The impact of asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive disease status on inpatient complications following total joint arthroplasty: a propensity score-matched analysis.

PURPOSE: The number of patients with asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (AHIV) is increasing as the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy improves. While there is research on operative risks associated with having HIV, there is a lack of literature describing the impact of well-controlled HIV on postoperative complications. This study seeks to elucidate the impact of AHIV on postoperative outcomes after total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasty. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing TKA and THA from 2005 to 2013. Subjects were subdivided into those with AHIV and those without HIV (non-HIV). Patient demographics, hospital-related parameters, and postoperative complications were all collected. One-to-one propensity score-matching, Chi-square analysis, and multivariate logistical regressions were performed to compare both cohorts. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between AHIV and non-HIV patients undergoing TKA or THA in terms of sex, age, insurance status, or total costs (all, p ≥ 0.081). AHIV patients had longer lengths of stay (4.0 days) than non-HIV patients after both TKA (3.3 days) and THA (3.1 days) (p ≤ 0.011). Both TKA groups had similar postoperative complication rates (p > 0.081). AHIV patients undergoing THA exhibited an increased rate of overall surgical complications compared non-HIV patients (0 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.043). AHIV was not associated with increased complications following both procedures. CONCLUSION: Despite lengthier hospital stays among AHIV patients, baseline AHIV was not associated with adverse outcomes following TKA and THA. This adds to the literature and warrants further research into the impact of asymptomatic, well-controlled HIV infection on postoperative outcomes following total joint arthroplasty.

Correlation between positive airway pressure and medication adherence: the healthy user effect.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Despite the efficacy of positive airway pressure (PAP) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, adherence remains challenging and negatively affects assessments of effectiveness. It is unclear whether low adherence is due to intolerance of PAP or whether this reflects overall adherence with medical therapy. We sought to correlate PAP use with medication adherence to determine whether poor adherence with PAP was specific to this treatment or represented global compliance with medical therapy. METHODS: A total of 600 consecutive patients with obstructive sleep apnea were treated with PAP. Objective measures of PAP use were correlated with medication adherence. We included all chronically used medications, defined as medications used daily for at least 90 days prior to PAP initiation. Medication use was verified using an electronic health record. PAP adherence ("regular use") was defined as PAP use for ≥ 4 hours/night on ≥ 70% of nights. Medication adherence was defined as > 70% of pills taken as prescribed. RESULTS: Complete records were available for 566 patients; 361 (63.8%) used chronic medications. The cohort was primarily men (90.3%, age 44.6 ± 10.2 years) with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index, 18.1 ± 13.9 events/h). In patients on chronic medications, PAP was used 55.8% of nights and 37.7% were regular users. Patients who were adherent with medications used PAP more hours/night (5.4 vs 4.6, P < .001) and were more likely to have regular PAP use compared with those nonadherent with medications (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence with PAP correlated with adherence to chronic medications. Low PAP adherence may reflect an individual's global adherence to medical care. This association may lead to better identification of patients who benefit from targeted therapy to improve overall health care adherence. CITATION: Lettieri MJ, Warren WA, Walter RJ, Lettieri CJ. Correlation between positive airway pressure and medication adherence: the healthy user effect. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(7):1087-1092.

The Impact of Asymptomatic Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Disease Status on Inpatient Complications Following Spine Surgery: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

In the United States, nearly 1.2 million people > 12 years old have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is associated with postoperative complications following orthopedic procedures. Little is known about how asymptomatic HIV (AHIV) patients fare postoperatively. This study compares complications after common spine surgeries between patients with and without AHIV. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was retrospectively reviewed from 2005-2013, identifying patients aged > 18 years who underwent 2-3-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), ≥4-level thoracolumbar fusion (TLF), or 2-3-level lumbar fusion (LF). Patients with AHIV and without HIV were 1:1 propensity score-matched. Univariate analysis and multivariable binary logistic regression were performed to assess associations between HIV status and outcomes by cohort. 2-3-level ACDF (n = 594 total patients) and ≥4-level TLF (n = 86 total patients) cohorts demonstrated comparable length of stay (LOS), rates of wound-related, implant-related, medical, surgical, and overall complications between AHIV and controls. 2-3-level LF (n = 570 total patients) cohorts had comparable LOS, implant-related, medical, surgical, and overall complications. AHIV patients experienced higher postoperative respiratory complications (4.3% vs. 0.4%,). AHIV was not associated with higher risks of medical, surgical, or overall inpatient postoperative complications following most spine surgical procedures. The results suggest the postoperative course may be improved in patients with baseline control of HIV infection.