Factores asociados a la mala adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral en pacientes VIH positivo / Factors associated with poor adherence to antiretroviral treatment in HIV-positive patients

Introducción: La infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana representa un problema de salud pública en el mundo. La adherencia a la terapia antirretroviral es necesaria para alcanzar un estado de supresión viral máxima y disminuir la tasa de infecciones oportunistas. Sin embargo, diversos son los factores que pueden influir en la adherencia terapéutica. Objetivo: Identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a la mala adherencia a la terapia antirretroviral en pacientes con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana. Métodos: Se empleó un estudio con diseño observacional, analítico, de tipo casos y controles. El tamaño muestral fue de 276, a partir del cual 138 fueron casos y 138 controles. Los datos recolectados fueron analizados utilizando métodos de estadística descriptiva y estadística inferencial. Resultados: El análisis multivariado determinó una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre la variable adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral y las variables depresión (odds ratio OR ajustado= 2,15), esquema de terapia antirretroviral alternativo (OR ajustado= 2,40), efectos secundarios (OR ajustado= 4,24) y cambio en la adherencia durante el estado de emergencia (OR ajustado= 5,67), independientemente de las otras variables intervinientes. Conclusiones: La depresión, el uso del esquema de terapia antirretroviral alternativo, la presencia de efectos secundarios a terapia antirretroviral y el cambio en la adherencia durante el estado de emergencia aumentan el riesgo de mala adherencia a la terapia antirretroviral(AU)

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus infection represents a public health public problem in the world. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is necessary to achieve a state of maximum viral suppression and decrease the rate of opportunistic infections. However, there are several factors that can influence therapeutic adherence. Objective: To identify the risk factors associated with poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus. Methods: A study with an observational, analytical, case-control type design was used. The sample size was 276, from which 138 were cases and 138 controls. The collected data was analyzed using methods of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: The multivariate analysis determined a statistically significant association between the variable adherence to antiretroviral treatment and the variables depression (adjusted Odds Ratio OR = 2.15), alternative antiretroviral therapy scheme (adjusted OR= 2.40), side effects (adjusted OR= 4.24), and change in adherence during the state of emergency (adjusted OR= 5.67) independently of the other intervening variables. Conclusions: Depression, the use of alternative antiretroviral therapy regimens, the presence of side effects to antiretroviral therapy, and the change in adherence during the state of emergency increase the risk of poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy(AU)

Cotidiano de pessoas que vivem com VIH em Bissau, Guiné-Bissau: perspectivas, desafios e vulnerabilidades / Vida diaria de las personas que viven con VIH en Bissau, Guinea-Bissau: perspectivas, desafíos y vulnerabilidades / The daily life of people living with HIV in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau: perspectives, challenges and vulnerabilities

RESUMO Objetivo compreender as perspectivas e desafios no cotidiano de pessoas após a descoberta do viver com VIH em Bissau, Guiné-Bissau, tendo em vista diferentes contextos de vulnerabilidade. Método estudo exploratório-descritivo, que utilizou entrevista semiestruturada com 16 pessoas vivendo com VIH, acompanhadas em um hospital de Bissau. Empregou-se técnica de análise de conteúdo temática. Os relatos dos participantes foram analisados a partir de duas categorias empíricas: A descoberta, os impactos e os desafios de viver com VIH; e Experiência com o antirretroviral: recomeço e perspectivas. Resultados sinalizaram que os desafios iniciam com a revelação do diagnóstico que, geralmente, desperta uma diversidade de sentimentos e comportamentos. O estigma e a discriminação estimulam a adoção do sigilo sobre o status sorológico, resultando na fragilidade de suporte emocional no enfrentamento à soropositividade. A terapia antirretroviral foi vislumbrada como esperança para o enfrentamento da doença. A vulnerabilidade social foi a dimensão que mais se destacou, e violações dos direitos humanos foram constatadas. Conclusão e implicações para a prática o estudo permite compreender as perspectivas, desafios e vulnerabilidades de pessoas que vivem com VIH. O viver com VIH merece atenção especial por parte dos profissionais de saúde que atuam no cuidado dessas pessoas, destacando-se como contribuição a relevância de um cuidado de saúde integral, em que a ética e a subjetividade estejam presentes.

RESUMEN Objetivo este estudio cualitativo tuvo como objetivo comprender perspectivas y desafíos en la vida cotidiana de las personas que viven con VIH en Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, considerando diferentes contextos de vulnerabilidad. Método estudio exploratorio-descriptivo, que utilizó una entrevista semiestructurada con 16 personas que viven con el VIH, seguido en un hospital de Bissau. Se utilizó la técnica de análisis de contenido temático. Los informes de los participantes se analizaron a partir de dos categorías empíricas: El descubrimiento, los impactos y los desafíos de vivir con el VIH; y La experiencia antirretroviral: un nuevo comienzo y perspectivas. Resultados los resultados indicaron que los desafíos comienzan con la divulgación del diagnóstico, que generalmente suscita una diversidad de sentimientos y conductas. El estigma y la discriminación fomentan la adopción del secreto sobre el estado serológico, lo que resulta en un apoyo emocional débil para hacer frente a la seropositividad. La terapia antirretroviral es una esperanza para hacer frente a la enfermedad. La vulnerabilidad social fue la dimensión que más se destacó y se encontraron violaciones a sus derechos humanos. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica el estudio permite comprender las perspectivas, los desafíos y las vulnerabilidades de las personas que viven con el VIH. Vivir con VIH merece especial atención por parte de los profesionales de la salud que actúan en el cuidado de estas personas, destacando como aporte la relevancia de la atención integral en salud, en la que la ética y la subjetividad están presentes.

ABSTRACT Objective to understand perspectives and challenges in the daily lives of people after the discovery of living with HIV in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, considering different contexts of vulnerability. Method an exploratory-descriptive study conducted through semi-structured interviews with sixteen people living with HIV attending a hospital in the city of Bissau. We used the thematic content analysis technique. Participants' reports were analyzed following two empirical categories: Discovery, impacts and challenges of living with HIV; and Experience with antiretroviral therapy: new beginning and perspectives. Results the results indicate that the challenges start with the disclosure of diagnosis, which arouses a diversity of feelings and behaviors. Stigma and discrimination encourage the adoption of confidentiality about serological status, which increases the fragility of emotional support in coping with seropositivity. Antiretroviral therapy was seen as a hope for coping with the disease. Social vulnerability was the dimension that stood out the most, and human rights violations involving people living with HIV were verified. Conclusion and implications for practice the study makes it possible to understand the perspectives, challenges and vulnerabilities of people living with HIV. Living with HIV deserves special attention from health professionals who work in the care of these people, highlighting as a contribution the relevance of comprehensive health care, in which ethics and subjectivity are present.

[Psoriasis and HIV infection, what do French dermatologists do?] / Détection et impact d'une séropositivité VIH chez les patients atteints de psoriasis. Une enquête de pratiques.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of psoriasis among patients presenting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infection is the same as in the general population, but the disease is more severe and refractory, and management is more complex. The aim of this survey was to assess the practices of French dermatologists concerning both screening for HIV in psoriasis patients and therapeutic management and follow-up of psoriasis patients with HIV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An anonymous national survey of practices was conducted by means of a questionnaire emailed to dermatologists in hospital in private practice in France between March and June 2017. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 262 dermatologists. They indicated that they carried out screening for HIV in psoriasis patients presenting risk factors (79.4%), prior to biotherapy (63.4%) or different systemic treatments other than retinoids (53.1%), if the psoriasis was severe (45.8%), or in the event of worsening (37.8%). 28.7% of practitioners surveyed were in fact treating patients with psoriasis and HIV, with a mean 3.1 patients being followed up. All practitioners prescribe systemic treatment, other than cyclosporine, but they frequently consult an infectious disease specialist before prescribing these therapies. The most widely used biotherapy was etanercept (65.5% of practitioners). More intensive laboratory follow-up was conducted for these patients in 72.1% of cases. CONCLUSION: French dermatologists do not perform routine screening for HIV in psoriasis patients. However, where infection has been identified, their practices are modified accordingly. Therapeutic choices are consistent with the French recommendations. Nevertheless, recommendations appear necessary concerning HIV screening in this population.

Short Communication: Therapeutic Immunization Benefits Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cell Recovery in Contrast to Interleukin-2, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor, and Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Addition in HIV-1+ Treated Patients: Individual Case Reports from Phase I Trial.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell populations are reduced in frequency in HIV-1+ patients, and this disruption is associated with systemic immune activation. Reconstitution of MAIT frequency may benefit HIV-1-infected individuals; however, only recently has in vivo work been endeavored. Treatment with interleukin (IL)-2, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) immunotherapy combined with an HIV-1 vaccine in the context of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has shown to reconstitute CD4 T cell population numbers and function. In this study cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 12 HIV-1+ patients who were undergoing a combination of HIV-1 vaccine and/or IL-2, GM-CSF and rhGH immunotherapy in conjunction with ART were analyzed to assess the potential of this treatment to promote MAIT cell proliferation. PBMCs were thawed from study baseline, weeks 2 and 48 time points, fluorescently stained for MAIT cell markers, and assessed by flow cytometric analysis. Matched pairs and intergroup results were statistically compared using appropriate methods. MAIT cell frequency was increased from baseline at 48 weeks in participants who received vaccine only, whereas individuals receiving IL-2, GM-CSF, and rhGH immunotherapy with or without vaccine did not show additional benefit. Although IL-2, GM-CSF, and rhGH treatment promotes CD4 T cell reconstitution and HIV-1-specific T cell function, it does not support MAIT cell recovery in patients on suppressive ART. Therapeutic immunization however has a positive effect, highlighting the importance of aiming for balanced promotion of T cell population reconstitution to impact on HIV-1 transmission and pathogenesis.

Potential interactions in a cohort of elderly hiv-positive patients.

OBJECTIVE: The increase of HIV-patients life expectancy leads to a new model of patient with chronic diseases and polymedicated. For this reason we ought to  know in clinical practice the prevalence of polypharmacy and drug-drug  interactions between the antiretroviral drugs and comedication in our patients in  order to identify and prevent them. METHOD: A retrospective, descriptive study carried out in > 50 years old patients on antiretroviral treatment. Results: We included 242 patients of whom 148 (61%) were receiving concomitant treatment. 243 potential interactions were detected,  where 197 are considered moderate and 46 severe, affecting 110 patients. 35  (76%) interactions were related to boosted protease inhibitors. The main  consequence of these interactions was the increase in plasma concentrations of  comedication (48%). Statins were the comedication most involved in severe  drug-druginteractions (24%), followed by inhaled corticosteroids (15%). CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy was found in about half of our study population and the prevalence of drug-drug interactions was high. Hospital pharmacists may  play a crucial role in their detection, management and early communication.

Objetivo: El aumento de la esperanza de vida conduce a un nuevo modelo de  paciente VIH positivo, con enfermedades crónicas y, en ocasiones, polimedicado. Pretendemos con este estudio conocer la complejidad de los tratamientos e  identificar potenciales interacciones entre antirretrovirales y medicación  domiciliaria de nuestros pacientes, con objeto de tenerlas identificadas y poder  prevenirlas.Método: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, en una cohorte de pacientes con  tratamiento antirretroviral mayores de 50 años en un hospital de tercer grado. Resultados: Se incluyeron 242 pacientes, de los que 148 (61%) recibían algún  otro tratamiento. Detectamos 243 potenciales interacciones: 197 consideradas  moderadas y 46 graves; afectando a 110 pacientes. De las graves, 35 (76%) se  relacionaron con inhibidores de proteasa potenciados. La principal consecuencia  fue un aumento de las concentraciones plasmáticas del tratamiento domiciliario  (48%). Las estatinas (24%) fueron el grupo especialmente implicado en las  interacciones graves, seguidas de los corticoides inhalados (15%). Conclusiones: Prácticamente la mitad de los pacientes estaban polimedicados, observándose un elevado número de potenciales interacciones moderadas o graves. El farmacéutico de hospital debe jugar un  papel crucial en su detección, manejo y comunicación precoz.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Funded Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing, Positivity, and Service Delivery among Newly Diagnosed Women in 61 Health Department Jurisdictions, United States, 2014.

BACKGROUND: More than 1.2 million persons are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States; at the end of 2011, 23% of them were women. Minority women are disproportionately affected by HIV, and new infections are higher among older women. HIV testing and service delivery among women funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is examined. METHODS: Data were submitted by 61 health department jurisdictions. HIV testing, HIV-positive tests, new HIV diagnoses among women, and linkage and referral services among newly diagnosed women are described. Differences across demographic characteristics for HIV diagnoses, linkage, and referral services were assessed. Diagnoses were identified as new when women who tested HIV positive were not found to be reported previously in the jurisdiction's HIV surveillance system; when jurisdictions could not verify prior test results in their surveillance systems, new diagnoses were identified by self-report. RESULTS: Of CDC-funded testing events in 2014, 1,484,902 (48.7%) were among women, and they accounted for 19.5% of all HIV-positive testing events. Among women tested, 0.4% were HIV positive, and 0.1% had new HIV diagnoses. Women aged 40 and older and Black women were more likely to test HIV positive (0.7% and 0.5%, respectively). Among newly diagnosed women, 62.8% were linked within any timeframe, 57.1% were linked within 90 days, 74.1% were referred to partner services, 57.5% were interviewed for partner services, and 55.5% were referred to HIV risk reduction services. CONCLUSIONS: Among all women receiving CDC-funded HIV testing, Black women and older women were more likely to have HIV-positive tests and new diagnoses. Although women overall may not be at the highest risk for HIV, Black women in this sample are disproportionately affected. Additionally, linkage, referral, and interview services for women need improvement. Targeted testing approaches may ensure effective test-and-treat strategies for women.

Cost and quality of life analysis of HIV self-testing and facility-based HIV testing and counselling in Blantyre, Malawi.

BACKGROUND: HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been found to be highly effective, but no cost analysis has been undertaken to guide the design of affordable and scalable implementation strategies. METHODS: Consecutive HIV self-testers and facility-based testers were recruited from participants in a community cluster-randomised trial ( ISRCTN02004005 ) investigating the impact of offering HIVST in addition to facility-based HIV testing and counselling (HTC). Primary costing studies were undertaken of the HIVST service and of health facilities providing HTC to the trial population. Costs were adjusted to 2014 US$ and INT$. Recruited participants were asked about direct non-medical and indirect costs associated with accessing either modality of HIV testing, and additionally their health-related quality of life was measured using the EuroQol EQ-5D. RESULTS: A total of 1,241 participants underwent either HIVST (n = 775) or facility-based HTC (n = 446). The mean societal cost per participant tested through HIVST (US$9.23; 95 % CI: US$9.14-US$9.32) was lower than through facility-based HTC (US$11.84; 95 % CI: US$10.81-12.86). Although the mean health provider cost per participant tested through HIVST (US$8.78) was comparable to facility-based HTC (range: US$7.53-US$10.57), the associated mean direct non-medical and indirect cost was lower (US$2.93; 95 % CI: US$1.90-US$3.96). The mean health provider cost per HIV positive participant identified through HIVST was higher (US$97.50) than for health facilities (range: US$25.18-US$76.14), as was the mean cost per HIV positive individual assessed for anti-retroviral treatment (ART) eligibility and the mean cost per HIV positive individual initiated onto ART. In comparison to the facility-testing group, the adjusted mean EQ-5D utility score was 0.046 (95 % CI: 0.022-0.070) higher in the HIVST group. CONCLUSIONS: HIVST reduces the economic burden on clients, but is a costlier strategy for the health provider aiming to identify HIV positive individuals for treatment. The provider cost of HIVST could be substantially lower under less restrictive distribution models, or if costs of oral fluid HIV test kits become comparable to finger-prick kits used in health facilities.

Entre idas e vindas: histórias de homens sobre seus itinerários ao serviço de saúde para diagnóstico e tratamento de HIV/Aids / Between comings and goings: stories of men's itineraries to HIV/Aids health services

ResumoA partir de um estudo epidemiológico sobre apresentação tardia ao serviço de saúde para diagnóstico e tratamento de HIV/Aids, este artigo busca aprofundar a discussão sobre alguns aspectos envolvidos nesse processo. Buscou-se registrar narrativas de homens sobre suas trajetórias ou itinerários no processo de diagnóstico e tratamento de HIV/Aids, descrevendo os acontecimentos e atores presentes nas práticas cotidianas em que ocorrem os deslocamentos até o serviço de saúde. Foram realizadas 25 entrevistas semiestruturadas com homens com sorologia positiva para HIV, em um centro de referência para diagnóstico e tratamento em HIV/Aids, na cidade de Salvador, Bahia. Algumas dessas histórias estão presentes no decorrer deste artigo. Para além de um momento específico de apresentação tardia ao serviço de saúde, destaca-se a existência de uma série de ações/acontecimentos que se estende no tempo, ora dificultando, ora facilitando a continuidade do tratamento. Nessa direção, reconhecemos também a existência de barreiras, conflitos e tensões que ocorrem no interior das práticas do cuidado à saúde. Entretanto, essas mesmas tensões podem mobilizar formas e estratégias diversas de ação para que ocorra um acolhimento melhor e um cuidado à saúde de forma contínua e mais integral.

AbstractAs part of an epidemiologic study on late presentation (LP) to HIV/Aids health services, this study intends to analyze men´s narratives on trajectories or itineraries in seeking for HIV/Aids services and further describe the events and actors present on daily practices in which occurs the displacement of the patients to the health service. The study was conducted at the only State Reference Center for HIV/Aids in Salvador, Bahia. Twenty five semi-structured interviews with men - with positive HIV serology - were realized at the reference center. Some of those narratives are presented throughout this article. This article considers LP to health services not as an specific moment. Beyond that, it analyses the existence of a network of actions/events which prolongs the LP on time, sometimes hindering and sometimes facilitating the ongoing treatment. In this direction we also recognize the existence of barriers, conflicts and tensions in which occurs the practices of health care. Nonetheless, these same conflicts enable the creation of several actions and strategies to a better reception and a more continuous and fulfilled way of health care.

Delayed linkage to care in one-third of HIV-positive individuals in the Netherlands.

OBJECTIVES: To determine time to linkage to HIV care following diagnosis and to identify risk factors for delayed linkage. METHODS: Patients newly diagnosed with HIV at sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinics in the Netherlands were followed until linkage to care. Data were collected at the time of diagnosis and at first consultation in care, including demographics, behavioural information, CD4+ counts and HIV viral load (VL) measurements. Delayed linkage to care was defined as >4 weeks between HIV diagnosis and first consultation. RESULTS: 310 participants were included; the majority (90%) being men who have sex with men (MSM). For 259 participants (84%), a date of first consultation in care was known; median time to linkage was 9 days (range 0-435). Overall, 95 (31%) of the participants were not linked within 4 weeks of diagnosis; among them, 44 were linked late, and 51 were not linked at all by the end of study follow-up. Being young (<25 years), having non-Western ethnicity or lacking health insurance were independently associated with delayed linkage to care as well as being referred to care indirectly. Baseline CD4+ count, VL, perceived social support and stigma at diagnosis were not associated with delayed linkage. Risk behaviour and CD4+ counts declined between diagnosis and linkage to care. CONCLUSIONS: Although most newly diagnosed patients with HIV were linked to care within 4 weeks, delay was observed for one-third, with over half of them not yet linked at the end of follow-up. Vulnerable subpopulations (young, uninsured, ethnic minority) were at risk for delayed linkage. Testing those at risk is not sufficient, timely linkage to care needs to be better assured as well.

Advance directives among people living with HIV: room for improvement.

While HIV has become a largely chronic disease, age-associated comorbidities are prevalent in people living with HIV (PLWH). Therefore, PLWH are appropriate for advance care planning (ACP) and advance directives (ADs) completion. We sought to characterize AD completion among outpatient PLWH. We conducted a retrospective chart review of PLWH who receive their routine care at the University of Wisconsin HIV clinic. Data were extracted from the electronic health record. Variables were entered into a stepwise multivariate logistic regression model to assess which factors were independently associated with AD completion. Five hundred and eighty eight charts were reviewed. Eighty-one percent of subjects were male and 72% were white; mean age was 46.8 years. ADs were completed by 134 subjects and 6.7% of those were completed at the HIV clinic. In the final multivariate model, those who had completed an AD were more likely to be older than age 45; ever been diagnosed with AIDS; have cardiovascular disease, neurologic disorder, chronic kidney disease, or malignancy. In this study, a small percentage of patients had documented ADs, with only a small proportion completed in the HIV clinic. The HIV clinic is an underutilized resource to offer ACP. Interventions are needed to provide the necessary ACP resources for PLWH.

Integralidade do cuidado na testagem anti-HIV: o olhar das mulheres / Care integrality in HIV testing: the look of women / Atención integral en las pruebas del VIH: la mirada de las mujeres

A detecção da positividade para o HIV, durante o trabalho de parto, por meio dos testes rápidos, fragiliza as mulheres e gera demandas específicas de cuidados. Este estudo objetivou analisar o cuidado profissional a mulheres com teste rápido positivo para HIV a partir do olhar de mulheres que tomaram conhecimento da positividade durante o trabalho de parto ou puerpério. Trata-se de estudo do tipo exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e analisados por meio da técnica de análise de discurso. Observou-se que as relações de cuidado às mulheres com teste rápido positivo para HIV se distanciam da integralidade, uma vez que se mantêm distantes e superficiais, sendo norteadas pelo modelo biomédico. A incorporação da perspectiva da integralidade nas ações de saúde exige reflexão por parte do(a)s profissionais, do(a)s gestore(a)s do sistema público de saúde, bem como a capacitação desse(a)s profissionais.

The positive detection during partum labor makes women weak and generates specific care demands. The aim of this research was to analyze professional care to women with positive result from fast HIV test based on the point of view of women who knew the positive result during partum labor or postpartum. This is an exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the discourse analysis technique. It was observed that the relations of care for women with positive rapid HIV test are far away from integrality, since they remain distant and superficial, being guided by the biomedical model. The mainstreaming of integrality in health care requires consideration by the professional, public health system managers, as well as training of those professionals.

La detección de seropositividad durante el trabajo de parto debilita las mujeres y genera demandas específicas de atención. El estudio objetivó analizar la atención profesional a las mujeres con resultado positivo para el VIH, desde la mirada de las mujeres que se enteraron de la seropositividad durante el trabajo de parto o el puerperio. El estudio es de carácter exploratorio con un abordaje cualitativo. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de entrevistas semi-estructuradas y analizadas con la técnica del análisis del discurso. Fue observado que las relaciones de atención a las mujeres seropositivas para el VIH se distancian de la integralidad, ya que se mantienen alejadas y superficiales, siendo guiado por el modelo biomédico. La incorporación de la perspectiva de la integralidad en las acciones de salud requiere una reflexión por parte de los profesionales, de los administradores del sistema de salud pública, además de la capacitación de estos profesionales.

Conclusions from the HIV in Europe Copenhagen 2012 Conference and ways forward: working together for optimal HIV testing and earlier care.

The objective of this article is to set the scene for this supplement by presenting and discussing the overall outcomes of the HIV in Europe Copenhagen 2012 Conference and how the HIV in Europe initiative intends to further address challenges and themes raised during the conference.

Stem cell mobilization in HIV seropositive patients with lymphoma.

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell rescue has been reported as feasible and effective in HIV-associated lymphoma. Although a sufficient number of stem cells seems achievable in most patients, there are cases of stem cell harvest failure. The aim of this study was to describe the mobilization policies used in HIV-associated lymphoma, evaluate the failure rate and identify factors influencing mobilization results. We analyzed 155 patients who underwent attempted stem cell mobilization at 10 European centers from 2000-2012. One hundred and twenty patients had non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 35 Hodgkin lymphoma; 31% had complete remission, 57% chemosensitive disease, 10% refractory disease, 2% untested relapse. Patients were mobilized with chemotherapy + G-CSF (86%) or G-CSF alone (14%); 73% of patients collected >2 and 48% >5 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg. Low CD4+ count and refractory disease were associated with mobilization failure. Low CD4(+) count, low platelet count and mobilization with G-CSF correlated with lower probability to achieve >5 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg, whereas cyclophosphamide ≥ 3 g/m(2) + G-CSF predicted higher collections. Circulating CD34(+) cells and CD34/WBC ratio were strongly associated with collection result. HIV infection alone should not preclude an attempt to obtain stem cells in candidates for autologous transplant as the results are comparable to the HIV-negative population.

Lifetime drinking trajectories among veterans in treatment for HIV.

BACKGROUND: Previous work on the course of drinking across the life course identified 4 distinct patterns of problem drinking: severe chronic (SC), severe nonchronic (SNC), late onset (LO), and young adult (YA). The purpose of the current study was to determine the generalizability of these findings to a sample of midlife veterans with quite different characteristics from those previously assessed; specifically, veterans in treatment for HIV and veterans in treatment for non-HIV medical issues. METHODS: Participants were drawn from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study that included HIV-positive and matched non-HIV participants. As in our earlier studies, the lifetime drinking history was used to assess drinking phases, and latent growth mixture models were used for analyses. RESULTS: Similar to previous findings, both the HIV+ and non-HIV groups exhibited 4 patterns of drinking (SC, SNC, LO, and YA). SC drinkers had younger ages of onset for drinking and longer duration of smoking. SC drinkers also had the highest rates of cocaine use. Within the HIV+ subsample, SC and LO drinkers increased their drinking after their HIV diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to examine lifetime drinking patterns among those treated for HIV and provides an excellent starting point for examining finer-grained relationships involving drinking, onset of HIV, and treatment outcomes. Absent from the current study and of particular importance to future work in this area is the need for precise information regarding the temporal relationship between date of HIV diagnosis, onset of treatment, and changes in drinking behavior over the life course.

Kidney disease in hospitalised HIV positive children in Ibadan, south west Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the clinicopathologic pattern of kidney disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive children from sub-Saharan Africa and non from south west Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical pattern and outcome of kidney disease among HIV positive children hospitalised at a tertiary hospital South West Nigeria METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study of all HIV positive children who were hospitalised and managed for kidney diseases over a period of 78 months at the University College Hospital Ibadan, South West Nigeria. Patients were followed up over the duration of hospital admission. RESULTS: Ten children (six males and four females) aged 4-15 (10.4 +/- 3.2) years were identified. Four presented in acute kidney injury, (AKI) three with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and two in chronic kidney failure (CKF). One patient had left renal artery stenosis. Renal biopsy performed in three children showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in two patients and membranous nephropathy in the third. Management included antiretroviral therapy, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and acute haemodialysis. Mortality was 40%. CONCLUSION: AKI, NS and CKF were the predominant clinical patterns of kidney disease in hospitalised HIV positive children and the mortality is high.

[The management of dialysis patients seropositive for HBsAg, anti-HCV, or anti-HIV antibodies]. / La gestione del paziente HBsAg positivo, HCV positivo e HIV positivo in dialisi.

Infections by hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus are still common among patients on maintenance dialysis in Western countries. The natural history of HBV and HCV in the dialysis population remains unclear; however, there is good evidence showing an adverse impact of an anti-HCV seropositive status on survival in dialysis patients. A recent meta-analysis of observational studies (n=7, 11,589 unique patients) reported that anti-HCV-positive patients on dialysis had a higher mortality rate than those who were anti-HCV negative (adjusted hazard ratio=1.35, 95% confidence interval, 1.13; 1.59, p<0.001). This was in part attributed to a higher frequency of chronic hepatitis C and its attending complications (cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma). In addition, HCV appeared to have a negative influence on quality of life. Recent clinical guidelines by the KDIGO Study Group have not suggested the isolation of anti-HCV-positive patients on maintenance dialysis. Standard precautions and specific procedures against the transmission of blood-borne agents have been recommended to control HCV infection within dialysis units. Isolation by dialysis machines, staff and rooms has been strongly recommended to control HBV. Vaccination is an important tool against transmission of HBV infection among patients on maintenance dialysis; however, the immune response towards the hepatitis B vaccine in uremic patients remains unsatisfactory. Monotherapy with lamivudine is currently used for dialysis patients with hepatitis B whereas combination antiviral therapy (pegylated interferon plus ribavirin) is the standard of care for hepatitis C in the dialysis population, even if various side effects have been observed.

A dedicated clinic for HIV-positive individuals over 50 years of age: a multidisciplinary experience.

The HIV-infected population is ageing. Issues including polypharmacy and co-morbidities led us to develop a dedicated clinic for HIV-infected individuals over 50. We describe our service evaluation after two years. The over 50 clinic commenced in January 2009. The team comprises a registrar, consultant, nurse practitioner and is supported by a pharmacist and mental health services. Patients undergo a full medication and drug interactions review, neurocognitive assessment, adherence self-assessment and investigations including therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) and bone mineral density. Over two years of activity, 150 patients attended the service. Median (range) age was 58 (50-88), all were on combined antiretroviral therapy and 38% (57/150) were on ≥3 non-HIV drugs. CACS was high (>90th centile) in 14%. Thirty-eight percent had osteopaenia and 18% had osteoporosis requiring treatment. Thirteen out of 125 men had an increased prostate specific antigen, four were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Drug interaction, TDM and neurocognitive assessments were useful for several patients. Asymptomatic patients over 50 in long-term follow-up had new pathologies detected through targeted screening. The clinic has improved general practitioner (GP) liaison and facilitated closer working relationships with other specialties. Patients have reacted positively to the clinic, particularly as many do not routinely access their GP.