Factores que influenciam a utilização de serviços pré-natais num contexto urbano: estudo de caso do centro de saúde 1º de maio, cidade de maputo / Factors influencing the use of antenatal services in an urban setting: a case study of the case study of the 1º de maio health center, maputo city

Os cuidados pré-natais são fundamentais para assegurar uma boa saúde da gestante e da futura criança. Foram objectivos deste estudo, analisar os factores que influenciam a utilização de serviços pré-natais definida como a realização de pelo menos quatro consultas pré-natais. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal com uma abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa no Centro de Saúde 1º de Maio, na Cidade de Maputo. A componente quantitativa foi baseada num questionário aplicado às puérperas na maternidade e na consulta pós-parto. A componente qualitativa foi baseada na observação participativa e em entrevistas em profundidade às Enfermeiras de Saúde Materno-Infantil. Foram submetidas ao questionário um total de 271 puérperas, com idades entre os 16 e os 42 anos. Destas, 233 (86%) realizaram mais do que quatro consultas pré-natais. O início do tratamento anti-retroviral na consulta pré-natal foi o único factor associado a menor utilização dos serviços pré-natais (p ≤ 0,05). Os dados qualitativos mostraram que, no geral, o Centro de Saúde apresentou condições para a prestação dos serviços pré-natais, com a excepção da falta de água potável para a toma de medicamentos sob observação directa e um stock insuficiente de suplemento de ferro e ácido fólico. Embora existam algumas deficiências na oferta de alguns serviços neste Centro de Saúde, a utilização dos serviços pré natais é, em geral, alta. Esta alta utilização dos serviços pode ser explicada pela localização - zona urbana, onde o acesso a informação e aos serviços de saúde é mais facilitado.

Antenatal care is essential to ensure a good health for pregnant women and for expected offspring. The objectives of this study were to analyze factors that influence the utilization of antenatal services, defined as at least four antenatal visits. A cross-sectional descriptive study, using both quantitative and qualitative methods, was carried out at 1o de Maio Health Center in Maputo City. The quantitative component was based on a questionnaire administered to postpartum women in the maternity ward and in the postpartum consultation. The qualitative component was based on participatory observation and in-depth interviews with providers of maternal and child health services. A total of 271 postpartum women, with ages ranging from 16 and 42 years, were responded to a questionnaire. Among them, 233 (86%) had complete more than four antenatal visits. Initiation of anti-retroviral treatment at antenatal care was the only factor associated with lower use of antenatal services (p≤ 0.05). The qualitative data show that overall, the health Center was ready to provide antenatal services, with the exception of lack of drinking water for the direct observation treatment, and an insufficient stock of iron and folic acid supplementation. Although there are some deficiencies in the provision of some services at the health Center level, the use of antenatal services is, in general, high. This high utilization of services may be explained by the location - an urban area, where access to information and health services is easier.

Outcomes of immunomodulatory and biologic therapy in people living with HIV.

OBJECTIVES: Immunomodulatory drugs (IMDs) are crucial for treating autoimmune, inflammatory, and oncologic conditions. Data regarding the safety of IMDs in people living with HIV (PLWH) are limited. We describe outcomes in all PLWH prescribed these agents from 2000--2019 at two academic medical centers. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We systematically identified and reviewed charts of all PLWH receiving IMDs. We defined a treatment episode as an uninterrupted period on an IMD regimen. We quantified infections, blips (detectable plasma HIV RNA following an undetectable result), and virologic failure (progression from plasma HIV RNA <200 copies/ml to two consecutive values >200 copies/ml despite ART). RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients contributed 110 treatment episodes. Rheumatologic comorbidities were the most frequent indication. The most common IMD classes were TNF inhibitors, antimetabolites, and checkpoint inhibitors. Ninety percent of treatment episodes involved concomitant ART. Median pretreatment CD4 T-cell count was 609 cells/µl (IQR 375--861). Among 51 treatment episodes on ART with undetectable pretreatment plasma HIV RNA, HIV became detectable within 1 year in 21 of 51 cases (41.2%); there were no instances of virologic failure. Compared with other agents, treatment episodes involving checkpoint inhibitors were more likely to involve a blip (77.8 vs. 33.3%, P = 0.015). Thirteen treatment episodes (11.8%) were associated with concomitant infection; none was attributed to IMDs by the treating clinician. CONCLUSION: PLWH treated with IMDs should be monitored carefully for virologic blips and incident infections. Checkpoint inhibitors may be associated with a higher rate of viral blips, although the clinical significance is unclear.

Effect of Yoga on Antiretroviral Adherence Postincarceration in HIV+ Individuals.

The negative impacts of stress on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and the many stressors faced by people returning from incarceration support the need for stress reduction interventions for this population. We hypothesized that 37 returning citizens living with HIV and substance use problems randomized to a 12-session weekly yoga intervention would experience improved ART adherence, lower viral loads, and lower heart rate and blood pressure as compared to 36 people randomized to treatment as usual (TAU). We found that ART adherence increased for yoga participants and decreased for TAU participants. There were no significant changes for viral load, heart rate, or blood pressure. The lack of statistically significant effects may be due to a small sample size and enrollment of people largely in HIV treatment. Studies with larger sample sizes and participants exhibiting low ART adherence are warranted to better understand yoga's impact.

Integrated and differentiated methadone and HIV care for people who use drugs: a qualitative study in Kenya with implications for implementation science.

Integrating methadone and HIV care is a priority in many low- and middle-income settings experiencing a growing challenge of HIV epidemics linked to injecting drug use. There is as yet little understanding of how to integrate methadone and HIV care in these settings and how such services can be implemented; such a gap reflects, in part, limitations in theorizing an implementation science of integrated care. In response, we qualitatively explored the delivery of methadone after its introduction in Kenya to understand integration with HIV care. Semi-structured interviews with people using methadone (n = 30) were supplemented by stakeholder interviews (n = 2) and participant observation in one city. Thematic analysis was used, that also drew on Mol's logic of care as an analytical framework. Respondents described methadone clinic-based care embedded in community support systems. Daily observed clinic care was challenging for methadone and stigmatizing for HIV treatment. In response to these challenges, integration evolved and HIV care differentiated to other sites. The resulting care system was acceptable to respondents and allowed for choice over locations and approaches to HIV care. Using Mol's logic of care as an analytical framework, we explore what led to this differentiation in integrated care. We explore co-production and experimentation around HIV care that compares with more limited experimentation for methadone. This experimentation is bounded by available discourses and materials. The study supports continued integration of services whilst allowing for differentiation of these models to adapt to client preferences. Co-location of integrated services must prioritize clinic organization that prevents HIV status disclosure. Our analysis fosters a material perspective for theory of implementation science and integration of services that focuses attention on local experimentation shaped by context.

Evaluation of the reproductive toxicity of antiretroviral drug loaded lactoferrin nanoparticles.

Multiple prevention therapy has gained importance for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS. Antiretroviral drugs encapsulated in nanoparticles have been developed for efficient delivery of the drugs to the vaginal surface. Lactoferrin nanoparticles (LFNPs) encapsulating anticancer or antiretroviral drugs are found to be promising agents to specifically deliver drugs at the target sites. Recent studies indicate that the bioavailability is higher for antiretroviral drugs delivered by LFNPs than when the drugs are administered alone. Although LFNP-mediated drug delivery via the oral or vaginal route for the treatment of HIV/AIDS is promising, the effect of such administrations is not well studied. Drug-loaded LFNPs when administered to rats by the vaginal route did not show any effect on the reproductive performance, fertility, and postnatal development. Oral administration of drug-loaded LFNPs caused a significant decrease in litter size, whereas the reproductive performance and postnatal development remained normal. In our model system, the results indicate that vaginal administration of drug-loaded LFNPs appears safer and can be projected for the delivery of antiretroviral agents via the vaginal route. Abbreviations: LFNPs: lactoferrin nanoparticles; STIs: sexually transmitted diseases infections; NPs: nanoparticles; LF: lactoferrin; DL-LFNPs: drug loaded lactoferrin nanoparticles; MPT: multiple prevention techniques.

Absence of effect of the antiretrovirals Duovir and Viraday on mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Most toxicity associated with antiretroviral drugs is thought to result from disruption of mitochondrial function. Unfortunately, there are no validated laboratory markers for clinically assessing the onset of mitochondrial toxicity associated with antiretroviral therapy. In a previous study on mitochondrial hepatocytes, the protease inhibitor lopimune was shown to induce mitochondrial toxicity by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreasing respiratory control ratio (RCR) reflecting compromised mitochondrial efficiency in adenosine triphosphate production. Mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production were directly correlated with the expression of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). In the current study we aim to determine the toxicity of nucleoside or nucleotide and nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, Duovir and Viraday on liver mitochondria isolated from treated mice by monitoring UCP2 expression. Our results showed that both Duovir and Viraday had no effect on mitochondrial respiration states 2, 3, 4, and on RCR. In addition, ROS generation and UCP2 expression were not affected. In conclusion, our results indicate the difference in the mechanism of action of distinct classes of antiretroviral drugs on mitochondrial functions and may associate UCP2 expression with subclinical mitochondrial damage as marker of cellular oxidative stress.

Inhibition of p38 MAPK in combination with ART reduces SIV-induced immune activation and provides additional protection from immune system deterioration.

Differences in immune activation were identified as the most significant difference between AIDS-susceptible and resistant species. p38 MAPK, activated in HIV infection, is key to induction of interferon-stimulated genes and cytokine-mediated inflammation and is associated with some of the pathology produced by HIV or SIV infection in AIDS-susceptible primates. As small molecule p38 MAPK inhibitors are being tested in human trials for inflammatory diseases, we evaluated the effects of treating SIV-infected macaques with the p38 MAPK inhibitor PH-797804 in conjunction with ART. PH-797804 had no side effects, did not impact negatively the antiviral immune response and, used alone, had no significant effect on levels of immune activation and did not reduced the viremia. When administered with ART, it significantly reduced numerous immune activation markers compared to ART alone. CD38+/HLA-DR+ and Ki-67+ T-cell percentages in blood, lymph node and rectal CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, PD-1 expression in CD8+ T cells and plasma levels of IFNα, IFNγ, TNFα, IL-6, IP-10, sCD163 and C-reactive protein were all significantly reduced. Significant preservation of CD4+, CD4+ central memory, CD4+/IL-22+ and CD4+/IL-17+ T-cell percentages and improvement of Th17/Treg ratio in blood and rectal mucosa were also observed. Importantly, the addition of PH-797804 to ART initiated during chronic SIV infection reduced immune activation and restored immune system parameters to the levels observed when ART was initiated on week 1 after infection. After ART interruption, viremia rebounded in a similar fashion in all groups, regardless of when ART was initiated. We concluded that the inhibitor PH-797804 significantly reduced, even if did not normalized, the immune activation parameters evaluated during ART treatment, improved preservation of critical populations of the immune system targeted by SIV, and increased the efficacy of ART treatment initiated in chronic infection to levels similar to those observed when initiated in acute infection but did not affect positively or negatively viral reservoirs.

Effect of ready-to-use supplementary food on mortality in severely immunocompromised HIV-infected individuals in Africa initiating antiretroviral therapy (REALITY): an open-label, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, severely immunocompromised HIV-infected individuals have a high risk of mortality during the first few months after starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). We hypothesise that universally providing ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) would increase early weight gain, thereby reducing early mortality compared with current guidelines recommending ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for severely malnourished individuals only. METHODS: We did a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial, open-label, parallel-group trial at inpatient and outpatient facilities in eight urban or periurban regional hospitals in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Eligible participants were ART-naive adults and children aged at least 5 years with confirmed HIV infection and a CD4 cell count of fewer than 100 cells per µL, who were initiating ART at the facilities. We randomly assigned participants (1:1) to initiate ART either with (RUSF) or without (no-RUSF) 12 weeks' of peanut-based RUSF containing 1000 kcal per day and micronutrients, given as two 92 g packets per day for adults and one packet (500 kcal per day) for children aged 5-12 years, regardless of nutritional status. In both groups, individuals received supplementation with RUTF only when severely malnourished (ie, body-mass index [BMI] <16-18 kg/m2 or BMI-for-age Z scores <-3 for children). We did the randomisation with computer-generated, sequentially numbered tables with different block sizes incorporated within an online database. Randomisation was stratified by centre, age, and two other factorial randomisations, to 12 week adjunctive raltegravir and enhanced anti-infection prophylaxis (reported elsewhere). Clinic visits were scheduled at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48, and included nurse assessment of vital status and symptoms and dispensing of all medication including ART and RUSF. The primary outcome was mortality at week 24, analysed by intention to treat. Secondary outcomes included absolute changes in weight, BMI, and mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC). Safety was analysed in all randomly assigned participants. Follow-up was 48 weeks. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01825031) and the ISRCTN registry (43622374). FINDINGS: Between June 18, 2013, and April 10, 2015, we randomly assigned 1805 participants to treatment: 897 to RUSF and 908 to no-RUSF. 56 (3%) were lost-to-follow-up. 96 (10·9%, 95% CI 9·0-13·1) participants allocated to RUSF and 92 (10·3%, 8·5-12·5) to no-RUSF died within 24 weeks (hazard ratio 1·05, 95% CI 0·79-1·40; log-rank p=0·75), with no evidence of interaction with the other randomisations (both p>0·7). Through 48 weeks, adults and adolescents aged 13 years and older in the RUSF group had significantly greater gains in weight, BMI, and MUAC than the no-RUSF group (p=0·004, 0·004, and 0·03, respectively). The most common type of serious adverse event was specific infections, occurring in 90 (10%) of 897 participants assigned RUSF and 87 (10%) of 908 assigned no-RUSF. By week 48, 205 participants had serious adverse events in both groups (p=0·81), and 181 had grade 4 adverse events in the RUSF group compared with 172 in the non-RUSF group (p=0·45). INTERPRETATION: In severely immunocompromised HIV-infected individuals, providing RUSF universally at ART initiation, compared with providing RUTF to severely malnourished individuals only, improved short-term weight gain but not mortality. A change in policy to provide nutritional supplementation to all severely immunocompromised HIV-infected individuals starting ART is therefore not warranted at present. FUNDING: Joint Global Health Trials Scheme (UK Medical Research Council, UK Department for International Development, and Wellcome Trust).

TMC120 displayed potent cytotoxic effect on human cervical carcinoma through enhancing the polymerization of microtubules.

OBJECTIVE: In the post-HAART era, the incidence of some AIDS-defining cancers declined markedly likely reflecting HAART-related improvements in immunity, whereas incidence of some cancers such as cervical cancer has not been affected. Therefore, it is valuable to find whether antiretroviral drugs or prophylactic microbicides could treat or prevent these cancers, especially the cervical cancer. DESIGN: We screened the anti-HIV drugs, approved or in phase III clinical trials, to identify a potential anticancer drug candidate. METHODS: We chose cervical HeLa and SiHa cancer cells and focused on studying the antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay, the cytotoxic effect was obtained through apoptosis as evidenced by Annexin V flow cytometry assay because of the arresting of cancer cells in G2/M phase of cell cycle. Nude mice xenograft model was performed to detect the antitumor effect in vivo. RESULTS: TMC120 was identified as a potential anticancer drug candidate. TMC120 displayed potent cytotoxic effect on various human cancer cells, including cervical carcinoma cell line HeLa and SiHa. Further mechanism study showed that TMC120 enhanced the polymerization of microtubules, which was followed by mitotic arrest, as well as abnormal mitotic spindles. TMC120 also substantially retarded the growth rate of the tumor in vivo. CONCLUSION: TMC120 is a potential chemoprophylactic and therapeutic agent for cervical cancers in a manner similar to paclitaxel, and could be suitable for helping healthy women to prevent HIV infection and cervical cancer.

HIV Drug Resistance in Adults Receiving Early vs. Delayed Antiretroviral Therapy: HPTN 052.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated HIV drug resistance in adults who received early vs. delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a multinational trial [HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052, enrollment 2005-2010]. In HPTN 052, 1763 index participants were randomized to start ART at a CD4 cell count of 350-550 cells/mm (early ART arm) or <250 cells/mm (delayed ART arm). In May 2011, interim study results showed benefit of early ART, and all participants were offered ART regardless of CD4 cell count; the study ended in 2015. METHODS: Virologic failure was defined as 2 consecutive viral loads >1000 copies/mL >24 weeks after ART initiation. Drug resistance testing was performed for pretreatment (baseline) and failure samples from participants with virologic failure. RESULTS: HIV genotyping results were obtained for 211/249 participants (128 early ART arm and 83 delayed ART arm) with virologic failure. Drug resistance was detected in 4.7% of participants at baseline; 35.5% had new resistance at failure. In univariate analysis, the frequency of new resistance at failure was lower among participants in the early ART arm (compared with delayed ART arm, P = 0.06; compared with delayed ART arm with ART initiation before May 2011, P = 0.032). In multivariate analysis, higher baseline viral load (P = 0.0008) and ART regimen (efavirenz/lamivudine/zidovudine compared with other regimens, P = 0.024) were independently associated with higher risk of new resistance at failure. CONCLUSIONS: In HPTN 052, the frequency of new drug resistance at virologic failure was lower in adults with early ART initiation. The main factor associated with reduced drug resistance with early ART was lower baseline viral load.

Severe menopausal symptoms associated with reduced adherence to antiretroviral therapy among perimenopausal and menopausal women living with HIV in Metro Vancouver.

OBJECTIVES: Although more women living with HIV (WLWH) are entering midlife, the experiences of perimenopausal and menopausal WLWH, including the effects of menopausal symptoms severity, remain understudied. This study longitudinally investigated the correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among perimenopausal and menopausal WLWH from Metro Vancouver. METHODS: Analyses drew on longitudinal data (2014-2017) from Sexual health and HIV/AIDS: Women's Longitudinal Needs Assessment, an ongoing community-based cohort of WLWH, aged 14+, from Metro Vancouver, Canada. At baseline and biannually, participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations were used to identify the correlates of self-reported <95% ART adherence. RESULTS: The sample included 109 perimenopausal and menopausal WLWH (233 observations), with a median age of 49 years (IQR 44-53). Whereas most (68.8%) participants experienced menopausal symptoms, only 17% had received treatment (eg, antidepressants, hormone therapy) at baseline. In multivariable analysis, severe menopausal symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.06), injection drug use (AOR 2.86, 95% CI 1.44-5.55), and physical/sexual violence (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.02-5.26) independently and positively correlated with <95% adherence. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that menopausal symptoms may undermine ART adherence, with overlapping vulnerabilities such as injection drug use and sexual/physical violence further exacerbating poor ART adherence. Women-centred, trauma-informed care approaches to detect menopause and treat menopausal symptoms are urgently needed. Such approaches should holistically address the intersecting barriers to adherence and link WLWH to peripheral health and social services, including trauma counseling and evidence-based harm reduction services.

Cost-utility analysis of the fixed-dose combination of dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine as initial treatment of HIV+ patients in Spain / Análisis de coste-utilidad de la combinación a dosis fijas de dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudina como tratamiento inicial de pacientes con VIH + en España

Objective: Fixed-dose combinations of antiretroviral drugs have meant an important step forward in simplifying treatment and improving compliance and has led to an increased effectiveness of therapy, a viral load decrease and improving the quality of life of patients. The single-table formulation of dolutegravir with abacavir and lamivudine (DTG/ABC/3TC) is a highly efficacious and well-tolerated once-daily regimen for HIV-infected patients. The objective of the study was to assess the incremental cost-utility ratio of the fixed-dose combination of (DTG/ ABC/3TC) versus the combinations emtricitabine/tenofovir/efavirenz (FTC/TDF/EFV), and darunavir/r (DRV/r) or raltegravir (RAL) with emtricitabine/tenofovir (FTC/TDF) or abacavir/lamivudine (ABC/3TC) as initial antiretroviral therapy in patients infected with HIV-1 from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System. Method: The ARAMIS model, which uses a microsimulation approach to simulate the individual changes in each patient from the start of treatment to death through a Markov chain of descriptive health states of the disease, was adapted to Spain. The alternatives used for comparison were the fixed-dose combination of emtricitabine/tenofovir/efavirenz (FTC/TDF/ EFV), and the fixed-dose combinations of emtricitabine/tenofovir (FTC/TDF) or abacavir/lamivudine (ABC/3TC) with darunavir/r (DRV/r) or raltegravir (RAL). The probability of achieving virological suppression by the treatments included in the model was obtained from clinical trials SINGLE, SPRING-2 and FLAMINGO and the costs were expressed in Euros (2015). The model use the perspective of the Spanish National Health System, with a lifetime horizon and a discount rate of 3% was applied to cost and effectiveness. Results: Treatment initiation with DTG/ABC/3TC was dominant when it was compared with treatment initiation with all the comparators: vs. FTC/TDF/EFV (-67 210.71Euros/QALY), vs. DRV/r + FTC/TDF or ABC/3TC (-1 787 341.44Euros/QALY), and vs. RAL + FTC/TDF or ABC/3TC (-1 005 117.13Euros/QALY). All the sensitivity analyses performed showed the consistency of these findings. Conclusions: With the premises considered, treatment initiation with DTG/ABC/3TC STR appears to be the most cost-effective option in ARTnaïve HIV infected patients from the Spanish Health System perspective (AU)

Objetivo: Las combinaciones a dosis fijas de medicamentos antirretrovirales han significado un importante paso adelante en la simplificación del tratamiento y la mejora del cumplimiento, así como hacia una mayor eficacia de la terapia, una disminución de la carga viral y una mejora de la calidad de vida de los pacientes. La formulación de un comprimido único una vez al día con dosis fijas de dolutegravir, abacavir y lamivudina (DTG/ABC/3TC) para pacientes infectados con VIH es un régimen altamente eficaz y bien tolerado. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la relación coste-utilidad incremental de la combinación de dosis fija de (DTG/ABC/3TC) versus las combinaciones de emtricitabina/tenofovir/efavirenz (TDF/FTC/EFV) y darunavir/r (DRV/r) o raltegravir (RAL) con emtricitabina/tenofovir (FTC/TDF) o abacavir/lamivudina (ABC/3TC) como tratamiento antirretroviral inicial en pacientes infectados con VIH-1 desde la perspectiva del Sistema Nacional de Salud Español. Método: Se adaptó en España el modelo ARAMIS. Este utiliza un enfoque de microsimulación para emular los cambios individuales en cada paciente desde el inicio del tratamiento hasta su muerte mediante una cadena de Markov de estados de salud descriptivos de la enfermedad. Las alternativas empleadas para la comparación fueron la combinación de dosis fijas de emtricitabina/tenofovir/efavirenz (TDF/FTC/EFV) y las combinaciones de dosis fijas de emtricitabina/tenofovir (FTC/TDF) o abacavir/lamivudina (ABC/3TC) con darunavir/r (DRV/r) o raltegravir (RAL). La probabilidad de lograr la supresión virológica mediante los tratamientos incluidos en el modelo se ha obtenido de ensayos clínicos individuales, SPRING2 y FLAMINGO, y los costes fueron expresados en Euros (2015). El uso del modelo de la perspectiva del Sistema Nacional de Salud español, con un horizonte de vida útil y una tasa de descuento del 3% se, aplicó a coste y efectividad. Resultados: El inicio de tratamiento con DTG/ABC/3TC fue dominante cuando se comparó con el inicio del tratamiento con el resto de comparadores: frente a TDF/FTC/EFV (-67.210,710 Euros / AVAC) vs DRV/r FTC/TDF o ABC/3TC (-1,787,341.44 Euros / AVAC) y vs RAL FTC/TDF o ABC/3TC (-1,005,117.13 Euros / AVAC). Todos los análisis de sensibilidad realizados demostraron la consistencia de estos hallazgos. Conclusiones: Con las premisas consideradas, el inicio del tratamiento con la combinación a dosis fijas de DTG/ABC/3TC parece ser la opción más rentable para el tratamiento de pacientes infectados con el VIH desde la perspectiva del Sistema Nacional de Salud español (AU)

Moderate levels of pre-therapy drug resistance (PDR) in a generalised epidemic: time for better first-line ART?

BACKGROUND: The WHO-recommended first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) as a fixed dose combination (FDC) of efavirenz (EFV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) with lamivudine (3TC) or emtricitabine (FTC) has been preferred in the large scale unprecedented ART roll out in Southern Africa. Models and recent reports suggest that pre-ART HIV drug resistance (PDR) is increasing with high treatment coverage. METHOD: We therefore investigated PDR and any local transmission clusters in a setting where high treatment coverage was further enhanced by universal test and treat (UTT). Surveillance drug resistance mutations (SDRMs) were identified with an in-house PCR and population sequencing method and calibrated population resistance (CPR) tool. RESULTS: Of 60 patients, six (10%) had an SDRM mutation: five (8.3%) had nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase (NNRT) mutations, one had an nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitor mutation and none had protease inhibitor (PI) mutations. Phylogenetic analysis revealed no large transmission clusters. CONCLUSION: An increase to the current moderate PDR levels and the better tolerability and durability, may support a recent drive to avail FDC integrase strand transfer inhibitor (ISTI)-based regimens as the new preferred first-line ART in the Southern African region for individual benefit and to contribute to limiting transmission of infection and drug resistant virus.

Live with the Disease Like You Used to Before You Knew You Were Infected: A Qualitative Study Among 10-Year Survivors Living with HIV in Haiti.

In 2003, the Haitian Study Group on Kaposi's Sarcoma and Opportunistic Infections (GHESKIO), a nonprofit organization, began administering antiretroviral therapy (ART) to its patients. This practice transformed HIV from a fatal disease to a more manageable chronic condition. However, relatively few studies focus on the experiences of survivors. This study provided a unique opportunity to interview patients who survived at least 10 years after being treated with ART at GHESKIO. The goal of the study was to elicit from patients their perspectives on what enabled them to survive with AIDS. Grounded Theory, a qualitative research method was used to guide data collection, coding, and analysis. Individual interviews were conducted, audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed in Creole, and translated into English. Data saturation was reached at 25 participants. Of which, 64% were women, the mean age was 49, range of 43-55 years, 24% were married, 44% had not completed elementary school, and 72% had no income, the remaining participants had incomes ranging from $1000 to $5000 annually. Qualitative analysis resulted in 681 codes, which were grouped into six categories: being spiritually grounded, having supportive interactions with providers, caring for children, setting personal goals, persevering and living life as usual, and maintaining strict medication adherence practices. The overarching theory was that having a reason to live despite one's circumstances and living life as usual enabled one to survive. Having a strong spiritual foundation coupled with supportive family and providers motivated participants to live and adhere to their ART. As the number of patients who are living longer with HIV in Haiti increases, results from this study will be important in helping tailor interventions that enhance their overall quality of life.

Factors associated with medication adherence in patients with human immunodeficiency virus in South Korea.

This study aimed to identify the factors associated with medication adherence in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients in South Korea. A cross-sectional study was conducted from six hospitals participating in the Nationwide Specialized Counseling Program for HIV infected patients from 22 February to 10 May 2010. A total of 300 HIV patients have completed a self-administered questionnaire. Among 300 patients, 230 patients had above 95% medication adherence. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that having medical insurance (p = .003) and a good relationship with the medical team (p = .046) were the main factors affecting medication adherence in HIV patients. In conclusion, medical insurance through the National Health Insurance Service and a good relationship between HIV infected patients and physicians are the main influencing factors that impact medication adherence in countries with low economic barriers to treatment.

Preexposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention in a Large Integrated Health Care System: Adherence, Renal Safety, and Discontinuation.

BACKGROUND: Placebo-controlled and open-label studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of daily oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV infection, but data are limited on real-world PrEP use. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study from July 2012 through June 2015 of Kaiser Permanente Northern California members initiating PrEP. We assessed pharmacy refill adherence and discontinuation, decreases in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV incidence. RESULTS: Overall, 972 individuals initiated PrEP, accumulating 850 person-years of PrEP use. Mean adherence was 92% overall. Black race/ethnicity [adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 3.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.7 to 5.1, P < 0.001], higher copayments (aRR 2.0; 1.2 to 3.3, P = 0.005), and smoking (aRR 1.6; 1.1 to 2.3, P = 0.025) were associated with <80% adherence. PrEP was discontinued by 219 (22.5%); female sex (aRR 2.6; 1.5 to 4.6, P < 0.001) and drug/alcohol abuse (aRR 1.8; 1.3 to 2.6, P = 0.002) were associated with discontinuation. Among 909 with follow-up creatinine testing, 141 (15.5%) had an eGFR <70 mL·min·1.73 m and 5 (0.6%) stopped PrEP because of low eGFR. Quarterly STI positivity was high and increased over time for rectal chlamydia (P < 0.001) and urethral gonorrhea (P = 0.012). No HIV seroconversions occurred during PrEP use; however, 2 occurred in individuals who discontinued PrEP after losing insurance coverage. CONCLUSIONS: PrEP adherence was high in clinical practice, consistent with the lack of HIV seroconversions during PrEP use. Discontinuation because of renal toxicity was rare. STI screening every 6 months, as recommended by current guidelines, may be inadequate. Strategies are needed to increase PrEP access during gaps in insurance coverage.

Eficacia y seguridad de nab-paclitaxel para el tratamiento de adenocarcinoma de páncreas metastásico sin tratamiento sistémico previo / Efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of adenocarcinoma of metastatic pancreas without previous systemic treatment

INTRODUCCIÓN: Antecedentes: El presente dictamen expone la evaluación de eficacia y seguridad del uso de nab-paclitaxel en combinación con gemcitabina para el tratamiento de adenocarcinoma de páncreas metastásico, sin tratamiento sistémico previo para enfermedad metastásica. Aspectos Generales: El páncreas presenta dos tipos de células principales, las exocrinas y las endocrinas. Dichas células forman distintos tipos de tumor, las cuales a su vez tienen distintos factores de riesgo, causas y síntomas. El cáncer de páncreas más común que se produce en las células exocrinas, es el adenocarcinoma. Así, alrededor del 95% de los canceres de células exocrinas son adenocarcinomas. En pacientes con cáncer de páncreas metastásico se ha estimado una proporción de sobrevida a los cinco años del 2%(4). Asimismo, se ha reportado que en el adenocarcinoma de páncreas metastásico, la mediana de sobrevida es de tres a seis meses. Para estos pacientes, la gemcitabina como monoterapia ha sido considerada el tratamiento estándar de primera línea, la cual se encuentra dentro del petitorio farmacológico de EsSalud. Sin embargo, el cáncer de páncreas metastásico es bastante resistente a la quimioterapia. Más aún, alternativas de tratamiento combinado han probado poco o ningún beneficio en sobrevida global a comparación de gemcitabina sola. Por lo tanto, surge la necesidad de evaluar otras alternativas de tratamiento que prueben un mayor beneficio en relación a gemcitabina sola. el presente dictamen preliminar tiene como objetivo evaluar la eficacia y seguridad del uso de nab-paclitaxel en combinación con gemcitabina para el tratamiento de adenocarcinoma de páncreas metastásico, en pacientes sin tratamiento sistémico previo y así poder valorar si la adición de nab-paclitaxel a gemcitabina supone un beneficio adicional al ya obtenido con gemcitabina sola. Tecnologia Sanitaria de Interés: Paclitaxel pertenece a los medicamentos antineoplásicos conocidos como taxanos. Los taxanos son medicamentos que detienen la división celular interfiriendo con los microtúbulos y evitando así el crecimiento celular. METODOLOGIA: Estrategia de Búsqueda: Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura con respecto a la eficacia y seguridad de nab-paclitaxel en combinación con gemcitabina para el tratamiento de adenocarcinoma de páncreas metastásico, en pacientes sin tratamiento sistémico previo. Esta búsqueda \r\nse realizó utilizando los meta-buscadores: Translating Research into Practice (TRIPDATABASE) y National Library of Medicine (Pubmed-Medline). Adicionalmente, se amplió la búsqueda revisando la evidencia generada por grupos internacionales que realizan revisiones sistemáticas (RS), evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias (ETS) y guías de práctica clínica (GPC), tales como The National Institute for Health and \r\nCare Excellence (NICE), The Agency for Health care Research and Quality (AHRQ), y The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). RESULTADOS: Sinopsis de la Evidencia: Se realizó la búsqueda bibliográfica y de evidencia científica hasta octubre 2016 para el sustento del uso de nab-paclitaxel en combinación con gemcitabina para el tratamiento de adenocarcinoma de páncreas metastásico, en pacientes que no han \r\nrecibido tratamiento sistémico previo. Se presenta la evidencia disponible según el tipo de publicación priorizada en los criterios de inclusión (i.e., GP, ETS, RS y ECA fase III). CONCLUSIONES: En el presente documento se evaluó la evidencia científica publicada hasta octubre 2016 en relación al uso de nab-paclitaxel en combinación con gemcitabina para el tratamiento de adenocarcinoma de páncreas metastásico en \r\npacientes sin tratamiento sistémico previo. El uso de gemcitabina como terapia de primera línea es considerado el tratamiento estándar para adenocarcinoma de páncreas metastásico, el cual se encuentra en la actualidad dentro del petitorio farmacológico de EsSalud. Sin embargo, este tipo de cáncer es muy agresivo con corta sobrevida y una elevada resistencia a los medicamentos. Por lo tanto, surge la necesidad de evaluar otras alternativas terapéuticas que prueben un mayor beneficio en relación a gemcitabina sola. Nab-paclitaxel es una formulación alternativa a la de paclitaxel convencional, la cual se caracteriza por que el paclitaxel se encuentra en forma de nano partículas unido a la albúmina. Esta unión permite que las partículas de paclitaxel ingresen dentro de las células tumorales sin necesidad de un solvente sintético, pudiendo mejorar así su eficiencia y seguridad. En la actualidad el ensayo de fase III MPACT, en el cual se evaluó la eficacia y seguridad de nab-paclitaxel más gemcitabina, encontró que esta combinación tuvo un incremento modesto de la sobrevida global (menor a 3 meses) con respecto a la gemcitabina sola, pero acompañado de un incremento en la proporción de eventos adversos y discontinuación del tratamiento por toxicidad inaceptable. Debido a la baja ganancia en la sobrevida global, el incremento de los eventos adversos y a que no se reporta desenlaces en la calidad de vida, no se tiene claridad en la relación riesgo/beneficio del uso de nab-paclitaxel más gemcitabina. Adicionalmente, en el Petitorio Farmacológico de EsSalud existen otras alternativas de tratamiento como gemcitabina sola, FOLFIRINOX y capecitabina que también resultan ser opciones de tratamiento consideradas en las GPC internacionales, con igual o mayor nivel y fuerza de recomendación. El Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación (IETSI) no aprueba el uso de nab-paclitaxel en combinación con gemcitabina para el tratamiento de adenocarcinoma de páncreas metastásico, en pacientes que no han recibido tratamiento sistémico previo.

Do countries rely on the World Health Organization for translating research findings into clinical guidelines? A case study.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization's (WHO) antiretroviral therapy (ART) guidelines have generally been adopted rapidly and with high fidelity by countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus far, however, WHO has not published specific guidance on nutritional care and support for (non-pregnant) adults living with HIV despite a solid evidence base for some interventions. This offers an opportunity for a case study on whether national clinical guidelines in sub-Saharan Africa provide concrete recommendations in the face of limited guidance by WHO. This study, therefore, aims to determine if national HIV treatment guidelines in sub-Saharan Africa contain specific guidance on nutritional care and support for non-pregnant adults living with HIV. METHODS: We identified the most recent national HIV treatment guidelines in sub-Saharan African countries with English as an official language. Using pre-specified criteria, we determined for each guideline whether it provides guidance to clinicians on each of five components of nutritional care and support for adults living with HIV: assessment of nutritional status, dietary counseling, micronutrient supplementation, ready-to-use therapeutic or supplementary foods, and food subsidies. RESULTS: We found that national HIV treatment guidelines in sub-Saharan Africa generally do not contain concrete recommendations on nutritional care and support for non-pregnant adults living with HIV. CONCLUSIONS: Given that decisions on nutritional care and support are inevitably being made at the clinician-patient level, and that clinicians have a relative disadvantage in systematically identifying, summarizing, and weighing up research evidence compared to WHO and national governments, there is a need for more specific clinical guidance. In our view, such guidance should at a minimum recommend daily micronutrient supplements for adults living with HIV who are in pre-ART stages, regular dietary counseling, periodic assessment of anthropometric status, and additional nutritional management of undernourished patients. More broadly, our findings suggest that countries in sub-Saharan Africa look to WHO for guidance in translating evidence into clinical guidelines. It is, thus, likely that the development of concrete recommendations by WHO on nutritional interventions for people living with HIV would lead to more specific guidelines at the country-level and, ultimately, better clinical decisions and treatment outcomes.

Prevalence and risk factors of micronutrient deficiencies pre- and post-antiretroviral therapy (ART) among a diverse multicountry cohort of HIV-infected adults.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: HIV-infected adults have increased risk of several individual micronutrient deficiencies. However, the prevalence and risk factors of concurrent and multiple micronutrient deficiencies and whether micronutrient concentrations change after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation have not been well described. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of individual, concurrent and multiple micronutrient deficiencies among ART-naïve HIV-infected adults from nine countries and assess change in micronutrient status 48 weeks post-ART initiation. METHODS: A random sub-cohort (n = 270) stratified by country was selected from the multinational PEARLS clinical trial (n = 1571 ART-naïve, HIV-infected adults). We measured serum concentrations of vitamins A, D (25-hydroxyvitamin), E, carotenoids and selenium pre-ART and 48 weeks post-ART initiation, and measured vitamins B6, B12, ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor at baseline only. Prevalence of single micronutrient deficiencies, concurrent (2 coexisting) or conditional (a deficiency in one micronutrient given a deficiency in another) and multiple (≥3) were determined using defined serum concentration cutoffs. We assessed mean changes in micronutrient concentrations from pre-ART to week 48 post-ART initiation using multivariable random effects models. RESULTS: Of 270 participants, 13.9%, 29.2%, 24.5% and 32.4% had 0, 1, 2 and multiple deficiencies, respectively. Pre-ART prevalence was the highest for single deficiencies of selenium (53.2%), vitamin D (42.4%), and B6 (37.3%) with 12.1% having concurrent deficiencies of all three micronutrients. Deficiency prevalence varied widely by country. 48 weeks post-ART initiation, mean vitamin A concentration increased (p < 0.001) corresponding to a 9% decrease in deficiency. Mean concentrations also increased for other micronutrients assessed 48 weeks post-ART (p < 0.001) but with minimal change in deficiency status. CONCLUSIONS: Single and multiple micronutrient deficiencies are common among HIV-infected adults pre-ART initiation but vary between countries. Importantly, despite increases in micronutrient concentrations, prevalence of individual deficiencies remains largely unchanged after 48 weeks on ART. Our results suggest that ART alone is not sufficient to improve micronutrient deficiency.