The burden of anemia among Chinese HIV-infected patients following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in the treat-all era: a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To assess the prevalence of anemia before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and to identify impact of anemia on mortality among HIV-infected patients in China during the Treat-All era. METHODS: All HIV-infected patients who newly initiated ART between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2020 were enrolled and followed up to December 31, 2021 in China. We analyzed the prevalence of anemia before and after ART initiation. Generalized estimating equations were fitted to determine factors associated with anemia after ART. Time-dependent cox proportional hazards models were performed to estimate the effect of anemia on death. RESULTS: Of 436,658 patients at the baseline of ART initiation, the overall prevalence of anemia was 28.6%. During a median 2.65 (IQR: 1.80-3.51) years of follow-up after ART initiation, 376,325 (86.2%) patients had at least one Hb measurement (a total of 955,300 hemoglobin measurements). The annual prevalence of anemia after ART was 17.0%, 14.1%, 13.4%, 12.6% and 12.7%, respectively. Being anemic at the baseline of ART initiation (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 6.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.67-6.92) was the strongest factor associated with anemia after ART. Anemia status after ART showed a strong association with death after multivariable adjustment (mild anemia: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.65, 95% CI: 2.55-2.76; moderate anemia: aHR = 4.60; 95% CI:4.40-4.81; severe anemia: aHR = 6.41; 95% CI:5.94-6.91). CONCLUSIONS: In the era of ART universal access, pre-ART anemia was common among HIV-infected patients. Notably, a certain proportion of anemia still persisted after ART, and was significantly associated with death. We recommend strengthening the monitoring of patients at risk of anemia, especially in patients with baseline anemia or during the first year of ART, and timely treatment for correcting anemia.

Evaluating Clinic-Based Interventions to Reduce Racial Differences in Mortality Among People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Mortality remains elevated among Black versus White adults receiving human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care in the United States. We evaluated the effects of hypothetical clinic-based interventions on this mortality gap. METHODS: We computed 3-year mortality under observed treatment patterns among >40 000 Black and >30 000 White adults entering HIV care in the United States from 1996 to 2019. We then used inverse probability weights to impose hypothetical interventions, including immediate treatment and guideline-based follow-up. We considered 2 scenarios: "universal" delivery of interventions to all patients and "focused" delivery of interventions to Black patients while White patients continued to follow observed treatment patterns. RESULTS: Under observed treatment patterns, 3-year mortality was 8% among White patients and 9% among Black patients, for a difference of 1 percentage point (95% confidence interval [CI], .5-1.4). The difference was reduced to 0.5% under universal immediate treatment (95% CI, -.4% to 1.3%) and to 0.2% under universal immediate treatment combined with guideline-based follow-up (95% CI, -1.0% to 1.4%). Under the focused delivery of both interventions to Black patients, the Black-White difference in 3-year mortality was -1.4% (95% CI, -2.3% to -.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical interventions, particularly those focused on enhancing the care of Black patients, could have significantly reduced the mortality gap between Black and White patients entering HIV care from 1996 to 2019.

HIV mortality trends among older adults in the United States, 1999-2020.

BACKGROUND: Despite the progress made in managing HIV, the mortality trends among older adults in the US remains understudied. The lack of evidence in this demographic hampers the ability to implement evidence-based interventions. Our aim is to analyze the trends in HIV-related mortality among US citizens aged 65 years and above by demographic characteristics such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, and census region. METHODS: We abstracted national mortality data from the underlying cause of death files in the CDC WONDER database. The ICD-10 Codes- B20-B24 were used to identify HIV deaths among US older adults from 1999 to 2020. Trends in age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) were assessed using a five-year simple moving average and Joinpoint analysis. Results were expressed as annual percentage changes (APC), average annual percentage changes, and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2020, a total of 15,694 older adults died from HIV in the US (AAMR= 1.7 per 100,000; 95% CI: 1.6 - 1.7). Overall mortality trends increased at an annual rate of 1.5% (95% CI: 1.2, 1.8) from 1999 through 2020. The trends increased among Non-Hispanic Whites, stabilized among Non-Hispanic Blacks, and decreased among Hispanics from 1999 to 2020. Further, the trends increased consistently across categories of age (65 to 74 years; 75 to 84 years), sex, and census region. CONCLUSIONS: HIV mortality among older adults in the US has risen overall from 1999 to 2020, but with varying trends by race and ethnicity. This highlights the need for enhanced public health surveillance to better understand the scope of HIV mortality among older adults and identify high-risk demographic and regional subgroups for targeted interventions. Improving timely diagnosis, managing comorbidities, and stigma surrounding HIV among older adults are crucial to reducing HIV mortality in this population.

A hybrid of long short-term memory neural network and autoregressive integrated moving average model in forecasting HIV incidence and morality of post-neonatal population in East Asia: global burden of diseases 2000-2019.

BACKGROUND: To forecast the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence and mortality of post-neonatal population in East Asia including North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, Japan and China Mainland and Taiwan province. METHODS: The data on the incidence and mortality of HIV in post-neonatal population from East Asia were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD). The morbidity and mortality of post-neonatal HIV population from GBD 2000 to GBD 2013 were applied as the training set and the morbidity and mortality from GBD 2014 to GBD 2019 were used as the testing set. The hybrid of ARIMA and LSTM model was used to construct the model for assessing the morbidity and mortality in the countries and territories of East Asia, and predicting the morbidity and mortality in the next 5 years. RESULTS: In North Korea, the incidence and mortality of HIV showed a rapid increase during 2000-2010 and a gradual decrease during 2010-2019. The incidence of HIV was predicted to be increased and the mortality was decreased. In South Korea, the incidence was increased during 2000-2010 and decreased during 2010-2019, while the mortality showed fluctuant trend. As predicted, the incidence of HIV in South Korea might be increased and the mortality might be decreased during 2020-2025. In Mongolia, the incidence and mortality were slowly decreased during 2000-2005, increased during 2005-2015, and rapidly decreased till 2019. The predicted incidence and mortality of HIV showed a decreased trend. As for Japan, the incidence of HIV was rapidly increased till 2010 and then decreased till 2015. The predicted incidence of HIV in Japan was gradually increased. The mortality of HIV in Japan was fluctuant during 2000-2019 and was slowly decreased as predicted. The incidence and mortality of HIV in Taiwan during 2000-2019 was increased on the whole. The predicted incidence of HIV during was stationary and the mortality was decreased. In terms of China Mainland, the incidence and mortality of HIV was fluctuant during 2000-2019. The predicted incidence of HIV in China Mainland was stationary while the mortality was rapidly decreased. CONCLUSION: On the whole, the incidence of HIV combined with other diseases in post-neonatal population was increased before 2010 and then decreased during 2010-2019 while the mortality of those patients was decreased in East Asia.

Mortality in patients with acquired human immunodeficiency virus infection hospitalized in an intensive care unit during the period 2017-2019.

Identify risk factors associated with mortality in HIV patients admitted to an ICU in the city of Bogotá. Retrospective cohort study of patients treated in an ICU during the years 2017-2019. The analysis included descriptive statistics, association tests, and a logistic regression model. A predictive model of mortality at the time of admission to the ICU was developed. 110 HIV patients were identified. Association was found between a Charlson index ≥ 6 and mortality (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-5.1) and an increase in mortality in the first 21 days of ICU stay (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.0-4.9). In the logistic regression analysis, the absence of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) upon admission to the ICU (OR = 2.5 95% CI 1.0-6.1) and the first 21 days of ICU stay (OR = 2.3 95% CI 1.0-5.4) were associated with an increase in mortality. The predictive mortality model established that mortality was higher in patients admitted to the ICU without having previously received HAART than in those who did receive therapy at the time of admission to the ICU. In patients with HIV admitted to the ICU, the absence of HAART will negatively impact mortality during their hospital stay.

Associations of modern initial antiretroviral drug regimens with all-cause mortality in adults with HIV in Europe and North America: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens that include integrase strand inhibitors (INSTIs) have become the most commonly used for people with HIV starting ART. Although trials and observational studies have compared virological failure on INSTI-based with other regimens, few data are available on mortality in people with HIV treated with INSTIs in routine care. Therefore, we compared all-cause mortality between different INSTI-based and non-INSTI-based regimens in adults with HIV starting ART from 2013 to 2018. METHODS: This cohort study used data on people with HIV in Europe and North America from the Antiretroviral Therapy Cohort Collaboration (ART-CC) and UK Collaborative HIV Cohort (UK CHIC). We studied the most common third antiretroviral drugs (additional to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) used from 2013 to 2018: rilpivirine, darunavir, raltegravir, elvitegravir, dolutegravir, efavirenz, and others. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs; adjusted for clinical and demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and other drugs in the regimen) for mortality were estimated using Cox models stratified by ART start year and cohort, with multiple imputation of missing data. FINDINGS: 62 500 ART-naive people with HIV starting ART (12 422 [19·9%] women; median age 38 [IQR 30-48]) were included in the study. 1243 (2·0%) died during 188 952 person-years of follow-up (median 3·0 years [IQR 1·6-4·4]). There was little evidence that mortality rates differed between regimens with dolutegravir, elvitegravir, rilpivirine, darunavir, or efavirenz as the third drug. However, mortality was higher for raltegravir compared with dolutegravir (aHR 1·49, 95% CI 1·15-1·94), elvitegravir (1·86, 1·43-2·42), rilpivirine (1·99, 1·49-2·66), darunavir (1·62, 1·33-1·98), and efavirenz (2·12, 1·60-2·81) regimens. Results were similar for analyses making different assumptions about missing data and consistent across the time periods 2013-15 and 2016-18. Rates of virological suppression were higher for dolutegravir than other third drugs. INTERPRETATION: This large study of patients starting ART since the introduction of INSTIs found little evidence that mortality rates differed between most first-line ART regimens; however, raltegravir-based regimens were associated with higher mortality. Although unmeasured confounding cannot be excluded as an explanation for our findings, virological benefits of first-line INSTIs-based ART might not translate to differences in mortality. FUNDING: US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and UK Medical Research Council.

Caracterización de los pacientes con VIH/sida en Guanabacoa, La Habana / Characterization of HIV or AIDS Patients from Guanabacoa, Havana

Introducción: La infección por VIH es actualmente una pandemia que afecta millones de personas, que provoca complicaciones y la muerte a muchos pacientes. Objetivo: Caracterizar clínica y epidemiológicamente a los pacientes con VIH/sida, pertenecientes al municipio de Guanabacoa, La Habana. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo en el municipio de Guanabacoa, La Habana, en el periodo comprendido entre enero 1986 y diciembre 2019. El universo de estudio quedó conformado por 647 pacientes con diagnóstico de VIH/sida. Las principales variables a medir fueron: edad, sexo, orientación sexual, color de la piel, estado civil y nivel escolar. Resultados: Predominó el sexo masculino sobre el femenino (538 v/s 109), el grupo de edad de 20 -29 años, la homosexualidad (404 pacientes, para un 62,44 por ciento) y el color de piel blanca (51,93 por ciento) y valor p < 0,0001, los solteros (526 pacientes) y los pacientes con nivel escolar de secundaria básica (292 pacientes). Conclusiones: Predominó el sexo masculino, la homosexualidad, el color de piel blanca, los solteros y el nivel escolar de secundaria básica(AU)

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is currently a pandemic affecting millions of people, causing complications and death to many patients. Objective: To characterize, clinically and epidemiologically, patients with HIV or AIDS in Guanabacoa Municipality, Havana. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out in Guanabacoa Municipality, Havana, between January 1986 and December 2019. The study universe consisted of 647 patients diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. The main variables to be measured were age, sex, sexual orientation, skin color, marital status, and school level. Results: There was a predominance of the male sex over the female (538 versus 109), together with the age group 20-29 years, homosexuality (404 patients, 62.44 percent), and the white skin color (51.93 percent); P-value was under 0.0001. There was also a predominance of single patients (526) and patients with junior high school level (292). Conclusions: The male sex, homosexuality, white skin color, single as marriage status, and junior high school level predominated(AU)

Incidence and predictors of anemia among adults on HIV care at South Gondar Zone Public General Hospital Northwest Ethiopia, 2020; retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a major public health problem worldwide which accounts 24.8% of the population. Subsequently, anemia is a leading killer of people living with human immunodeficiency virus and many of these deaths occur in developing countries including Ethiopia. Cross sectional studies have done on anemia and human immunodeficiency virus. However, there is limited study on incidence of anemia and its predictors among adults on HIV care, especially no survival study has been conducted in the study area. OBJECTIVE: To assess incidence and predictors of anemia among adults on Human immunodeficiency virus care. METHODS: An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 434 adults on HIV care from January 1st 2015 to December 30th 2019 at Debre Tabor Referral Hospital. A computer-generated simple random sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Bahir Dar University, and also, we got implied consent to review charts from the concerned bodies in the hospital. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed by using STATA version 14.0. A Kaplan Meier survival curve was utilized to estimate anemia free survival time. Bivariable and Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model were fitted to identify predictors of anemia. RESULTS: The overall incidence density rate of anemia was 6.27 (95% CI: 0.051, 0.077) per 100 person years. Clinical stage III/IV (AHR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.06), Body Mass Index less than 18.5 kg/m2 (AHR = 3.11; 95% CI = 1.56, 6.22), serum creatinine greater than 1.1 IU/L(AHR = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.12, 3.81) and fair/poor level of adherence(AHR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.07) were statistically significant predictors of anemia while increased anti-retroviral treatment duration (AHR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.97, 0.99) decrease the risk of anemia at 95% confidence level. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence density rate of anemia was high. Patients with clinical stage III/IV, body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2, serum creatinine greater than 1.1 IU/L and fair/poor level of adherence were significant predictors of anemia while increased antiretroviral treatment duration had decreased the risk of anemia. RECOMMENDATION: Even if the overall incidence rate of anemia was lower as compared to previous studies in Ethiopia, still the incidence of anemia was high. So, prevention measures should be taken beside with HIV care especially within 6-months ART initiation.

Time trend, social vulnerability, and identification of risk areas for tuberculosis in Brazil: An ecological study.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is one of the ten leading causes of death and the leading infectious cause worldwide. The disease represents a challenge to health systems around the world. In 2018, it is estimated that 10 million people were affected by tuberculosis, and approximately 1.5 million people died due to the disease worldwide, including 251,000 patients coinfected with HIV. In Brazil, the disease caused 4,490 deaths, with rate of 2.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The objective of this study was to analyze the time behavior, spatial, spatial-temporal distribution, and the effects of social vulnerability on the incidence of TB in Brazil during the period from 2001 to 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A spatial-temporal ecological study was conducted, including all new cases of tuberculosis registered in Brazil during the period from 2001 to 2017. The following variables were analyzed: incidence rate of tuberculosis, the Social Vulnerability Index, its subindices, its 16 indicators, and an additional 14 variables available on the Atlas of Social Vulnerability. The statistical treatment of the data consisted of the following three stages: a) time trend analysis with a joinpoint regression model; b) spatial analysis and identification of risk areas based on smoothing of the incidence rate by local empirical Bayesian model, application of global and local Moran statistics, and, finally, spatial-temporal scan statistics; and c) analysis of association between the incidence rate and the indicators of social vulnerability. RESULTS: Brazil reduced the incidence of tuberculosis from 42.8 per 100,000 to 35.2 per 100,000 between 2001 and 2017. Only the state of Minas Gerais showed an increasing trend, whereas nine other states showed a stationary trend. A total of 326 Brazilian municipalities were classified as high priority, and 22 high-risk spatial-temporal clusters were identified. The overall Social Vulnerability Index and the subindices of Human Capital and Income and Work were associated with the incidence of tuberculosis. It was also observed that the incidence rates were greater in municipalities with greater social vulnerability. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified clusters with high risk of TB in Brazil. A significant association was observed between the incidence rate of TB and the indices of social vulnerability.

Descripción de situación epidemiológica del virus inmunodeficiencia humana en Chile durante los años 2016 a 2021 / Description of the epidemiological situation of human immunodeficiency virus in Chile during the years 2016 to 2021

Introducción: El virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) causa una infección que destruye los linfocitos del huésped. Su fase avanzada conlleva al Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (SIDA) que trae consigo una alta morbimortalidad a nivel mundial, convirtiéndose en una pandemia de gran preocupación para las organizaciones mundiales de salud. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio de carácter observacional, descriptivo, ecológico y longitudinal retrospectivo. Se analizaron los datos del Departamento de Estadísticas de Información de Salud, número de casos confirmados, defunciones ocurridas en la población chilena, por región, entre los años 2016 y 2021 con causa básica de muerte Enfermedad por VIH [SIDA] y la cantidad total de exámenes realizados. Resultados: Se observa un aumento tanto en el número de exámenes realizados como de los casos diagnosticados hasta el año 2019. Respecto a la mortalidad se describe una tendencia decreciente desde el año 2016, con un alza puntual en 2019 tanto a nivel nacional como regional, por rango etario y sexo. A nivel regional se identifican mayores cifras en las macrozonas norte y centro. Discusión: En todas las regiones se evidenció una disminución durante los años 2020 y 2021, posiblemente asociada a un camuflaje en su categorización. La población chilena presenta una mayor tasa de mortalidad en el rango de 40 a 44 años, a diferencia del contexto mundial donde se observa un rango de 55 a 59 años. En causas específicas de mortalidad, se destaca el segundo lugar asociado a tumores malignos siendo importante destacar la necesidad de evidencia enfocada en el diagnóstico temprano de estas patologías.

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes an infection that destroys host lymphocytes. Its advanced stage leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) that brings with it a high morbimortality worldwide, becoming a pandemic of great concern for world health organizations. Materials and Methods: Observational, descriptive, ecological and retrospective longitudinal study. Data from the Department of Health Information Statistics, number of confirmed cases, deaths occurred in the Chilean population, by region, between the years 2016 and 2021 with basic cause of death HIV disease [AIDS] and the total number of tests performed were analyzed. Results: An increase is observed both in the number of examinations performed and cases diagnosed until 2019. Regarding mortality, a decreasing trend is described since 2016, with a punctual increase in 2019 both at national and regional level, by age range and sex. At the regional level, higher figures are identified in the northern and central macro-zones. Discussion: A decrease was evident in all regions during 2020 and 2021, possibly associated with a camouflage in their categorization. The Chilean population presents a higher mortality rate in the range of 40 to 44 years, unlike the world context where a range of 55 to 59 years is observed. In specific causes of mortality, the second place associated with malignant tumors stands out, being important to highlight the need for evidence focused on the early diagnosis of these pathologies.

Fatores associados ao óbito por HIV/Aids / Factores asociados al fallecimiento por VIH/Sida / Factors associated with death due to HIV/AIDS

Resumo Objetivo Analisar os fatores associados ao óbito em pessoas com HIV/Aids. Método Estudo epidemiológico e analítico, realizado a partir das notificações de HIV/Aids do estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, no período de 2009 à 2018. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, análise de sobrevida via método de Kaplan-Meier e regressão de Cox. Resultados Foram analisadas 8.712 notificações, com taxa de sobrevida de 86% ao longo dos 10 anos. Os fatores associados ao óbito foram:sexo masculino (=1,22; p=0,006), cor da pele parda (=1,30; p=0,012), oito anos ou menos de estudo (=1,57; p=0,000), e possível transmissão sexual mediante relação com mulheres (=2,72; p=0,000) ou com ambos - homens e mulheres (=2,24; p=0,002) e utilização de drogas injetáveis (=2,57; p=0,016). Conclusão Características sociais, culturais e comportamentais podem contribuir para redução da sobrevida das pessoas com HIV/Aids. Esses fatores sinalizam especificidades a serem consideradas no planejamento assistencial e monitoramento dos casos, em especial no que concerne à necessidade de busca ativa, monitoramento contínuo, além de intervenções que envolvam mudanças de comportamento.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar los factores asociados al fallecimiento de personas con VIH/Sida. Método Estudio epidemiológico y analítico, realizado a partir de las notificaciones de VIH/Sida en el estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, en el período de 2009 a 2018. El análisis de los datos se realizó por medio de estadística descriptiva, análisis de sobrevida por el método de Kaplan-Meier y de regresión de Cox. Resultados Se analizaron 8.712 notificaciones, con un índice de sobrevida del 86 % a lo largo de los 10 años. Los factores asociados al fallecimiento fueron: sexo masculino (=1,22; p=0,006), color de piel parda (=1,30; p=0,012), ocho años o menos de estudio (=1,57; p=0,000), y posible transmisión sexual mediante relación con mujeres (=2,72; p=0,000) o con ambos, hombres y mujeres (=2,24; p=0,002), y uso de drogas inyectables (=2,57; p=0,016). Conclusión Características sociales, culturales y de comportamiento pueden contribuir para la reducción de la sobrevida de las personas con VIH/Sida. Esos factores señalan especificidades que se deben considerar en la planificación asistencial y en el monitoreo de los casos, en especial en lo que atañe a la necesidad de la búsqueda activa, el monitoreo continuo e intervenciones que incluyan cambios de comportamiento.

Abstract Objective To analyze the factors associated with death in people with HIV/AIDS. Method This is an epidemiological and analytical study, carried out from the HIV/AIDS notifications of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, from 2009 to 2018. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression. Results A total of 8,712 notifications were analyzed, with a survival rate of 86% over the 10 years. Factors associated with death were: males (=1.22; p=0.006), brown skin color (=1.30; p=0.012), eight years or less of study (=1.57; p=0.000), and possible sexual transmission through intercourse with women (=2.72; p=0.000) or with both men and women (=2.24; p=0.002) and use of injectable drugs (=2.57; p=0.016). Conclusion Social, cultural and behavioral characteristics may contribute to reduce the survival of people with HIV/AIDS. These factors indicate specificities to be considered in care planning and monitoring of cases, especially with regard to the need for an active search, continuous monitoring, in addition to interventions that involve changes in behavior.

Análise da tendência da mortalidade por doenças definidoras e não definidoras de HIV/aids segundo características sociodemográficas, por Unidade da Federação e Brasil, 2000-2018 / Análisis de las tendencias de mortalidad por enfermedades definitorias y no definitorias de VIH/SIDA, según características sociodemográficas por Unidad de la Federación y Brasil, 2000-2018 / Analysis of trend in mortality due to HIV/AIDS-defining and non-HIV/AIDS defining illnesses according to sociodemographic characteristics, by Federative Unit and Brazil, 2000-2018

Objetivo: Analisar a tendência temporal da taxa mortalidade por doenças definidoras e não definidoras de HIV/aids no Brasil entre 2000 e 2018. Métodos: Estudo ecológico de série temporal, com dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade, no Brasil e Unidades da Federação. Utilizou-se a regressão de Prais-Winsten para a análise de tendências, de acordo com taxa de mortalidade geral, sexo, faixa etária, estado civil e raça/cor da pele. Resultados: Foram registrados 237.435 óbitos no período. No país, as doenças definidoras apresentaram taxas mais elevadas (7,4 a 4,4 óbitos/100 mil habitantes no período) que as observadas entre as não definidoras (0,4 a 0,8 óbito/100 mil hab. no período). A mortalidade geral por doenças definidoras foi decrescente (-6,3%; IC95% -8,8;-3,8); e por doenças não definidoras, crescente (11,0%; IC95% 6,5;15,7). Conclusão: Houve mudança no perfil de mortalidade por HIV/aids no decorrer dos anos observados, verificando-se decréscimo de óbitos por doenças definidoras de HIV/aids.

Objetivo: Analizar la tendencia temporal de la tasa de mortalidad por enfermedades definitorias y no definitorias de VIH/SIDA en Brasil entre 2000 y 2018. Métodos: Estudio de serie temporal ecológica con datos del Sistema de Información de Mortalidad de Brasil y Unidades de la Federación. Se utilizó la regresión de Prais-Winsten para analizar las tendencias según tasa de mortalidad general, sexo, grupo de edad, estado civil y raza/color. Resultados: Se registraron 237.435 muertes en el período. En el país, las enfermedades definitorias presentaron tasas superiores (7,4 a 4,4 óbitos/100 mil habitantes en el período) que las observadas entre las enfermedades no definitorias (0,4 a 0,8 óbito/100 mil habitantes en el período). La mortalidad general por enfermedades definitorias estaba disminuyendo (-6,3%; IC95% -8,8;-3,8) y para las enfermedades no definitorias estaba aumentando (11,0%; IC95% 6,5;-15,7). Conclusión: Hubo un cambio en el perfil de mortalidad por VIH/SIDA a lo largo de los años, con una disminución en las muertes por enfermedades definitorias de VIH/SIDA.

Objective: To analyze the temporal trend of mortality rate due to HIV/AIDS defining and non-HIV/AIDS defining illnesses in Brazil between 2000 and 2018. Methods: This was an ecological time series study, using data from the Mortality Information System, in Brazil and the Federative Units. Trend analysis was performed by means of Prais-Winsten regression model, according to overall mortality rate, sex, age group, marital status and race/skin color. Results: A total of 237,435 deaths were recorded in the period. In the country, defining illnesses showed higher rates (7.4 to 4.4 deaths/100,000 inhabitants in the period) than those observed among non-defining diseases (0.4 to 0.8 death/100,000 inhabitants in the period). It could be seen a decrease in overall mortality due to defining diseases (-6.3%; 95%CI -8.8;-3.8); while it increased due to non-defining diseases (11.0%; 95%CI 6.5;15.7). Conclusion: There was a change in HIV/AIDS mortality profile over the years, with a decrease in deaths due to HIV/AIDS-defining diseases.

Estimation of lifetime survival and predictors of mortality among TB with HIV co-infected children after test and treat strategies launched in Northwest, Ethiopia, 2021; a multicentre historical follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: In resource-limited settings, the mortality rate among tuberculosis and human Immunodeficiency virus co-infected children is higher. However, there is no adequate evidence in Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular. Hence, this study aims to estimate lifetime survival and predictors of mortality among TB with HIV co-infected children after test and treat strategies launched in Northwest Ethiopia Hospitals, 2021. METHODS: Institution-based historical follow-up study was conducted in Northwest Ethiopia Hospitals among 227 Tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus co-infected children from March 1, 2014, to January 12, 2021. The data were entered into Epi info-7 and then exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. The log-rank test was used to estimate the curve difference of the predictor variables. Bivariable cox-proportional hazard models were employed for each predictor variable. Additionally, those variables having a p-value < 0.25 in bivariate analysis were fitted into a multivariable cox-proportional hazards model. P-value < 0.05 was used to declare significance associated with the dependent variable. RESULTS: From a total of 227 TB and HIV co-infected children, 39 died during the follow-up period. The overall mortality rate was 3.7 (95% CI (confidence interval): 2.9-4.7) per 100 person-years with a total of 1063.2-year observations. Cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT) non-users [Adjusted Hazarded Ratio (AHR) = 3.8 (95% CI: 1.64-8.86)], presence of treatment failure [AHR = 3.0 (95% CI: 1.14-78.17)], and Cluster of differentiation 4(CD4) count below threshold [AHR = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.21-6.45)] were significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: In this study, the mortality rate among TB and HIV co-infected children was found to be very high. The risk of mortality among TB and HIV co-infected children was associated with treatment failure, CD4 count below the threshold, and cotrimoxazole preventive therapy non-users. Further research should conduct to assess and improve the quality of ART service in Northwest Ethiopia Hospitals.

SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1: Should HIV-1-Infected Individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa Be Considered a Priority Group for the COVID-19 Vaccines?

Since its emergence in 2019 SARS-CoV-2 has proven to have a higher level of morbidity and mortality compared to the other prevailing coronaviruses. Although initially most African countries were spared from the devastating effect of SARS-CoV-2, at present almost every country has been affected. Although no association has been established between being HIV-1-infected and being more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19, HIV-1-infected individuals have a greater risk of developing severe COVID-19 and of COVID-19 related mortality. The rapid development of the various types of COVID-19 vaccines has gone a long way in mitigating the devastating effects of the virus and has controlled its spread. However, global vaccine deployment has been uneven particularly in Africa. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as Beta and Delta, which seem to show some subtle resistance to the existing vaccines, suggests COVID-19 will still be a high-risk infection for years. In this review we report on the current impact of COVID-19 on HIV-1-infected individuals from an immunological perspective and attempt to make a case for prioritising COVID-19 vaccination for those living with HIV-1 in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries like Malawi as one way of minimising the impact of COVID-19 in these countries.

Delirium in HIV-infected patients admitted to acute medical wards post universal access to antiretrovirals in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is associated with increased mortality and length of hospital stay. Limited data are available from HIV-infected acute hospital admissions in developing countries. We conducted a prospective study of delirium among acute medical admissions in South Africa (SA), a developing country with universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) access and high burdens of tuberculosis (TB) and non-communicable disease. OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of, risk factors for and outcomes of delirium in HIV-infected individuals in acute general medical admissions. METHODS: Three cohorts of adult acute medical admissions to Groote Schuur and Victoria Wynberg hospitals, Cape Town, SA, were evaluated for prevalent delirium within 24 hours of admission. Reference delirium testing was performed by either consultant physicians or neuropsychologists, using the Confusion Assessment Method. RESULTS: The study included 1 182 acute medical admissions, with 318 (26.9%) HIV-infected. The median (interquartile range) age and CD4 count were 35 (30 - 43) years and 132 (61 - 256) cells/µL, respectively, with 140/318 (44.0%) using ART on admission. The prevalence of delirium was 17.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 13.7 - 22.1) among HIV-infected patients, and delirium was associated with increased inpatient mortality. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors associated with delirium were age ≥55 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 6.95 (95% CI 2.03 - 23.67); p=0.002), and urea ≥15 mmol/L (aOR 4.83 (95% CI 1.7 - 13.44); p=0.003), while ART use reduced risk (p=0.014). A low CD4 count, an unsuppressed viral load and active TB were not predictors of delirium; nor were other previously reported risk factors such as non-opportunistic acute infections or polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Delirium is common and is associated with increased mortality in HIV-infected acute medical admissions in endemic settings, despite increased ART use. Older HIV-infected patients with renal dysfunction are at increased risk for inpatient delirium, while those using ART on admission have a reduced risk.

Cumulative burden of non-communicable diseases predicts COVID hospitalization among people with HIV: A one-year retrospective cohort study.

There continue to be conflicting data regarding the outcomes of people with HIV (PWH) who have COVID-19 infection with most studies describing the early epidemic. We present a single site experience spanning a later timeframe from the first report on January 21, 2020 to January 20, 2021 and describe clinical outcomes and predictors of hospitalization among a cohort of PWH in an urban center in Connecticut, USA. Among 103 PWH with controlled HIV disease, hospitalization occurred in 33% and overall mortality was 1%. HIV associated factors (CD4 count, HIV viral suppression) were not associated with hospitalization. Chronic lung disease (OR: 3.35, 95% CI:1.28-8.72), and cardiovascular disease (OR: 3.4, 95% CI:1.27-9.12) were independently associated with hospitalization. An increasing number of non-communicable comorbidities increased the likelihood of hospitalization (OR: 1.61, 95% CI:1.22-2.13).

Integrating HIV services and other health services: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Integration of HIV services with other health services has been proposed as an important strategy to boost the sustainability of the global HIV response. We conducted a systematic and comprehensive synthesis of the existing scientific evidence on the impact of service integration on the HIV care cascade, health outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We reviewed the global quantitative empirical evidence on integration published between 1 January 2010 and 10 September 2021. We included experimental and observational studies that featured both an integration intervention and a comparator in our review. Of the 7,118 unique peer-reviewed English-language studies that our search algorithm identified, 114 met all of our selection criteria for data extraction. Most of the studies (90) were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in East Africa (55) and Southern Africa (24). The most common forms of integration were (i) HIV testing and counselling added to non-HIV services and (ii) non-HIV services added to antiretroviral therapy (ART). The most commonly integrated non-HIV services were maternal and child healthcare, tuberculosis testing and treatment, primary healthcare, family planning, and sexual and reproductive health services. Values for HIV care cascade outcomes tended to be better in integrated services: uptake of HIV testing and counselling (pooled risk ratio [RR] across 37 studies: 1.67 [95% CI 1.41-1.99], p < 0.001), ART initiation coverage (pooled RR across 19 studies: 1.42 [95% CI 1.16-1.75], p = 0.002), time until ART initiation (pooled RR across 5 studies: 0.45 [95% CI 0.20-1.00], p = 0.050), retention in HIV care (pooled RR across 19 studies: 1.68 [95% CI 1.05-2.69], p = 0.031), and viral suppression (pooled RR across 9 studies: 1.19 [95% CI 1.03-1.37], p = 0.025). Also, treatment success for non-HIV-related diseases and conditions and the uptake of non-HIV services were commonly higher in integrated services. We did not find any significant differences for the following outcomes in our meta-analyses: HIV testing yield, ART adherence, HIV-free survival among infants, and HIV and non-HIV mortality. We could not conduct meta-analyses for several outcomes (HIV infections averted, costs, and cost-effectiveness), because our systematic review did not identify sufficient poolable studies. Study limitations included possible publication bias of studies with significant or favourable findings and comparatively weak evidence from some world regions and on integration of services for key populations in the HIV response. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of HIV services and other health services tends to improve health and health systems outcomes. Despite some scientific limitations, the global evidence shows that service integration can be a valuable strategy to boost the sustainability of the HIV response and contribute to the goal of 'ending AIDS by 2030', while simultaneously supporting progress towards universal health coverage.

[Influencing factors on the death of HIV/AIDS patients treated with antiviral treatment in Butuo county, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, 2010-2019].

Objective: To understand influencing factors on the deaths of HIV/AIDS patients receiving antireviral treatment in Butuo county of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture (Liangshan) from 2010 to 2019, to provide data for drug replacement and sustainable antiviral treatment strategy. Methods: A matched case-control study was used to collect basic and follow-up information on AIDS death patients receiving antiviral treatment in Butuo county of Liangshan from 2010 to 2019. The control group was formed by sampling twice the number of cases. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors affecting mortality. Results: In 3 355 patients of HIV/AIDS treated with antiviral therapy, 1 179 cases in the death group and 2 176 cases in the control group. Including 81.34% were 30-49 years old, 69.09％males, 99.55% Yi nationality, 91.12% were married or cohabitated, 95.77% had junior high school education or below, and 88.41% peasants. Amultivariate logistic stepwise regression model showed that among the death risk factors, age ≥50 years old was 5.08 times (95%CI:3.05-8.48) that of the 18-29, female was 0.70 times (95%CI: 0.52-0.94) than male, the transmission rate of intravenous drug use was 1.43 times (95%CI: 1.06-1.91) that of heterosexual transmission, CD4+T lymphocyte (CD4) count ≥350 cells/µl before treatment was 0.38 times (95%CI: 0.30-0.48) that of CD4 <200 cells/µl before treatment, the most recent antiviral treatment regimen containing LPV/r was 0.04 times (95%CI: 0.01-0.18) than that of stavudine (d4T) + lamivudine (3TC) + nevirapine (NVP)/efavirenz (EFV) regimen, drug resistance was 3.40 times (95%CI: 2.13-5.42) of non-drug resistance, non-viral load and non-drug resistance test results were 12.98 times (95%CI: 10.28-16.40) of non-drug resistance. Conclusions: Age, gender, transmission route, CD4 before treatment, the latest antiviral treatment program, and drug resistance test after antiviral therapy were the influencing factors of HIV/AIDS death in Butuo county. It is necessary to expand the coverage of viral load and drug resistance test to change the antiviral therapeutic schedule scientifically and carry out publicity and education on the compliance of patients with antiviral treatment and medical staff training in order to reduce the mortality of patients with antiviral treatment.

[Analysis on mortality in HIV/AIDS cases aged 15 years and older under antiretroviral treatment in Henan province, 2002-2019].

Objective: To analyze the mortality in HIV/AIDS cases aged ≥15 years under antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Henan province from 2002 to 2019, and provide evidence for reducing the mortality rate of HIV/AIDS and AIDS prevention and treatment. Methods: Data of HIV/AIDS cases aged ≥15 years who received ART in Henan from 2002 to 2019 were obtained from "Infectious Disease Surveillance System - Basic Information on AIDS Prevention and Control". In this retrospective study, Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the influencing factors for HIV/AIDS related deaths. Software SPSS 23.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: From 2002 to 2019, a total of 72 986 HIV/AIDS cases aged ≥15 years received ART, in whom, 16 634 died during this period. Most of the death cases were aged ≥40 years old (68.5%,11 393/16 634), males (62.6%,10 419/16 634), infected through blood-borne transmission (71.7%,11 927/16 634), and farmers or migrant workers (91.7%,15 249/16 634). Most of the deaths were due to AIDS related diseases (73.7%, 12 261/16 634), and the case fatality rate was 16.8% (12 261/72 986). A total of 34.6% (4 237/12 261) of HIV/AIDS cases died of AIDS-related diseases in the first year of ART, and the cumulative survival rates at 10 and 18 years of ART were 78.3% and 71.8%, respectively. The proportion of the HIV/AIDS cases with baseline CD4+T lymphocyte (CD4) counts <200 cells/µl at age 15 years when ART started was 45.5% (30 432/66 898). Cox proportional risk regression model showed that, compared with the cases with baseline CD4 counts ≥350 cells/µl, the risk of death was 1.78 times higher than in the cases with CD4 counts <200 cells/µl (95%CI: 1.64-1.94) and 1.24 times higher in the cases with CD4 counts ≥200 cells/µl (95%CI: 1.13-1.36), respectively. The risk of death in symptomatic cases at baseline survey was 1.25 times higher than that in asymptomatic cases (95%CI: 1.16-1.35). The cases with a latest viral load ≥1 000 copies/ml had 7.09 times higher risk of death than those with a last viral load<1 000 copies/ml (95%CI: 6.65-7.54). Conclusions: The majority of HIV/AIDS deaths occurred in the cases aged ≥15 years receiving ART in Henan province during 2002-2019, who were infected through blood-borne transmission and farmers/migrant workers, and AIDS-related diseases were the main causes of the deaths. With the gradual implementation of ART policy, the high survival rate in HIV/AIDS cases can be maintained for a long time in Henan. To reduce the case fatality rate and improve the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients, CD4 counts test should be further strengthened and eligible HIV/AIDS patients should be covered by standard ART in a timely manner.