2963 Changes in Health Behaviors Among Veterans With Chronic Hepatitis C Receiving Direct Acting Antiviral Therapy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Persons infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are more likely to use tobacco, consume larger quantities of alcohol, and use recreational cannabis as those without HCV infection. A recent multi-center study suggested that interferon-based treatment for HCV encouraged reduction in consumption of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis. Because direct acting antivirals (DAAs) require a shorter period of treatment, the same effect on lifestyle change may not be present. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use in Veterans on HCV DAAs. METHODS: Veterans initiating HCV treatment with DAAs at the G V Sonny Montgomery VAMC were offered study enrollment. After providing written informed consent, veterans completed a survey of demographic information and current/past tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use. Follow up visits occurred at weeks 4, 8 and 12 of treatment. Veterans self-reported on tobacco, alcohol or illicit drug use in the past 4 weeks. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.23. The G.V. Sonny Montgomery Institutional Review Board approved this study. RESULTS: Thirty veterans were enrolled between May 1, 2013 and Dec 31, 2014. Majority of patients were male (n = 26) and Caucasian (n = 17). The major infecting genotype was 1a (n = 13), followed by 1b (n = 9), 1 undifferentiated (n = 5) and 2b (n = 3). At baseline, 47% reported current tobacco use, 20% reported current alcohol use and 10% reported current cannabis use. At week 12, reported tobacco use decreased to 43% (P = 1.0), alcohol use decreased to 11% (P = 1.0) and marijuana decreased to 4% (P = 0.5). CONCLUSION: Limitations to our study include small sample size, self-reported data and lack of control group. There was however decreasing trend of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use with the only intervention being initiation of direct acting antivirals for hepatitis C. We propose that HCV DAAs may represent an opportunity to promote healthy lifestyle changes for Veterans.