Correlation between metabolic syndrome and relative telomere length shortening in HIV/AIDS patients on combined antiretroviral therapy

Abstract Background: Intestinal microsporidiosis is an opportunistic infection associated with persistent diarrhea among HIV/AIDS patients. In Yemen, however, its epidemiology is unknown. Therefore, this study determined its prevalence and predictors among HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Sana'a city, Yemen.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 402 patients receiving ART at Al-Jomhori Educational Hospital in Sana'a from November 2019 to December 2020. Data about demographics, clinical characteristics and risk factors were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and examined for microsporidian spores using the Gram-chromotrope Kinyoun staining. Blood samples were also collected and used for CD4 cell counting by flow cytometry. Univariate analysis was used to test the association of patients’ characteristics and risk factors with intestinal microsporidiosis. Multivariable logistic regression was then used to identify the independent predictors of infection. Statistical significance was considered at P-values <0.05. Results: Intestinal microsporidiosis was prevalent among 14.2% (57/402) of HIV/AIDS patients but was not significantly associated with any of the studied demographics, source of drinking water, bathing and/or swimming outdoors, contact with soil, presence of domestic animals or indiscriminate defecation. However, it was significantly associated with diarrhea (OR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.7–6.6; P=0.001) and <200 CD4 cells/µl (OR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.5–5.0; P=0.001). The significant independent predictors of infection were <200 CD4 cells/µl (AOR=3.2, 95% CI: 1.5–6.9; P=0.003), not washing hands after contacting soil (AOR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.1–5.4; P=0.026) and before eating (AOR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.5–6.4; P=0.003), eating unwashed raw produce (AOR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.2–5.3; P=0.017) and absence of indoor latrines (AOR=6.2, 95% CI: 1.5–25.9; P=0.012).Conclusions: The prevalence of intestinal microsporidiosis among HIV/AIDS patients in Sana'a is high and comparable to that several other countries, being prevalent among approximately 14.0% of patients and significantly associated with diarrhea. It could be predicted among patients who have <200 CD4 cells/µl, poor hand hygiene after contacting soil and before eating, usually eat unwashed raw produce and do not possess indoor latrines. Large-scale studies on its epidemiology and predictors among HIV/AIDS patients across the country are warranted.

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Body mass index increases CD4+ count in HIV/AIDS patients on first-line therapy

Zinc supplementation improves heme biosynthesis in rats exposed to lead ◽

10.18051/univmed.2020.v39.121-127 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 121

Author(s):

Mirna Widiyanti ◽

Moch Irfan Hadi ◽

Mei Lina Fitri Kumalasari ◽

Evi Iriani Natalia ◽

Dedi Ananta Purba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Body Mass ◽

Influencing Factor ◽

Clinical Stage ◽

Cd4 Count ◽

First Line ◽

Aids Patients ◽

Cd4 Counts ◽

Hiv Aids

Background The body mass index (BMI) may contribute somewhat to drug metabolism, thus affecting the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART). CD4+ counts in people infected with HIV are essential in determining the stage of the disease, initiation of antiretroviral therapy, opportunistic infections and evaluating treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the association of BMI and clinical stage with CD4+ counts in HIV patients seeking treatment using first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods An analytic study with a cross-sectional approach was conducted involving 251 HIV/AIDS patients who had received first-line antiretrovirals over six months. BMI, clinical staging according to WHO and CD4 + were collected. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between BMI, clinical stage and CD4+. Results Among the enrolled patients, the median age was 36 years, 135 (55%) of the patients was female, 102 (40.6%) was overweight/obese, 161 (64.1%) was in stage 3 of the disease, and the median CD4+ count was 389 cells/mm3. Multiple linear regression test showed two variables with a significant effect on CD4+ count, namely BMI (B=69.247; 95 % CI : 42.886-95.608) and clinical stage (B=61.590; 28.910-94.270). BMI was the most influencing factor for CD4+ count (β=0.307) compared to clinical stage (β=0.216). Conclusions Body mass index was the most influencing factor for CD4 + counts of HIV/AIDS patients. Regular ART can increase CD4+ counts and maintain the health of HIV/AIDS patients.

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Influence of Spirituality and Religion on Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Adult HIV/AIDS Patients in Calabar, Nigeria

Recent Advances in Biology and Medicine ◽

10.18639/rabm.2017.03.456895 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 03 ◽

pp. 48

Author(s):

Agam Ebaji Ayuk ◽

Ndifreke Udonwa ◽

Abraham Gyuse ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Illness ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Religious Coping ◽

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Aids Patients ◽

Strict Adherence ◽

Highly Active ◽

Spirituality And Religion ◽

Positive Religious Coping ◽

Hiv Aids

The emergence of a chronic medical illness such as Human Immune Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) may be the time when people turn to the Sacred through spirituality and religion. HIV is a chronic illness that requires strict adherence to medication regimens that may be influenced by spirituality/religion. This study was aimed at finding the association between spirituality/religion and adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in adult HIV/AIDS patients. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of 370 patients. Adherence was measured using an adapted adult AIDS clinical trial group (AACTG) and visual analogue scale (VAS) tools. Spirituality was assessed using Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spirituality Expanded (FACIT-Sp-Ex) scale, religiosity with Duke University Religion index (DUREL), and religious coping with Brief Religious Coping (RCOPE) scale. Adherence rates were 86.2 and 43.8% using AACTG and VAS tools, respectively. Statistical significant correlation was found between spirituality and adherence to HAART (r = 0.265; p = 0.00). Also, significant correlation was found between positive religious coping and adherence (r = 0.15, p = 0.003). Odds ratio indicated that female respondents were 1.6 times more likely to be adherent, compared with males. Similarly, every unit rise in spirituality score yielded a 1.3 times increased likelihood of adherence to HAART on multiple logistic regression of adherence to HAART with relevant predictors. Both spirituality and positive religious coping have positive influence on optimal adherence. Therefore, the training of health care personnel to assess and provide spiritual care and involvement of chaplains/religious leaders is advocated for improved adherence.

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