Life course history of physical and sexual abuse is associated with cardiovascular disease risk among women living with and without HIV.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual and physical abuse predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) among women in the general population. Women living with HIV (WLWH) report more abuse and have higher CVD risk compared with other women, yet associations between abuse history and CVD have not been considered among WLWH. This study fills this gap, and describes possible pathways linking abuse to CVD risk among WLWH and women living without HIV (WLWOH). METHODS: Using 25 years of data from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS; n  = 2734; WLWH n  = 1963; WLWOH n  = 771), we used longitudinal generalized estimating equations (GEE) to test associations between sexual and physical abuse with CVD risk. Framingham (FRS-H) and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association-Pooled Cohort Equation (ACC/AHA-PCE) scores were examined. Analyses were stratified by HIV-serostatus. RESULTS: Among WLWH, childhood sexual abuse was associated with higher CVD risk ( ßFRS-H  = 1.25, SE = 1.08, P  = 0.005; ßACC/AHA-PCE  = 1.14, SE = 1.07, P  = 0.04) compared with no abuse. Adulthood sexual abuse was associated with higher CVD risk for WLWH ( ßFRS-H  = 1.39, SE = 1.08, P  < 0.0001) and WLWOH ( ßFRS-H  = 1.58, SE = 1.14, P  = 0.0006). Childhood physical abuse was not associated with CVD risk for either group. Adulthood physical abuse was associated with CVD risk for WLWH ( ßFRS-H  = 1.44, SE = 1.07; P  < 0.0001, ßACC/AHA-PCE  = 1.18, SE = 1.06, P  = 0.002) and WLWOH ( ßFRS-H  = 1.68, SE = 1.12, P  < 0.0001; ßACC/AHA-PCE  = 1.24, SE = 1.11, P  = 0.03). Several pathway factors were significant, including depression, smoking, and hepatitis C infection. CONCLUSION: Life course abuse may increase CVD risk among WLWH and women at high risk of acquiring HIV. Some comorbidities help explain the associations. Assessing abuse experiences in clinical encounters may help contextualize cardiovascular risk among this vulnerable population and inform intervention.

Midlife body mass index, central adiposity and neuropsychological performance over 10 years in women living with and without HIV.

Background and objective: Observations of overweight and obesity in association with neuropsychological performance (NP) vary over the adult life course depending on baseline levels, biological sex, age, race, temporality of measurements, and other factors. Therefore, similar published analyses across cohorts are inconsistent. In our sample of women living with HIV (WLWH) and women without HIV (WWOH), we conducted comparable analyses as those published in men with and without HIV. We examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and NP. Methods: Four hundred thirty two 432 virologically-suppressed WLWH and 367 WWOH, ≥40 years in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) with anthropometry and NP assessments every two years from 2009-2019 were included in the study. Demographically-adjusted T-scores were calculated for six NP domains: learning, memory, executive function, processing speed, attention and working memory, and motor function. Multivariable linear regression models stratified by HIV status were used to examine cross-sectional associations of BMI and WC by NP domain; repeated measures analyses assessed baseline BMI and WC in association with longitudinal change in NP. Covariates included sociodemographic, behavioral, and HIV-related characteristics. Results: At baseline among all women, the median age was 45 years, 65% were Non-Latinx Black women, and 45% were obese women. Obese WLWH (BMI≥30.0 kg/m2) had poorer executive function (ß=-2.27, 95%CI [-4.46, -0.07]) versus WLWH with healthy BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2). Longitudinally over ~8 years, obese versus overweight WWOH improved on memory (ß=2.19, 95%CI [0.13, 4.26]), however overweight versus healthy WWOH experienced declining memory (ß= -2.67, 95%CI [-5.40, -0.07]). Increasing WC was associated with declining executive, processing speed, and motor function (p's<0.05); an at-risk WC was associated with improved memory (ß=1.81, 95%CI [0.19, 3.44]) among WWOH. Among WLWH, increasing BMI was associated with improved learning (ß=0.07, 95%CI [0.00, 0.15]. Conclusion: Our cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses evaluating the associations of BMI and WC and NP were mixed compared to previous reports. This illustrates the importance of sociodemographic characteristics, baseline levels of exposures and outcomes, HIV status, temporality of measurements, and other factors when evaluating aging HIV epidemiology study results.

The association between comorbidities and coronavirus disease 2019 hospitalization among people with HIV differs by age.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization among people with HIV (PWH) differ by age stratum. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: All adult PWH with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR in a public safety-net health system between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021 and a Veterans Affairs Medical Center between 1 1 March 2020 and 15 November 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia were included. We performed multivariable logistic regression to determine demographic and clinical factors associated with COVID-19 hospitalization overall and stratified by age less than 50 and at least 50 years. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-five PWH (mean age 49 years, 74% cisgender male, 82% black) were included. Ninety-six percent were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 87% had CD4 + T-cell count at least 200 cells/µl, and 89% had HIV-1 RNA less than 200 copies/ml. Overall, age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 (1.04-1.10)], later date of SARS-CoV-2 infection [aOR 0.997 (0.995-1.00)], heart disease [aOR 2.27 (1.06-4.85)], and history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) [aOR 2.59 (1.13-5.89)] were associated with COVID-19 hospitalization. Age-adjusted comorbidity burden was associated with 30% increased risk of hospitalization [aOR 1.30 (1.11-1.54)]. Among 168 PWH less than 50 years old, older age [aOR 1.09 (1.01-1.18)] and no ART use [aOR 40.26 (4.12-393.62)] were associated with hospitalization; age-adjusted comorbidity burden was not ( P  = 0.25). Among 197 PWH at least 50, older age [aOR 1.10 (1.04-1.16)], heart disease [aOR 2.45 (1.04-5.77)], history of HCV [aOR 3.52 (1.29-9.60)], and age-adjusted comorbidity burden [aOR 1.36 (1.12-1.66)] were associated with hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Comorbidity burden is more strongly associated with COVID-19 hospitalization among older, rather than younger, PWH. These findings may have important implications for risk-stratifying COVID-19 therapies and booster recommendations in PWH.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease in Women With and Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

BACKGROUND: Estrogen-based hormone therapy (HT) may have beneficial cardiovascular effects when initiated in early menopause. This has not been examined in women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), who have heightened immune activation and cardiovascular risks. METHODS: Among 609 postmenopausal women (1234 person-visits) in the Women's Interagency HIV Study, we examined the relationship of ever HT use (oral, patch, or vaginal) with subclinical atherosclerosis: carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), distensibility, and plaque assessed via repeated B-mode ultrasound imaging (2004-2013). We also examined associations of HT with cross-sectional biomarkers of immune activation and D-dimer. Statistical models were adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and cardiometabolic factors. RESULTS: Women (mean age, 51 years; 80% HIV positive) who ever used HT at baseline were older, and more likely to be non-Hispanic White and report higher income, than never-users. Women who ever used HT had 43% lower prevalence of plaque (prevalence ratio, 0.57 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .40-.80]; P < .01), 2.51 µm less progression of CIMT per year (95% CI, -4.60, to -.41; P = .02), and marginally lower incidence of plaque over approximately 7 years (risk ratio, 0.38 [95% CI, .14-1.03; P = .06), compared with never-users, adjusting for covariates; ever HT use was not associated with distensibility. These findings were similar for women with and without HIV. Ever HT use was associated with lower serum D-dimer, but not with biomarkers of immune activation after covariate adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: HT may confer a subclinical cardiovascular benefit in women with HIV. These results begin to fill a knowledge gap in menopausal care for women with HIV, in whom uptake of HT is very low.

Bone, Brain, Heart study protocol: A resilient nested, tripartite prospective cohort study of the role of estrogen depletion on HIV pathology.

PURPOSE: We describe the rationale for and design of an innovative, nested, tripartite prospective observational cohort study examining whether relative estrogen insufficiency-induced inflammation amplifies HIV-induced inflammation to cause end organ damage and worsen age-related co-morbidities affecting the neuro-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (Brain), skeletal (Bone), and cardiovascular (Heart/vessels) organ systems (BBH Study). METHODS: The BBH parent study is the Multicenter AIDS Cohort/Women's Interagency HIV Study Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) with participants drawn from the Atlanta MWCCS site. BBH will enroll a single cohort of n = 120 women living with HIV and n = 60 HIV-negative women, equally distributed by menopausal status. The innovative multipart nested study design of BBH, which draws on data collected by the parent study, efficiently leverages resources for maximum research impact and requires extensive oversight and management in addition to careful implementation. The presence of strong infrastructure minimized BBH study disruptions due to changes in the parent study and the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: BBH is poised to provide insight into sex and HIV associations with the neuro-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems despite several major, unexpected challenges.

Pulmonary Function Trajectories in People with HIV: Analysis of the Pittsburgh HIV Lung Cohort.

Rationale: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with chronic lung disease and impaired pulmonary function; however, longitudinal pulmonary function phenotypes in HIV are undefined. Objectives: To identify pulmonary function trajectories, their determinants, and outcomes. Methods: We used data from participants with HIV in the Pittsburgh HIV Lung Cohort with three or more pulmonary function tests between 2007 and 2020. We analyzed post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DlCO) using group-based trajectory modeling to identify subgroups of individuals whose measurements followed a similar pattern over time. We examined the association between participant characteristics and trajectories using multivariable logistic regression. In exploratory adjusted analyses restricted to individuals with available plasma cytokine data, we investigated the association between 18 individual standardized cytokine concentrations and trajectories. We compared mortality, dyspnea prevalence, respiratory health status, and 6-minute-walk distance between phenotypes. Results: A total of 265 participants contributed 1,606 pulmonary function measurements over a median follow-up of 8.1 years. We identified two trajectories each for FEV1 and FVC: "low baseline, slow decline" and "high baseline, rapid decline." There were three trajectory groups for FEV1/FVC: "rapid decline," "moderate decline," and "slow decline." Finally, we identified two trajectories for DlCO: "baseline low" and "baseline high." The low baseline, slow decline FEV1 and FVC, rapid decline, and moderate decline FEV1/FVC, and baseline low DlCO phenotypes were associated with increased dyspnea prevalence, worse respiratory health status, and decreased 6-minute-walk distance. The baseline low DlCO phenotype was also associated with worse mortality. Current smoking and pack-years of smoking were associated with the adverse FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and DlCO phenotypes. Detectable viremia was the only HIV marker associated with the adverse DlCO phenotype. C-reactive protein and endothelin-1 were associated with the adverse FEV1 and FVC phenotypes, and endothelin-1 trended toward an association with the adverse DlCO phenotype. Conclusions: We identified novel, distinct longitudinal pulmonary function phenotypes with significant differences in characteristics and outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of lung dysfunction over time in people with HIV and should be validated in additional cohorts.

IV tPA for acute ischemic stroke in the setting of intracranial tumor: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of published cases of standard-dose IV tPA for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) within 4.5 hours of symptom onset and intracranial tumor was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were used to identify studies that included patients given standard-dose IV tPA for presumed AIS within 4.5 hours of symptom onset who had an intracranial tumor. The primary outcome measure was rate of ICH. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were included, involving 495 patient cases. One case-control study presented data only in the form of an odds ratio (OR), with OR 0.72 (p=0.16) for risk of ICH in 297 benign brain tumors, and OR for ICH of 2.33 (p value <0.001) in 119 malignant brain tumors, compared to controls. The remaining 22 sources included 79 cases; 49 were classified as benign, 16 malignant, and 14 "not otherwise specified." ICH occurred in 4; one was an asymptomatic parenchymal hematoma (5.1% total ICH, 3.8% symptomatic ICH). ICH only occurred in cases of malignant or metastatic intracranial tumors. CONCLUSION: There were no reports of ICH in cases of benign intracranial tumor, and the reported rate of ICH with standard-dose IV tPA in the setting of any brain tumor appears similar to the general AIS population. There is heterogeneity and risk of selection bias with the included studies, and findings are not confirmatory. Further research is indicated to assess the rate of ICH with IV tPA for AIS in the setting of brain tumor.

Evaluation of the Safety of Rapid Administration of Undiluted High-Dose Intravenous Levetiracetam.

Background: Intravenous (IV) levetiracetam (LEV) is an antiseizure medication traditionally given as an intermittent infusion to mitigate potential adverse effects given its acidic formulation. The process of compounding may lead to delays in treating status epilepticus, which is why administration of undiluted doses is of interest. Prior studies have shown safety of IV doses from 1000 mg to 4500 mg; however, assessments of adverse side effects outside IV site reactions have not been studied. Methods: A retrospective analysis was completed with patients who received 1500 mg doses of undiluted IV LEV. We included patients ≥ 18 years old that received at least 1 dose of IV LEV 1500 mg from January 2018 to February 2021. Study end points included assessment of hemodynamic disturbance (bradycardia [HR less than 50 beats per minute] or hypotension [SBP less than 90 mmHg] within 1 hour or documented infusion reaction within 12 hours of LEV. Descriptive statistics were utilized. Results: A total 213 doses of 1500 mg of IV LEV were administered to 107 patients. Peripheral lines were used for 85.9% of doses. Approximately half of doses (57) were administered to patients on the general wards, with the remainder in the intensive care unit or emergency department. Two patients (1.9%) experienced bradycardia; however, 1 patient had pre-existing bradycardia. Three patients (3.8%) experienced hypotension; however, those patients were receiving vasopressors prior to the dose. There were no cases of infusion reaction. Conclusion: Undiluted, rapid administration of IV LEV 1500 mg was well tolerated and safe.

Premature and early menopause among US women with or at risk for HIV.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the prevalence and treatment of premature and early menopause among people with HIV. We described premature and early menopause and subsequent hormonal treatment in a longitudinal cohort of women living with or at risk for HIV in the US. METHODS: Data from the Women's Interagency HIV Study between 2008 and 2020 were analyzed to describe premature and early menopause among cohort participants under the age of 51. RESULTS: Of 3,059 eligible women during the study period, 1% (n = 35) underwent premature menopause before age 41, 3% (n = 101) underwent menopause between ages 41 and 46, and 21% (n = 442) underwent menopause between ages 46 and 50, inclusive. Of participants who experienced menopause before age 41, between age 41 and 45, and between ages 46 and 50, 51%, 24%, and 7% (respectively) received either menopausal hormone therapy or hormonal contraception. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that disparities in receipt of recommended hormone therapy for premature and early menopause may contribute, in part, to evident health disparities, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and overall mortality. They also suggest a substantial need for education among people experiencing early menopause and their providers, with the goal of improving access to hormone therapy based on guidelines to address health disparities and minimize future health consequences.

Cardiovascular Implications of Immune Disorders in Women.

Immune responses differ between men and women, with women at higher risk of developing chronic autoimmune diseases and having more robust immune responses to many viruses, including HIV and hepatitis C virus. Although immune dysregulation plays a prominent role in chronic systemic inflammation, a key driver in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), standard ASCVD risk prediction scores underestimate risk in populations with immune disorders, particularly women. This review focuses on the ASCVD implications of immune dysregulation due to disorders with varying global prevalence by sex: autoimmune disorders (female predominant), HIV (male-female equivalent), and hepatitis C virus (male predominant). Factors contributing to ASCVD in women with immune disorders, including traditional risk factors, dysregulated innate and adaptive immunity, sex hormones, and treatment modalities, are discussed. Finally, the need to develop new ASCVD risk stratification tools that incorporate variables specific to populations with chronic immune disorders, particularly in women, is emphasized.

The Association Between HIV Status, Estradiol, and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Among Premenopausal Women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

Background: Characterizing estradiol among women with HIV may have implications for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease risk but has not been adequately explored. We quantified differences in total (E2), free (FE2) estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) by HIV and viral suppression status. Methods: Women from a substudy (2003-2006) within the Women's Interagency HIV Study (IRB approved at each participating site) were included if they reported: a period in the last six months, were not pregnant/breastfeeding, no oophorectomy, and no exogenous hormone use in the prior year. Serum was collected on days 2-4 of the menstrual cycle. We assessed differences in biomarkers at 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles by HIV and viral suppression status using weighted quantile regression. Results: Among 643 women (68% with HIV) median age was 37 years. All E2 percentiles were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in women with suppressed viral load versus women without HIV (4-10 pg/mL). The 25th and 50th percentile of E2 were 4-5 pg/mL lower in women with unsuppressed viral load compared to women without HIV (p < 0.05). The 25th and 50th percentile of SHBG was significantly higher in women with unsuppressed viral load compared to women without HIV (10 and 12 nmol/L, respectively). There were no consistent differences in estradiol or SHBG by suppression status. Conclusions: There were no differences in FE2 but significantly lower E2 and higher SHBG among women with HIV versus without HIV. Further research is merited in a large contemporary sample to clarify the clinical implications of these findings.

Patient Experiences with Telemedicine for HIV Care During the First COVID-19 Wave in Atlanta, Georgia.

We explored experiences with telemedicine among persons with HIV (PWH) during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A convenience sample of adults (>18 years) receiving care in an urban clinic in Atlanta were invited to participate. Patients completed a structured survey that assessed the usefulness, quality, satisfaction, and concerns with telemedicine services (telephone calls) received during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (March-May 2020). Demographic, plasma HIV-1 RNA, and CD4+ T cell count data were obtained through medical chart abstraction. Bootstrapped t-tests and chi-square tests were used to examine differences in patient experiences by age, sex, and race. Of 406 PWH contacted, 101 completed the survey (median age 55 years, 84% men, 77% Black, 98% virally suppressed, median CD4 count 572 cells/µL). The main HIV care disruptions experienced were delays in follow-up visits (40%), difficulty getting viral load measured (35%), and difficulty accessing antiretroviral therapy (21%). Participant ratings for quality (median score 6.5/7), usefulness (median score 6.0/7), and satisfaction (median score 6.3/7) with telemedicine were high. However, 28% of patients expressed concerns about providers' ability to examine them and about the lack of laboratory tests. More women had concerns about providers' ability to examine them (92% vs. 50%, p = .005) and about the safety of their personal information (69% vs. 23%, p = .002) compared with men. No age or race differences were observed. Although PWH are generally satisfied with telephone-based telemedicine, concerns with its use were notable, particularly among women. Future HIV telemedicine models should address these.

T-Cell Immune Dysregulation and Mortality in Women With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

SUMMARY: In women with HIV, higher activation and exhaustion of CD4+ T cells were associated with risk of non-HIV-related mortality during a median of 13.3 years of follow-up, independent of baseline demographic, behavioral, HIV-related, and cardiometabolic factors and longitudinal HIV disease progression. BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of adaptive immunity is a hallmark of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection that persists on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Few long-term prospective studies have related adaptive immunity impairments to mortality in HIV, particularly in women. METHODS: Among 606 women with HIV in the Women's Interagency HIV Study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from 2002 to 2005 underwent multiparameter flow cytometry. Underlying cause of death was ascertained from the National Death Index up to 2018. We examined associations of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation (%CD38+HLA-DR+), senescence (%CD57+CD28-), exhaustion (%PD-1+), and nonactivation/normal function (%CD57-CD28+) with natural-cause, HIV-related, and non-HIV-related mortality. RESULTS: At baseline, median participant age was 41, and 67% were on ART. Among 100 deaths during a median of 13.3 years follow-up, 90 were natural-cause (53 non-HIV-related, 37 HIV-related). Higher activation and exhaustion of CD4+ T cells were associated with risk of natural-cause and non-HIV-related mortality, adjusting for age, demographic, behavioral, HIV-related, and cardiometabolic factors at baseline. Additional adjustment for time-varying viral load and CD4+ T-cell count did not attenuate these associations. CD8+ T-cell markers were not associated with any outcomes adjusting for baseline factors. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent CD4+ T-cell activation and exhaustion may contribute to excess long-term mortality risk in women with HIV, independent of HIV disease progression.

Health insurance and AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) increases retention in care among women living with HIV in the United States.

Our objective was to examine the association between healthcare payer type and missed HIV care visits among 1,366 US women living with HIV (WLWH) enrolled in the prospective Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). We collected secondary patient-level data (October 1, 2017-September 30, 2018) from WLWH at nine WIHS sites. We used bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression to examine the relationship between healthcare payer type (cross-classification of patients' ADAP and health insurance enrollment) and missed visits-based retention in care, defined as no-show appointments for which patients did not reschedule. Our sample included all WLWH who self-reported having received HIV care at least once during the two consecutive biannual WIHS visits a year prior to October 1, 2017-September 30, 2018. In the bivariate model, compared to uninsured WLWH without ADAP, WLWH with private insurance + ADAP were more likely to be retained in care, as were WLWH with Medicaid only and private insurance only. In the adjusted model, WLWH with private insurance only were more likely to be retained in care compared to uninsured WLWH without ADAP. Private health insurance and ADAP are associated with increased odds of retention in care among WLWH.

Clinical characteristics, comorbidities and outcomes among persons with HIV hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data describing the presenting characteristics and outcomes among US persons with HIV (PWH) requiring hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: We performed a case series of all PWH sequentially admitted with COVID-19 from 8 March 2020 to 23 April 2020 at three hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia. Sociodemographic, clinical and HIV-associated characteristics were collected. RESULTS: Of 530 confirmed COVID-19 cases hospitalized during this period, 20 occurred among PWH (3.8%). The median age was 57 (Q1-Q3, 48-62) years, 65% were men, and 85% were non-Hispanic Black. Presenting median symptom duration was 5 (Q1-Q3, 3-7) days; cough (90%), fever (65%), malaise (60%) and dyspnea (60%) were most common. On admission, 40% of patients required oxygenation support and 65% had an abnormal chest radiograph. Median length of hospitalization was 5 (Q1-Q3, 4-12) days, 30% required intensive care, 15% required intubation, and 15% died. Median CD4 cell count prior to admission was 425 (Q1-Q3, 262-815) cells/µl and 90% of patients had HIV-1 RNA less than 200 copies/ml. Half of the patients had at least five comorbidities; hypertension (70%), dyslipidemia (60%) and diabetes (45%) were most prevalent. All three patients who died had CD4 cell count more than 200, HIV suppression and each had a total of five comorbidities. CONCLUSION: The multisite series in the Southern United States provides characteristics and early outcomes of hospitalized PWH with COVID-19. Nearly all patients had controlled HIV and a high comorbidity burden. Additional study of COVID-19 among PWH is needed to determine the role of age, comorbidities and HIV control in mediating COVID-19 presentation and its sequelae.

Concussions in the National Football League: the evolution of video review for assessing the frequency and reliability of visible signs.

Background: The use of video review to document visible signs (VS) of sport-related concussion in the National Football League (NFL) is a novel method to recognize head injuries. Hypothesis/Purpose: The current pilot studies used varying methodologies to (1) examine the frequency of VS in concussed NFL players using the Australian Football League's (AFL) checklist, and (2) assess the reliability of VS between non-expert and expert raters. Study design: Cohort study Methods: In the first pilot study, two non-expert raters rated VS of SRC occurring in the 2015 NFL season (n = 96) using a single VS from the AFL checklist. Based on this pilot study, two expert raters then rated VS of SRC during the 2017 NFL season (n = 211) using all VS from the AFL checklist. The frequency, total percent agreement (TPA), and reliability (kappa coefficients) were calculated for all VS of concussion for the two seasons. Kappa agreement was classified as fair (.41-.60), moderate (.61-.80), or substantial (.81-1.00). Significance was set at p < .05. Results: The most frequent VS of concussion identified by both non-expert and expert raters were no behavior observed, slow to get up, and motor incoordination. The least frequent VS were impact seizure, blank/vacant look, and facial injury. For non-expert raters, the average TPA for VS ranged from 84% to 100% and kappa coefficients ranged from .52 to .68. For expert raters, the average TPA ranged from 83% to 100%, and kappa coefficients ranged from .56 to .86. Conclusion: In these preliminary analyses, use of multiple VS was a superior methodology, and the reliability of VS rating was stronger for experts. Due to the inherent differences in gameplay and protective equipment used in the NFL compared to other professional sports, it is our hope these data can generate new ways to improve existing practices and identify potentially novel VS of SRC.

Antiretroviral Therapy-Induced Bone Loss Is Durably Suppressed by a Single Dose of Zoledronic Acid in Treatment-Naive Persons with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: A Phase IIB Trial.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are associated with bone loss leading to increased fracture rate among persons with HIV (PWH). We previously showed long-acting antiresorptive zoledronic acid (ZOL) prevented ART-induced bone loss through 48 weeks of therapy and here investigate whether protection persisted. METHODS: We randomized 63 nonosteoporotic, treatment-naive adult PWH initiating ART to ZOL (5 mg) versus placebo in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase IIb trial. Here we analyzed the long-term outcome data (144 weeks). Plasma bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD) were quantified at weeks 0, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 144. Primary outcome was change in bone resorption marker C-terminal telopeptide of collagen (CTx). Repeated-measures analyses using mixed linear models were used to estimate and compare study endpoints. RESULTS: At 96 weeks, mean CTx was 62% lower with ZOL relative to placebo (n = 46; CTx = 0.123 vs 0.324 ng/mL; P < .001); at 144 weeks a 25% difference between arms was not statistically significant. At 48 weeks, lumbar spine BMD with ZOL was 11% higher than placebo (n = 60; P < .001) and remained 9-11% higher at 96 (n = 46) and 144 (n = 41; P < .001) weeks. 144 weeks after ZOL infusion, BMD did not change at the lumbar spine (P = .22) but declined at the hip (P = .04) and femoral neck (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of ZOL administered at ART initiation blunts bone resorption and BMD loss at key fracture-prone anatomical sites in treatment-naive PWH for 3 years. A multicenter randomized phase III clinical trial validating these results in a larger population is needed. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01228318.

Clinical and procedural characteristics of persons living with HIV presenting with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Persons living with HIV (PLWH) are at greater risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Practice patterns of ACS management by HIV serostatus are unknown. We examined the presentation and management of ACS in PLWH. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. METHODS: We included 86 PLWH and 263 sex-matched and race-matched HIV-negative controls hospitalized with ACS between 2004 and 2013. We performed multivariable conditional logistic regression to determine the associations between HIV serostatus and ACS type and management. RESULTS: Both groups were predominantly of black race and male sex. PLWH were significantly younger (53 vs. 60 years) and more likely to smoke (48 vs. 31%). Among PLWH, 30% had CD4 cell count less than 200 cells/µl and 58% had undetectable HIV RNA. PLWH had more single-vessel disease and a higher median Gensini score among those with single-vessel disease (32 vs. 4.25) than controls. HIV serostatus was positively associated with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% confidence interval (CI)):5.05 (1.82-14.02)], and any revascularization procedure after ACS [aOR (95% CI): 2.90 (1.01-8.39)] and negatively associated with non-STEMI [aOR (95% CI): 0.33 (0.14-0.79)] presentation. PLWH who underwent stent placement had a higher likelihood of bare metal stent placement compared with controls [70 vs. 15%, aOR (95% CI): 5.94 (1.33-26.55)]. Among PLWH, ACS characteristics were not significantly associated with CD4 cell count, HIV RNA, or antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSION: PLWH hospitalized with ACS were more likely to have severe single-vessel disease, present with STEMI rather than non-STEMI, and undergo revascularization, and less likely to have a drug-eluting stent placed than matched HIV-negative controls, suggesting that coronary plaque morphology and/or distribution is different with HIV infection and warrants further investigation.

White Blood Cell Counts, Lymphocyte Subsets, and Incident Diabetes Mellitus in Women Living With and Without HIV.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with expansion of proinflammatory lymphocyte subsets. We investigated the relationship of total white blood cell (WBC) count and lymphocyte subsets with incident DM in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). Higher CD4 and CD8 T cell counts, lymphocyte count, and total WBC count were associated with incident DM among both women with and without HIV, although the association of CD8 was not statistically significant among women without HIV.