Liver damage from alcohol intake and weight-related behaviors is preventable and treatable only through lifestyle changes. This mixed-methods randomized controlled trial compares standard and enhanced approaches to screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment/prevention (SBIRT/P) to identify and intervene for metabolism- and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD). Our multidisciplinary team aims to show that integrating results of noninvasive liver screening with Fibroscan®, a painless ultrasound that measures stiffness and fat in the liver, can optimize our brief intervention. The study population is adults age 21+ who speak Spanish or English from underresourced communities with alcohol- and weight-related risks for MetALD.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
14
The manualized intervention is delivered individually in two phases by an interventionist trained in motivational interviewing. The intervention includes liver health information and explains connections with weight-related behaviors. The enhanced (experimental) group receives personalized feedback, i.e., a summary of self-reported drinking patterns and results of liver imaging with Fibroscan®, i.e., steatosis (liver fat) and fibrosis (liver scaring) scores. The feedback is used to develop discrepancies between a goal of halting or reversing health risks associated with consuming alcohol versus continuing to drink. The sessions are matched in duration and interventionist skill level with the standard (control) group.
The manualized intervention is delivered individually in two phases by an interventionist trained in motivational interviewing. The intervention includes liver health information and explains connections with weight-related behaviors. The standard (control) group does not receive personalized feedback. The sessions are matched in duration and interventionist skill level with the enhanced (experimental) group.
Clinica Esperanza Hope Clinic
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Proportion Screened With Alcohol Intake and Weight-related Risks for Metabolism and Alcohol-associated Liver Disease
The primary feasibility outcome is the proportion screened who have alcohol intake and weight-related risks for metabolism and alcohol-associated liver disease. Alcohol intake risk is identified by the 3-item Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption subscale (AUDIT-C). Weight-related risk is identified by body mass index, calculated from weight and height.
Time frame: Screening
Proportion Eligible and Invited to Participate Who Agree to Noninvasive Liver Imaging With Fibroscan® and Arrive for Scheduled Baseline Appointment
Time frame: Baseline
Satisfaction With Fibroscan® Liver Imaging
Satisfaction with liver screening is assessed with a single-item visual analog scale with 0 indicating low satisfaction and 100 indicating high satisfaction.
Time frame: Baseline
Alcohol Intake Assessed by Timeline Followback Interview Before and After Intervention
Timeline followback interviews will be individually administered in a semi-structured format by outcomes assessors who are masked to intervention condition. Interviews follow standardized procedures using a 30-day calendar to identify anchoring events, abstinent days, and types of alcohol consumed including ounces and alcohol by volume.
Time frame: 30 days prior to intervention and 30 days after intervention
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