Correlates and Timing of Reproductive Aging Transitions in a Global Cohort of Midlife Women With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Insights From the REPRIEVE Trial.

BACKGROUND: Reproductive aging may contribute to cardiometabolic comorbid conditions. We integrated data on gynecologic history with levels of an ovarian reserve marker (anti-müllerian hormone [AMH)] to interrogate reproductive aging patterns and associated factors among a subset of cisgender women with human immunodeficiency virus (WWH) enrolled in the REPRIEVE trial. METHODS: A total of 1449 WWH were classified as premenopausal (n = 482) (menses within 12 months; AMH level ≥20 pg/mL; group 1), premenopausal with reduced ovarian reserve (n = 224) (menses within 12 months; AMH <20 pg/mL; group 2), or postmenopausal (n = 743) (no menses within12 months; AMH <20 pg/mL; group 3). Proportional odds models, adjusted for chronologic age, were used to investigate associations of cardiometabolic and demographic parameters with reproductive aging milestones (AMH <20 pg/mL or >12 months of amenorrhea). Excluding WWH with surgical menopause, age at final menstrual period was summarized for postmenopausal WWH (group 3) and estimated among all WWH (groups 1-3) using an accelerated failure-time model. RESULTS: Cardiometabolic and demographic parameters associated with advanced reproductive age (controlling for chronologic age) included waist circumference (>88 vs ≤88 cm) (odds ratio [OR], 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.80; P = .02), hemoglobin (≥12 vs <12 g/dL) (2.32; 1.71-3.14; P < .01), and region of residence (sub-Saharan Africa [1.50; 1.07-2.11; P = .02] and Latin America and the Caribbean [1.59; 1.08-2.33; P = .02], as compared with World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease high-income regions). The median age (Q1, Q3) at the final menstrual period was 48 (45, 51) years when described among postmenopausal WWH, and either 49 (46, 52) or 50 (47, 53) years when estimated among all WWH, depending on censoring strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Among WWH in the REPRIEVE trial, more advanced reproductive age is associated with metabolic dysregulation and region of residence. Additional research on age at menopause among WWH is needed. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT0234429.

Eliciting perspectives of the key study population: An effective strategy to inform advertisement, content and usability of an online survey for a national investigation.

This short communication demonstrates how conducting a focus group with members of a proposed study population of interest can help inform the suitability of study interventions and appeal of recruitment strategies prior to study commencement. People living with HIV (PLWH) were recruited to participate in a focus group to elicit feedback on the content and design of an online survey on sweetener knowledge and consumption; and usability of the survey which was ultimately launched nationally. Ten participants (age 55 years, 60% male, 70% non-Caucasian, 60% income < $25,000) attended and rotated through three stations and completed questionnaires to evaluate survey content, advertisement imagery and taglines, and ability to access and navigate the survey platform. Participants also engaged in open dialogue to discuss potential community and web-based recruitment strategies familiar to PLWH. Findings from the focus group helped investigators identify and select advertisement and recruitment strategies that were appealing to PLWH, refine and improve clarity/layout of the survey content, and enhance usability of an online survey intended for PLWH in the United States, age 18 years and older. Prospectively engaging individuals from a key study population in the early phase of study development is an effective strategy to assist in the development of study interventions and recruitment/advertisement materials designed for a specific population.

Intramyocardial Triglycerides Among Women With vs Without HIV: Hormonal Correlates and Functional Consequences.

CONTEXT: Women with HIV (WHIV) on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) are living longer but facing heightened vulnerability to heart failure. OBJECTIVE: We investigated metabolic/hormonal/immune parameters relating to diastolic dysfunction-a precursor to heart failure-among WHIV without known cardiovascular disease (CVD). DESIGN AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Nineteen ART-treated WHIV and 11 non-HIV-infected women without known CVD enrolled and successfully completed relevant study procedures [cardiac magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and cardiac MRI]. Groups were matched on age and body mass index. Primary outcome measures included intramyocardial triglyceride content (cardiac MRS) and diastolic function (cardiac MRI). Relationships between intramyocardial triglyceride content and clinical parameters were also assessed. RESULTS: Among WHIV (vs non-HIV-infected women), intramyocardial triglyceride content was threefold higher [1.2 (0.4, 3.1) vs 0.4 (0.1, 0.5)%, P = 0.01], and diastolic function was reduced (left atrial passive ejection fraction: 27.2 ± 9.6 vs 35.9 ± 6.4%, P = 0.007). There was a strong inverse relationship between intramyocardial triglyceride content and diastolic function (ρ = -0.62, P = 0.004). Among the whole group, intramyocardial triglyceride content did not relate to chronologic age but did increase across the reproductive aging spectrum (P = 0.02). HIV status and reproductive aging status remained independent predictors of intramyocardial triglyceride content after adjusting for relevant cardiometabolic parameters (overall model R2 = 0.56, P = 0.003; HIV status P = 0.01, reproductive aging status P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: For asymptomatic WHIV, increased intramyocardial triglyceride content is associated with diastolic dysfunction. Moreover, relationships between intramyocardial triglyceride accumulation and women's reproductive aging are noted.

Health Characteristics Associated With Hot Flashes in Women With HIV During Menopause: An Integrative Review.

Hot flashes (HFs) are a prominent symptom of menopause known to unfavorably influence mood, sleep, and quality of life. More women living with HIV are entering menopause and may experience a greater prevalence of HFs and more severe HFs compared with uninfected women. This integrative review evaluated existing evidence on potential health characteristics associated with HFs in women living with HIV during menopause. A search strategy was conducted within 6 databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guided the review, and the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice model was used to evaluate methodological quality and appraisal of the evidence. Five articles met the review eligibility criteria. Three content categories emerged from the key findings of the 5 articles: HIV-specific characteristics, mental health and cognitive characteristics, and quality of life and social characteristics. Implications for research and clinical care were identified.

Association between HIV status and psychological symptoms in perimenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: HIV-infected women are burdened by depression and anxiety, which may impact adherence to antiretroviral therapy and overall quality of life. Yet, little is known about the scope of psychological symptoms in the growing number of HIV-infected women reaching menopause, when affective symptoms are more prevalent in the general population. We conducted a longitudinal study to compare affective symptoms between perimenopausal HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected women. METHODS: The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) were completed at baseline and 12 months among 33 HIV-infected and 33 non-HIV-infected perimenopausal women matched by race, age, menstrual patterns, and BMI. Linear regression models estimated the relationship of baseline GAD-7 and CES-D scores with clinical factors. RESULTS: All women were perimenopausal at baseline, and the vast majority remained perimenopausal throughout follow-up. HIV status was associated with higher baseline CES-D scores (median [interquartile range] 21 [12, 29] vs 10 [5, 14]; P = 0.03) and GAD-7 scores (7 [5, 15] vs 2 [1, 7]; P = 0.01), controlling for smoking, substance use, and antidepressant use. Depressive symptoms and anxiety remained significantly higher in the HIV-infected women at 12 months (P ≤ 0.01). Significant relationships of depressive symptoms (P = 0.048) and anxiety (P = 0.02) with hot flash severity were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Perimenopausal HIV-infected women experienced a disproportionately high level of affective symptom burden over a 12-month observation period. Given the potential for these factors to influence adherence to HIV clinical care and quality of life, careful assessment and referral for treatment of these symptoms is essential.

Follow YOUR Heart: development of an evidence-based campaign empowering older women with HIV to participate in a large-scale cardiovascular disease prevention trial.

BACKGROUND: Women's under-representation in HIV and cardiovascular disease (CVD) research suggests a need for novel strategies to ensure robust representation of women in HIV-associated CVD research. OBJECTIVE: To elicit perspectives on CVD research participation among a community-sample of women with or at risk for HIV, and to apply acquired insights toward the development of an evidence-based campaign empowering older women with HIV to participate in a large-scale CVD prevention trial. METHODS: In a community-based setting, we surveyed 40 women with or at risk for HIV about factors which might facilitate or impede engagement in CVD research. We applied insights derived from these surveys into the development of the Follow YOUR Heart campaign, educating women about HIV-associated CVD and empowering them to learn more about a multi-site HIV-associated CVD prevention trial: REPRIEVE. RESULTS: Endorsed best methods for learning about a CVD research study included peer-to-peer communication (54%), provider communication (46%) and video-based communication (39%). Top endorsed non-monetary reasons for participating in research related to gaining information (63%) and helping others (47%). Top endorsed reasons for not participating related to lack of knowledge about studies (29%) and lack of request to participate (29%). Based on survey results, the REPRIEVE Follow YOUR Heart campaign was developed. Interwoven campaign components (print materials, video, web presence) offer provider-based information/knowledge, peer-to-peer communication, and empowerment to learn more. Campaign components reflect women's self-identified motivations for research participation - education and altruism. CONCLUSIONS: Investigation of factors influencing women's participation in HIV-associated CVD research may be usefully applied to develop evidence-based strategies for enhancing women's enrollment in disease-specific large-scale trials. If proven efficacious, such strategies may enhance conduct of large-scale research studies across disciplines.