A Randomized Trial of Off-Site Collaborative Care for Depression in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus.

Kanwal F, Pyne JM, Tavakoli-Tabasi S, Nicholson S, Dieckgraefe B, Storay E, Goetz MB, Kramer JR, Smith D, Sansgiry S, Tansel A, Gifford AL, Asch SM. A Randomized Trial of Off-Site Collaborative Care for Depression in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus. Health services research. 2018 Aug 1; 53(4):2547-2566.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• SDP 10-044 – Hepatitis C Translating Initiatives for Depression into Solutions

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Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of a collaborative depression care model in improving depression and hepatitis C virus (HCV) care. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Hepatitis C virus clinic patients who screened positive for depression at four Veterans Affairs Hospitals. STUDY DESIGN: We compared off-site depression collaborative care (delivered by depression care manager, pharmacist, and psychiatrist) with usual care in a randomized trial. Primary depression outcomes were treatment response ( = 50 percent decrease in 20-item Hopkins Symptoms Checklist [SCL-20] score), remission (mean SCL-20 score, < 0.5), and depression-free days (DFDs). Primary HCV outcome was receipt of HCV treatment. DATA COLLECTION: Patient data were collected by self-report telephone surveys at baseline and 12 months, and from electronic medical records. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Baseline screening identified 292 HCV-infected patients with depression, and 242 patients completed 12-month follow-up (82.9 percent). Intervention participants were more likely to report depression treatment response, remission, and more DFDs than usual care participants. Intervention participants were more likely to receive antiviral treatment; however, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Off-site depression collaborative care improved depression outcomes in HCV patients and may serve as a model for collaboration between mental health and specialty physical health providers in other high co-occurring conditions.