, clinical steps along the HCV care continuum (including the ultimate step, sustained virologic response to treatment at 12 weeks post treatment completion \[SVR12\]) (AASLD/IDSA/IAS-USA). Secondary objectives will be to assess: 1) success at each step in the HCV care continuum, 2) engagement in HIV care and substance use treatment, and 3) HIV viral suppression as well as 4) to examine other long-term outcomes of the CTN 0049 cohort. All adults who were randomized into the CTN 0049 study and who provided consent to be contacted about future studies (hereafter, referred to as the "CTN 0049 cohort") will be invited to enroll in the CTN 0064 study. All participants will provide informed consent and complete Component 1, consisting of: 1) a computer assisted personal interview or CAPI (capturing history of HIV care, HCV testing and care, substance use and substance use treatment; mental health; demographics; and socio-economic factors), 2) HCV antibody screening via rapid HCV test (and, if HCV antibody positive, HCV RNA testing via venipuncture), 3) associated pre-/post-HCV test information and counseling, 4) blood specimen collection via venipuncture, and 5) drug/alcohol toxicology screening (via urine evaluation). The blood specimens of all participants will be assessed for HIV viral load and CD4 count. The blood specimens for the subset of participants who screen as HCV antibody positive will be assessed for HCV RNA to determine if their HCV infection is active. Participants who screen as HCV antibody positive will be randomized into Component 2 and assigned to one of two groups: 1) HCV Care Facilitation intervention or 2) Control. The Care Facilitation intervention group will receive up to 12 sessions during a 6-month intervention period. Follow-up visits with both groups will be conducted at approximately 6 and 12 months post-randomization. These visits will consist of CAPI, blood specimen collection, and drug/alcohol toxicology screening. Medical records will be reviewed to document HCV testing, receipt and use of HCV clinical evaluation, care and treatment (as applicable); and HIV care and treatment before and during the study period.