Liver disease in patients with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa

Mortality and associated factors among people living with HIV admitted at a tertiary-care hospital in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Hospital admission outcomes for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in resource-limited settings are understudied. We describe in-hospital mortality and associated clinical-demographic factors among PLHIV admitted at a tertiary-level public hospital in Uganda.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of routinely collected data for PLHIV admitted at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital between March 2020 and March 2023. We estimated the proportion of PLHIV who had died during hospitalization and performed logistic regression modelling to identify predictors of mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 5,827 hospitalized PLHIV, the median age was 39 years (interquartile range [IQR] 31-49) and 3,293 (56.51%) were female. The median CD4 + cell count was 109 cells/µL (IQR 25-343). At admission, 3,710 (63.67%) were active on antiretroviral therapy (ART); 1,144 (19.63%) had interrupted ART > 3 months and 973 (16.70%) were ART naïve. In-hospital mortality was 26% (1,524) with a median time-to-death of 3 days (IQR 1-7). Factors associated with mortality (with adjusted odds ratios) included ART interruption, 1.33, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.13-1.57, p 0.001; CD4 + counts ≤ 200 cells/µL 1.59, 95%CI 1.33-1.91, p < 0.001; undocumented CD4 + cell count status 2.08, 95%CI 1.73-2.50, p < 0.001; impaired function status 7.35, 95%CI 6.42-8.41, p < 0.001; COVID-19 1.70, 95%CI 1.22-2.37, p 0.002; liver disease 1.77, 95%CI 1.36-2.30, p < 0.001; co-infections 1.53, 95%CI 1.32-1.78, p < 0.001; home address > 20 km from hospital 1.23, 95%CI 1.04-1.46, p 0.014; hospital readmission 0.7, 95%CI 0.56-0.88, p 0.002; chronic lung disease 0.62, 95%CI 0.41-0.92, p 0.019; and neurologic disease 0.46, 95%CI 0.32-0.68, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

One in four admitted PLHIV die during hospitalization. Identification of risk factors (such as ART interruption, function impairment, low/undocumented CD4 + cell count), early diagnosis and treatment of co-infections and liver disease could improve outcomes.

Decreased Hepatic Steatosis in South African Adolescents With Perinatal HIV Switching to Dolutegravir-containing Regimens

BACKGROUND

Although dolutegravir (DTG) has a favorable metabolic profile, it has been linked to excess weight gain. We evaluated changes in hepatic steatosis in adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV switching to DTG-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART).

METHODS

Virologically suppressed adolescents switched to dolutegravir for a minimum of 4 months or on unchanged ART (84% protease inhibitor) were assessed prospectively with anthropometry, transient elastography with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and fasting metabolic profiles. ART regimens were determined independently of the study.

RESULTS

In total 68 adolescents [baseline median age 13.5 years [interquartile range (IQR): 12.5-14.4 years]; 42 (62%) female] were recruited. However, 38 remained on the same regimen and were followed for a median of 98 weeks (IQR: 48-108 weeks), and 30 switched to DTG and were followed for a median of 52 weeks (IQR: 49-101). There was no baseline difference in CAP between groups. There was no significant change in body mass index z-score in either group, but the median CAP in the DTG group decreased by -40dB/m (IQR: -51 to -31 dB/m) after a median of 44 weeks (IQR: 28-50 weeks) on DTG, compared to +1dB/m (IQR: -29 to +14 dB/m) in adolescents not switched ( P < 0 .01). Cholesterol and triglycerides were lower in those switched. Whereas hepatic steatosis prevalence decreased from 17% to 3% in adolescents who switched to dolutegravir, its prevalence doubled from 8% to 16% in those not switched ( P = 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

In this exploratory study, adolescents switched to DTG-containing regimens had reduced hepatic steatosis, cholesterol and triglycerides with no excess weight gain compared to those on unchanged ART.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatic Steatosis in Children With Perinatal HIV on Early Antiretroviral Therapy Compared to HIV-Exposed Uninfected and HIV-Unexposed Children

Objectives

We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for hepatic steatosis in South African children with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) who started treatment early and remain on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared to HIV-uninfected children.

Design

A cross-sectional study from April 2019 to October 2021. PHIV, HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed (HU) children were enrolled from an ongoing cohort study.

Methods

All children had transient elastography (TE) with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Liver enzymes, lipogram, insulin and glucose were sent after an overnight fast. Multivariable linear regression analyses identified predictors of CAP. Hepatic steatosis was defined as CAP>248kPa.

Results

215 children (111 [52%] male; median age 14.1 years; IQR 12.7-14.9) participated in the study, 110 PHIV, 105 HIV-uninfected (36 HEU, 69 HU). PHIV initiated ART at a median age of 2.7 months (IQR 1.8-8.5). Hepatic steatosis prevalence was 9% in PHIV, 3% in HEU and 1% in HU children (p = 0.08). However, 8% of lean (body mass index z-score ≤ +1) PHIV had hepatic steatosis compared to zero lean HEU or HU children (p = 0.03). In multivariable linear regression analysis of all PHIV, body mass index (BMI) z-score was positively associated with CAP (p = 0.001) while CD4 count (p = 0.02) and duration of suppression of HIV viraemia (p = 0.009) were negatively associated with CAP, adjusting for age, sex and ethnicity.

Conclusions

Hepatic steatosis prevalence was higher in lean PHIV than lean HIV-uninfected South African children. Longer suppression of HIV viraemia and higher CD4 count were associated with lower CAP and might be protective factors for hepatic steatosis in PHIV children.

A closer look at the spectrum of drug-induced liver injury in sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has become the most frequent cause of acute liver failure in high-income countries. However, little is known about the determinants of DILI in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the prescription of antimicrobials and the use of potentially hepatotoxic traditional medicine are common. Areas covered: Based on an extensive literature search, we summarize current data available on the epidemiology and risk factors of DILI in SSA. We discuss the most likely causes of DILI in the region, including antimicrobial therapies and traditional medicine. We also highlight research gaps as well as barriers to diagnosis and management of the condition, and explore ways to address these important challenges. Expert opinion: DILI is underestimated in SSA and several factors challenge its early diagnosis, including lack of information on the causes of DILI in the region, sub-optimal knowledge about the condition among clinicians, and structural difficulties faced by health care systems. In order to better prevent the occurrence of DILI and its complications, it is crucial to enhance awareness among health care providers and patients, adapt drug prescription habits and regulations, and improve current knowledge on the main risk factors for DILI, including host genetic and environmental determinants.