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Dunn D, Price H, Vudriko T, Kityo C, Musoro G, Hakim J, Gilks C, Kaleebu P, Pillay D, Gilson R. New Insights on Long-Term Hepatitis B Virus Responses in HIV-Hepatitis B virus Co-infected Patients: Implications for Antiretroviral Management in Hepatitis B virus-Endemic Settings. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 86:98-103. [PMID: 33306565 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND WHO treatment guidelines recommend tenofovir plus lamivudine or emtricitabine as the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor backbone in first-line regimens for HIV-infected adults. Lamivudine alone is not recommended, because of the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) resistance. We studied HBV responses in a large cohort of co-infected patients in a resource-limited setting. SETTING Clinical centers in Uganda and Zimbabwe. METHODS DART was a randomized trial of monitoring practices in HIV-infected adults starting antiretroviral therapy. Baseline samples were tested retrospectively for HBV serological markers and HBV DNA. Longitudinal HBV DNA testing at 48 weeks and the last available sample before HBV-relevant modification of antiretroviral therapy was performed on patients with detectable HBV DNA at baseline. RESULTS Two hundred twenty-four hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients were followed for up to 4.8 years. Of the drugs with anti-HBV activity, 166 were prescribed lamivudine-tenofovir and 58 lamivudine alone. Ninety-eight percent (96/98) patients with baseline HBV DNA <6 log10 IU/mL achieved viral suppression at 48 weeks (HBV DNA <48 IU/mL), regardless of regimen, compared with 50%(26/52) for HBV DNA >6 log10 IU/mL. Of the 83 patients suppressed at 48 weeks and with follow-up data, only 7(8%) experienced viral rebound (range 200-3460 IU/mL). Of the 20 patients not suppressed at 48 weeks and with follow-up data, HBV DNA levels generally declined with lamivudine-tenofovir, but increased with lamivudine alone. Alanine transaminase flares were not observed in any patient who experienced viral rebound. CONCLUSIONS The suppressive effect of lamivudine alone was highly durable (up to 5 years) in HIV-HBV co-infected patients with baseline HBV DNA <6 log10 IU/mL. It may be feasible to develop stratified approaches using lamivudine as the only drug with anti-HBV activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Dunn
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Huw Price
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tobias Vudriko
- MRC/UVRI & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Cissy Kityo
- Joint Clinical Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Godfrey Musoro
- University of Zimbabwe Clinical Research Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - James Hakim
- University of Zimbabwe Clinical Research Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Charles Gilks
- School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; and
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- MRC/UVRI & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Deenan Pillay
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Gilson
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Duthaler U, Berger B, Erb S, Battegay M, Letang E, Gaugler S, Natamatungiro A, Mnzava D, Donzelli M, Krähenbühl S, Haschke M. Using dried blood spots to facilitate therapeutic drug monitoring of antiretroviral drugs in resource-poor regions. J Antimicrob Chemother 2019; 73:2729-2737. [PMID: 30052975 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dky254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We evaluated whether dried blood spots (DBS) are suitable to monitor combined ART when samples are collected in rural Tanzania and transported over a long distance to a specialized bioanalytical laboratory. Methods Plasma and DBS samples were collected in Tanzania from study patients treated with nevirapine, efavirenz or lopinavir. In addition, plasma, whole blood and DBS samples were obtained from a cohort of HIV patients at the site of the bioanalytical laboratory in Switzerland. DBS samples were analysed using a fully automated LC-MS/MS method. Results Comparison of DBS versus plasma concentrations of samples obtained from the bridging study in Switzerland indicated an acceptable bias only for nevirapine (18.4%), whereas for efavirenz and lopinavir a pronounced difference of -47.4% and -48.1% was found, respectively. Adjusting the DBS concentrations by the haematocrit and the fraction of drug bound to plasma proteins removed this bias [efavirenz +9.4% (-6.9% to +25.7%), lopinavir +2.2% (-20.0% to +24.2%)]. Storage and transportation of samples from Tanzania to Switzerland did not affect the good agreement between plasma and DBS for nevirapine [-2.9% (-34.7% to +29.0%)] and efavirenz [-9.6% (-42.9% to +23.8%)]. For lopinavir, however, adjusted DBS concentrations remained considerably below [-32.8% (-70.4% to +4.8%)] corresponding plasma concentrations due to decay of lopinavir in DBS obtained under field conditions. Conclusions Our field study shows that the DBS technique is a suitable tool for therapeutic drug monitoring in resource-poor regions; however, sample stability remains an issue for certain analytes and therefore needs special consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urs Duthaler
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Berger
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Erb
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Battegay
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emili Letang
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Massimiliano Donzelli
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Krähenbühl
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine, University and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Haschke
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Sarfo B, Vanderpuye NA, Addison A, Nyasulu P. HIV Case Management Support Service Is Associated with Improved CD4 Counts of Patients Receiving Care at the Antiretroviral Clinic of Pantang Hospital, Ghana. AIDS Res Treat 2017; 2017:4697473. [PMID: 29085677 PMCID: PMC5632479 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4697473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Factors associated with individual patient-level management of HIV have received minimal attention in sub-Saharan Africa. This study determined the association between support services and cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) counts among HIV patients attending ART clinic in Ghana. METHODOLOGY This was a cross-sectional study involving adults with HIV recruited between 1 August 2014 and 31 January 2015. Data on support services were obtained through a closed-ended personal interview while the CD4 counts data were collected from their medical records. Data were entered into EpiData and analyzed using Stata software. RESULTS Of the 201 patients who participated in the study, 67% (129/191) received case management support service. Counseling about how to prevent the spread of HIV (crude odds ratio (cOR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) (2.79 (1.17-6.68)), mental health services (0.2 (0.04-1.00)), and case management support service (2.80 (1.34-5.82))) was associated with improved CD4 counts of 350 cells/mm3 or more. After adjusting for counseling about how to prevent the spread of HIV and mental health services, case management support service was significantly associated with CD4 counts of 350 cells/mm3 or more (aOR = 2.36 (CI = 1.01-5.49)). CONCLUSION Case management support service for HIV patients receiving ART improves their CD4 counts above 350 cells/mm3. Incorporating HIV case management services in ART regimen should be a priority in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bismark Sarfo
- Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | | | - Abigail Addison
- Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Peter Nyasulu
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Stonbraker S, Befus M, Nadal LL, Halpern M, Larson E. Evaluating the utility of provider-recorded clinical status in the medical records of HIV-positive adults in a limited-resource setting. Int J STD AIDS 2016; 28:685-692. [PMID: 27495146 DOI: 10.1177/0956462416663990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Provider-reported summaries of clinical status may assist with clinical management of HIV in resource poor settings if they reflect underlying biological processes associated with HIV disease progression. However, their ability to do so is rarely evaluated. Therefore, we aimed to assess the relationship between a provider-recorded summary of clinical status and indicators of HIV progression. Data were abstracted from 201 randomly selected medical records at a large HIV clinic in the Dominican Republic. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the relationship between provider-assigned clinical status and demographic (gender, age, nationality, education) and clinical factors (reported medication adherence, CD4 cell count, viral load). The mean age of patients was 41.2 (SD = ±10.9) years and most were female (n = 115, 57%). None of the examined characteristics were significantly associated with provider-recorded clinical status. Higher CD4 cell counts were more likely for females (OR = 2.2 CI: 1.12-4.31) and less likely for those with higher viral loads (OR = 0.33 CI: 0.15-0.72). Poorer adherence and lower CD4 cell counts were significantly associated with higher viral loads (OR = 4.46 CI: 1.11-20.29 and 6.84 CI: 1.47-37.23, respectively). Clinics using provider-reported summaries of clinical status should evaluate the performance of these assessments to ensure they are associated with biologic indicators of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Montina Befus
- 2 Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, NY, USA
| | | | - Mina Halpern
- 3 Clínica de Familia La Romana, La Romana, Dominican Republic
| | - Elaine Larson
- 1 Columbia University School of Nursing, NY, USA.,2 Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, NY, USA
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Kityo C, Gibb DM, Gilks CF, Goodall RL, Mambule I, Kaleebu P, Pillay D, Kasirye R, Mugyenyi P, Walker AS, Dunn DT. High level of viral suppression and low switch rate to second-line antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected adult patients followed over five years: retrospective analysis of the DART trial. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90772. [PMID: 24625508 PMCID: PMC3953124 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED In contrast to resource-rich countries, most HIV-infected patients in resource-limited countries receive treatment without virological monitoring. There are few long-term data, in this setting, on rates of viral suppression or switch to second-line antiretroviral therapy. The DART trial compared clinically driven monitoring (CDM) versus routine laboratory (CD4/haematology/biochemistry) and clinical monitoring (LCM) in HIV-infected adults initiating therapy. There was no virological monitoring in either study group during follow-up, but viral load was measured in Ugandan participants at trial closure. Two thousand three hundred and seventeen (2317) participants from this country initiated antiretroviral therapy with zidovudine/lamivudine plus tenofovir (n = 1717), abacavir (n = 300), or nevirapine (n = 300). Of 1896 (81.8%) participants who were alive and in follow-up at trial closure (median 5.1 years after therapy initiation), 1507 (79.5%) were on first-line and 389 (20.5%) on second-line antiretroviral therapy. The overall switch rate after the first year was 5.6 per 100 person-years; the rate was substantially higher in participants with low baseline CD4 counts (<50 cells/mm3). Among 1207 (80.1%) first-line participants with viral load measured, HIV RNA was <400 copies/ml in 963 (79.8%), 400-999 copies/ml in 37 (3.1%), 1,000-9,999 copies/ml in 110 (9.1%), and ≥10,000 copies/ml in 97 (8.0%). The proportion with HIV RNA <400 copies/ml was slightly lower (difference 7.1%, 95% CI 2.5 to 11.5%) in CDM (76.3%) than in LCM (83.4%). Among 252 (64.8%) second-line participants with viral load measured (median 2.3 years after switch), HIV RNA was <400 copies/ml in 226 (89.7%), with no difference between monitoring strategies. Low switch rates and high, sustained levels of viral suppression are achievable without viral load or CD4 count monitoring in the context of high-quality clinical care. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN13968779.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cissy Kityo
- Joint Clinical Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Diana M. Gibb
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles F. Gilks
- School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David T. Dunn
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Labhardt ND, Lejone T, Setoko M, Poka M, Ehmer J, Pfeiffer K, Kiuvu PZ, Lynen L. A clinical prediction score in addition to WHO criteria for anti-retroviral treatment failure in resource-limited settings--experience from Lesotho. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47937. [PMID: 23118910 PMCID: PMC3485299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess the positive predictive value (PPV) of a clinical score for viral failure among patients fulfilling the WHO-criteria for anti-retroviral treatment (ART) failure in rural Lesotho. Methods Patients fulfilling clinical and/or immunological WHO failure-criteria were enrolled. The score includes the following predictors: Prior ART exposure (1 point), CD4-count below baseline (1), 25% and 50% drop from peak CD4-count (1 and 2), hemoglobin drop≥1 g/dL (1), CD4 count<100/µl after 12 months (1), new onset papular pruritic eruption (1), and adherence<95% (3). A nurse assessed the score the day blood was drawn for viral load (VL). Reported confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Wilsons method. Results Among 1'131 patients on ART≥6 months, 134 (11.8%) had immunological and/or clinical failure, 104 (78%) had blood drawn (13 died, 10 lost to follow-up, 7 did not show up). From 92 (88%) a result could be obtained (2 samples hemolysed, 10 lost). Out of these 92 patients 47 (51%) had viral failure (≥5000 copies), 27 (29%) viral suppression (<40) and 18 (20%) intermediate viremia (40–4999). Overall, 20 (22%) had a score≥5. A score≥5 had a PPV of 100% to detect a VL>40 copies (95%CI: 84–100), and of 90% to detect a VL≥5000 copies (70–97). Within the score, adherence<95%, CD4-count<100/µl and papular pruritic eruption were the strongest single predictors. Among 47 patients failing, 8 (17%) died before or within 4 weeks after being switched. Overall mortality was 4 (20%) among those with score≥5 and 4 (5%) if score<5 (OR 4.3; 95%CI: 0.96–18.84, p = 0.057). Conclusion A score≥5 among patients fulfilling WHO-criteria had a PPV of 100% for a detectable VL and 90% for viral failure. In settings without regular access to VL-testing, this PPV may be considered high enough to switch this patient-group to second-line treatment without confirmatory VL-test.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thabo Lejone
- Seboche Hospital, Botha-Bothe, Lesotho
- * E-mail: (NDL); (TL)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lutgarde Lynen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Kumarasamy N, Patel A, Pujari S. Antiretroviral therapy in Indian setting: when & what to start with, when & what to switch to? Indian J Med Res 2012; 134:787-800. [PMID: 22310814 PMCID: PMC3284090 DOI: 10.4103/0971-5916.92626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
With the rapid scale up of antiretroviral therapy, there is a dramatic decline in HIV related morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. Several new safe antiretroviral, and newer class of drugs and monitoring assays are developed recently. As a result the treatment guideline for the management of HIV disease continue to change. This review focuses on evolving science on Indian policy - antiretroviral therapy initiation, which drugs to start with, when to change the initial regimen and what to change.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kumarasamy
- YRG CARE Medical Centre, Voluntary Health Services, Chennai, India.
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Limaverde Lima DG, de Arruda ÉAG, de Lima AJA, Oliveira BE, Maria de França Fonteles M. Factors determining changes in initial antiretroviral therapy. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s0104-4230(12)70184-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Limaverde Lima DG, de Arruda ÉAG, de Lima AJA, Oliveira BE, França Fonteles MMD. Fatores determinantes para modificações da terapia antirretroviral inicial. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2012. [DOI: 10.1590/s0104-42302012000200019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Vorkas CK, Tweya H, Mzinganjira D, Dickie G, Weigel R, Phiri S, Hosseinipour MC. Practices to improve identification of adult antiretroviral therapy failure at the Lighthouse Trust clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. Trop Med Int Health 2011; 17:169-76. [PMID: 22039960 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02912.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evaluating treatment failure is critical when deciding to modify antiretroviral therapy (ART). Virologic Assessment Forms (VAFs) were implemented in July 2008 as a prerequisite for ordering viral load. The form requires assessment of clinical and immunologic status. METHODS Using the Electronic Medical Record (EMR), we retrospectively evaluated patients who met 2006 WHO guidelines for immunologic failure (≥15 years old; on ART ≥6 months; CD4 count <baseline OR CD4 count >50% drop from peak OR CD4 persistently <100 cells) at the Lighthouse Trust clinic from December 2007 to December 2009. We compared virologic screening, VAF implementation and ART modification during the same period using Fisher's exact tests and unpaired t-tests as appropriate. RESULTS Of 7000 enrolled ART patients ≥15 years old with at least two CD4 counts, 10% had immunologic failure with a median follow-up time on ART of 1.4 years (IQR: 0.8-2.3). Forty (6%) viral loads were ordered: 14 (35%) were detectable (>400 HIV RNA copies/mL) and one (7%) patient was switched to second-line therapy. Overall, 259 VAFs were completed: 67% for immunologic failure and 33% for WHO Stage 4 condition. Before VAF implementation, 1% of patients had viral loads drawn during routine care, whereas afterwards, 8% did (P<0.0001; 95% CI: 0.03-0.08). CONCLUSIONS Clinicians did not identify a large proportion of immunologic failure patients for screening. Implementation of VAFs produced little improvement in virologic screening during routine care. Better training and monitoring systems are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles K Vorkas
- UNC Project, Lilongwe, Malawi Lighthouse Trust Clinic, Lilongwe, Malawi
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Alexander CS, Memiah P, Henley YB, Kaiza-Kangalawe A, Shumbusho AJ, Obiefune M, Enejoh V, Stanis-Ezeobi W, Eze C, Odion E, Akpenna D, Effiong A, Miriti K, Aduda S, Oko J, Melaku GD, Baribwira C, Umutesi H, Shimabale M, Mugisa E, Amoroso A. Palliative care and support for persons with HIV/AIDS in 7 African countries: implementation experience and future priorities. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2011; 29:279-85. [PMID: 21998442 DOI: 10.1177/1049909111419292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To combat morbidity and mortality from the worldwide epidemic of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the United States Congress implemented a President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 30 resource-limited countries to integrate combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for both prevention and cure. Over 35% of eligible persons have been successfully treated. Initial legislation cited palliative care as an essential aspect of this plan but overall health strengthening became critical to sustainability of programming and funding priorities shifted to assure staffing for care delivery sites; laboratory and pharmaceutical infrastructure; data collection and reporting; and financial management as individual countries are being encouraged to assume control of in-country funding. Given infrastructure requisites, individual care delivery beyond ART management alone has received minimal funding yet care remains necessary for durable viral suppression and overall quality of life for individuals. Technical assistance staff of one implementing partner representing seven African countries met to clarify domains of palliative care compared with the substituted term "care and support" to understand potential gaps in on-going HIV care. They prioritized care needs as: 1) mental health (depression and other mood disorders); 2) communication skills (age-appropriate disclosure of HIV status); 3) support of care-providers (stress management for sustainability of a skilled HIV workforce); 4) Tied Priorities: symptom management in opportunistic infections; end-of-life care; spiritual history-taking; and 5) Tied Priorities: attention to grief-related needs of patients, their families and staff; and management of HIV co-morbidities. This process can inform health policy as funding transitions to new priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla S Alexander
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Institute of Human Virology, 29 S Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Nunes EP, Grinsztejn B, Schechter M. The DART trial: 'The doctor's dilemma' revisited. J Antimicrob Chemother 2011; 66:964-7. [PMID: 21393146 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkr020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of HIV infection in developing countries, particularly those in Africa, is still a major challenge to healthcare systems with limited laboratory resources. While drug costs have fallen to levels where antiretroviral therapy is now possible in these countries, and results suggest that adherence is as good as in developed countries, questions remain regarding the effect of scarce laboratory resources on treatment monitoring and, hence, outcome. The DART trial aimed to measure the effect of laboratory monitoring. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the differences between routine laboratory monitoring and monitoring driven by clinical events, and was conducted between January 2003 and December 2008 at sites in Uganda and Zimbabwe. The results indicate that clinically driven monitoring is likely to be more cost-effective in this resource-limited situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estevão Portela Nunes
- Laboratorio de Pesquisa Clinica em DST/AIDS, Instituto de Pesquisa Clinica Evandro Chagas-Fiocruz, Fiocruz, Brazil
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