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Pérez-López FR, Fernández-Alonso AM, Mezones-Holguín E, Vieira-Baptista P. Low genitourinary tract risks in women living with the human immunodeficiency virus. Climacteric 2023:1-7. [PMID: 37054721 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2194528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
This review analyzes the clinical associations between specific low genitourinary tract clinical circumstances in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLHIV). Modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves survival and reduces opportunistic infections and HIV transmission. Despite appropriate ART, WLHIV may display menstrual dysfunction, risk of early menopause, vaginal microbiome alterations, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, vasomotor symptoms and low sexual function as compared to women without the infection. They have increased risks of intraepithelial and invasive cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers. The reduced immunity capacity may also increase the risk of urinary tract infections, side-effects or toxicity of ARTs, and opportunistic infections. Menstrual dysfunction and early menopause may contribute to the early onset of vascular atherosclerosis and plaque formation, and increased osteoporosis risks requiring specific early interventions. On the other hand, the association between being postmenopausal and having a low sexual function is significant and related to low adherence to ART. WLHIV deserve a specific approach to manage different low genitourinary risks and complications related to hormone dysfunction and early menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- F R Pérez-López
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Obstetrics and Reproduction, Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - E Mezones-Holguín
- Centro de Estudios Económicos y Sociales en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Perú
| | - P Vieira-Baptista
- Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Pediatrics, Hospital Lusíadas Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Lower Genital Tract Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Pediatrics, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Ovarian Reserve Disorders, Can We Prevent Them? A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315426. [PMID: 36499748 PMCID: PMC9737352 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ovarian reserve is finite and begins declining from its peak at mid-gestation until only residual follicles remain as women approach menopause. Reduced ovarian reserve, or its extreme form, premature ovarian insufficiency, stems from multiple factors, including developmental, genetic, environmental exposures, autoimmune disease, or medical/surgical treatment. In many cases, the cause remains unknown and resulting infertility is not ultimately addressed by assisted reproductive technologies. Deciphering the mechanisms that underlie disorders of ovarian reserve could improve the outcomes for patients struggling with infertility, but these disorders are diverse and can be categorized in multiple ways. In this review, we will explore the topic from a perspective that emphasizes the prevention or mitigation of ovarian damage. The most desirable mode of fertoprotection is primary prevention (intervening before ablative influence occurs), as identifying toxic influences and deciphering the mechanisms by which they exert their effect can reduce or eliminate exposure and damage. Secondary prevention in the form of screening is not recommended broadly. Nevertheless, in some instances where a known genetic background exists in discrete families, screening is advised. As part of prenatal care, screening panels include some genetic diseases that can lead to infertility or subfertility. In these patients, early diagnosis could enable fertility preservation or changes in family-building plans. Finally, Tertiary Prevention (managing disease post-diagnosis) is critical. Reduced ovarian reserve has a major influence on physiology beyond fertility, including delayed/absent puberty or premature menopause. In these instances, proper diagnosis and medical therapy can reduce adverse effects. Here, we elaborate on these modes of prevention as well as proposed mechanisms that underlie ovarian reserve disorders.
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Coburn SB, Dionne-Odom J, Alcaide ML, Moran CA, Rahangdale L, Golub ET, Massad LS, Seidman D, Michel KG, Minkoff H, Murphy K, Brown TT, Visvanathan K, Lau B, Althoff KN. The Association Between HIV Status, Estradiol, and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Among Premenopausal Women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2022; 31:183-193. [PMID: 35041528 PMCID: PMC8864429 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2021.0276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Characterizing estradiol among women with HIV may have implications for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease risk but has not been adequately explored. We quantified differences in total (E2), free (FE2) estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) by HIV and viral suppression status. Methods: Women from a substudy (2003-2006) within the Women's Interagency HIV Study (IRB approved at each participating site) were included if they reported: a period in the last six months, were not pregnant/breastfeeding, no oophorectomy, and no exogenous hormone use in the prior year. Serum was collected on days 2-4 of the menstrual cycle. We assessed differences in biomarkers at 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles by HIV and viral suppression status using weighted quantile regression. Results: Among 643 women (68% with HIV) median age was 37 years. All E2 percentiles were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in women with suppressed viral load versus women without HIV (4-10 pg/mL). The 25th and 50th percentile of E2 were 4-5 pg/mL lower in women with unsuppressed viral load compared to women without HIV (p < 0.05). The 25th and 50th percentile of SHBG was significantly higher in women with unsuppressed viral load compared to women without HIV (10 and 12 nmol/L, respectively). There were no consistent differences in estradiol or SHBG by suppression status. Conclusions: There were no differences in FE2 but significantly lower E2 and higher SHBG among women with HIV versus without HIV. Further research is merited in a large contemporary sample to clarify the clinical implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally B. Coburn
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Address correspondence to: Sally B. Coburn, PhD, MPH, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N Wolfe Street, No. E7008, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jodie Dionne-Odom
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Maria L. Alcaide
- Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Caitlin A. Moran
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lisa Rahangdale
- Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elizabeth T. Golub
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leslie Stewart Massad
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Dominika Seidman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Katherine G. Michel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Howard Minkoff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maimonides Medical Center and SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Kerry Murphy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Todd T. Brown
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kala Visvanathan
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Bryan Lau
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Keri N. Althoff
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Merlini E, Tincati C, Sacchi V, Augello M, Bono V, Cannizzo ES, Allegrini M, Gazzola L, Monforte AD, Marconi AM, Ravizza M, Marchetti G. Predictors of low ovarian reserve in cART-treated women living with HIV. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27157. [PMID: 34596114 PMCID: PMC8483860 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian dysfunction and lower circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) feature women living with HIV (WLWH). Because treated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is characterized by a pro-inflammatory/oxidative phenotype resulting in residual comorbidity, we sought to investigate possible associations between plasma AMH and markers of inflammation, immune activation/senescence/exhaustion, oxidative stress as well as comorbidities in a cohort of combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART)-treated WLWH versus age-matched HIV-uninfected, healthy women.Eighty WLWH on effective cART aged 25 to 50 years and 66 age-matched healthy women were enrolled. We measured: plasma AMH, IL-6, reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (ROMO1) (ELISA); plasma tumor necrosis factor α, IL-10, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, osteopontin (Luminex); CD4/CD8 activation (CD38/CD69), apoptosis (CD95), exhaustion (PD1), maturation (CD45RA/CD45R0/CD127/CCR7), recent thymic emigrants (CD31/CD103) (flow cytometry). Mann Whitney and chi-squared tests were used. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with low AMH (≤1 ng/mL).Compared to healthy women, WLWH were more frequently non-Caucasian, drug/alcohol abusers, with history of late menarche, lower hormonal contraceptive use, with higher gravidity and lower parity. WLWH showed significantly lower AMH (P = .004) as well as higher ROMO1 (P = .0003) and tumor necrosis factor α (P < .0001). The multivariate analyses revealed ROMO1 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.42, P = .03) and HIV infection (AOR: 8.1, P = .0001) as independently associated with low AMH. The logistic regression model with both HIV status and ROMO1 (a marker of oxidative stress) confirmed HIV as the only predictor of low AMH (AOR: 17, P = .0003).Despite effective cART, WLWH showed lower AMH compared to age-matched peers, indicating pre-mature ovarian ageing. Both HIV and oxidative stress are independently associated with low AMH, emphasizing the impact of HIV-associated oxidative stress on reproductive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Merlini
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Gilead Sciences, Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Tincati
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Sacchi
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Augello
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Bono
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elvira Stefania Cannizzo
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Allegrini
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lidia Gazzola
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella d’Arminio Monforte
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Marconi
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Ravizza
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Marchetti
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the cumulative live birth rate in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic-sperm-injection (IVF/ICSI) according to the type of chronic viral infection [HIV, hepatitis-B virus (HBV) and hepatitis-C virus (HCV)]. DESIGN A cohort study. SETTING A tertiary-care university hospital. PARTICIPANTS Women with a chronic viral illness HIV, HBV or HCV- were followed until four IVF/ICSI cycles had been completed, until delivery or until discontinuation of the treatment before the completion of four cycles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the cumulative live birth rate after up to four IVF/ICSI cycles. RESULTS A total of 235 women were allocated to the HIV-infected group (n = 101), the HBV-infected group (n = 114) and the HCV-infected group (n = 20). The cumulative live birth rate after four cycles was significantly lower in the HIV-infected women than in those with HBV [39.1%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 17.7-60.9 versus 52.8%, 95% CI: 41.6-65.5, respectively; P = 0.004]. Regarding the obstetrical outcomes, the mean birth weight was lower in the HIV-infected women than in those with HBV or HCV. Multivariate analysis indicated that the age, the anti-Müllerian hormone and the number of cycles performed were significantly associated with the chances of a live birth. CONCLUSION HIV-infected women had lower cumulative live birth rate than women with chronic hepatitis, and this was due to less favourable ovarian reserve parameters. These findings underscore the need to better inform practitioners and patients regarding fertility issues and the importance of early fertility assessment. However, larger studies are necessary to gain more in-depth knowledge of the direct impact of HIV on live birth rates.
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Peters BA, Xue X, Wang Z, Usyk M, Santoro N, Sharma A, Anastos K, Tien PC, Golub ET, Weber KM, Gustafson D, Kaplan RC, Burk R, Qi Q. Menopausal status and observed differences in the gut microbiome in women with and without HIV infection. Menopause 2021; 28:491-501. [PMID: 33438892 PMCID: PMC8068580 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000001730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gut microbiota respond to host physiological phenomena, yet little is known regarding shifts in the gut microbiome due to menopausal hormonal and metabolic changes in women. HIV infection impacts menopause and may also cause gut dysbiosis. We therefore sought to determine the association between menopausal status and gut microbiome composition in women with and without HIV. METHODS Gut microbiome composition was assessed in stool from 432 women (99 premenopausal HIV+, 71 premenopausal HIV-, 182 postmenopausal HIV+, 80 postmenopausal HIV-) via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We examined cross-sectional associations of menopause with gut microbiota overall diversity and composition, and taxon and inferred metagenomic pathway abundance. Models were stratified by HIV serostatus and adjusted for age, HIV-related variables, and other potential confounders. RESULTS Menopause, ie post- versus premenopausal status, was associated with overall microbial composition only in women with HIV (permutational MANOVA of Jensen Shannon Divergence: P = 0.01). In women with HIV, menopause was associated with enrichment of gram-negative order Enterobacteriales, depletion of highly abundant taxa within Prevotella copri, and alterations in other low-abundance taxa. Additionally, menopause in women with HIV was associated with enrichment of metagenomic pathways related to Enterobacteriales, including degradation of amino acids and phenolic compounds, biosynthesis of enterobactin, and energy metabolism pathways. Menopause-related differences in some low-abundance taxa were also observed in women without HIV. CONCLUSIONS A changing gut microbiome may be an overlooked phenomenon of reproductive aging in women with HIV. Longitudinal assessments across all reproductive stages are necessary to confirm these findings and identify health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandilyn A. Peters
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Xiaonan Xue
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Mykhaylo Usyk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Nanette Santoro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Kathryn Anastos
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Phyllis C. Tien
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth T. Golub
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Weber
- Cook County Health and Hektoen Institute of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Deborah Gustafson
- Department of Neurology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Robert C. Kaplan
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robert Burk
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Qibin Qi
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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Ahmed M, Bondje S, Jiwan R, Rawther F, Duku A, Husain N, Woodward C, Mital D. Early menopause in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021; 26:122. [PMID: 35126585 PMCID: PMC8772509 DOI: 10.4103/jrms.jrms_691_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Premature menopause can occur in women living with human HIV. In this study, we analyzed and reviewed published literature using the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases since the year 1990 using a combination of MeSH terms such as “Early,” “Premature,” “Menopause,” “HIV,” and “Hormones.” Monitoring and implementation of targeted interventions for premature or early menopause among HIV-infected women might prevent or delay complications such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues.
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Thapa R, Yang Y, Bekemeier B. Menopausal symptoms and associated factors in women living with HIV in Cambodia. J Women Aging 2019; 32:517-536. [PMID: 30957680 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2019.1593773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and associated factors among women living with HIV in Cambodia. Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) assessed the menopausal symptoms, and SPSS Version 20.0 analyzed the data. The three most dominant symptoms, which were also rated the top three "severe" symptoms, were psychological: physical and mental exhaustion (91.5%), irritability (84.1%), and depressive mood (83.6%). The highest incidence was among the perimenopausal women. Severity of symptoms was associated with personal income, abortion, and intake of calcium supplements. Health-care professionals need to provide appropriate individualized interventions to maintain the social, emotional, and overall well-being of menopausal women living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshna Thapa
- School of Nursing, Chonbuk National University , Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngran Yang
- School of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Chonbuk National University , Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Betty Bekemeier
- School of Nursing, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is conflicting literature to support a link between HIV and amenorrhea. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis to summarize the results from landmark studies in this area and shed light on this important clinical association. METHODS Using a search of Ovid Medline and Embase, a total of 322 articles were screened for controlled matched observational studies of amenorrhea in premenopausal women living with HIV (WLWH). For inclusion, amenorrhea was defined as absence of menses for 3 months or longer. The meta-analysis used a random-effects model with an I2 calculated to assess heterogeneity. RESULTS Six studies from 1996 to 2010 were included in our analysis for a total of 8925 women (6570 WLWH). There was a significant association between HIV status and amenorrhea (OR 1.68, P value 0.0001) without evidence of heterogeneity (I2: 0.0%). In the majority of studies, there was no significant difference in substance use, smoking, or socioeconomic status between WLWH and controls. Additionally, in the majority of studies, amenorrhea in the setting of low BMI was significantly more frequent in WLWH than controls. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis provides a large population assessment of amenorrhea in HIV to suggest increased prevalence of menstrual disturbances in WLWH. It lends evidence suggestive that this relation is independent of substance use and socioeconomic status, but may be related to low BMI. Our findings reinforce the importance of routine assessment of reproductive health and time of last menstrual period as part of the health assessment of women, especially those living with HIV.
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Tariq S, Delpech V, Anderson J. The impact of the menopause transition on the health and wellbeing of women living with HIV: A narrative review. Maturitas 2016; 88:76-83. [PMID: 27105703 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Improvements in survival due to advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) have led to a shift in the age distribution of those receiving HIV care, with increasing numbers of women living with HIV (WLHIV) reaching menopausal age. We present a narrative literature review of 26 studies exploring the menopause transition in WLHIV, focusing on: (1) natural history (2) symptomatology and management, and (3) immunologic and virologic effects. Data are conflicting on the association between HIV and earlier age at menopause, and the role of HIV-specific factors such as HIV viral load and CD4 count. There are some data to suggest that WLHIV experience more vasomotor and psychological symptoms during the menopause than HIV-negative women, and that uptake of hormone replacement therapy by WLHIV is comparatively low. There is no evidence that menopause affects either CD4 count or response to ART, although there may be increased immune activation in older WLHIV. We conclude that menopause in WLHIV is a neglected area of study. Specific information gaps include qualitative studies on experiences of reproductive ageing; data on the impact of the menopause on women's quality of life and ability to adhere to health-sustaining behaviors; as well as studies investigating the safety and efficacy of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. There is likely to be a burden of unmet health need among this growing population, and better data are required to inform optimal provision of care, supporting WLHIV to maintain their health and wellbeing into their post-reproductive years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shema Tariq
- Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, Mortimer Market Centre, Off Capper Street, London WC1E 6JB, UK.
| | - Valerie Delpech
- Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK.
| | - Jane Anderson
- Centre for the Study of Sexual Health and HIV, Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, London E9 6SR, UK.
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