title: The hepatitis C self-management program: sustainability of primary outcomes at 1 year.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic hepatitis C infection afflicts millions of people worldwide. Although antiviral treatments are increasingly effective, many hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients avoid treatment, do not complete or respond to treatment, or have contraindications. Self-management interventions are one option for promoting behavioral changes leading to liver wellness and improved quality of life. Our objective was to evaluate whether the effects of the HCV self-management program were sustained at the 12-month follow-up assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Veteran Affairs patients with hepatitis C (N = 134; mean age = 54.6 years, 95% male, 41% ethnic minority, 48% homeless in last 5 years) were randomized to either a 6-week self-management workshop or an information-only intervention. The weekly 2-hour self-management sessions were based on a cognitive-behavioral program with hepatitis C-specific modules. Outcomes including hepatitis C knowledge, depression, energy, and health-related quality of life were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months later. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the information-only group, participants attending the self-management workshop improved more on HCV knowledge (p < .005), SF-36 energy/vitality (p = .016), and the Quality of Well-Being Scale (p = .036). Similar trends were found for SF-36 physical functioning and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Better outcomes were sustained among self-management participants at the 12-month assessment despite the intervention only lasting 6 weeks. HCV health care providers should consider adding self-management interventions for patients with chronic HCV.
authors: 1VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Erik J
authors: EJ
authors: Groessl
authors: Samuel B
authors: SB
authors: Ho
authors: Steven M
authors: SM
authors: Asch
authors: Carl J
authors: CJ
authors: Stepnowsky
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Laurent
authors: Allen L
authors: AL
authors: Gifford
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents
keywords: chronic disease management; health behavior; hepatitis C; patient education; quality of life