Prevalencia y caracterización de las neoplasias malignas en personas viviendo con VIH en Colombia

Introducción: En el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida las neoplasias han jugado un papel preponderante, y con el advenimiento del tratamiento antirretroviral (TAR), la infección por VIH se ha transformado en una enfermedad crónica, siendo los tumores malignos una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad. Objetivo: Describir las características demográficas, clínicas y de laboratorio de las personas que viven con VIH (PVVIH) y han sido diagnosticadas con cáncer en Colombia y comparar los grupos de neoplasias definitorias y no definitorias de Sida. Métodos: Revisión multicéntrica retrospectiva, en la que se recolectó y analizó datos relacionados con la infección por VIH y de diagnóstico de cáncer y tipo. Incluyó PVVIH diagnosticadas con neoplasias malignas atendidas en 23 centros de atención de pacientes con VIH en 11 ciudades de Colombia desde 1986 hasta 2018. Resultados: En 23.189 pacientes, se identificaron 650 casos de malignidad (prevalencia de 2,8 % [IC de 95%: 2,6-2,9]). La neoplasia definitoria de Sida (NDS) sigue siendo el tipo de cáncer prevalente (71,1%), las neoplasias malignas más frecuentes fueron sarcoma de Kaposi (n: 330; 50,8%), linfoma no Hodgkin (n: 110; 16,9%), cáncer de piel (n: 48; 7,4%) y linfoma de Hodgkin (n: 25; 3,8%). Los pacientes con NDS tenían más probabilidades de ser HSH y estar en un estadio CDC 3, un recuento de linfocitos T CD4 < 200/μL y una carga viral del VIH ≥ 50 copias/mL al momento del diagnóstico de malignidad. Las personas con neoplasias no definitorias de Sida (NNDS) eran significativamente mayores y tenían más probabilidades de ser fumadores. Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos son relevantes considerando la creciente carga de cáncer en las PVVIH que envejecen y las causas cambiantes de morbilidad y mortalidad. La presentación tardía a la atención del VIH y el retraso en el inicio del TAR son probablemente factores que contribuyen al cambio más lento hacia NNDS en comparación con las regiones de altos ingresos donde hay un acceso más rápido y temprano al TAR. El conocimiento de las tendencias epidemiológicas actuales y el perfil del cáncer en las PVVIH es fundamental para mejorar los esfuerzos de prevención y tratamiento del cáncer en el contexto de la atención integral del VIH.

Background: In the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, neoplasms have played a preponderant role, and with the advent of antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV has become a chronic disease, with malignant tumors being an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Aim: To describe the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who have been diagnosed with cancer in Colombia and to compare the groups of AIDS-defining (ADC) and non-AIDS-defining neoplasms (NADC). Methods: Retrospective, multicenter study that included people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) diagnosed with malignancies treated at 23 HIV care centers located in 11 Colombian cities from 1986 to 2018. Data related to HIV infection and cancer diagnosis were collected and analyzed. Results: Among 23,189 patients, 650 malignancy cases were identified (prevalence of 2.8% [95% CI 2.6-2.9]). AIDS-defining neoplasm remains the most prevalent type of cancer (71.1%), The most frequent individual malignancies were Kaposi sarcoma (n: 330; 50.8%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n: 110; 16.9%), skin cancer (n: 48; 7.4%), and Hodgkin lymphoma (n: 25; 3.8%). Compared people with NADC, with ADC were more likely to be MSM and have a CDC HIV stage 3, CD4 T cell count < 200/μL, and HIV viral load ≥ 50 copies/mL at the time of malignancy diagnosis. PLHIV and with NADC were significantly older and were more likely to be smokers. Conclusions: These findings are relevant considering the increasing burden of cancer in the aging PLHIV and the changing causes of morbidity and mortality. Late presentation to HIV care and delayed ART initiation are likely factors contributing to the slower shift toward NADCs compared with high-income regions where access to ART is better. Knowledge of the current epidemiological trends and profile of cancer in PLWHA is critical to improve cancer prevention and treatment efforts in the context of comprehensive HIV care.

Reasons for antiretroviral switching in Colombia: A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Long-term use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection might lead to the necessity of switching regimens. We aimed to analyze the reasons for the ART switch, the time-to-switch of ART, and its associated factors in a Colombian cohort. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort in 20 HIV clinics, including participants ≥18 years old with confirmed HIV infection who underwent an ART switch from January 2017 to December 2019 with at least 6 months of follow-up. A time-to-event analysis and an exploratory Cox model were performed. RESULTS: 796 participants switched ART during the study period. The leading cause of ART switch was drug intolerance (n = 449; 56.4%) with a median time-to-switch of 12.2 months. The longest median time-to-switch was due to regimen simplification (42.4 months). People ≥50 years old (HR = 0.6; 95% CI (0.5-0.7) and CDC stage 3 at diagnosis (HR = 0.8; 95% CI (0.6-0.9) had less hazard for switching ART over time. CONCLUSIONS: In this Colombian cohort, drug intolerance was the main cause of the ART switch, and the time-to-switch is shorter than reports from other countries. In Colombia, it is crucial to apply current recommendations for ART initiation to choose regimens with a better tolerability profile.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of mpox: A descriptive cases series in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Colombia is the fifth most affected country by the global monkeypox outbreak and the second in LAC after Brazil. We describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 521 patients with mpox in the country. METHODS: We conducted an observational analysis of laboratory-confirmed Mpox cases between June 29 and November 16, 2022. RESULTS: Most cases were young men living with HIV. The clinical evolution was primarily benign, with two deaths reported. We found some differences between women and men regarding their BMI, presence of lymphadenopathies, localization of lesions, and the antecedent of HIV infection. CONCLUSION: Although it seems that the epidemic curve for this outbreak of Mpox is decreasing not only in Colombia but globally, it could remain endemic. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain very close surveillance.

Cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities in people living with HIV: A cross-sectional multicenter study from Colombia comorbidities in a Colombian PLWHIV population.

INTRODUCTION: HIV is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). There is insufficient information regarding comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors in the Colombian HIV population. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities in patients from the HIV Colombian Group VIHCOL. METHODS: This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in the VIHCOL network in Colombia. Patients 18 years or older who had at least 6 months of follow-up were included. A stratified random sampling was performed to estimate the adjusted prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. RESULTS: A total of 1616 patients were included. 83.2% were men, and the median age was 34 years. The adjusted prevalence for dyslipidemia, active tobacco use, hypothyroidism, and arterial hypertension was 51.2% (99% CI: 48.0%-54.4%), 7.6% (99% CI: 5.9%-9.3%), 7.4% (99% CI: 5.7%-9.1%), and 6.3% (99% CI: 4.8%-7.9%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this Colombian HIV cohort, there is a high prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors such as dyslipidemia and active smoking. Non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures for the prevention and management of these risk factors should be reinforced.

Tejido social competente para la participación ciudadana en el gobierno de las ciudades / Competent social weaving for citizen participation in city government / Tecido social competente para a participação dos cidadãos na governação das cidades

RESUMEN La Gobernanza Inteligente o participación ciudadana en el gobierno de las ciudades, es una de las dimensiones clave para considerar una ciudad como inteligente, y los portales de Gobierno En Línea han sido un medio para que esa participación se dé; sin embargo, dicha colaboración requiere de otro factor importante como lo es, la Gente Inteligente, representada en el capital social y humano existente en la ciudad o el tejido social. En esta investigación, se propone un modelo estadístico de regresión logística para la creación de dicho tejido social, con base en las competencias ciudadanas y digitales desarrolladas en las comunidades, mediante estrategias de aprendizaje permanente. El método científico soporta esta propuesta, desde la identificación del problema, el planteamiento de la solución a través del uso del modelo, la recolección de datos teniendo como muestra poblacional una comunidad de personas con discapacidad cognitiva de la Fundación FANDIC de la ciudad de Bucaramanga, Colombia y la interpretación de los resultados que sugieren la existencia de una ecuación para predecir la probabilidad de que un individuo, después de participar en un programa educativo diseñado de forma adaptativa desde la filosofía del aprendizaje permanente, forme parte de un tejido social competente. CLASIFICACIÓN: JEL 12, 13

ABSTRACT The Intelligent Governance or citizen participation in the government of the cities, is one of the key dimensions to consider a city as intelligent, and the portals of Online Government have been a means so that participation occurs; nevertheless, this collaboration requires of another important factor as it is, the Intelligent People, represented in the social and human capital existing in the city or the social weave. This research proposes a statistical model of logistic regression to support social weaving, based on the citizen and digital competencies developed in the communities, through lifelong learning strategies. The scientific method supports this proposal, from the identification of the problem, the proposal of the solution through the use of the model, the collection of data having as population sample a community of people with cognitive disability of the FANDIC Foundation of the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia and the interpretation of the results that suggests the existence of an equation to predict the probability that an individual, after participating in an educational program designed in an adaptive way from the philosophy of lifelong learning, is part of a competent social weaving. JEL CLASSIFICATION: 12, 13

RESUMO A governação inteligente ou a participação dos cidadãos no governo das cidades, é uma das dimensões chave para considerar uma cidade como inteligente, e os portais do Governo Online têm sido um meio para que essa participação seja dada; contudo, tal colaboração requer outro factor importante como é, as Pessoas Inteligentes, representadas no capital social e humano existente na cidade ou no tecido social. Nesta investigação, é proposto um modelo estatístico de regressão logística para a criação deste tecido social, baseado no cidadão e nas competências digitais desenvolvidas nas comunidades, através de estratégias de aprendizagem ao longo da vida. O método científico apoia esta proposta, desde a identificação do problema, a abordagem da solução através da utilização do modelo, a recolha de dados tendo como amostra populacional uma comunidade de pessoas com deficiências cognitivas da Fundação FANDIC da cidade de Bucaramanga, Colômbia e a interpretação dos resultados que sugerem a existência de uma equação para prever a probabilidade de um indivíduo, após participar num programa educativo concebido de forma adaptativa a partir da filosofia da aprendizagem ao longo da vida, fazer parte de um tecido social competente. CLASSIFICAÇÃO JEL: 12, 13

Complejidad de la transición de los esquemas antirretrovirales en un programa de atención de VIH en Bogotá durante el periodo de 2015-2017 / Complexity of the transition of antiretroviral regimens in a HIV care program in Bogota during the period of 2015-2017

RESUMEN Cuando se decide cambiar una terapia antirretroviral se puede llegar a limitar futuras opciones, y es allí donde las conductas del personal tratante deben ser las más acertadas. Se realizó un estudio transversal-descriptivo, revisando las principales causas de cambios de esquema en los pacientes VIH de la IPS CEPAIN de Bogotá (Colombia) durante el periodo 2015-2017. Los cambios de tratamiento se estimaron en 8,1%; 8,8% y 5,8% durante los 3 años, el principal motivo de cambio fueron las reacciones adversas con 53,1%; 46%, y 49,6% respectivamente, seguidos de simplificación con 17,5; 25,1 y 26,5% y fracaso terapéutico en 19,8; 20,9 y 14,8% para cada año. Durante el primer año de tratamiento existió la necesidad de cambiar los esquemas en 12,9; 18,5, y 7,6% de los pacientes que iniciaron tratamiento en esos respectivos años. Las decisiones en los cambios de tratamiento antirretroviral involucran la introducción de nuevos antirretrovirales, la necesidad de reducir el número de tabletas o medicamentos, distintos perfiles de eficacia, tolerancia, efectos secundarios, toxicidad, barrera genética e interacciones. Otros factores a tener en cuenta son: el costo creciente de los medicamentos antirretrovirales, la dinámica en la transición y aplicación de los nuevos esquemas para garantizar un enfoque clínico, y económico sustentable.

SUMMARY At the time of making changes in the antiretroviral therapy, future options may be limited, and this is the time when the behavior of the treatment staff should be the most appropriate. A transversal-descriptive study was conducted, studying the main causes of scheme changes in HIV patients of the IPS CEPAIN in Bogotá (Colombia) during the 2015-2017 period. Treatment changes were estimated at 8.1%, 8.8% and 5.8% during the 3 years, the main reason for change were adverse reactions with 53.1%, 46% and 49.6% respectively, followed by simplification with 17.5, 25.1 and 26.5% and therapeutic failure in 19.8, 20.9 and 14.8% for each year. During the first year oftreatment, there was a need to change the regimens in 12.9, 18.5, and 7.6% of the patients who started treatment in those years. Decisions on antiretroviral treatment changes involve the introduction of new antiretrovirals, reduce the number of tablets or drugs, different profiles of efficacy, tolerance, side effects, toxicity, genetic barrier and interactions. Other factors to take into account are rising cost of antiretroviral drugs, the dynamics in the transition and the application of the new schemes to ensure a clinical and sustainable economic approach.

Antiretroviral drug resistance in HIV-infected patients in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Systematically obtained data on antiretroviral (ARV) resistance in Colombia are lacking. Local estimates of resistance are needed to guide testing, therapy, and policy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in ARV-naïve individuals and in patients with first ARV failure. Genotypic resistance testing was performed using Viro-seq. Predicted success to first- and second-line regimens recommended by the Colombian HIV treatment guidelines was estimated. RESULTS: One hundred and three naïve and 77 experienced patients were included. For naïve patients, resistance mutations were detected in 5.8%, with the most common mutations being 103N (n=5; 4.9%) and 184V (n=3; 2.9%). CD4 count <200cells/mm(3) (p=0.04) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) category C (p=0.004) were associated with primary resistance. For experienced individuals, regimens were non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based in 57.1%, protease inhibitor (PI)-based in 14.3%, boosted PI-based in 26.0%, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)-based in 2.6% of the cases. Resistance mutations were found in 66 patients (85.7%) with failure. The most common mutations were 184V (n=48; 62.3%), 103N (n=37; 48.1%), G190A/S (n=9; 11.7%), and L90M (n=9; 11.7%). Twelve percent had thymidine analogue mutations (TAMs) but only 1% had more than 1 TAM. The predicted success of regimens recommended by the Colombian guidelines was 95% for naïve patients and 84% for experienced patients. Genotyping could increase the success rates to 100% and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of primary HIV resistance in Colombia is similar to estimates from other countries in Latin America. CD4 count and CDC category C may allow identification of most of the naïve patients who would benefit from resistance testing. Resistance testing could favorably impact therapy modification in about 5% and 10% of naïve and experienced patients, respectively.

Chagasic encephalitis in HIV patients: common presentation of an evolving epidemiological and clinical association.

We present a case of chagasic meningoencephalitis reactivation in an HIV-infected woman with advanced immunosuppression. Prolonged survival was attained with antiparasitic therapy and secondary prophylaxis, in conjunction with the use of highly-active antiretroviral therapy. The geographic expansion of the HIV epidemic around the world coupled with global migration and international travel have created a favourable situation for Trypanosoma cruzi and HIV coinfection. The clinical manifestations of Chagas disease in HIV-positive people usually represent reactivation and not acute infection with T cruzi (coinfection). Symptomatic reactivation of chronic latent T cruzi infection can be triggered by severe immunosuppression associated with HIV infection. In this setting, Chagas disease reactivation often presents as meningoencephalitis resembling toxoplasma encephalitis. We review, in this Grand Round, the clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, pathogenesis, natural history, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of Chagas disease reactivation among HIV-infected people with an emphasis on CNS manifestations.

Rate and predictors of optimal virologic response to antiretroviral therapy in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the rate of optimal response to antiretroviral therapy and its predictors in Colombia. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The medical records of all patients at three major HIV clinics in different areas of Colombia, South America, were reviewed. Eligible patients met the following criteria: (1) viral load test available while on therapy; and (2) patients must have been on a stable first antiviral regimen for at least 1 year (48 weeks). Optimal virologic response was defined as a viral load <400 copies/ml. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty patients were eligible for the study. The optimal virologic response rate was 40% (95% confidence interval 34-46%). Younger age (p=0.02) and western region of the country (p=0.026) were the only significant predictors of non-optimal response in bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed younger age (p=0.0054) and geographic area (p=0.0468) as independent predictors of non-optimal response. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal response rate in some areas of Colombia seems lower than that reported for other areas of the developing world. Poorer virologic responses were observed in younger patients and in those from the western region of the country.

Cáncer Broncogénico: Experiencia de Dos Años en el Hospital Universitario Ramón González Valencia de Bucaramanga / Bronchogenic Cancer: Two Years Experience at the Hospital Universitario Ramón González Valencia

El cáncer broncogénico es hoy en día la cuasa más frecuente de muerte por cáncer entre hombres (34 por ciento) y mujeres (22 por ciento). Hay factores de riesgo que contribuyen a esta enfermedad, siendo el tabaquismo el factor predisponente más importante para su desarrollo. Es de vital importancia reconocer tempranamente esta enfermedad, ya que es la única forma de disminuir la alta mortalidad de este tipo de tumores. En el presente trabajo se revisaron las historias clínicas de todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer broncogénico que fueron vistos en el Hospital Universitario Ramón González Valencia entre enero de 1995 y diciembre de 1996, correspondientes a pacientes con historia clínica que tenían datos histopatológicos concluyentes para cáncer broncogénico o datos clínicos, imagenológicos y citológicos altamente sugestivos de esta enfermedad. En los resultados obtenidos, se encontraron 95 pacientes registrados con diagnóstico de cáncer broncogénico, en donde sólo 47 tenían datos suficientes para ser inlcuidos en el estudio. El diagnóstico fue mas frecuente en hombres con 33 casos (70.2 por ciento) y 14 en mujeres (29.8) por ciento. Treinta pacientes (63.8 por ciento) tenían antecedentes de tabaquismo, siendo la mayoría (24 pacientes) fumadores de mas de 20 paquetes/año. Los síntomas mas frecuentes fueron tos (75 por ciento), disnea (75.5 por ciento) y pérdida de peso (64.4 por ciento) que se presentaron en 45 pacientes (97.5 por ciento). Los hallazgos radiológicos simples y escanográficos mostraron que el signo de masa pulmonar fue el mas frecuente con 22 (46.8 por ciento) y 19 casos (41.3 por ciento) respectivamente, seguido de adenopatías y derrame pleural. El tipo histológico más frecuentemente reportado fue el escamocelular (37.9 por ciento). La mayoría de tumores se diagnosticaron en estados avanzados III B y IV (92.5 por ciento). La conclusión más importante del estudio fue que en el momento de hacer un diagnóstico la gran mayoría de pacientes de pacientes presentaba estadíos avanzados, donde las probabilidades de intervención médico-quirúrgica para mejorar la sobrevida son prácticamente nulas