Descriptive account of 18 adults with known HIV infection hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection

ObjectiveTo report on the clinical characteristics and outcome of 18 people living with HIV (PLWH) hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a London teaching hospital.MethodsThe hospital notes of 18 PLWH hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection were retrospectively reviewed alongside data concerning their HIV demographics from an established HIV Database.ResultsThe majority (16/18) had positive PCR swabs for SARS-CoV-2, and two had negative swabs but typical COVID-19 imaging and history. Most were male (14/18, 78%), median age 63 years (range 47–77 years). Two-thirds were migrants, nine (50%) of Black, Asian and minority ethnicity (BAME). All were diagnosed with HIV for many years (range 8–31 years), and all had an undetectable HIV viral load (<40 copies/mL). The median CD4 prior to admission was 439 (IQR 239–651), and 10/16 (63%) had a CD4 nadir below 200 cells/mm3. Almost all (17/18) had been diagnosed with at least one comorbidity associated with SARS-CoV-2 prior to admission. 3/18 patients died. None received mechanical ventilation. Hospital stay and clinical course did not appear prolonged (median 9 days).ConclusionsOur data suggest that PLWH may not necessarily have prolonged or complex admissions to hospital when compared with the general hospital and national population admitted with COVID-19. Many had low nadir CD4 counts and potentially impaired functional immune restoration. The PLWH group was younger than generally reported for COVID-19, and the majority were male with multiple complex comorbidities. These patients had frequent contact with hospital settings increasing potential for nosocomial acquisition and increased risk of severe COVID-19.

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Risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes for people living with HIV: a rapid review and meta-analysis

10.1101/2020.09.22.20199661 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Maya Mellor ◽

Anne Bast ◽

Nicholas Jones ◽

Nia Roberts ◽

Jose Ordonez-Mena ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

T Cell ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cd4 T Cell ◽

Rapid Review ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Cd4 T Cell Count

Objective: To assess whether people living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality or adverse outcomes, and whether antiretroviral therapy (ART) influences this risk. Design: Rapid review with meta-analysis and narrative synthesis. Methods: We searched databases including Embase, Medline, medRxiv, and Google Scholar up to 26th August 2020 for studies describing COVID-19 outcomes in PLWH and conducted a meta-analysis of higher quality studies. Results: We identified 1,908 studies and included 19 in the review. In a meta-analysis of five studies, PLWH had a higher risk of COVID-19 mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 1.93, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.59-2.34) compared to people without HIV. Risk of death remained elevated for PLWH in a subgroup analysis of hospitalised cohorts (HR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.05-2.24) and studies of PLWH across all settings (HR 2.08, 95%CI: 1.69-2.56). Eight other studies assessed the association between HIV and COVID-19 outcomes, but provided inconclusive, lower-quality evidence due to potential confounding and selection bias. There were insufficient data on the effect of CD4+ T cell count and HIV viral load on COVID-19 outcomes. Eleven studies reported COVID-19 outcomes by ART-regimen. In the two largest studies, tenofovir-disoproxil-fumarate (TDF)-based regimens were associated with a lower risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes, although these analyses are susceptible to confounding by comorbidities. Conclusion: Evidence is emerging that suggests a moderately increased risk of COVID-19 mortality amongst PLWH. Further investigation into the relationship between COVID-19 outcomes and CD4+ T cell count, HIV viral load, ART and the use of TDF is warranted.

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Driving Force of Covid-19 Among People Living With HIV/AIDS in Wuhan, China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-53351/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wei Guo ◽

Fangzhao Ming ◽

Yu Dong ◽

Qian Zhang ◽

Lian Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Lymphocyte ◽

Lymphocyte Count ◽

Driving Force ◽

Driving Forces ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

Abstract Background: Even people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) were considered to be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the driving force among this group of individuals is still not clear. Methods: We investigated 1,701 PLWHA through a telephone interview and found 11 COVID-19 patients in four districts of Wuhan, China. The demographic features and major clinical characteristics of these patients were retrieved from the information management systems for COVID-19 patients of four districts’ CDC. Statistical analysis was performed to find out the driving force of COVID-19 among PLWHA.Results: The incidence proportion of COVID-19 in PLWHA is 0.6% (95% CI: 0.2% - 1.0%), which is comparable to the overall population incidence rate in Wuhan city (0.6%). Nine out of the 11 COVID-19/AIDS patients had relatively high CD4+ T lymphocyte count (>200/μl) and undetectable HIV viral load (＜20 copies/ml), and ten of them were on antiretroviral therapy. PLWHA who were old, had low CD4+ T lymphocyte count, infected HIV through homosexual activity, and had been diagnosed for HIV for a long time, were more likely to develop COVID-19.Conclusions: PLWHA has comparable COVID-19 morbidity rates as the general population, and older age, low CD4 count, long length since HIV diagnosis, and treatment-naive were potential driving forces of COVID-19 occurrence among PLWHA. Strategies in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among PLWHA with worse immune responses are needed. Article Summary Line: As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are also at risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. We investigated the factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among PLWHA in Wuhan, China.

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Increased Prevalence of Liver Fibrosis and HIV Viremia among Patients with HIV, HBV, and Tuberculosis in Botswana

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9110950 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 950

Author(s):

Bonolo B. Phinius ◽

Motswedi Anderson ◽

Lynnette Bhebhe ◽

Kabo Baruti ◽

Godiraone Manowe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Art Initiation ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

B Virus ◽

Apri Score ◽

Living With Hiv

People with concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) have an increased risk of hepatotoxic reactions due to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and anti-TB therapy (ATT). Concomitant hepatitis B virus (HBV) in these patients may lead to poorer health outcomes. To assess liver enzyme levels and immune response in adults with HIV, HBV, and TB, data from 300 antiretroviral-naïve people living with HIV (PLWHIV) were analyzed. The prevalence of HIV/HBV (cHIV/HBV) and HIV/TB (cHIV/TB) was 28% (95% CI: 23.0–33.4) and 10% (95% CI: 6.8–14.0), respectively. HIV/HBV/TB (cHIV/HBV/TB) prevalence was 5.3% (95% CI: 3.1–8.5). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups of participants in HIV viral load (p = 0.004), hemoglobin levels (p = 0.025), and body mass index (p = 0.011). A larger proportion of cHIV/HBV/TB participants (37.5%) had an aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) score ≥0.5 (p = 0.013), a lower cutoff for significant liver fibrosis. Immunological non-responders (CD4+ T-cell count <20% gain and HIV viral load <400 copies/mL at 6 months) were observed in all groups except those with cHIV/TB. Our findings support the need to screen for infections that could cause excessive liver damage prior to ATT or ART initiation, such as HBV.

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536. HIV Patients with COVID-19 in the Bronx: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.730 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S335-S336

Author(s):

Philip J Lee ◽

Surksha Sirichand ◽

Nataly Rios Gutierrez ◽

Luis Gonzalez Corro ◽

Carlos Cruz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Viral Load ◽

Retrospective Review ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

The United States ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Cd4 Counts ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Since the start of the pandemic there has been limited data on mortality in people living with HIV (PLWH) who have Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States (US). We conducted a retrospective review to investigate potential risk factors associated with survival and need for medical ventilation for PLWH and COVID-19. Methods This is a retrospective observational cohort from a large academic center across three campuses, conducted from January 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020. Thirty day readmissions were observed from January 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020. Our patients were identified by an ICD-10 code (B20) corresponding to HIV and positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. As a primary endpoint, we compared survivors vs. non-survivors. As a secondary endpoint, we compared patients who needed mechanical ventilator (MV) vs. those who did not need MV. Results Seventy two PLWH (28 female patients (39%), median [IQR] age was 62 [-/+16] years) had positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests during this retrospective review. Median CD4+ count was 235 cells/ul and 11 (15%) had an HIV viral load >200 copies/mL. The median length of stay was 5 days and 6 patients were directly discharged from the emergency department. Ten patients were readmitted within 30 days with SARS-CoV-2 – like symptoms and 2 are still inpatient. Twenty patients (27.8%) have expired. All non-survivors that expired had an undetectable HIV viral load (0%, p=0.02). The 11 patients with unsuppressed HIV viral loads at the start of the study period all survived, p=0.02. Non-survivors were more likely to have chronic kidney disease CKD (p< 0.01) acute kidney injury (p< 0.01), higher absolute neutrophils (p< 0.01), and elevated IL-6 levels (p< 0.01) compared to survivors. Fifteen patients (20.8%) required mechanical ventilation (MV), 3 (4.1%) of those patients survived. Patients that required MV were more likely to be male (p=0.01) obese (p< 0.01) and had higher absolute neutrophil counts (p=0.01) versus those that did not need MV. Patients with lower CD4 counts (< 200 cells/uL) did not require more mechanical ventilation (p=0.04). Table 1: Demographics, Primary and Secondary Outcome Results Conclusion PLWH who had COVID-19 had a high mortality rate. Since all the patients who died had an undetectable HIV viral load across CD4 counts, our study suggests that patients with uncontrolled HIV are not at an increased risk of mortality. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Living with HIV in the Time of COVID-19

Pakistan Journal of Public Health ◽

10.32413/pjph.v10i1.579 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 5-7

Author(s):

Muhammad Naveed Noor

Keyword(s):

Medical Care ◽

Developing Country ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Comorbid Conditions ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Associated Conditions ◽

Living With Hiv

This commentary foregrounds the need to examine how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated conditions may be affecting the lives of people living with HIV (PLWH) in a developing country context like Pakistan. It raises some important questions on medical care and updated information regarding PLWH in the time of COVID-19. Since PLWH are at an increased risk of developing comorbid conditions – something that makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19 – it is critical that timely research and evidence-based actions are undertaken to protect their health.

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Prevalence of Asymptomatic Cryptococcal Antigenemia and Association with Follow-up risk of Cryptococcal Meningitis and Mortality among HIV Infected Patients in North West India – A Prospective Cohort Study

Current HIV Research ◽

10.2174/1570162x18666200827113816 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Rajendra Bhati ◽

Pramendra Sirohi ◽

Bharat Sejoo ◽

Deepak Kumar ◽

Gopal K Bohra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽

Morbidity And Mortality ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Cryptococcal Antigen ◽

North West ◽

Cryptococcal Disease ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Inflammatory Syndrome

Objective: Cryptococcal meningitis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV infected individuals. In the era of universal antiretroviral therapy incidence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) related cryptococcal meningitis has increased. Detection of serum cryptococcal antigen in asymptomatic PLHIV (People Living With HIV) and pre-emptive treatment with fluconazole can decrease the burden of cryptococcal disease. We conducted this study to find the prevalence of asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia in India and its correlation with mortality in PLHIV. Method and material: This was a prospective observational study. HIV infected ART naïve patients with age of ≥ 18 years who had CD4 counts ≤ 100 /µL were included and serum cryptococcal antigen test was done. These patients were followed for six months to look for the development of Cryptococcal meningitis and mortality. Results: A total of 116 patients were analysed. Asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia was detected in 5.17% patients and it correlated with increased risk of cryptococcal meningitis and mortality on follow-up in PLHIV. Conclusion: Serum cryptococcal positivity is correlated with increased risk of Cryptococcal meningitis and mortality in PLHIV. We recommend the screening of asymptomatic PLHIV with CD4 ≤ 100/µL for serum cryptococcal antigen, so that pre-emptive treatment can be initiated to reduce morbidity and mortality.

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Clinical characteristics and outcomes of people living with HIV hospitalized with COVID-19: a nationwide experience

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/0956462420973106 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 435-443

Author(s):

Maria Elena Ceballos ◽

Patricio Ross ◽

Martin Lasso ◽

Isabel Dominguez ◽

Marcela Puente ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Intensive Care ◽

General Population ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Cd4 Count ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Living With Hiv

In this prospective, multicentric, observational study, we describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of people living with HIV (PLHIV) requiring hospitalization due to COVID-19 in Chile and compare them with Chilean general population admitted with SARS-CoV-2. Consecutive PLHIV admitted with COVID-19 in 23 hospitals, between 16 April and 23 June 2020, were included. Data of a temporally matched-hospitalized general population were used to compare demography, comorbidities, COVID-19 symptoms, and major outcomes. In total, 36 PLHIV subjects were enrolled; 92% were male and mean age was 44 years. Most patients (83%) were on antiretroviral therapy; mean CD4 count was 557 cells/mm3. Suppressed HIV viremia was found in 68% and 56% had, at least, one comorbidity. Severe COVID-19 occurred in 44.4%, intensive care was required in 22.2%, and five patients died (13.9%). No differences were seen between recovered and deceased patients in CD4 count, HIV viral load, or time since HIV diagnosis. Hypertension and cardiovascular disease were associated with a higher risk of death ( p = 0.02 and 0.006, respectively). Compared with general population, the HIV cohort had significantly more men (OR 0.15; IC 95% 0.07–0.31) and younger age (OR 8.68; IC 95% 2.66–28.31). In PLHIV, we found more intensive care unit admission (OR 2.31; IC 95% 1.05–5.07) but no differences in the need for mechanical ventilation or death. In this cohort of PLHIV hospitalized with COVID-19, hypertension and cardiovascular comorbidities, but not current HIV viro-immunologic status, were the most important risk factors for mortality. No differences were found between PLHIV and general population in the need for mechanical ventilation and death.

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926. Antibody Response to HPV Vaccination in Pediatric and Adolescent People Living with HIV (PLWH)

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1112 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S496-S497

Author(s):

Roukaya Al Hammoud ◽

Elizabeth R Unger ◽

Gitika Panicker ◽

Gabriela P Del Bianco ◽

Gloria Heresi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hpv Vaccine ◽

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Hpv Infection ◽

Pediatric Hiv ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Exact Test ◽

Peak Titer ◽

Hpv Types ◽

Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Immune dysfunction related to HIV infection is associated with an inability to clear HPV infection and may compromise the immunogenicity of quadrivalent HPV vaccine Gardasil® (4v HPV). Methods Between 2005 and 2017, males and females 7 to 20 years old age, were offered 3-dose 4v HPV vaccine. Plasma IgG titers to HPV 6 (H6), 11 (H11), 16 (H16) and 18 (H18) were measured using multiplex VLP-based ELISA. For the 36 patients, median interval from 1st dose to 2nd and 3rd doses were 73 and 216 days. Plasma sample 1 was collected at median of 91 days after dose 1, sample 2, 169 and sample 3, 740 after respective vaccine doses. A 4th sample was available for 26 patients, median 2327 days after dose 1. Rank-sum test, Χ 2 or Fisher’s Exact Test were employed. Results Before vaccination, 10 (28%) were seropositive to 1 or more HPV types. The baseline seropositives were older than seronegatives (16 years vs 11; p=0.007). After dose 3 all participants had an Ab response to at least 1 HPV type and 32 (89%) were seropositive for 4 HPV types. Seroconversions were H18, 87%; H16 97%; H11, 100%; H6, 97%. Seroconversions after 1 dose of 4v HPV among the baseline seronegatives were 61%, 90%, 86% and 86%, respectively and 22 became seropositive for all 4 types. The 4 baseline seronegative PLWH with partial seroconversion had higher median HIV viral load (VL) compared to baseline seronegative group with full seroconversion (12,920 vs 101 copies/ml; p = 0.052), but had comparable CD4 counts. The rate of post vaccination seropositivity and baseline to peak titer response for each HPV type was not significantly different for baseline sero-groups. Among baseline seronegative, all 19 sampled distant from vaccination remained seropositive to at least 1 HPV type (84% to 3 or more types) and 6 (32%) became seronegative (sero-reversion). Those showing sero-reversion had higher VL compared to the 14 who remained seropositive (9100 vs 48; p =0.015). Time from last dose of 4v HPV to sample 4, CD4%, age, gender, and race/ethnicity were similar between the groups. Bar Graphs representing Ab response to the 4 HPV types following each dose of 4v HPV vaccine Conclusion In the complex environment of a pediatric HIV specialty clinic, most PLWH mounted Ab responses to 4v HPV that were durable. H18 was least immunogenic. Patients with higher HIV VL were less likely to seroconvert for all types and were more likely to sero-revert. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Predictors of virological failure among people living with HIV receiving first line antiretroviral treatment in Myanmar: retrospective cohort analysis

AIDS Research and Therapy ◽

10.1186/s12981-021-00336-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anita Mesic ◽

Alexander Spina ◽

Htay Thet Mar ◽

Phone Thit ◽

Tom Decroo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Virological Failure ◽

Antiretroviral Treatment ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

First Line ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Loss To Follow Up ◽

History Of ◽

Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Progress toward the global target for 95% virological suppression among those on antiretroviral treatment (ART) is still suboptimal. We describe the viral load (VL) cascade, the incidence of virological failure and associated risk factors among people living with HIV receiving first-line ART in an HIV cohort in Myanmar treated by the Médecins Sans Frontières in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sports Myanmar. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study, including adult patients with at least one HIV viral load test result and having received of at least 6 months’ standard first-line ART. The incidence rate of virological failure (HIV viral load ≥ 1000 copies/mL) was calculated. Multivariable Cox’s regression was performed to identify risk factors for virological failure. Results We included 25,260 patients with a median age of 33.1 years (interquartile range, IQR 28.0–39.1) and a median observation time of 5.4 years (IQR 3.7–7.9). Virological failure was documented in 3,579 (14.2%) participants, resulting in an overall incidence rate for failure of 2.5 per 100 person-years of follow-up. Among those who had a follow-up viral load result, 1,258 (57.1%) had confirmed virological failure, of which 836 (66.5%) were switched to second-line treatment. An increased hazard for failure was associated with age ≤ 19 years (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR 1.51; 95% confidence intervals, CI 1.20–1.89; p < 0.001), baseline tuberculosis (aHR 1.39; 95% CI 1.14–1.49; p < 0.001), a history of low-level viremia (aHR 1.60; 95% CI 1.42–1.81; p < 0.001), or a history of loss-to-follow-up (aHR 1.24; 95% CI 1.41–1.52; p = 0.041) and being on the same regimen (aHR 1.37; 95% CI 1.07–1.76; p < 0.001). Cumulative appointment delay was not significantly associated with failure after controlling for covariates. Conclusions VL monitoring is an important tool to improve programme outcomes, however limited coverage of VL testing and acting on test results hampers its full potential. In our cohort children and adolescents, PLHIV with history of loss-to-follow-up or those with low-viremia are at the highest risk of virological failure and might require more frequent virological monitoring than is currently recommended.

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A Step Closer to the “Fourth 90”: A Practical Narrative Review of Diagnosis and Management of Nutritional Issues of People Living with HIV

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11112047 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 2047

Author(s):

Davide Fiore Bavaro ◽

Paola Laghetti ◽

Mariacristina Poliseno ◽

Nicolò De Gennaro ◽

Francesco Di Gennaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Disease Stage ◽

Oral Glucose ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Diagnosis And Management ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Living With Hiv

The quality of life of people living with HIV (PLWH) has remarkably increased thanks to the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy. Still, PLWH are exposed to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and liver disease. Hence, the purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about diagnosis and nutritional management with specific indication of macro and micronutrients intake for the main comorbidities of PLWH. In fact, a prompt diagnosis and management of lifestyle behaviors are fundamental steps to reach the “fourth 90”. To achieve an early diagnosis of these comorbidities, clinicians have at their disposal algorithms such as the Framingham Score to assess cardiovascular risk; transient elastography and liver biopsy to detect NAFLD and NASH; and markers such as the oral glucose tolerance test and GFR to identify glucose impairment and renal failure, respectively. Furthermore, maintenance of ideal body weight is the goal for reducing cardiovascular risk and to improve diabetes, steatosis and fibrosis; while Mediterranean and low-carbohydrate diets are the dietetic approaches proposed for cardioprotective effects and for glycemic control, respectively. Conversely, diet management of chronic kidney disease requires different nutritional assessment, especially regarding protein intake, according to disease stage and eventually concomitant diabetes.

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