Baclofen to Reduce Alcohol Use in Veterans With HCV (BRAC)

This study is currently recruiting participants.
Verified April 2013 by Department of Veterans Affairs
Sponsor:
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Department of Veterans Affairs
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT01008280
First received: November 3, 2009
Last updated: April 18, 2013
Last verified: April 2013
  Purpose

Hepatitis C (HCV) is the most common blood born virus in the United States, affecting 1.8% of the general population and more than 5% of veterans using VA facilities. As veterans with HCV have high rates of co-morbid alcohol use disorders that accelerate greatly the liver damage caused by HCV, a safe and effective treatment for alcohol use disorders is needed. Baclofen is a novel treatment for alcohol use disorders that has minimal effect on the liver and may represent a safe and efficacious treatment option for veterans with HCV and co-morbid alcohol use disorders.


Condition Intervention Phase
Hepatitis C
Alcohol Use Disorders
Drug: baclofen
Drug: placebo
Phase 4

Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: Efficacy & Safety of Baclofen to Reduce Alcohol Use in Veterans With HCV

Resource links provided by NLM:


Further study details as provided by Department of Veterans Affairs:

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • percentage of days abstinent [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Estimated Enrollment: 180
Study Start Date: October 2010
Estimated Study Completion Date: June 2014
Estimated Primary Completion Date: February 2014 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Arms Assigned Interventions
Experimental: Arm 1
baclofen 10 mg po tid
Drug: baclofen
baclofen 10 mg tid
Placebo Comparator: Arm 2
placebo given tid
Drug: placebo
placebo pill tid

Detailed Description:

Project: Efficacy of baclofen in reducing alcohol consumption in veterans with HCV Principal Investigator: Peter Hauser, MD

Keywords: Hepatitis C, Substance-Related Disorders, Alcoholism

Abstract

PLAN/METHODS: Two sites of the national VA Hepatitis C Resource Center, including Minneapolis and Portland VAMCs, the Long Beach VAMC, and the San Diego VAMC (total 4 sites) will recruit 180 men, women, and minority veterans who are HCV positive and currently drinking alcohol. Participants will be assessed for current alcohol use and alcohol use disorders and enrolled in the study if they meet eligibility criteria, mainly that they are drinking more than 7 drinks a week or have one heavy drinking day a week for the preceding two weeks. Enrolled subjects will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Experimental group (Baclofen) or control (placebo). Subjects will be followed for a total of 14 weeks, and follow-up data will be collected at a total of 11 visits (weeks 1,2,3,4,6,8,10,12, and 14). At each visit, interviews will be conducted by a blinded interviewer assessing current stage of change and current alcohol use along with any changes in mood and psychological or somatic symptoms. HCV viral titers will be obtained at baseline and again at week 12 to determine the effect of abstinence on this measure. Data will also be collected from participants' medical records regarding enrollment and attendance in substance abuse treatment or self-help programs (Alcoholics Anonymous). Data will be analyzed using repeated measure ANOVAs to compare the groups on alcohol use and stage of change.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study focuses on a current VHA priority: treatment of veterans with HCV. Alcohol use in this population is a major risk factor for progression of liver disease. We anticipate that the Baclofen proposed in this study will result in reduced alcohol use, which is expected to result in a slowing of the progression of liver disease, improvement in physical health, and a reduction in long-term service utilization and mortality rates.

POTENTIAL IMPACT ON VETERANS HEALTH CARE: Effectively addressing alcohol use disorders in a hepatitis clinic will contribute to a new standard of care for HCV patients within the VA. Co-located care for patients with comorbid medical and substance use disorders is likely to improve access to effective treatment, acceptance by patients and improve clinical efficiency.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria for Participation Include if:

  • Male or female, age 18 or older Medical record shows
  • Serum antibody positive for HCV and PCR confirmation, Men or Women: > 7 drinks per week for each of the proceeding 2 weeks Or One heavy drinking day per week for 2 weeks:(Heavy drinking day: 5 drinks in one day for men and >4 drinks in one day for women) based on Timeline Followback method (TLFB) Alcohol use Disorder (abuse or dependence) based on SCID
  • Yes Medical record and self report
  • Medical record, self report, SCID, BDI-II
  • Able to attend clinic appointments Yes No Self-report

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion Criteria for Participation Exclude if:

  • Male or female, under age 18
  • Cocaine, methamphetamine or opioid dependence within the past 6 months*

Any known pre-existing medical conditions that could interfere with participation in the protocol, such as:

  • CNS trauma
  • Known cognitive impairment
  • Dementia
  • Encephalopathy from liver disease
  • Acute psychiatric instability, such as significant psychosis, mania, or elevated risk for suicide
  • Not able to attend clinic appointments
  • Pregnant women
  • If any of the following medication are being used: Ondansetron, Disulfiram, Topiramate, Naltrexone, Acamprosate, Buprenorphine, or Methadone
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01008280

Contacts
Contact: Peter Hauser, MD (562) 826-8000 ext 2629 peter.hauser2@va.gov
Contact: Shira A Saperstein (562) 826-8000 ext x2954 Shira.Saperstein@va.gov

Locations
United States, California
VA Medical Center, Long Beach Recruiting
Long Beach, California, United States, 90822
Contact: Peter Hauser, MD     562-826-8000 ext 2629     peter.hauser2@va.gov    
Contact: Timothy Morgan, MD            
Principal Investigator: Peter Hauser, MD            
VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA Recruiting
San Diego, California, United States, 92161
Contact: Samuel B Ho MD     858-642-3280     samuel.ho2@va.gov    
United States, Minnesota
VA Medical Center, Minneapolis Recruiting
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55417
Contact: Erick Diperink, MD     612-725-2000 ext 2037     erick.diperink@va.gov    
United States, Oregon
VA Medical Center, Portland Recruiting
Portland, Oregon, United States, 97201
Contact: Rebecca Lenox, MS     503-220-8262 ext 52802     Rebecca.Lenox2@va.gov    
Sponsors and Collaborators
Investigators
Principal Investigator: Peter Hauser, MD VA Medical Center, Long Beach
  More Information

No publications provided

Responsible Party: Department of Veterans Affairs
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01008280     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: NURA-014-09S
Study First Received: November 3, 2009
Last Updated: April 18, 2013
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Alcohol Drinking
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis C
Drinking Behavior
Liver Diseases
Digestive System Diseases
Hepatitis, Viral, Human
Virus Diseases
Enterovirus Infections
Picornaviridae Infections
RNA Virus Infections
Flaviviridae Infections
Baclofen
GABA-B Receptor Agonists
GABA Agonists
GABA Agents
Neurotransmitter Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Pharmacologic Actions
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Muscle Relaxants, Central
Neuromuscular Agents
Peripheral Nervous System Agents
Central Nervous System Agents
Therapeutic Uses

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on June 13, 2013