scholarly journals Tuberculosis preventive treatment opportunities at antiretroviral therapy initiation and follow-up visits

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-69
Author(s):  
T. Agizew ◽  
D. Surie ◽  
J.E. Oeltmann ◽  
M. Letebele ◽  
S. Pals ◽  
...  

Setting: Twenty-two clinics providing HIV care and treatment in Botswana where tuberculosis (TB) and HIV comorbidity is as high as 49%.Objectives: To assess eligibility of TB preventive treatment (TPT) at antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and at four follow-up visits (FUVs), and to describe the TB prevalence and associated factors at baseline and yield of TB diagnoses at each FUV.Design: A prospective study of routinely collected data on people living with HIV (PLHIV) enrolled into care for the Xpert® MTB/RIF Package Rollout Evaluation Study between 2012 and 2015.Results: Of 6041 PLHIV initiating ART, eligibility for TPT was 69% (4177/6041) at baseline and 93% (5408/5815); 95% (5234/5514); 96% (4869/5079); and 97% (3925/4055) at FUV1, FUV2, FUV3, and FUV4, respectively. TB prevalence at baseline was 11% and 2%, 3%, 3% and 6% at each subsequent FUV. At baseline, independent risk factors for prevalent TB were CD4 <200 cells/mm3 (aOR = 1.4, P = 0.030); anemia (aOR = 2.39, P < 0.001); cough (aOR = 11.21, P < 0.001); fever (aOR = 2.15, P = 0.001); and weight loss (aOR = 2.60, P = 0.002).Conclusion: Eligibility for TPT initiation is higher at visits post-ART initiation, while most cases of active TB were identified at ART initiation. Missed opportunities for TB further compromises TB control effort among PLHIV in Botswana.

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Chris Buck ◽  
Hanh Nguyen ◽  
Mariana Siapka ◽  
Lopa Basu ◽  
Jessica Greenberg Cowan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pediatric tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and TB-HIV co-infection are health problems with evidence-based diagnostic and treatment algorithms that can reduce morbidity and mortality. Implementation and operational barriers affect adherence to guidelines in many resource-constrained settings, negatively affecting patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess performance in the pediatric HIV and TB care cascades in Mozambique. Methods A retrospective analysis of routine PEPFAR site-level HIV and TB data from 2012 to 2016 was performed. Patients 0–14 years of age were included. Descriptive statistics were used to report trends in TB and HIV indicators. Linear regression was done to assess associations of site-level variables with performance in the pediatric TB and HIV care cascades using 2016 data. Results Routine HIV testing and cotrimoxazole initiation for co-infected children in the TB program were nearly optimal at 99% and 96% in 2016, respectively. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation was lower at 87%, but steadily improved from 2012 to 2016. From the HIV program, TB screening at the last consultation rose steadily over the study period, reaching 82% in 2016. The percentage of newly enrolled children who received either TB treatment or isoniazid preventive treatment (IPT) also steadily improved in all provinces, but in 2016 was only at 42% nationally. Larger volume sites were significantly more likely to complete the pediatric HIV and TB care cascades in 2016 (p value range 0.05 to < 0.001). Conclusions Mozambique has made significant strides in improving the pediatric care cascades for children with TB and HIV, but there were missed opportunities for TB diagnosis and prevention, with IPT utilization being particularly problematic. Strengthened TB/HIV programming that continues to focus on pediatric ART scale-up while improving delivery of TB preventive therapy, either with IPT or newer rifapentine-based regimens for age-eligible children, is needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Nuwagira ◽  
Boniface A. E. Lumori ◽  
Rose Muhindo ◽  
Michael Kanyesigye ◽  
Abdallah Amir ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Good adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and retention in care are essential for the effectiveness of an HIV care program. With the current increase in numbers of people living with HIV taking second-line ART in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a need to establish their treatment outcomes and the rate of loss to follow up. In this study, we determined the incidence and predictors of loss to follow up among patients taking second-line ART at an experienced HIV treatment center in southwestern Uganda. Methods This was a retrospective review of an electronic database at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital HIV clinic in southwestern Uganda. Second-line ART included at least two of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a boosted protease inhibitor. Loss to follow-up was defined as failure to return to the health facility for care or treatment refill for 180 days or more from the previous visit. After excluding children less than 15 years, we pooled data that included socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory data for patients who started second-line ART between 2002 and 2017. Multiple imputation was done for variables with missing data. Variables that had a p < 0.05 in unadjusted bivariate analyses were included in a multivariate binomial regression model using a stepwise backward selection procedure to describe the factors that independently predicted loss to follow-up. Results Between 2002 and 2017, 1121 patients had been initiated on second-line ART. We included data from 924 participants and of these, 518 (56.1%) were female, the mean age (SD) was 38.4 (± 10.5) years, and 433 (52.4%) had a CD4 count less than 100 cells/µl at the start of second-line ART. The incidence of loss to follow-up was 26.7 per 100 person-years. Male gender (Adjusted risk ratio (ARR) = 1.8, 95% CI 1.5–2.0) p < 0.001 and anemia ARR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6) p < 0.001 were strongly associated with loss to follow up. Conclusions There is a high incidence of loss to follow up among patients taking protease-inhibitor based second-line ART at a tertiary HIV center in southwestern Uganda. There is a need to routinely measure hemoglobin during clinic reviews, and establish mechanisms to retain males initiated on second-line ART in care. The association of anemia and loss to follow up needs to be investigated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 529-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Jopling ◽  
Primrose Nyamayaro ◽  
Lena S Andersen ◽  
Ashraf Kagee ◽  
Jessica E Haberer ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose of Review We reviewed interventions to improve uptake and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in African countries in the Treat All era. Recent Findings ART initiation can be improved by facilitated rapid receipt of first prescription, including community-based linkage and point-of-care strategies, integration of HIV care into antenatal care and peer support for adolescents. For people living with HIV (PLHIV) on ART, scheduled SMS reminders, ongoing intensive counselling for those with viral non-suppression and economic incentives for the most deprived show promise. Adherence clubs should be promoted, being no less effective than facility-based care for stable patients. Tracing those lost to follow-up should be targeted to those who can be seen face-to-face by a peer worker. Summary Investment is needed to promote linkage to initiating ART and for differentiated approaches to counselling for youth and for those with identified suboptimal adherence. More evidence from within Africa is needed on cost-effective strategies to identify and support PLHIV at an increased risk of non-adherence across the treatment cascade.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S177-S178 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Kline ◽  
Colton Daniels ◽  
Xiaohe Xu ◽  
Thankam Sunil ◽  
Anuradha Ganesan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Weight gain and obesity in people living with HIV have been associated with increased risk for non-AIDS-related comorbidities, and integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimens may lead to comparatively more weight gain than other regimens. We evaluated body mass index (BMI) following antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among participants in the US Military HIV Natural History Study (NHS). Methods Of 961 NHS participants started on initial ART between 2006–2017, 496 men who had available baseline BMI data and were virally suppressed (< 200 c/mL) at 1 and 2 years of follow-up were included (Tables 1 and 2). ART was categorized by anchor class to include INSTIs, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs). Linear growth-curve modeling was used to predict BMI changes from ART initiation through 2 years of follow-up in participants stratified by baseline BMI (< 25 vs. ≥25 kg/m2) at ART start and anchor drug class. Demographic and HIV-related characteristics were analyzed as independent variables. Results Overall, the predicted BMI increased over 2 years regardless of baseline BMI (Table 3). There was a trend toward decreased BMI on ART for those with BMI ≥ 25 treated with a non-INSTI regimen (−0.63, P = 0.079). In participants with BMI < 25, all regimens were associated with overall gains in BMI except for those with high viral load (>100,000 c/mL) started on PI regimens (−1.61, P = 0.013). For those with BMI ≥ 25, only INSTI- and PI-based regimens were significantly associated with increased BMI (INSTI 0.54, P = 0.000; NNRTI 0.11, P = 0.174; PI 0.39, P = 0.006). Observed BMI increases for INSTI and PI regimens were also associated with increased time from HIV diagnosis to ART initiation (INSTI 0.35, P = 0.003; PI 0.44, P = 0.037). African Americans with BMI ≥ 25 on INSTIs had the greatest predicted gains in BMI (1.84, P = 0.007). Conclusion In our cohort of young military members with HIV infection, those with baseline BMI < 25 experienced BMI gains across all ART classes. Among those with baseline BMI ≥ 25, African Americans on INSTI regimens had the greatest BMI gains. Further studies are needed to determine whether NNRTI regimens should be considered in certain individuals at risk for INSTI-associated weight gain. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina I. Steinert ◽  
Shaukat Khan ◽  
Emma Mafara ◽  
Cebele Wong ◽  
Khudzie Mlambo ◽  
...  

AbstractImmediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all people living with HIV has important health benefits but implications for the economic aspects of patients' lives are still largely unknown. This stepped-wedge cluster-randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the causal impact of immediate ART initiation on patients’ healthcare expenditures in Eswatini. Fourteen healthcare facilities were randomly assigned to transition at one of seven time points from the standard of care (ART eligibility below a CD4 count threshold) to the immediate ART for all intervention (EAAA). 2261 patients living with HIV were interviewed over the study period to capture their past-year out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures. In mixed-effects regression models, we found a 49% decrease (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.36, 0.72, p < 0.001) in past-year total healthcare expenditures in the EAAA group compared to the standard of care, and a 98% (RR 0.02, 95% CI 0.00, 0.02, p < 0.001) decrease in spending on private and traditional healthcare. Despite a higher frequency of HIV care visits for newly initiated ART patients, immediate ART initiation appears to have lowered patients’ healthcare expenditures because they sought less care from alternative healthcare providers. This study adds an important economic argument to the World Health Organization’s recommendation to abolish CD4-count-based eligibility thresholds for ART.


Author(s):  
Bernhard Kerschberger ◽  
Andrew Boulle ◽  
Rudo Kuwengwa ◽  
Iza Ciglenecki ◽  
Michael Schomaker

Abstract Rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for people living with HIV, with the option to start treatment on the day of diagnosis (same-day-ART). However, the effect of same-day-ART remains unknown in realistic public sector settings. We established a cohort of ≥16-year-old patients who initiated first-line ART under Treat-All in Nhlangano (Eswatini) between 2014-2016, either on the day of HIV care enrolment (same-day-ART) or 1–14 days thereafter (early-ART). Directed acyclic graphs, flexible parametric survival analysis and targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE) were used to estimate the effect of same-day-ART initiation on the composite unfavourable treatment outcome (loss to follow-up;death;viral failure). Of 1328 patients, 839 (63.2%) initiated same-day ART. The adjusted hazard ratio of the unfavourable outcome was increased by 1.48 (95% CI:1.16–1.89) for same-day-ART compared with early-ART. TMLE suggested that after 1 year, 28.9% of patients would experience the unfavourable outcome under same-day-ART compared with 21.2% under early-ART (difference: 7.7%; 1.3–14.1%). This estimate was driven by loss to follow-up and varied over time, with a higher hazard during the first year after HIV care enrolment and a similar hazard thereafter. We found an increased risk with same-day-ART. A limitation was possible silent transfers that were not captured.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 1339
Author(s):  
S. Bhagyabati Devi ◽  
T. Jeetenkumar Singh ◽  
Kshetrimayum Birendra Singh ◽  
N. Biplab Singh ◽  
Robinson Ningshen ◽  
...  

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) have changed the outlook of people living with HIV (PLHIV) by transforming the dreaded infection to a chronically manageable disease. However, there is scant of reports which analyses quantitatively the survival benefit of PLHIV under ART. Objectives of this study were to determine the survival time of adult PLHIV who are on ARV. To analyse the factors determining survival outcome of PLHIV on ARV.Methods: This was an observational study in centre of excellence (COE) ART Centre, RIMS, Imphal from April 2004 to December 2009. Details from the data entered in documents of the ART programme were followed up every 3 months for 60 months from the date of initiation of ARV. All PLHIV above 18 years of age and undergoing antiretroviral therapy were included.Results: Survival rate following initiation of ARV was found to be significantly high among PLHIV. Higher CD4 count at the time of ARV initiation had better prognosis. Mortality was high among IDUs and they had high incidence of co-infections with HCV and HBV. The currently available ARV drugs under NACO programme have better suppression of HIV, are less toxic, low pill burden. The combined regimen used in the earlier days were not much inferior to the current ARV drugs if initiated timely with proper prophylaxis of OIs, good adherence, good nutrition and timely management of toxicities and IRIS.Conclusions: Timely treatment with ARV drugs provided under the national programme with good adherence and regular follow-up improves the survival of PLHIV.  


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259073
Author(s):  
Nadine Mayasi Ngongo ◽  
Gilles Darcis ◽  
Hippolyte Situakibanza Nanituna ◽  
Marcel Mbula Mambimbi ◽  
Nathalie Maes ◽  
...  

Background The benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) underpin the recommendations for the early detection of HIV infection and ART initiation. Late initiation (LI) of antiretroviral therapy compromises the benefits of ART both individually and in the community. Indeed, it promotes the transmission of infection and higher HIV-related morbidity and mortality with complicated and costly clinical management. This study aims to analyze the evolutionary trends in the median CD4 count, the median time to initiation of ART, the proportion of patients with advanced HIV disease at the initiation of ART between 2006 and 2017 and their factors. Methods and findings HIV-positive adults (≥ 16 years old) who initiated ART between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2017 in 25 HIV care facilities in Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, were eligible. The data were processed anonymously. LI is defined as CD4≤350 cells/μl and/or WHO clinical stage III or IV and advanced HIV disease (AHD), as CD4≤200 cells/μl and/or stage WHO clinic IV. Factors associated with advanced HIV disease at ART initiation were analyzed, irrespective of year of enrollment in HIV care, using logistic regression models. A total of 7278 patients (55% admitted after 2013) with an average age of 40.9 years were included. The majority were composed of women (71%), highly educated women (68%) and married or widowed women (61%). The median CD4 was 213 cells/μl, 76.7% of patients had CD4≤350 cells/μl, 46.1% had CD4≤200 cells/μl, and 59% of patients were at WHO clinical stages 3 or 4. Men had a more advanced clinical stage (p <0.046) and immunosuppression (p<0.0007) than women. Overall, 70% of patients started ART late, and 25% had AHD. Between 2006 and 2017, the median CD4 count increased from 190 cells/μl to 331 cells/μl (p<0.0001), and the proportions of patients with LI and AHD decreased from 76% to 47% (p< 0.0001) and from 18.7% to 8.9% (p<0.0001), respectively. The median time to initiation of ART after screening for HIV infection decreased from 40 to zero months (p<0.0001), and the proportion of time to initiation of ART in the month increased from 39 to 93.3% (p<0.0001) in the same period. The probability of LI of ART was higher in married couples (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3–2.3) (p<0.0007) and lower in patients with higher education (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.64–0.86) (p<0.0001). Conclusion Despite increasingly rapid treatment, the proportions of LI and AHD remain high. New approaches to early detection, the first condition for early ART and a key to ending the HIV epidemic, such as home and work HIV testing, HIV self-testing and screening at the point of service, must be implemented.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S477-S477
Author(s):  
Maria J Jaurretche ◽  
Morgan Byrne ◽  
Lindsey J Powers Happ ◽  
Matthew E Levy ◽  
Michael A Horberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In 2019, the US Administration announced the Ending the HIV Epidemic plan to decrease new infections. A key component is the Test and Treat plan to diagnose early, treat rapidly and achieve viral suppression (VS) among persons living with HIV (PLWH). We assessed retention in care (RIC), antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and VS among newly diagnosed PLWH in Washington, DC. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the DC Cohort, an observational longitudinal cohort of PLWH in care in 14 clinics in DC. We included participants enrolled from 2011 to 2016 whose HIV diagnosis was within 1 year of enrollment and with at least 12 months follow-up. RIC was defined as ≥2 visits or HIV lab results 90 days apart in the first year of follow-up. ART initiation was defined as being prescribed ART, VS was defined as HIV RNA <200 copies/mL, and both these outcomes were assessed at 2 time points: by 3 and 12 months. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression was used to identify clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with RIC, ART initiation and VS. Results Among the 455 newly diagnosed participants (6% of all enrollees), median age was 33 years (IQR 25, 45), 69% were Black, 79% male, 60% MSM. Median duration of HIV at enrollment was 4.9 months (IQR 2.3, 7.7). Median nadir CD4 count was 346 cells/μL (IQR 224, 494). Of the 455, 38% had a history of AIDS, 92% were RIC, 65% initiated ART by 3 months and 17% had VS by 3 months. There were no differences by sex or race for RIC, ART initiation and VS. An AIDS diagnosis at enrollment was associated with RIC (aOR 2.28; 1.01–5.15), ART initiation by 3 months (aOR 2.41; 1.54–3.76), and VS by 12 months (aOR 1.92; 1.06–3.46). Lower nadir CD4 (aOR 0.89 per 50 cell increase; 0.84–0.94) and younger age (aOR 0.747 per 10-year increase; 0.584–0.995) were associated with ART initiation by 12 months. Conclusion Although the majority of newly diagnosed PLWH were RIC, fewer started ART or achieved VS. With a large proportion of our sample having an AIDS diagnosis at enrollment, we illustrate the ongoing challenge of late HIV diagnosis in DC. Those with AIDS at diagnosis were more likely to initiate ART within the first 3 months. As same-day ART initiation is scaled up in DC, future research can evaluate if all PLWH, regardless of AIDS status, will achieve this milestone earlier. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


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