scholarly journals Time Between Viral Loads for People with HIV during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid G. El-Nahal ◽  
Nicola M. Shen ◽  
Jeanne C. Keruly ◽  
Joyce L. Jones ◽  
Anthony T. Fojo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Cumulative Incidence ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Open Versus

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients experienced significant care disruptions, including lab monitoring. We investigated changes in the time between viral load (VL) checks for people with HIV associated with the pandemic. Methods: This was an observational analysis of VLs of people with HIV in routine care at a large subspecialty clinic. At pandemic onset, the clinic temporarily closed its onsite laboratory. The exposure was time period (time-varying): pre-pandemic (January 1st 2019-March 15th, 2020); pandemic lab-closed (March 16th-July 12th, 2020); and pandemic lab-open (July 13th-December 31st, 2020). We estimated time from an index VL to a subsequent VL, stratified by whether the index VL was suppressed (≤200 copies/mL). We also calculated cumulative incidence of a non-suppressed VL following a suppressed index VL, and of re-suppression following a loss of viral suppression. Results: Compared to pre-pandemic, hazard ratios for next VL check were: 0.34 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.37, lab-closed) and 0.73 (CI: 0.68, 0.78, lab-open) for suppressed patients; 0.56 (CI: 0.42, 0.79, lab-closed) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.76, 1.10, lab-open) for non-suppressed patients. The 12-month cumulative incidence of loss of suppression was the same in the pandemic lab-open (4%) and pre-pandemic period (4%). The hazard of re-suppression following loss of suppression was lower during the pandemic lab-open versus the pre-pandemic period (hazard ratio: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.92). Conclusions: Early pandemic restrictions and lab closure significantly delayed VL monitoring. Once the lab re-opened, non-suppressed patients resumed normal monitoring. Suppressed patients still had a delay, but no significant loss of suppression.

scholarly journals Trends in excess mortality associated with atrial fibrillation over 45 years (Framingham Heart Study): community based cohort study

BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m2724
Author(s):  
Nicklas Vinter ◽  
Qiuxi Huang ◽  
Morten Fenger-Grøn ◽  
Lars Frost ◽  
Emelia J Benjamin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Survival Times ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Heart Study ◽  
All Cause Mortality

AbstractObjectiveTo assess temporal trends in the association between newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation and death.DesignCommunity based cohort study.SettingFramingham Heart Study cohort, in 1972-85, 1986-2000, and 2001-15 (periods 1-3, respectively), in Framingham, MA, USA.ParticipantsParticipants with no atrial fibrillation, aged 45-95 in each time period, and identified with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (or atrial flutter) during each time period.Main outcome measuresThe main outcome was all cause mortality. Hazard ratios for the association between time varying atrial fibrillation and all cause mortality were calculated with adjustment for time varying confounding factors. The difference in restricted mean survival times, adjusted for confounders, between participants with atrial fibrillation and matched referents at 10 years after a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation was estimated. Meta-regression was used to test for linear trends in hazard ratios and restricted mean survival times over the different time periods.Results5671 participants were selected in time period 1, 6177 in period 2, and 6174 in period 3. Adjusted hazard ratios for all cause mortality between participants with and without atrial fibrillation were 1.9 (95% confidence interval 1.7 to 2.2) in time period 1, 1.4 (1.3 to 1.6) in period 2, and 1.7 (1.5 to 2.0) in period 3 (Ptrend=0.70). Ten years after diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, the adjusted difference in restricted mean survival times between participants with atrial fibrillation and matched referents decreased by 31%, from −2.9 years (95% confidence interval −3.2 to −2.5) in period 1, to −2.1 years (−2.4 to −1.8) in period 2, to −2.0 years (−2.3 to −1.7) in period 3 (Ptrend=0.03).ConclusionsNo evidence of a temporal trend in hazard ratios for the association between atrial fibrillation and all cause mortality was found. The mean number of life years lost to atrial fibrillation at 10 years had improved significantly, but a two year gap compared with individuals without atrial fibrillation still remained.

scholarly journals Impact of Viral Load Monitoring on Retention and Viral Suppression: A Regression Discontinuity Analysis of South Africa’s National Laboratory Cohort

2020 ◽  
Vol 189 (12) ◽  
pp. 1492-1501
Author(s):  
Alyssa F Harlow ◽  
Jacob Bor ◽  
Alana T Brennan ◽  
Mhairi Maskew ◽  
William MacLeod ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
South African ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Regression Discontinuity ◽  
Risk Difference ◽  
Repeat Testing ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Viral Load Monitoring ◽  
Load Monitoring ◽  
To Receive

Abstract South African guidelines recommend repeat viral load testing within 6 months when human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral loads exceed 1,000 copies/mL. We assessed whether South African facilities follow viral load monitoring guidelines and whether guidelines improve HIV-related outcomes, using a regression discontinuity design in a national HIV cohort of 174,574 patients (2013–2015). We assessed whether patients with viral loads just above versus just below 1,000 copies/mL were more likely to receive repeat testing in 6 months, and we compared differences in clinic transfers, retention, and viral suppression. The majority (67%) of patients with viral loads of >1,000 copies/mL did not receive repeat testing within 6 months, and these patients were 8.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.2, 9.7) more likely to receive repeat testing compared with ≤1,000 copies/mL. Eligibility for repeat testing (>1,000 copies/mL) was associated with greater 12-month retention (risk difference = 2.9%, 95% CI: 0.6, 5.2) and combined suppression and retention (risk difference = 5.8%, 95% CI: 3.0, 8.6). Patients with viral loads of >1,000 copies/mL who actually received repeat testing were 85.2% more likely to be both retained and virally suppressed at 12 months (95% CI: 35.9, 100.0). Viral load monitoring might improve patient outcomes, but most patients with elevated viral loads do not receive monitoring within recommended timelines.

scholarly journals Behavioral Economics Incentives to Support HIV Treatment Adherence (BEST): Protocol for a randomized controlled trial in Uganda

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Linnemayr ◽  
Chad Stecher ◽  
Uzaib Saya ◽  
Sarah MacCarthy ◽  
Zachary Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
Behavioral Economics ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Art Adherence ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Present Bias ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background Many HIV-positive patients do not appropriately adhere to their antiretroviral medication (ART). This leads to higher viral loads and greater probability of HIV transmission. Present bias—a tendency to give in to short-term temptations at the expense of long-term outcomes—is a potential driver of low adherence. In this study we test a novel intervention rooted in behavioral economics that is designed to overcome present bias and increase ART adherence. Methods/design We will enroll 330 HIV-positive patients at Mildmay Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, into a 2-year randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups. The first intervention group (T1, n = 110) will be eligible for small lottery prizes based on timely clinic visits and demonstration of viral suppression. Group 2 (T2, n = 110) will be eligible for the same lottery prizes conditional on high adherence measured by a medication event management system (MEMS) cap. The control group (n = 110) will receive the usual standard of care. Adherence will be measured continuously throughout the intervention period and for 12 months post-intervention to evaluate effect persistence. Surveys will be conducted at baseline and then every 6 months. Viral loads will be measured annually. Primary outcomes are whether the viral load is detectable and MEMS-measured adherence. Secondary outcomes are the log-transformed viral load as a continuous measure and a binary measure for whether the person took at least 90% of their ART pills. Discussion Our study is one of the first to investigate the effectiveness of lottery incentives for improving ART adherence, and in addition, it compares the relative efficacy of using electronically measured adherence versus viral load to determine lottery eligibility. MEMS caps are relatively costly, whereas viral load testing is now part of routine clinical care in Uganda. BEST will test whether directly incentivizing viral suppression (which can be implemented using readily available clinic data) is as effective as incentivizing electronically measured adherence. Cost-effectiveness analyses of the two implementation modes will also be performed. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03494777. Registered on 11 April 2018.

Evaluation of rates of virologic suppression in HIV-positive patients with varying numbers of comorbidities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Briann Fischetti ◽  
Maria Sorbera ◽  
Rebecca Michael, ◽  
Noor Njeim
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Undetectable Viral Load ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Virologic Suppression ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the impact of the number of comorbidities on virologic suppression in HIV-positive patients. Methods This study included patients 18 years or older who were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with at least 2 visits to an HIV primary care clinic in the past year. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients with an undetectable viral load (a blood HIV RNA level of <20 copies/mL) among groups of patients with 0, 1 or 2, 3 or 4, and 5 comorbidities, respectively. The secondary outcome was the percentage of patients with undetectable viral loads per each comorbidity, as listed above. The study was reviewed by an institutional review board and approved as exempt from full review. Results Among the 1,144 patients (median age of 52 years, 43% female, 74% Black) included in the study, 80% had an undetectable viral load, and the mean CD4 count was 638 cells/mm3. The majority of patients (48%) had 1 or 2 comorbidities, with only 2 patients having 5 comorbidities. For patients with 0, 1 or 2, 3 or 4, and 5 comorbidities, the percentages of patients with undetectable HIV viral loads were 76%, 81.7%, 87.9%, and 100%, respectively (P = 0.0009 in χ 2 test for trend). When looking at individual comorbidities, corresponding viral suppression rates were as follows: chronic kidney disease, 88.6%; hypertension, 85.8%; type 2 diabetes, 85.7%; clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, 83.1%; substance abuse, 76%; and psychiatric disorders, 75.2%. Conclusion Improved viral suppression was seen among HIV-positive patients with an increased number of comorbidities. Patients with psychiatric disorders had the lowest viral suppression rates amongst all of the comorbidity subgroups.

scholarly journals Virologic Outcomes Following Enhanced Adherence Counselling among Treatment Experienced HIV Positive Patients at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 53-65
Author(s):  
Olutosin A. Awolude ◽  
Oluwatobi Olaniyi ◽  
Mary Moradeyo ◽  
Josephine Abiolu
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Adherence Rate ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Adherence Counseling ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ibadan Nigeria

Aims: To explore the impact of enhanced adherence counseling (EAC) in achieving viral suppression among our patients unsuppressed viral load in a large Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) program in South West Nigeria. Study Design: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional review of patients’ records. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Program located in Infectious Disease Institute, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria involving review of data of patients with unsuppressed viral loads between 1st March 2017 – 30th September 2018. Methodology: We described the viral loads (VL) outcomes of patients with VLs >1 000 copies/ml after at least 6 months on ART and a comprehensive 3 monthly EAC support programme. We calculated adherence using pharmacy refill data. Patients with one VL measurement after the EAC sessions were eligible for analysis. Results: Out of 400 patients with VL >1 000 copies/ml reviewed during the study period, only 204(51.0%) were virally suppressed at the end of the 3 EAC sessions. Those with initial VLs between 1000-5000cp/ml had the highest adherence rate (73.0%) and VL suppression rate (68%). The youngest age group (16-30 years) had the least adherence (55.2%) and the least viral suppression (44.8%) while the oldest age groups (61-80years) were the most adherent (69.0%) and the most virally suppressed (55.2%). The proportion of patients on second line regimen were significantly more virally suppressed than those on the first line regimen (P <0.002). Conclusion: This study showed the role EAC in accomplishing VL suppression and the need to intensify adherence counseling at commencement of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) to strengthen adherence in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and consequently preventing raised VL at the next laboratory testing of viral load. We strongly advocate for better measurement of adherence to antiretroviral therapy that will be accessible and reliable as this was a limitation of this study.

Multiple B-D Glucan and Cmv Test Ordering By Multiple Physicians – Analysis To Assess The Frequency Of Duplicate Test Orders

2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S152-S152
Author(s):  
S Fathima ◽  
A R Gardner ◽  
A J Sohn ◽  
R Benavides
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Multiple Test ◽  
Baylor University ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Time Stamps ◽  
Test Ordering

Abstract Introduction/Objective In teaching hospitals, patients receive direct care from a succession of different physicians, each of whom may order diagnostic tests on the same patient resulting in multiple physicians unknowingly ordering the same test in the same time period, leading to overutilization. We examined the association of test-ordering by multiple physicians with duplication of two tests, Beta D-Glucan (BDG) and CMV Viral Load by PCR non blood, as aid for detection of fungal and cytomegaloviral infections, respectively Methods Retrospective medical records at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas were examined in between 10/1/2019- 10/30/2019. A total 167 test orders were identified for CMV Viral Load non blood and BDG presence in blood. Each medical record was assessed for frequency of ordering along with the physicians who ordered them Results A total 167 tests were ordered in which, 120 times BDG was ordered and 52 times CMV was ordered. Singleton orders were noted in 85(50%) instances of BDG & 30(17%) for CMV.Multiple test orders were 44 (25%) for BDG and 8 (4%) for CMV respectively. Both CMV and BDG were ordered together 57 times. The time stamps of multiple test orders in individual patients was assessed for instances of orders that were less than 3 days apart and analysis showed out of the 44 multiple test orders, 34% (15) test orders were ordered less than 3 days apart and 66%(29) tests were ordered more than 3 days apart for BDG. Upon chart review, most of these quickly successive orders were by different physicians. The estimated costs of the duplicate orders are 4334.0$ & 1104.16$ for BDG and CMV respectively. Conclusion CMV and BDG are commonly ordered on many patients. Analysis shows that many times, physicians order testing when the same test has been ordered very recently by a separate physician. Note that for both tests, retesting in less than three days is not normally indicated, however this happens often, especially for BDG. This is most likely due to difficulty in determining within the EHR what tests are drawn and “pending’ but not yet finalized and reported. With usage of prompts/ alerts in EMR that warn of existing “pending’ orders by another caregiver, the frequency of duplicate test ordering for the same patient may be reduced, in turn reducing the costs of healthcare.

Coexistence of disseminated Kaposi sarcoma and multicentric Castleman disease in an HIV-infected patient under viral suppression

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-289
Author(s):  
I-Fan Lin ◽  
Jiun-Nong Lin ◽  
Tsung-Heng Tsai ◽  
Chao-Tien Hsu ◽  
Yu-Ying Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Liposomal Doxorubicin ◽  
Kaposi Sarcoma ◽  
Castleman Disease ◽  
Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Multicentric Castleman Disease ◽  
Progressive Pancytopenia ◽  
One Year ◽  
Cd4 T Cell Count

Coexistence of multicentric Castleman disease and Kaposi sarcoma is rare and might be missed without an experienced pathologists’ interpretation. A 46-year-old man had been diagnosed with HIV infection and treated with combination antiretroviral therapy of dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine (Triumeq) for one year. The latest viral load was 49 copies/mL and CD4 T-cell count was 192 cells/uL. He was admitted due to fever off and on, splenomegaly, general lymphadenopathy, and severe thrombocytopenia for two months. Biopsy of a purplish skin lesion and gastric tissue showed Kaposi sarcoma. The pathology of inguinal lymph nodes revealed coexistence of Kaposi sarcoma and multicentric Castleman disease. The plasma Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus viral load was 365,000 copies/mL. During hospitalization, progressive pancytopenia and spiking fever persisted, and he died of multi-organ failure before completion of chemotherapeutic treatments with rituximab plus liposomal doxorubicin.

scholarly journals 520. Longitudinal Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Viruses in Hospitalized Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S325-S326
Author(s):  
Lacy Simons ◽  
Ramon Lorenzo-Redondo ◽  
Hannah Nam ◽  
Scott C Roberts ◽  
Michael G Ison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Viral Genome ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been accompanied by the emergence of viral mutations, some of which may have distinct virological and clinical consequences. While whole genome sequencing efforts have worked to map this viral diversity at the population level, little is known about how SARS-CoV-2 may diversify within a host over time. This is particularly important for understanding the emergence of viral resistance to therapeutic interventions and immune pressure. The goal of this study was to assess the change in viral load and viral genome sequence within patients over time and determine if these changes correlate with clinical and/or demographic parameters. Methods Hospitalized patients admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test were enrolled in a longitudinal study for the serial collection of nasopharyngeal specimens. Swabs were administered to patients by hospital staff every 4 ± 1 days for up to 32 days or until the patients were discharged. RNA was extracted from each specimen and viral loads were calculated by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Specimens with qRT-PCR cycle threshold values less than or equal to 30 were subject to whole viral genome sequencing by reverse transcription, multiplex PCR, and deep sequencing. Variant populations sizes were estimated and subject to phylogenetic analysis relative to publicly available SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Sequence and viral load data were subsequently correlated to available demographic and clinical data. Results 60 patients were enrolled from March 26th to June 20th, 2020. We observed an overall decrease in nasopharyngeal viral load over time across all patients. However, the temporal dynamics of viral load differed on a patient-by-patient basis. Several mutations were also observed to have emerged within patients over time. Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in serially collected nasopharyngeal swabs in hospitalized adults as determined by qRT-PCR. Samples were collected every 4 ± 1 days (T#1–8) and viral load is displayed by log(copy number). Conclusion These data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in the nasopharynx decrease over time and that the virus can accumulate mutations during replication within individual patients. Future studies will examine if some of these mutations may provide fitness advantages in the presence of therapeutic and/or immune selective pressures. Disclosures Michael G. Ison, MD MS, AlloVir (Consultant)

scholarly journals Comorbid disease burden among MS patients 1968–2012: A Swedish register–based cohort study

2020 ◽  
pp. 135245852091049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsi A Smith ◽  
Sarah Burkill ◽  
Ayako Hiyoshi ◽  
Tomas Olsson ◽  
Shahram Bahmanyar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Comorbid Disease ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Cardiovascular Depression ◽  
Prevalence Prevalence ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Prevalence Ratios

Background: People with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) have increased comorbid disease (CMD) risk. Most previous studies have not considered overall CMD burden. Objective: To describe lifetime CMD burden among pwMS. Methods: PwMS identified using Swedish registers between 1968 and 2012 ( n = 25,476) were matched by sex, age, and county of residence with general-population comparators ( n = 251,170). Prevalence, prevalence ratios (PRs), survival functions, and hazard ratios by MS status, age, and time period compared seven CMD: autoimmune, cardiovascular, depression, diabetes, respiratory, renal, and seizures. Results: The magnitude of the PRs for each CMD and age group decreased across time, with higher PRs in earlier time periods. Before 1990, younger age groups had higher PRs, and after 1990, older age groups had higher PRs. Male pwMS had higher burden compared with females. Overall, renal, respiratory, and seizures had the highest PRs. Before 2001, 50% of pwMS received a first/additional CMD diagnosis 20 years prior to people without MS, which reduced to 4 years after 2001. PwMS had four times higher rates of first/additional diagnoses in earlier time periods, which reduced to less than two times higher in recent time periods compared to people without MS. Conclusion: Swedish pwMS have increased CMD burden compared with the general population, but this has reduced over time.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document