Diabetes mellitus care cascade among a cohort of persons living with HIV and hypertension in Uganda: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In Uganda, it is recommended that persons with HIV receive integrated care to address both hypertension and diabetes. However, the extent to which appropriate diabetes care is delivered remains unknown and was the aim of this study. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study among participants receiving integrated care for HIV and hypertension for at least 1 year at a large urban HIV clinic in Mulago, Uganda to determine the diabetes care cascade. RESULTS: Of the 1115 participants, the majority were female (n = 697, 62.5%) with a median age of 50 years (Inter Quartile Range: 43, 56). Six hundred twenty-seven participants (56%) were screened for diabetes mellitus, 100 (16%) were diagnosed and almost all that were diagnosed (n = 94, 94%) were initiated on treatment. Eighty-five patients (90%) were retained and all were monitored (100%) in care. Thirty-two patients (32/85, 38%) had glycaemic control. Patients on a Dolutegravir-based regimen (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.22-0.46, p < 0.001) and those with a non-suppressed viral load (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.07-0.83, p = 0.02) were less likely to be screened for diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: In very successful HIV care programs, large gaps still linger for the management of non-communicable diseases necessitating uniquely designed intervention by local authorities and implementing partners addressing the dual HIV and non-communicable diseases burden.

The risk of hyperglycemia associated with use of dolutegravir among adults living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda: A case-control study.

Emerging evidence suggests a possible association between hyperglycemia and dolutegravir (DTG), a preferred first-line antiretroviral agent in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). There is need for rigorous studies to validate this association in the face of increasing DTG use and burden of non-communicable diseases among people living with HIV (PLHIV). We conducted a case-control study to assess the risk of hyperglycemia associated with use of DTG among PLHIV attending Mulago ISS Clinic in Kampala. Cases had hyperglycemia while controls had no hyperglycemia as confirmed by fasting plasma glucose and oral glucose tolerance tests. Demographic, laboratory, and clinical data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and medical record abstraction. Analysis compared cases and controls on DTG use prior to diagnosis of hyperglycemia while controlling for potential confounders using multivariable logistic regression. We included 204 cases and 231 controls. In multivariable analysis, patients with prior DTG use had seven times greater odds of subsequent diagnosis of hyperglycemia compared to those who had non-DTG-based regimens (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.01, 95% CI 1.96-25.09). The odds of hyperglycemia also increased with age (56 years and above vs. 18-35, aOR 12.38, 95% CI 3.79-40.50) and hypertension (aOR 5.78, 95% CI 2.53-13.21). Our study demonstrates a strong association between prior DTG exposure and subsequent diagnosis of hyperglycemia. Given the benefits of DTG, wide-scale use, and the growing burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) in SSA, there is need for systematic screening for hyperglycemia and consideration of alternate regimens for those at risk for DM.

Awareness and uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV among low-income, HIV-negative heterosexuals in San Francisco.

We examined pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness and uptake among low-income heterosexual men and women in San Francisco in 2019. Of 294 HIV-negative survey participants, 42.5% were aware of PrEP. Few women (12.5%) and men (8.9%) had discussed PrEP with a healthcare provider; 3.8% of women and 0% of men had used PrEP in the last year. White participants (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.39, 95% CI 1.02, 28.56), women (aOR 2.19, 95% CI 1.30, 3.70), and age 60 years or above (aOR 4.00, 95% CI 1.12, 14.34) had greater odds of being aware of PrEP. Testing for HIV or sexually transmitted infection in the past year was marginally associated with a greater PrEP awareness. Our findings reveal gaps in PrEP implementation associated with social disparities among low-income heterosexuals. Testing services and targeted promotional and educational materials are needed lest high-risk, low-income populations are left behind in San Francisco's aggressive "Getting to Zero" efforts.