History of COVID-19 Symptoms and Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in HIV-Infected Patients in Northern France after the First Wave of the Pandemic

To assess the prevalence of COVID-19 in people living with HIV (PLWHIV), we performed an epidemiological survey from 1 April through 1 August 2020 in an HIV reference center in Northern France. PLWHIV completed a questionnaire about risk exposures and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and performed a SARS-CoV-2 serology. Among the 600 PLWHIV included, 16 have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 were frequent both in SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients (67% vs. 32%, p = 0.02). Among SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, one (6%) has been hospitalized and five (31%) have been asymptomatic. Close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case was the only factor associated with COVID-19 acquisition (40% vs. 13%, p = 0.01). The prevalence of COVID-19 in PLWHIV was 2.5%, half of the overall population estimate after the first wave of the pandemic in France. In conclusion, proportion of asymptomatic COVID-19 was high in PLWHIV. The prevalence of COVID-19 in PLWHIV was two times lower than in the general population.

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Standardized comparison of cardiovascular risk factors prevalence in Spanish women and men living with HIV and in the general population

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1093/eurjpc/zwab061.172 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

A Camps-Vilaro ◽

S Perez-Fernandez ◽

R Teira ◽

V Estrada ◽

P Domingo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Risk Factor ◽

General Population ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

P Value ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

General Population Cohort ◽

History Of ◽

Living With Hiv

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Spain’s Ministry of Science and Innovation (Madrid, Spain), co-financed with European Union European Regional Development Funds –ERDF- [CIBERCV CB16/11/00229]; the Health Department of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain) through the Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris de Recerca de Catalunya (AGAUR) (Barcelona, Spain) [2017SGR222]. OnBehalf DARIOS and VACH investigators Background People living with HIV (PLWH) have an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, likely due to a higher prevalence of CV risk factors. We compared age-standardized prevalence and management of CV risk factors in PLWH to that of general population in Spain. Methods Blood pressure, lipid, glucose and anthropometric profile were cross-sectionally compared along with treatment of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes in a general population cohort and a PLWH cohort. Prevalence rates were standardized by the direct method by 10-year age groups in European standard populations by gender. Results We included 39,598 individuals aged 35 to 74 years: 28,360 from the general population cohort and 11,238 from the PLWH cohort. Compared to general population, PLWH had a higher concentration of triglycerides (>35mg/dL in women and >26mg/dL in men), and a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (>10% and >7.8%) and diabetes (>8.5% and >5.3%) (Table). The proportion of treated diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension were up to 3-fold lower in both women and men living with HIV than in general population (Table). Conclusions Lipid, gluco-metabolic profiles were significantly worse in PLWH compared to general population. In addition, PLWH were less often treated for diagnosed diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. CV risk factor standardized prevalence Cardiovascular risk factor WOMEN MEN General population People living with HIV p-Value General population People living with HIV p-Value N = 15,159 N = 2,171 N = 13,201 N = 9,067 Hypertension, % 27.4 (26.7 - 28.0) 24.8 (21.6 - 28.1) 0.136 29.0 (28.2 - 29.7) 22.9 (21.4 - 24.4) <0.001 Treated hypertension, % a 62.7 (60.7 - 64.7) 18.9 (13.5 - 24.4) <0.001 59.3 (57.5 - 61.1) 24.1 (21.0 - 27.1) <0.001 Triglycerides, mg/dL b 99 (99 - 100) 134 (134 - 148) <0.001 122 (121 - 122) 148 (148 - 164) <0.001 Total cholesterol, mg/dL 214 (213 - 215) 207 (199 - 215) 0.111 214 (213 - 216) 195 (191 - 198) <0.001 Treated dyslipidaemia, % c 14.0 (13.5 - 14.6) 7.80 (5.60 - 10.0) <0.001 15.1 (14.5 - 15.7) 7.8 (6.8 - 8.7) <0.001 Glucose, mg/dL 97 (96 - 97) 103 (98 - 107) 0.007 104 (103 - 105) 106 (104 - 109) 0.122 Diabetes, % 10.6 (10.1 - 11.1) 19.1 (16.0 - 22.1) <0.001 15.4 (14.8 - 16.0) 20.7 (19.2 - 22.2) <0.001 Treated diabetes, % d 34.4 (31.5 - 37.2) 12.8 (8.00 - 17.5) <0.001 40.0 (37.1 - 42.9) 16.6 (13.9 - 19.3) <0.001 Metabolic Syndrome, % 20.5 (19.8 - 21.1) 31.1 (25.8 - 36.4) <0.001 27.9 (27.1 - 28.7) 35.7 (33.1 - 38.2) <0.001 Values are expressed as mean (95% confidence interval). a Among patients with history of hypertension. b Mean (95% confidence interval) were obtained with log-transformed values. c Among all cohort participants. d Among patients with history of diabetes. HDL-c, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-c, low density lipoprotein cholesterol

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Metabolic Syndrome in HIV-patients in Antiretroviral Therapy

Current HIV Research ◽

10.2174/1570162x18666200609115615 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 388-395

Author(s):

Daniel Vargas-Pacherrez ◽

Helma P. Cotrim ◽

Leonardo Pires ◽

Vitor Cunha ◽

Vitor Coelho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

International Diabetes Federation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Anthropometric Data ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Family History Of Hypertension ◽

Living With Hiv

Introduction: The global prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among people living with HIV/AIDS varies from 20% to 33%. Objective: to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated factors in a group of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with HIV-infected patients from a reference center in Bahia, Brazil. We evaluated clinical, socio-demographic and anthropometric data. MS was defined according to the guidelines of International Diabetes Federation. Results: We evaluated 152 patients with mean age of 47.3±11.6 years, 59.2% male. The main comorbidities detected were diabetes (3.3%) hypertriglyceridemia (9.3%) and metabolic syndrome (MS,38.2%). Patients with MS were predominantly women (55.2% vs 31.9%; p=0.005), older [52.1 (10.4) vs 44.3 (11.3); p<0.001], and had overweight (74.1% vs 23.4%; p<0.001). After multivariate analysis MS remained associated with age (OR = 1.076; 95% CI: 1.030 – 1.125), female sex (OR = 2.452; 95% CI: 1.114 – 5.374) and family history of hypertension (OR = 3.678; 95% CI: 1.431 – 9.395). Conclusion: Almost half of the HIV-infected patients in Bahia presents with MS which seems to be driven by classical risk factors.

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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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Rates and risk factors for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide deaths in persons with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

General Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/gpsych-2020-100247 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. e100247

Author(s):

Matt Pelton ◽

Matt Ciarletta ◽

Holly Wisnousky ◽

Nicholas Lazzara ◽

Monica Manglani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

General Population ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Advanced Disease ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Meta Regression ◽

Living With Hiv

BackgroundPeople living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) must contend with a significant burden of disease. However, current studies of this demographic have yielded wide variations in the incidence of suicidality (defined as suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and suicide deaths).AimsThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the lifetime incidence and prevalence of suicidality in PLWHA.MethodsPublications were identified from PubMed (MEDLINE), SCOPUS, OVID (MEDLINE), Joanna Briggs Institute EBP and Cochrane Library databases (from inception to before 1 February 2020). The search strategy included a combination of Medical Subject Headings associated with suicide and HIV. Researchers independently screened records, extracted outcome measures and assessed study quality. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted to explore the associated risk factors and to identify the sources of heterogeneity. Main outcomes were lifetime incidence of suicide completion and lifetime incidence and prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.ResultsA total of 185 199 PLWHA were identified from 40 studies (12 cohorts, 27 cross-sectional and 1 nested case-control). The overall incidence of suicide completion in PLWHA was 10.2/1000 persons (95%CI: 4.5 to 23.1), translating to 100-fold higher suicide deaths than the global general population rate of 0.11/1000 persons. The lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts was 158.3/1000 persons (95%CI: 106.9 to 228.2) and of suicidal ideation was 228.3/1000 persons (95%CI: 150.8 to 330.1). Meta-regression revealed that for every 10-percentage point increase in the proportion of people living with HIV with advanced disease (AIDS), the risk of suicide completion increased by 34 per 1000 persons. The quality of evidence by Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations for the suicide deaths was graded as ‘moderate’ quality.ConclusionsThe risk of suicide death is 100-fold higher in people living with HIV than in the general population. Lifetime incidence of suicidal ideation and attempts are substantially high. Suicide risk assessments should be a priority in PLWHA, especially for those with more advanced disease.

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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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The Mae on Project: Using Acupuncture for Symptom Relief and Improved Quality of Life for People Living with Hiv and Aids in Rural Thailand

Acupuncture in Medicine ◽

10.1136/aim.2008.000299 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 37-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Laura Louie ◽

Nopporn Pathanapornpandh ◽

Unchalee Pultajuk ◽

Robert Kaplan ◽

Ian Hodgson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Symptom Relief ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Hiv And Aids ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Preliminary Evaluation ◽

Related Symptom ◽

History Of ◽

Living With Hiv

Acupuncture in combination with antiretroviral therapies is a potentially useful treatment for HIV-related symptom relief in resource-poor settings. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of being used to enhance immune function. In the setting of HIV, Chinese traditional medicine allows for symptom treatment without adding extra medications to a complex drug regime. This paper provides details of a project at Mae On Hospital in rural northern Thailand where allopathic/conventional treatments are used in tandem with acupuncture. A preliminary evaluation of the project suggests that an integrated approach to symptom relief is viewed positively by respondents receiving acupuncture, though further studies are required to confirm the association between acupuncture and symptom relief. The project also demonstrates the feasibility of developing a cost-effective acupuncture programme using local healthcare staff.

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Increase in Unemployment over the 2000’s: Comparison between People Living with HIV and the French General Population

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0165634 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. e0165634 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Margot Annequin ◽

France Lert ◽

Bruno Spire ◽

Rosemary Dray-Spira ◽

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv

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Clinical and biological profiles of older adults aged 50 and over compared to those under 50 in people living with HIV attending Kinshasa University Teaching Hospital (DR Congo)

International Journal of Clinical Virology ◽

10.29328/journal.ijcv.1001040 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 087-095

Author(s):

Mbula MMK ◽

Longo-Mbenza B ◽

Situakibanza HNT ◽

Mananga GL ◽

Makulo JRR ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

University Teaching ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Chi Square ◽

Stage 4 ◽

History Of ◽

Student’S T ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Student’S T Test

Background: The survival of people living with HIV (PLWHIVs) is increased and Health systems will have to deal with the early-aging-associated medical conditions. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the clinical and biological profiles of PLWHIVs aged 50 and over and those aged less than 50 years. Material and methods: This study conducted at Kinshasa University Teaching Hospital (KUTH) covers 6 years. The clinical and biological characteristics of PLWHIVs aged 50 and over were compared with those under 50. Statistical analysis used the means ± SD, the calculation of frequencies, Student’s t-test and Chi-square. Results: PLWHIVs aged 50 or over represented 35.1%. Their average age was 58.0 ± 4.8 years. Women predominate among those under 50 and men among those 50 and over. Married people were more numerous (54% among those under 50). There were more unemployed (50% of PLHIV under 50). Patients 50 years and older were significantly classified as WHO stage 4 with a high frequency of history of tuberculosis, genital herpes, high blood pressure, smoking, vomiting, hepatomegaly, moderate elevation of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and sytolic blood pressure (SBP), tuberculosis and anemia. Those under 50 had a significantly increased frequency of shingles, hepatitis B-hepatitis C, headaches and more survivals. The mean of Hb, HDL-C, and CD4s+ were significantly lower in patients 50 years and older, and urea, LDL-C, and ALAT levels were significantly higher. Conclusion: The average age was higher from 50 years old. These PLWHIVs were more frequently in WHO stage 4 with more common TB and anemia. Their Hb, HDL-C, and CD4s+ levels were lower while their urea, LDL-C and ALAT levels were significantly elevated.

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Emotional Management, Psychological Issues, and Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing in HIV Care ◽

10.1093/med/9780190619954.003.0012 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 115-122

Author(s):

Pierre N. Azzam

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

General Population ◽

Motivational Interviewing ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Patient Centered ◽

Future Directions ◽

Psychological Issues ◽

Emotional Management ◽

Living With Hiv

People living with HIV (PLWH) experience significant psychological distress and are at risk of developing psychiatric symptoms and disorders similar to those seen in the general population. This chapter summarizes and reviews the psychological issues and challenges experienced by PLWH and discusses the integration of motivational interviewing (MI) into the patient-centered multifaceted medical and psychological care of PLWH. In the closing section, the author looks at future directions for using MI to care for PLWH and suffering from depression, anxiety, and/or trauma-based disorders and argues that further studies are needed to elucidate the efficacy, advantages, and potential limitations of MI for mitigating emotional distress specifically in PLWH.

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The burden of anxiety among people living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pune, India

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09656-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ivan Marbaniang ◽

Shashikala Sangle ◽

Smita Nimkar ◽

Kanta Zarekar ◽

Sonali Salvi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Family Income ◽

Screening Tools ◽

Prior History ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Health Related ◽

History Of ◽

Living With Hiv

Abstract Introduction Globally, India has the third largest population of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and the second highest number of COVID-19 cases. Anxiety is associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) nonadherence. It is crucial to understand the burden of anxiety and its sources among Asian Indian PLHIV during the COVID pandemic, but data are limited. Methods During the first month of government mandated lockdown, we administered an anxiety assessment via telephone among PLHIV registered for care at a publicly funded antiretroviral therapy (ART) center in Pune, India. Generalized anxiety was defined as GAD-7 score ≥ 10. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were compared by anxiety status (GAD-7 score ≥ 10 vs GAD-7 score < 10). Qualitative responses to an open-ended question about causes of concern were evaluated using thematic analysis. Results Among 167 PLHIV, median age was 44 years (IQR 40–50); the majority were cisgender women (60%) and had a monthly family income < 200 USD (81%). Prior history of tuberculosis and other comorbidities were observed in 38 and 27%, respectively. Overall, prevalence of generalized anxiety was 25% (n = 41). PLHIV with GAD-7 score ≥ 10 had fewer remaining doses of ART than those with lower GAD-7 scores (p = 0.05). Thematic analysis indicated that concerns were both health related and unrelated, and stated temporally. Present concerns were often also projected as future concerns. Conclusions The burden of anxiety was high during COVID lockdown in our population of socioeconomically disadvantaged PLHIV in Pune and appeared to be influenced by concerns about ART availability. The burden of anxiety among PLHIV will likely increase with the worsening pandemic in India, as sources of anxiety are expected to persist. We recommend the regular use of short screening tools for anxiety to monitor and triage patients as an extension of current HIV services.

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