Time to blood pressure control and predictors among patients receiving integrated treatment for hypertension and HIV based on an adapted WHO HEARTS implementation strategy at a large urban HIV clinic in Uganda.

In this cohort study, we determined time to blood pressure (BP) control and its predictors among hypertensive PLHIV enrolled in integrated hypertension-HIV care based on the World Health Organization (WHO) HEARTS strategy at Mulago Immunosuppression Clinic in Uganda. From August 2019 to March 2020, we enrolled hypertensive PLHIV aged ≥ 18 years and initiated Amlodipine 5 mg mono-therapy for BP (140-159)/(90-99) mmHg or Amlodipine 5 mg/Valsartan 80 mg duo-therapy for BP ≥ 160/90 mmHg. Patients were followed with a treatment escalation plan until BP control, defined as BP < 140/90 mmHg. We used Cox proportional hazards models to identify predictors of time to BP control. Of 877 PLHIV enrolled (mean age 50.4 years, 62.1% female), 30% received mono-therapy and 70% received duo-therapy. In the monotherapy group, 66%, 88% and 96% attained BP control in the first, second and third months, respectively. For patients on duo-therapy, 56%, 83%, 88% and 90% achieved BP control in the first, second, third, and fourth months, respectively. In adjusted Cox proportional hazard analysis, higher systolic BP (aHR 0.995, 95% CI 0.989-0.999) and baseline ART tenofovir/lamivudine/efavirenz (aHR 0.764, 95% CI 0.637-0.917) were associated with longer time to BP control, while being on ART for >10 years was associated with a shorter time to BP control (aHR 1.456, 95% CI 1.126-1.883). The WHO HEARTS strategy was effective at achieving timely BP control among PLHIV. Additionally, monotherapy anti-hypertensive treatment for stage I hypertension is a viable option to achieve BP control and limit pill burden in resource limited HIV care settings.

Using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of a WHO HEARTS-based intervention to integrate the management of hypertension into HIV care in Uganda: a process evaluation.

BACKGROUND: World Health Organization (WHO) HEARTS packages are increasingly used to control hypertension. However, their feasibility in persons living with HIV (PLHIV) is unknown. We studied the effectiveness and implementation of a WHO HEARTS intervention to integrate the management of hypertension into HIV care. METHODS: This was a mixed methods study at Uganda's largest HIV clinic. Components of the adapted WHO HEARTS intervention were lifestyle counseling, free hypertension medications, hypertension treatment protocol, task shifting, and monitoring tools. We determined the effectiveness of the intervention among PLHIV by comparing hypertension and HIV outcomes at baseline and 21 months. The RE-AIM framework was used to evaluate the implementation outcomes of the intervention at 21 months. We conducted four focus group discussions with PLHIV (n = 42), in-depth interviews with PLHIV (n = 9), healthcare providers (n = 15), and Ministry of Health (MoH) policymakers (n = 2). RESULTS: Reach: Among the 15,953 adult PLHIV in the clinic, of whom 3892 (24%) had been diagnosed with hypertension, 1133(29%) initiated integrated hypertension-HIV treatment compared to 39 (1%) at baseline. Among the enrolled patients, the mean age was 51.5 ± 9.7 years and 679 (62.6%) were female. EFFECTIVENESS: Among the treated patients, hypertension control improved from 9 to 72% (p < 0.001), mean systolic blood pressure (BP) from 153.2 ± 21.4 to 129.2 ± 15.2 mmHg (p < 0.001), and mean diastolic BP from 98.5 ± 13.5 to 85.1 ± 9.7 mmHg (p < 0.001). Overall, 1087 (95.9%) of patients were retained by month 21. HIV viral suppression remained high, 99.3 to 99.5% (p = 0.694). Patients who received integrated hypertension-HIV care felt healthy and saved more money. Adoption: All 48 (100%) healthcare providers in the clinic were trained and adopted the intervention. Training healthcare providers on WHO HEARTS, task shifting, and synchronizing clinic appointments for hypertension and HIV promoted adoption. IMPLEMENTATION: WHO HEARTS intervention was feasible and implemented with fidelity. Maintenance: Leveraging HIV program resources and adopting WHO HEARTS protocols into national guidelines will promote sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: The WHO HEARTS intervention promoted the integration of hypertension management into HIV care in the real-world setting. It was acceptable, feasible, and effective in controlling hypertension and maintaining optimal viral suppression among PLHIV. Integrating this intervention into national guidelines will promote sustainability.

Diabetes mellitus care cascade among a cohort of persons living with HIV and hypertension in Uganda: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In Uganda, it is recommended that persons with HIV receive integrated care to address both hypertension and diabetes. However, the extent to which appropriate diabetes care is delivered remains unknown and was the aim of this study. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study among participants receiving integrated care for HIV and hypertension for at least 1 year at a large urban HIV clinic in Mulago, Uganda to determine the diabetes care cascade. RESULTS: Of the 1115 participants, the majority were female (n = 697, 62.5%) with a median age of 50 years (Inter Quartile Range: 43, 56). Six hundred twenty-seven participants (56%) were screened for diabetes mellitus, 100 (16%) were diagnosed and almost all that were diagnosed (n = 94, 94%) were initiated on treatment. Eighty-five patients (90%) were retained and all were monitored (100%) in care. Thirty-two patients (32/85, 38%) had glycaemic control. Patients on a Dolutegravir-based regimen (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.22-0.46, p < 0.001) and those with a non-suppressed viral load (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.07-0.83, p = 0.02) were less likely to be screened for diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: In very successful HIV care programs, large gaps still linger for the management of non-communicable diseases necessitating uniquely designed intervention by local authorities and implementing partners addressing the dual HIV and non-communicable diseases burden.

Factors associated with blood pressure control in patients with hypertension and HIV at a large urban HIV clinic in Uganda.

Globally, people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Hypertension is the most important preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is associated with increased morbidity. We conducted an exploratory survey with hypertensive persons living with HIV who received integrated HIV and hypertension care in a large clinic in Uganda between August 2019 and March 2020 to determine factors associated with blood pressure control at six months. Controlled blood pressure was defined as <140/90 mmHg. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine baseline factors associated with blood pressure control after 6 months of antihypertensive treatment. Of the 1061 participants, 644 (62.6%) were female. The mean age (SD) was 51.1 (9.4) years. Most participants were overweight (n = 411, 38.7%) or obese (n = 276, 25.9%), and 98 (8.9%) had diabetes mellitus. Blood pressure control improved from 14.4% at baseline to 66.1% at 6 months. Comorbid diabetes mellitus (odds ratio (OR) = 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26-0.64, p < 0.001) and HIV status disclosure (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.55-0.98, p = 0.037) were associated with the absence of controlled blood pressure at 6 months. In conclusion, comorbid diabetes mellitus and the disclosure of an individual's HIV status to a close person were associated with poor blood pressure control among persons living with HIV who had hypertension. Therefore, subpopulations of persons living with HIV with hypertension and comorbid diabetes mellitus may require more thorough assessments and intensive antihypertensive management approaches to achieve blood pressure targets.