scholarly journals Missed opportunities for tuberculosis prevention among patients accessing a UK HIV service

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1234-1237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah M Rickman ◽  
Robert F Miller ◽  
Stephen Morris-Jones ◽  
Lusha Kellgren ◽  
Simon G Edwards ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Outpatient Service ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Ltbi Screening ◽  
Living With Hiv

United Kingdom guidelines recommend screening for and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in HIV-positive patients at high risk of active tuberculosis (TB) disease, but implementation is suboptimal. We investigated potential missed opportunities to identify and treat LTBI among HIV-positive patients accessing a large HIV outpatient service in London. Case records of all adult patients attending our service for HIV care diagnosed with active TB between 2011 and 2015 were reviewed to determine whether they met criteria for LTBI screening and whether screening was undertaken. Twenty-five patients were treated for TB. Of 15 (60%) patients who started TB treatment ≥6 months after HIV diagnosis, 14 (93%) met UK guideline-recommended criteria for LTBI screening and treatment; only one (7%) had been screened for LTBI. Eight of these 15 (53%) patients had additional risk factors for TB which are not reflected in current UK guidelines. Of 15 patients treated for TB ≥6 months after diagnosis of HIV, 14 (93%) had not been screened for LTBI, suggesting missed opportunities for TB prevention. People living with HIV may benefit from a broader approach to LTBI screening which takes into account additional recognised TB risk factors and ongoing TB exposure.

scholarly journals People living with HIV in Estonia: engagement in HIV care in 2013

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (43) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaja-Triin Laisaar ◽  
Mait Raag ◽  
Irja Lutsar ◽  
Anneli Uusküla
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Treatment Cascade ◽  
Living With Hiv

Estonia had the highest rate of newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the European Union (24.6/100,000) and an estimated adult HIV prevalence of 1.3% in 2013. HIV medical care, including antiretroviral therapy (ART), is free of charge for people living with HIV (PLHIV). To maximise the health benefits of HIV treatment, universal access should be achieved. Using data from surveillance and administrative databases and the treatment cascade model, we assessed the number of people infected with HIV, diagnosed with HIV, linked to HIV care, retained in HIV care, on ART, and with suppressed viral load (HIV-RNA: < 200 copies/mL). We identified that about one quarter of the 8,628 HIV-positive people estimated to live in Estonia in 2013 had not been diagnosed with HIV, and another quarter, although aware of their HIV-positive serostatus, had not accessed HIV medical care. Although altogether only 12–15% of all PLHIV in Estonia had achieved viral suppression, the main gap in HIV care in Estonia were the 58% of PLHIV who had accessed HIV medical care at least once after diagnosis but were not retained in care in 2013.

scholarly journals Are you suppressed? Viral load test coverage for people living with HIV in Mutare District, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe, 2015-2017 Investigators

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Uzande ◽  
Jeffery Edwards ◽  
Philip Owiti ◽  
Admire Tatenda Maravanyika ◽  
Simba Mashizha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
Electronic Monitoring ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Load Test ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Living With Hiv

AbstractBackground:The third 90-90-90 UNAIDS goal require that 90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) achieve viral load (VL) suppression. This study assessed the proportion of VL suppression and related factors among PLHIV on 1st and 2nd line ART in Mutare District, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe between 2015-2017.Methods:A retrospective study using routine HIV programme data from the electronic monitoring system for nine health facilities in Mutare District. VL suppression was defined as < 1,000 copies/ml.Results:Of 16,590 registered patients, 15,566(94%) were on first-line and 1024(6%) on second-line ART. Of those on 1st-line ART, 2856(18%) had a VL test result documented, while 367(36%) of 2nd-line ART patients had VL results. VL suppression rates were 86% among those on 1st-line and 45% in 2nd-line ART. Independent risk factors associated with VL non-suppression for those on 1st-line ART were age 0-9 years (adjusted relative risk, aRR=2.9; 95% confidence interval, CI=1.7-4.8;P<0.001), 10-19 years (aRR=2.2;95%CI=1.4-3.2,P<0.001) compared to those 20-49 years, concurrent TB (aRR=9; CI=3.0-29.7,P<0.001) and male gender (aRR=1.5,95%CI=1.1-2.1;P=0.02). There were no significant risk factors associated with VL non-suppression for 2nd-line ART patients.Conclusion:For PLHIV on 1st-line ART in Mutare district, Manicaland, Zimbabwe, the frequency of reported VL results were only 18% among those on 1st-line ART, while the rate of VL suppression was near 90%. Viral Load testing coverage appears to be lagging behind current Zimbabwe goals and increased support is needed to improve the quality of HIV care and help reduce the threat of possible HIV drug resistance in the future.

scholarly journals Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the continuum of the care in a cohort of people living with HIV followed in a single center of Northern Italy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenia Quiros-Roldan ◽  
Paola Magro ◽  
Canio Carriero ◽  
Annacarla Chiesa ◽  
Issa El Hamad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Drugs ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Missed Visits ◽  
Hiv Continuum Of Care ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Continuum

Abstract Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals faced increasing pressure, where people living with HIV risked to either acquire SARS-CoV-2 and to interrupt the HIV continuum of care.Methods: this is a retrospective, observational study. We compared the numbers of medical visits performed, antiretroviral drugs dispensed and the number of new HIV diagnosis and of hospitalizations in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) followed by the Spedali Civili of Brescia between the bimester of the COVID-19 pandemic peak and the bimester of October-November 2019. Data were retrieved from administrative files and from paper and electronic clinical charts. Categorical variables were described using frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were described using mean, median, and interquartile range (IQR) values. Means for continuous variables were compared using Student’s t-tests and the Mann-Whitney test. Proportions for categorical variables were compared using the χ2 test.Results: As of December 31st, 2019, a total of 3875 PLWH were followed in our clinic. Mean age was 51,4 ±13 years old, where 28% were females and 18.8% non-Italian. Overall, 98.9% were on ART (n=3834), 93% were viro-suppressed. A total of 1217 and 1162 patients had their visit scheduled at our out-patient HIV clinic during the two bimesters of 2019 and 2020, respectively. Comparing the two periods, we observed a raise of missed visits from 5% to 8% (p<0.01), a reduction in the number of new HIV diagnosis from 6.4 in 2019 to 2.5 per month in 2020 (p=0.01), a drop in ART dispensation and an increase of hospitalized HIV patients due to COVID-19. ART regimens including protease inhibitors (PIs) had a smaller average drop than ART not including PIs (16,6% vs 21,6%, p<0.05). Whether this may be due to the perception of a possible efficacy of PIs on COVID19 is not known. Conclusions: Our experience highlights the importance of a resilient healthcare system and the need to implement new strategies in order to guarantee the continuum of HIV care even in the context of emergency.

scholarly journals Delayed Treatment for People Living with HIV in China, 2004–2016: An Analysis of An Observational Cohort

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1809
Author(s):  
Junfang Xu ◽  
Anders Sönnerborg ◽  
Liangmin Gao ◽  
Peicheng Wang ◽  
Jennifer Z.H. Bouey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Lag Time ◽  
Cd4 Count ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Delayed Initiation ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Late Testing

Early universal access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is critical in the control of the HIV epidemic. However, prompt initiation of ART remains problematic in China. This study analyzed the late testing and lag time between HIV diagnosis and initiation of ART from 2004 to 2016 and identified the risk factors for delayed initiation of ART. Data from 16,957 people living with HIV were abstracted from a hospital electronic health record database and a case report database for AIDS prevention and control in Yunnan province. Reasons for delayed initiation of ART were categorized into late testing, defined as CD4 count of < 350 cells/μL at baseline HIV diagnosis, and delayed access, defined as a lag time of > 1 month between the diagnosis and initiation of ART. Binary logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for late testing and delayed access. The CD4 counts at diagnosis increased from 201 ± 147 cells/μL (mean ± SD) in 2004 to 324 ± 238 cells/μL in 2016 (p = 0.024). The CD4 count was higher for persons < 45 years, unmarried, and men who have sex with men (MSM) (356, 357, and 409 cells/μL, respectively) compared to their peers in 2016 (p < 0.05). The lag time from diagnosis to initiation of ART was significantly reduced from 59.2 months in 2004 to 0.9 months in 2016 (p < 0.05). The shorter lag time over the years was consistent when analysis was stratified by sex, age, marital status, and transmission routes, even though the lag time for people using drugs was longest in 2016 (> 2 months versus 0.82 and 0.72 month of heterosexuals and MSM, respectively). Compared to their peers, married persons (AOR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.57, 0.69) were less likely to have delayed access to ART, and drugs-using patients (AOR = 3.58, 95%CI: 2.95,4.33) were more likely to have delayed access to ART. Late testing rather than delayed access to ART after a diagnosis remains problematic in China, although improvements have been seen for both parameters from 2004 to 2016. Our data highlight the importance of continued efforts to promote early diagnosis of HIV to prevent transmission, morbidity, and early mortality in HIV infection.

Tracking missed opportunities for an early HIV diagnosis in a population of people living with HIV with known time of infection

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054697
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Basoulis ◽  
Evangelia Georgia Kostaki ◽  
Dimitrios Paraskevis ◽  
Angelos Hatzakis ◽  
Mina Psichogiou
Keyword(s):  
Late Presentation ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Targeted Testing ◽  
Hiv Acquisition ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Low Coverage

PurposeThe goal of 90-90-90 first requires the expansion of access to HIV testing. Our aim was to record frequencies of HIV indicator conditions (ICs) and identify missed opportunities for an early HIV diagnosis.MethodsWe retrospectively identified ICs in a population of 231 people living with HIV with known infection dates who attended our clinic. The study population was divided into four groups: (1) those self-tested pre-emptively (47/231, 20.3%), (2) those offered targeted testing based on risk factors (67/231, 29%), (3) those tested after an IC (73/231, 31.6%) and (4) those who were not offered testing after an IC (44/231, 19%). HIV acquisition dates were estimated by molecular clock analysis.ResultsA total of 169 healthcare contacts (HCCs) were recorded. The most frequent HCC was mononucleosis-like syndrome (20.1%), unexplained weight loss (10.7%) and STIs (10.1%). AIDS-defining conditions were detected in 11.8%. Only 62.4% (73/117) of those with an IC were offered testing after their first HCC. Patients in group 4 had statistically significant delay in diagnosis compared with group 3 (109.1 weeks (IQR 56.4–238.6) vs 71.6 weeks (IQR 32.3–124.6)). The proportion of patients diagnosed as late presenters in each group was: (1) 16/47 (34%), (2) 37/67 (55.2%), (3) 43/73 (58.9%) and (4) 27/44 (61.4%) (p=0.027).ConclusionsOur study uses a combination of molecular and clinical data and shows evidence that late presentation occurs in a high proportion of patients even in the presence of an IC. Given that risk-based targeted testing has low coverage, IC-guided testing provides a reasonable alternative to facilitate earlier HIV diagnosis and to improve late diagnosis across Europe and globally.

Dynamics of hepatitis C epidemic among people living with HIV in Estonia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Kase ◽  
Radko Avi ◽  
Karolin Toompere ◽  
Heli Rajasaar ◽  
Merit Pauskar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Hiv Epidemic ◽  
Hcv Prevalence ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Second Period

Abstract Background Estonia has a typical Eastern European HIV epidemic where the most frequent co-infection is chronic hepatitis C (HCV). We aimed to describe the changes in HCV prevalence, the distribution of HCV genotypes (GT), and HCV treatment in Estonian people living with HIV over 15 years. Methods We used data of subjects included to the Estonian HIV Cohort Study (E-HIV) before 31 st of December 2015. We compared two time periods – first, 1 st of January 2000 - 31 st of December 2008 when HIV epidemic was mostly spreading among people who inject drugs (PWID) and second, 1 st of January 2009 to 31 st of December 2015 when HIV started to emerge to general population. Results Of 4422 HIV positives 3708 (84%) had information about their HCV serostatus; 2706 (61%) were HCV seropositive, of latter 1625 (60%) were HCV RNA positive, 239 (9%) had their HCV GT determined, and 141 (5%) received treatment for HCV. HCV prevalence was 1.5 times (95% CI 1.4-1.6) higher in subjects diagnosed with HIV in first as compared to those diagnosed in second period (84% vs 56%, respectively). There were more men and the median age at HIV diagnosis was lower in HIV/HCV co-infected than in HIV mono-infected patients (70% vs 47% and 24 years vs. 30 years, respectively; both p<0.001).Conclusion There is a decrease in HCV prevalence but it remains high among HIV positive PWID, suggesting that there is need for improvement of harm reduction programs among PWID.

scholarly journals Cohort profile: Development and profile of a population-based, retrospective cohort of diagnosed people living with HIV in Ontario, Canada (Ontario HIV Laboratory Cohort)

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e027325
Author(s):  
Juan Liu ◽  
James Wilton ◽  
Ashleigh Sullivan ◽  
Alex Marchand-Austin ◽  
Beth Rachlis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Living With Hiv

PurposePopulation-based cohorts of diagnosed people living with HIV (PLWH) are limited worldwide. In Ontario, linked HIV diagnostic and viral load (VL) test databases are centralised and contain laboratory data commonly used to measure engagement in HIV care. We used these linked databases to create a population-based, retrospective cohort of diagnosed PLWH in Ontario, Canada.ParticipantsA datamart was created by integrating diagnostic and VL databases and linking records at the individual level. These databases contain information on laboratory test results and sociodemographic/clinical information collected on requisition/surveillance forms. Datamart individuals enter our cohort with the first record of a nominal HIV-positive diagnostic test (1985–2015) or VL test (1996–2015), and remain unless administratively lost to follow-up (LTFU; no VL test for >2 years and no VL test in later years). Non-nominal diagnostic tests are excluded as they lack identifying information to permit linkage to other tests. However, individuals diagnosed non-nominally are included in the cohort with record of a VL test. The LTFU rule is applied to indirectly censor for death/out-migration.Findings to dateAs of the end of 2015, the datamart contained 40 372 HIV-positive diagnostic tests and 23 851 individuals with ≥1 VL test. Almost half (46.3%) of the diagnostic tests were non-nominal and excluded, although this was lower (~15%) in recent years. Overall, 29 587 individuals have entered the cohort—contributing 229 302 person-years of follow-up since 1996. Between 2000 and 2015, the number of diagnosed PLWH (cohort individuals not LTFU) increased from 8859 to 16 110, and the percent who were aged ≥45 years increased from 29.1% to 62.6%. The percent of diagnosed PLWH who were virally suppressed (<200 copies/mL) increased from 40.7% in 2000 to 79.5% in 2015.Future plansWe plan to conduct further analyses of HIV care engagement and link to administrative databases with information on death, migration, physician billing claims and prescriptions. Linkage to other data sources will address cohort limitations and expand research opportunities.

scholarly journals Undetectable equals untransmittable (U = U): awareness and associations with health outcomes among people living with HIV in 25 countries

2020 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinyere Okoli ◽  
Nicolas Van de Velde ◽  
Bruce Richman ◽  
Brent Allan ◽  
Erika Castellanos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Suboptimal Adherence ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Objectives‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable’ (U=U) is an empowering message that may enable people living with HIV (PLHIV) to reach and maintain undetectability. We estimated the percentage of PLHIV who ever discussed U=U with their main HIV care provider, and measured associations with health-related outcomes. Secondarily, we evaluated whether the impact of the U=U message varied between those who heard it from their healthcare provider (HCP) vs from elsewhere.MethodsData were from the 25-country 2019 Positive Perspectives Survey of PLHIV on treatment (n=2389). PLHIV were classified as having discussed U=U with their HCP if they indicated that their HCP had ever told them about U=U. Those who had not discussed U=U with their HCP but were nonetheless aware that ‘My HIV medication prevents me from passing on HIV to others’ were classified as being made aware of U=U from non-HCP sources. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure associations between exposure to U=U messages and health outcomes.ResultsOverall, 66.5% reported ever discussing U=U with their HCP, from 38.0% (South Korea) to 87.3% (Switzerland). Prevalence was lowest among heterosexual men (57.6%) and PLHIV in Asia (51.3%). Compared with those unaware of U=U, those reporting U=U discussions with their HCP had lower odds of suboptimal adherence (AOR=0.59, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.78) and higher odds of self-reported viral suppression (AOR=2.34, 95% CI 1.72 to 3.20), optimal sexual health (AOR=1.48, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.92) and reporting they ‘always shared’ their HIV status (AOR=2.99, 95% CI 1.42 to 6.28). While exposure to U=U information from non-HCP sources was beneficial too, the observed associations were attenuated relative to those seen with reported discussions with HCPs.ConclusionHCP discussion of U=U with PLHIV was associated with favourable health outcomes. However, missed opportunities exist since a third of PLHIV reported not having any U=U discussion with their HCP. U=U discussions with PLHIV should be considered as a standard of care in clinical guidelines.

scholarly journals Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the continuum of care in a cohort of people living with HIV followed in a single center of Northern Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenia Quiros-Roldan ◽  
Paola Magro ◽  
Canio Carriero ◽  
Annacarla Chiesa ◽  
Issa El Hamad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continuum Of Care ◽  
Antiretroviral Drugs ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Missed Visits ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Continuum

Abstract Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals faced increasing pressure, where people living with HIV risked to either acquire SARS-CoV-2 and to interrupt the HIV continuum of care. Methods This is a retrospective, observational study. We compared the numbers of medical visits performed, antiretroviral drugs dispensed and the number of new HIV diagnosis and of hospitalizations in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) followed by the Spedali Civili of Brescia between the bimester of the COVID-19 pandemic peak and the bimester of October–November 2019. Data were retrieved from administrative files and from paper and electronic clinical charts. Categorical variables were described using frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were described using mean, median, and interquartile range (IQR) values. Means for continuous variables were compared using Student’s t-tests and the Mann–Whitney test. Proportions for categorical variables were compared using the χ2 test. Results As of December 31st, 2019, a total of 3875 PLWH were followed in our clinic. Mean age was 51.4 ± 13 years old, where 28% were females and 18.8% non-Italian. Overall, 98.9% were on ART (n = 3834), 93% were viro-suppressed. A total of 1217 and 1162 patients had their visit scheduled at our out-patient HIV clinic during the two bimesters of 2019 and 2020, respectively. Comparing the two periods, we observed a raise of missed visits from 5 to 8% (p < 0.01), a reduction in the number of new HIV diagnosis from 6.4 in 2019 to 2.5 per month in 2020 (p = 0.01), a drop in ART dispensation and an increase of hospitalized HIV patients due to COVID-19. ART regimens including protease inhibitors (PIs) had a smaller average drop than ART not including PIs (16.6 vs 21.6%, p < 0.05). Whether this may be due to the perception of a possible efficacy of PIs on COVID19 is not known. Conclusions Our experience highlights the importance of a resilient healthcare system and the need to implement new strategies in order to guarantee the continuum of HIV care even in the context of emergency.

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