Patient selection and baseline characteristics
HIV COINFECTION
Between 2005 and 2018, 4414 patients were positive for HCV antibodies, of whom 2734 (61.9%) had a negative RNA result or a positive then negative RNA result. After exclusion of 513 (11.6%) patients who died during the study period, 1167 patients were potential candidates for initial reengagement. Finally, 822 (70.4%) were excluded from the study: 713 patients moved to another health area, 53 had HIV coinfection, 35 patients did not have full contact data, 7 were under 18 years old, 12 were linked to care recently pending RNA test results, and 2 patients were dependent people for daily living activities with restricted mobility.Eventually, among the 345 patients fulfilling the criteria to be included in the study, 344 subjects (72.2% male, 51.1±12.9 y) were randomized into the 2 strategies. At the time of the interim analysis, 270 patients were analyzed: 123 patients (45.6%) in the mail strategy and 147 patients (54.4%) in the phone call strategy group (Figure Flow diagram of patient selection and randomization.Characteristics of randomized patients according to reengagement strategyAbbreviations: DAA, direct-acting antivirals; IQR, interquartile range.Included patients had a median of 7 (range 4–10) years with a positive HCV serology test, 181 (67%) had the HCV testing serology done before the DAA era, and 15% of patients were previously evaluated by a specialist.