Isolated Nocturnal Hypertension in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Nocturnal hypertension (NH) is a potent cardiovascular risk factor described frequently in people with HIV (PWH). Isolated NH (INH) is less well reported in PWH because of the need for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in office normotensive patients. We aim to document the prevalence of NH and INH and the clinical factors associated with these phenotypes. METHODS: Cross-sectional study from an HIV program in Argentina. Office and ABPM measurements, as well as clinical and laboratory exploration, were performed. We defined INH as NH with daytime normotension in patients with office normotension. RESULTS: We obtained ABPM in 66 PWH, 60% male, aged 44.7 (IQR 27-69) years; 87% receiving antiretroviral therapy, and 86.2% virologically suppressed. ABPM-based hypertension prevalence was 54.7% (95% CI: 42.5-66.3). The prevalence of NH was 48.5% (32/66), while the INH prevalence was 19.7% (95% CI: 11.7-30.9). No differences were found regarding sex, HIV viral load, CD4+ T lymphocytes count, or years of infection between normotensive and INH patients. Multiple linear regression model adjusted for sex and age determined that body mass index (ß = 0.93, P < 0.01), plasma uric acid (ß = 0.25, P = 0.04), plasma potassium (ß = -10.1, P = 0.01), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (ß = 0.78, P = 0.02) independently predicted nocturnal systolic blood pressure (BP) in PWH. In a multiple logistic regression model adjusted for age and sex, the presence of sedentariness, plasma potassium <4 mEq/L, BMI, and hs-CRP levels were predictors of INH. CONCLUSION: INH is highly prevalent in PWH. Metabolic and inflammatory markers predict nocturnal SBP in PWH.

Adherence determination using urine-tenofovir point-of-care testing and pharmacy refill records: A cross-sectional study.

Pharmacy refill records (PRR), are an accessible strategy for estimating adherence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, the low-cost urine-tenofovir point-of-care test opens up the possibility of an objective metric of adherence that is scalable to LMICs. This study compared adherence to tenofovir-based regimens using urine-tenofovir point-of-care (POC) test with pharmacy refill records in a Nigerian population of HIV-positive persons. This was a cross-sectional study among 94 HIV-positive adults, which was conducted from June to August 2021, in a large outpatient clinic in Lagos, Nigeria. Adherence to pharmacy appointments was automatically calculated using a computerized pharmacy appointment system (FileMaker Pro™). Urine drops on the urine-tenofovir POC test strip developed 2 lines for a negative test (tenofovir absent) and one line for a positive test. Fisher's exact test was used to examine the association between pharmacy refill record and urine-tenofovir point-of-care test. Logistic regression was performed to predict viral suppression (<1000 copies/mL, based on WHO recommendations) using both methods of adherence determination. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve of the association between specificity and sensitivity was generated to evaluate the predictive value of adherence determined using pharmacy-refill record and urine-tenofovir point-of-care test in forecasting viral suppression. The statistical significance level was set at 0.05. Fisher's exact test showed no statistically significant difference in adherence using urine-tenofovir point-of-care test or pharmacy refill record. The logistic regression model showed that an increase in pharmacy-refill record of ≥ 95% was associated with viral suppression (P = .019). From the ROC curve, the sensitivity was same at 95.5% for both methods, but the specificity of the urine-tenofovir point-of-care test was greater (96.6% vs 95.5%) than pharmacy refill record (P = .837). Urine-tenofovir point-of-care test provided equivalent adherence data to pharmacy refill data.

Psychosocial Syndemic Classes and Longitudinal Transition Patterns Among Sexual Minority men Living with or Without HIV in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).

Mental health and substance use epidemics interact to create psychosocial syndemics, accelerating poor health outcomes. Using latent class and latent transition analyses, we identified psychosocial syndemic phenotypes and their longitudinal transition pathways among sexual minority men (SMM) in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS, n = 3,384, mean age 44, 29% non-Hispanic Black, 51% with HIV). Self-reported depressive symptoms and substance use indices (i.e., smoking, hazardous drinking, marijuana, stimulant, and popper use) at the index visit, 3-year and 6-year follow-up were used to model psychosocial syndemics. Four latent classes were identified: "poly-behavioral" (19.4%), "smoking and depression" (21.7%), "illicit drug use" (13.8%), and "no conditions" (45.1%). Across all classes, over 80% of SMM remained in that same class over the follow-ups. SMM who experienced certain psychosocial clusters (e.g., illicit drug use) were less likely to transition to a less complex class. These people could benefit from targeted public health intervention and greater access to treatment resources.

Syndemic trajectories of heavy drinking, smoking, and depressive symptoms are associated with mortality in women living with HIV in the United States from 1994 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: Heavy drinking, smoking, and depression are common among people with HIV. Little is known about the co-occurring, synergistic effect of having two or more of these conditions long-term -a sustained syndemic - on mortality among women with HIV (WWH). METHODS: Data from 3282 WWH of the Women's Interagency HIV Study from 1994 to 2017 were utilized. National Death Index review identified cause of death (n=616). Sustained syndemic phenotypes were based on membership in high-risk groups defined by group-based trajectory models of repeated self-reported alcohol use, smoking, and depressive symptoms and their co-occurrence. Cox proportional hazard models estimated associations of sustained syndemic phenotypes with all-cause, non-AIDS, and non-overdose mortality, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, enrollment wave, illicit drug use, and time-varying HIV viral load and CD4+ T-cell count. RESULTS: WWH were 58% Black and 26% Hispanic, with a mean baseline age of 36.7 years. Syndemic phenotypes included zero (45%, n=1463), heavy drinking only (1%, n=35), smoking only (28%, n=928), depressive symptoms only (9%, n=282), and 2+ trajectories (17%, n=574). Compared to zero trajectories, having 2+ trajectories was associated with 3.93 times greater all-cause mortality risk (95% CI 3.07, 5.04) after controlling for confounders and each high-risk trajectory alone. These findings persisted in sensitivity analyses, removing AIDS- and overdose-related mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: Clustering of 2+ conditions of heavy drinking, smoking, and depression affected nearly one in five WWH and was associated with higher mortality than zero or one condition. Our findings underscore the need for coordinated screening and parsimonious treatment strategies for these co-occurring conditions.

Obesity Modifies the Relationship Between Raltegravir and Dolutegravir Hair Concentrations and Body Weight Gain in Women Living with HIV.

Integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are associated with weight gain in women living with HIV (WLH). Relationships between drug exposure, baseline obesity, and INSTI-associated weight gain remain unclear. Data from 2006 to 2016 were analyzed from virally suppressed WLH enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study, who switched/added an INSTI to antiretroviral therapy: [raltegravir (RAL), dolutegravir (DTG), or elvitegravir (EVG)]. Percent body weight change was calculated from weights obtained a median 6 months pre-INSTI and 14 months post-INSTI initiation. Hair concentrations were measured with validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS assays. Baseline (preswitch) weight status evaluated obese (body mass index, BMI, ≥30 kg/m2) versus nonobese (BMI <30 kg/m2). Mixed models examined the drug hair concentration*baseline obesity status interaction for each INSTI. There were 169 WLH included: 53 (31%) switched to RAL, 72 (43%) to DTG, and 44 (26%) to EVG. Women were median age 47-52 years, predominantly Non-Hispanic Black, median CD4 counts >500 cells/mm3, >75% with undetectable HIV-1 RNA. Over ∼1 year, women experienced median increases in body weight: 1.71% (-1.78, 5.00) with RAL; 2.40% (-2.82, 6.50) with EVG; and 2.48% (-3.60, 7.88) with DTG. Baseline obesity status modified the relationship between hair concentrations and percent weight change for DTG and RAL (p's < 0.05): higher DTG, yet lower RAL concentrations were associated with greater weight gain among nonobese women. Additional pharmacologic assessments are needed to understand the role of drug exposure in INSTI-associated weight gain.

The association between comorbidities and coronavirus disease 2019 hospitalization among people with HIV differs by age.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization among people with HIV (PWH) differ by age stratum. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: All adult PWH with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR in a public safety-net health system between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021 and a Veterans Affairs Medical Center between 1 1 March 2020 and 15 November 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia were included. We performed multivariable logistic regression to determine demographic and clinical factors associated with COVID-19 hospitalization overall and stratified by age less than 50 and at least 50 years. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-five PWH (mean age 49 years, 74% cisgender male, 82% black) were included. Ninety-six percent were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 87% had CD4 + T-cell count at least 200 cells/µl, and 89% had HIV-1 RNA less than 200 copies/ml. Overall, age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 (1.04-1.10)], later date of SARS-CoV-2 infection [aOR 0.997 (0.995-1.00)], heart disease [aOR 2.27 (1.06-4.85)], and history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) [aOR 2.59 (1.13-5.89)] were associated with COVID-19 hospitalization. Age-adjusted comorbidity burden was associated with 30% increased risk of hospitalization [aOR 1.30 (1.11-1.54)]. Among 168 PWH less than 50 years old, older age [aOR 1.09 (1.01-1.18)] and no ART use [aOR 40.26 (4.12-393.62)] were associated with hospitalization; age-adjusted comorbidity burden was not ( P  = 0.25). Among 197 PWH at least 50, older age [aOR 1.10 (1.04-1.16)], heart disease [aOR 2.45 (1.04-5.77)], history of HCV [aOR 3.52 (1.29-9.60)], and age-adjusted comorbidity burden [aOR 1.36 (1.12-1.66)] were associated with hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Comorbidity burden is more strongly associated with COVID-19 hospitalization among older, rather than younger, PWH. These findings may have important implications for risk-stratifying COVID-19 therapies and booster recommendations in PWH.

Bone, Brain, Heart study protocol: A resilient nested, tripartite prospective cohort study of the role of estrogen depletion on HIV pathology.

PURPOSE: We describe the rationale for and design of an innovative, nested, tripartite prospective observational cohort study examining whether relative estrogen insufficiency-induced inflammation amplifies HIV-induced inflammation to cause end organ damage and worsen age-related co-morbidities affecting the neuro-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (Brain), skeletal (Bone), and cardiovascular (Heart/vessels) organ systems (BBH Study). METHODS: The BBH parent study is the Multicenter AIDS Cohort/Women's Interagency HIV Study Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) with participants drawn from the Atlanta MWCCS site. BBH will enroll a single cohort of n = 120 women living with HIV and n = 60 HIV-negative women, equally distributed by menopausal status. The innovative multipart nested study design of BBH, which draws on data collected by the parent study, efficiently leverages resources for maximum research impact and requires extensive oversight and management in addition to careful implementation. The presence of strong infrastructure minimized BBH study disruptions due to changes in the parent study and the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: BBH is poised to provide insight into sex and HIV associations with the neuro-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems despite several major, unexpected challenges.

Association between BMI and periodontitis in women living with or at risk for HIV.

AIMS: Currently, there is no data available assessing the association between body mass index (BMI) and periodontitis among women living with HIV (WLWH). This study aims to investigate this association among WLWH and women at risk for HIV (WRH) in the United States. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from 351 WLWH and 52 WRH participants from the Women's Interagency HIV Study having pocket depths and clinical periodontal attachment loss assessments in 2003-2004 were included. Multinomial logistic regression analyses in the full sample assessed the relationship between BMI (underweight/normal, overweight, or obese) and periodontitis by severity (mild, moderate, severe), adjusting for study sites, age, education, annual household income, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes. Overall, 75.2% women (76.0% WLWH; 69.0% WRH) had periodontitis. Moreover, 75.0% obese and 75.3% overweight women were affected by periodontitis. In the full sample, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of having mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis in obese women were: 1.14 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51-2.52), 1.02 (95% CI: 0.46-2.29), and 0.24 (95% CI: 0.06-1.07), respectively, and in overweight women: 0.70 (95% CI: 0.31-1.58), 0.85 (95% CI: 0.38-1.90), and 0.31 (95% CI: 0.08-1.15), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Even with high prevalence of periodontitis among women with or without HIV infection in this cohort, this study does not provide evidence of an association between BMI and periodontitis.

Cardiovascular Implications of Immune Disorders in Women.

Immune responses differ between men and women, with women at higher risk of developing chronic autoimmune diseases and having more robust immune responses to many viruses, including HIV and hepatitis C virus. Although immune dysregulation plays a prominent role in chronic systemic inflammation, a key driver in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), standard ASCVD risk prediction scores underestimate risk in populations with immune disorders, particularly women. This review focuses on the ASCVD implications of immune dysregulation due to disorders with varying global prevalence by sex: autoimmune disorders (female predominant), HIV (male-female equivalent), and hepatitis C virus (male predominant). Factors contributing to ASCVD in women with immune disorders, including traditional risk factors, dysregulated innate and adaptive immunity, sex hormones, and treatment modalities, are discussed. Finally, the need to develop new ASCVD risk stratification tools that incorporate variables specific to populations with chronic immune disorders, particularly in women, is emphasized.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among People Living With HIV Compared With People Without HIV: Survey Results From the MACS-WIHS Combined Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms among people living with HIV (PLWH) are not well described. SETTING: Longitudinal survey within the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) of PLWH compared with similar HIV-seronegative (SN) individuals. METHODS: Telephone-administered survey of MWCCS participants at 13 clinical research sites across the United States addressing COVID-19 symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 testing, and pandemic impact on social distancing and antiretroviral therapy (ART) use. Primary data collection occurred during May (wave 1), June-July (wave 2), and August-September, 2020 (wave 3). RESULTS: One-third of MWCCS participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection; 10% was tested ≥2 times. Similar proportions of PLWH and SN participants were tested, but SARS-CoV-2 positivity was higher among PLWH than among SN individuals (9.4% vs 4.8%, P = 0.003). Odds of SARS-CoV-2 positivity remained higher among PLWH after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and study site (adjusted odds ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.2 to 3.2). SARS-CoV-2 positivity was not associated with CD4 cell counts among PLWH. Among SARS-CoV-2 positive participants, 9% had no symptoms, 7% had 1-2 mild symptoms, and 84% had ≥3 symptoms. Most of the (98%) participants reported physical distancing during all survey waves; self-reported ART adherence among PLWH was not adversely affected during the pandemic compared with the previous year (similar adherence in 89% of participants, improved in 9% of participants, and decreased in 2% of participants). CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar SARS-CoV-2 testing and physical distancing profiles by HIV serostatus among MWCCS participants, PLWH who reported SARS-CoV-2 testing were more likely to have a positive test result. Additional studies are needed to determine whether and why PLWH are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Patient Experiences with Telemedicine for HIV Care During the First COVID-19 Wave in Atlanta, Georgia.

We explored experiences with telemedicine among persons with HIV (PWH) during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A convenience sample of adults (>18 years) receiving care in an urban clinic in Atlanta were invited to participate. Patients completed a structured survey that assessed the usefulness, quality, satisfaction, and concerns with telemedicine services (telephone calls) received during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (March-May 2020). Demographic, plasma HIV-1 RNA, and CD4+ T cell count data were obtained through medical chart abstraction. Bootstrapped t-tests and chi-square tests were used to examine differences in patient experiences by age, sex, and race. Of 406 PWH contacted, 101 completed the survey (median age 55 years, 84% men, 77% Black, 98% virally suppressed, median CD4 count 572 cells/µL). The main HIV care disruptions experienced were delays in follow-up visits (40%), difficulty getting viral load measured (35%), and difficulty accessing antiretroviral therapy (21%). Participant ratings for quality (median score 6.5/7), usefulness (median score 6.0/7), and satisfaction (median score 6.3/7) with telemedicine were high. However, 28% of patients expressed concerns about providers' ability to examine them and about the lack of laboratory tests. More women had concerns about providers' ability to examine them (92% vs. 50%, p = .005) and about the safety of their personal information (69% vs. 23%, p = .002) compared with men. No age or race differences were observed. Although PWH are generally satisfied with telephone-based telemedicine, concerns with its use were notable, particularly among women. Future HIV telemedicine models should address these.

Sex Differences in Non-AIDS Comorbidities Among People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Women are grossly underrepresented in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinical and translational research. This is concerning given that people with HIV (PWH) are living longer, and thus accumulating aging-related non-AIDS comorbidities (NACMs); emerging evidence suggests that women are at higher risk of NACM development and progression compared with men. It is widely recognized that women vs men have greater immune activation in response to many viruses, including HIV-1; this likely influences sex-differential NACM development related to differences in HIV-associated chronic inflammation. Furthermore, many sociobehavioral factors that contribute to aging-related NACMs are known to differ by sex. The objectives of this review were to (1) synthesize sex-stratified data on 4 NACMs among PWH: bone disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, and neurocognitive impairment; (2) evaluate the characteristics of key studies assessing sex differences in NACMs; and (3) introduce potential biological and psychosocial mechanisms contributing to emerging trends in sex-differential NACM risk and outcomes among PWH.

High Acceptability of Donating Hair and Other Biological Samples for Research Among People Living with HIV in an Outpatient Clinic in Lagos, Nigeria.

Willingness to donate hair samples is a rate-limiting step for assaying antiretroviral (ARV) concentrations in hair, an emerging technique for HIV prevention and treatment monitoring. We surveyed ethnically diverse Nigerians to determine their willingness to donate hair for biomedical research. A cross-sectional survey of people living with HIV on ARV therapy (ART) was conducted at the HIV clinic of Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, using systematic sampling. The researcher-administered questionnaire was designed to capture sociodemographic data, length of time on ART, and willingness to donate hair. Univariate analysis was performed on sociodemographic characteristics, and independent-samples t-test and chi-square tests were used for bivariate analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with willingness to donate hair samples, with a significance level of 0.05. Of the 398 participants enrolled in the study, 258 (64.8%) were female, the average age was 40 years (±9.8), and the average time spent on ART was 7.3 years (±4.2). More than half (64.8%) of the respondents were willing to donate hair samples for biomedical research and they were 1.5 times more likely to donate hair than blood. For one-third of the participants, the anticipated benefit from the eventual research findings was the primary motivation to donate hair samples. Fear of use of hair for rituals was the most common stated reason for unwillingness to donate hair samples (21.2%). In an ethnically diverse, urban-based Nigerian study population, nearly two-thirds of the participants were willing to donate hair samples for biomedical research. These findings support the feasibility of hair sampling for future HIV clinical research conducted within Nigeria.

Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor Start or Switch Impacts Learning in Women With HIV.

BACKGROUND: Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are first-line regimens for HIV treatment. We aimed to examine their impact on cognitive performance and depressive symptoms in women with HIV (WWH). SETTING: Women's Interagency HIV Study, a multisite, prospective, cohort study. METHODS: WWH who started or switched to INSTI-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) and completed neuropsychological testing and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale before and after INSTI start/switch were included in the analyses. Primary outcomes were demographically corrected cognitive domain T-scores. Linear mixed-effects models adjusted for relevant covariates were used to examine effects of start/switch of any INSTI and individual INSTI drugs on cognition and CES-D scores. RESULTS: Six hundred thirty-nine WWH, median age 49 (interquartile range 12) years, 66% Black non-Hispanic, had neuropsychological and CES-D scale data before and after INSTI start/switch. Although 14% started INSTI-based ART, the remainder switched to INSTI-based ART from another regimen. Overall, any INSTI use was associated with poorer learning post-INSTI. Specifically, use of dolutegravir and elvitegravir, but not raltegravir, was associated with poorer learning. In analyses restricted to INSTI switch, any INSTI use, and dolutegravir use, was associated with poorer learning. Among those switching from a PI-based regimen, INSTIs overall and dolutegravir remained associated with poorer learning; switching from a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor to dolutegravir was also associated with poorer learning. INSTI start/switch was not related to depressive symptom changes. CONCLUSIONS: INSTI use was associated with poorer learning among WWH. These changes were mainly observed in elvitegravir and dolutegravir users, indicating that the impact of INSTI on cognition in WWH may not be a class effect.

Starting or Switching to an Integrase Inhibitor-Based Regimen Affects PTSD Symptoms in Women with HIV.

As the use of Integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-class antiretroviral medications becomes more common to maintain long-term viral suppression, early reports suggest the potential for CNS side-effects when starting or switching to an INSTI-based regimen. In a population already at higher risk for developing mood and anxiety disorders, these drugs may have significant effects on PTSD scale symptom scores, particularly in women with HIV (WWH). A total of 551 participants were included after completing ≥ 1 WIHS study visits before and after starting/switching to an INSTI-based ART regimen. Of these, 14% were ART naïve, the remainder switched from primarily a protease inhibitor (PI) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimen. Using multivariable linear mixed effects models, we compared PTSD Civilian Checklist subscale scores before and after a "start/switch" to dolutegravir (DTG), raltegravir (RAL), or elvitegravir (EVG). Start/switch to EVG improved re-experiencing subscale symptoms (P's < 0.05). Switching to EVG improved symptoms of avoidance (P = 0.01). Starting RAL improved arousal subscale symptoms (P = 0.03); however, switching to RAL worsened re-experiencing subscale symptoms (P < 0.005). Starting DTG worsened avoidance subscale symptoms (P = 0.03), whereas switching to DTG did not change subscale or overall PTSD symptoms (P's > 0.08). In WWH, an EVG-based ART regimen is associated with improved PTSD symptoms, in both treatment naïve patients and those switching from other ART. While a RAL-based regimen was associated with better PTSD symptoms than in treatment naïve patients, switching onto a RAL-based regimen was associated with worse PTSD symptoms. DTG-based regimens either did not affect, or worsened symptoms, in both naïve and switch patients. Further studies are needed to determine mechanisms underlying differential effects of EVG, RAL and DTG on stress symptoms in WWH.

Weight and Body Mass Index Change After Switching to Integrase Inhibitors or Tenofovir Alafenamide Among Women Living with HIV.

Weight and body mass index (BMI) change was assessed among women after switch to integrase inhibitors (INSTIs) and/or tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). From 2006 to 2019, 1,458 women living with HIV enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with ≥1 study visit before and after switching to INSTIs and/or TAF were included. Weight and BMI were compared pre- and postswitch to INSTI (by class and type) and/or TAF using multivariable linear mixed effects models; all models were also stratified by preswitch presence or absence of obesity (BMI ≥30 vs. <30 kg/m2). Mean age preswitch was 47 ± 6 years, 64% were black, mean CD4 = 475 ± 201 cells/mm3, 56% had HIV RNA <200 copies/mL, 36% switched to TAF but not INSTI, 60% to INSTI but not TAF, and 3.5% to TAF+INSTI. Time from pre- to postswitch was 12.8 ± 11.8 months. The INSTI-only group but not TAF groups had small but significant increases in weight and BMI: mean 79.2-80.6 kg and 30.2-30.7 kg/m2, p's < .001, respectively, with congruent findings by INSTI type (p's ≤ .01). In stratified (preswitch BMI) analyses, only nonobese subgroups experienced increases in weight and BMI across all ART treatment groups (p's < .05). Significant, although small-to-medium, increases in weight and BMI occurred among nonobese women who switched to INSTIs and/or TAF over short follow-up. Given long-term health consequences of obesity particularly as a low-grade inflammatory condition, identifying women at highest risk of ART-associated weight gain is imperative.

COVID-19 symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 infection among people living with HIV in the US: the MACS/WIHS combined cohort study.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 infection among People Living With HIV (PLWH) is not well-described. OBJECTIVE: To study COVID-19 symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 PCR-based swab testing among participants of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) and Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). METHODS: A telephone survey was collected April-June 30, 2020. Symptom and testing prevalence were explored. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 3411 participants, including 2078 (61%) PLWH and 1333 HIV-seronegative (SN) participants from across the US. Thirteen percent (n = 441) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection (13.4% of PLWH vs 12.2% of SN). Among those tested, positivity was higher in PLWH than SN (11.2% vs 6.1%, p = 0.08). Reasons for not being tested included testing not being available (30% of participants) and not knowing where to get tested (16% of participants). Most symptoms reported since January 2020 were similar in PLWH and SN, including headache (23% vs. 24%), myalgias (19% vs 18%), shortness of breath (14% vs 13%), chills (12% vs 10%), fever (6% vs 6%) and loss of taste or smell (6% vs 7%). Among PLWH who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 DNA, the most common symptoms were headache (71%), myalgia (68%), cough (68%) and chills (65%). In multivariable analysis among those tested, the odds of SARS-CoV-2 positivity were higher among PLWH than SN (aOR = 2.22 95%CI = 01.01-4.85, p = 0.046) and among those living with others versus living alone (aOR = 2.95 95%CI = 1.18-7.40). CONCLUSION: Prevalence and type of COVID-19 symptoms were similar in PLWH and SN. SARS-CoV-2 infection may be elevated among PLWH.

Metabolic Changes Associated With the Use of Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors Among Virally Controlled Women.

BACKGROUND: Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have been associated with weight gain among women living with HIV. We aimed to investigate the association between INSTIs and change in cardiometabolic risk indicators. SETTING: Retrospective cohort. METHODS: Data from 2006 to 2017 were analyzed from women living with HIV enrolled in the longitudinal Women's Interagency HIV Study who were virally controlled on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for ≥5 consecutive semiannual visits. Women who switched/added an INSTI to ART (INSTI group) were compared with women who remained on non-INSTI ART (non-INSTI group). Outcomes included changes in fasting lipids and glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), and incident diabetes, hypertension, and insulin resistance. Outcomes were measured 6-12 months before and 6-18 months after INSTI switch/add in the INSTI group with comparable visits in the non-INSTI group. Longitudinal linear regression models compared change over time in each outcome by the study group. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred eighteen participants (234 INSTI, 884 non-INSTI) were followed for a median 2.0 (Q1 1.9, Q3 2.0) years. Participants were median age 49 years, 61% Black, and 73% overweight or obese (body mass index ≥25 kg/m). Compared with non-INSTI, the INSTI group experienced greater increases in HbA1c (+0.05 vs. -0.06 mg/dL, P = 0.0318), systolic BP (+3.84 vs. +0.84 mm Hg, P = 0.0191), and diastolic BP (+1.62 vs. -0.14 mm Hg, P = 0.0121), with greatest change in HbA1c among women on INSTIs with ≥5% weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: INSTI use was associated with unfavorable changes in HbA1c and systolic and diastolic BP during short-term follow-up. Further research is needed to understand long-term cardiometabolic effects of INSTI use.

Clinical characteristics, comorbidities and outcomes among persons with HIV hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data describing the presenting characteristics and outcomes among US persons with HIV (PWH) requiring hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: We performed a case series of all PWH sequentially admitted with COVID-19 from 8 March 2020 to 23 April 2020 at three hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia. Sociodemographic, clinical and HIV-associated characteristics were collected. RESULTS: Of 530 confirmed COVID-19 cases hospitalized during this period, 20 occurred among PWH (3.8%). The median age was 57 (Q1-Q3, 48-62) years, 65% were men, and 85% were non-Hispanic Black. Presenting median symptom duration was 5 (Q1-Q3, 3-7) days; cough (90%), fever (65%), malaise (60%) and dyspnea (60%) were most common. On admission, 40% of patients required oxygenation support and 65% had an abnormal chest radiograph. Median length of hospitalization was 5 (Q1-Q3, 4-12) days, 30% required intensive care, 15% required intubation, and 15% died. Median CD4 cell count prior to admission was 425 (Q1-Q3, 262-815) cells/µl and 90% of patients had HIV-1 RNA less than 200 copies/ml. Half of the patients had at least five comorbidities; hypertension (70%), dyslipidemia (60%) and diabetes (45%) were most prevalent. All three patients who died had CD4 cell count more than 200, HIV suppression and each had a total of five comorbidities. CONCLUSION: The multisite series in the Southern United States provides characteristics and early outcomes of hospitalized PWH with COVID-19. Nearly all patients had controlled HIV and a high comorbidity burden. Additional study of COVID-19 among PWH is needed to determine the role of age, comorbidities and HIV control in mediating COVID-19 presentation and its sequelae.