Improvement of Anemia Among HIV-Infected Injection Drug Users Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy:

Blood transfusion trends by disease category in the United States, 2000 to 2014

BACKGROUND

Better understanding of blood usage rates could identify trends in transfusion practices over time and inform more efficient management.

METHODS

Inpatient admissions from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample and State Inpatient Databases were analyzed for packed red blood cell (PRBC), plasma, platelet, and whole blood (WB) transfusions. The transfusion rates per admission and per prevalent case were calculated. Prevalence estimates were from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study (GBD).

RESULTS

From 2000 to 2014, blood usage rates for most causes peaked around 2010. Across all causes, PRBC were the most commonly transfused component, followed by plasma, platelets, and WB. However, the relative use of each type varied by cause. Nutritional deficiencies (1.75 blood product units across all components per admission; 95 % uncertainty interval (UI) 1.62-1.87), neoplasms (0.95; 0.87-1.04), and injuries (0.92; 0.86 - 0.98) had the greatest blood use per admission. Cardiovascular diseases (96.9 units per 1000 prevalent cases; 89.3-105.0) and neoplasms (92.7 units per 1000 prevalent cases; 84.3-101.5) had the greatest blood use per prevalent case. Across all admissions, over three million blood units were saved in 2014 compared to 2011 due to transfusing at a reduced rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood transfusion rates decreased from 2011 to 2014 in the United States. This decline occurred in most disease categories, which points towards broad strategies like patient blood management systems and disease specific improvements like changes in surgical techniques being effective.

Increased Risk of Anemia, Neutropenia, and Thrombocytopenia in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Well-Controlled Viral Replication

BACKGROUND

Prior to the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), cytopenias were common in people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH), but it is unknown if well-controlled HIV infection is a risk factor for cytopenia. In this study we aimed to determine if HIV infection is an independent risk factor for anemia, neutropenia, lymphocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia.

METHODS

PWH with undetectable viral replication and absence of chronic hepatitis infection (n = 796) were recruited from the Copenhagen Comorbidity in HIV Infection (COCOMO) study and matched uninfected controls from the Copenhagen General Population Study (n = 2388). Hematology was analyzed in venous blood samples. Logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, alcohol, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were performed to determine possible associations between HIV and cytopenias.

RESULTS

PWH had a higher prevalence of anemia (6.9% vs 3.4%, P < .001), neutropenia (1.3% vs 0.2%, P < .001), and thrombocytopenia (5.5% vs 2.7%, P < .001) compared with uninfected controls. HIV was independently associated with anemia-adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-3.0); neutropenia aOR, 6.3 (95% CI, 2.0-19.6); and thrombocytopenia aOR, 2.7 (95% CI, 1.8-4.2). No association was found between HIV and lymphocytopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytopenia is rare in people with well-controlled HIV, but HIV remains a risk factor for anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia and requires ongoing attention and monitoring.

Safety and tolerability of antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected children and adolescents in Uganda

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is known to cause a number of adverse effects. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and outcome of ART-related adverse events among patients aged 6 weeks to 18 years.

METHODS

We followed up a cohort of 378 HIV-infected children and adolescents who started ART at the Baylor-Uganda Clinic during the period July 2004 to July 2009. Patients were started on zidovudine or stavudine, plus lamivudine, and efavirenz or nevirapine. Adverse events were recorded as they occurred. Descriptive analyses and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were carried out.

RESULTS

Of 126 adverse events reported among 107 (28.3%) patients, dizziness (17.5%), diarrhea (13.5%), and nausea and vomiting (14.3%) were the most frequent. Anxiety/night mares, skin rashes, nail discoloration, and lipodystrophy each contributed between 5% and 10%; whereas anorexia, abdominal pain, hepatitis, and somnolence contributed 1%-5%. Amnesia, lactic acidosis, gynaecomastia, cardiomyopathy, and peripheral neuropathy were rare, each contributing less than 1% of the total events. The overall probability of remaining free of adverse events was 77.1% (95% confidence interval: 72.38 to 81.13) at month 6 of ART.Among infants and young children, neurologic events could not be determined. Laboratory abnormalities were present at baseline and during follow-up, and hemoglobin levels increased significantly during the first 6 months of ART. There was no association between adverse events and baseline patient characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Close to one-third of children on ART experience adverse events. Most events occur within the first 3 months of ART and are not associated with baseline patient characteristics.

Treatment for anemia in people with AIDS

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a common clinical disease in persons with HIV infection and is associated with poor prognosis. There is a need to assess the effects of anemia treatments, and to determine whether these interventions are beneficial.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy and safety of treatments for anemia in people with HIV infection and AIDS.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1980-July 2005), EMBASE (1980-July 2005), LlLACS (1982 to July 2005), reference lists of relevant articles and contact with authors. See Cochrane HIV/AIDS Group search strategy.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized trials assessing the effects of treatments for anemia in people diagnosed with HIV infection. There were no age restrictions.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Both authors independently assessed relevant studies for inclusion. Data extraction and quality assessment of relevant studies was performed by one author and checked by the other author.

MAIN RESULTS

We included four trials, but focused on the results based on three trials with acceptable attrition rate. None of the trials reported data on death. The two trials that compared recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) to placebo did not show any benefit on hematological values response, number of patients transfused, or number of packed red cell transfused. One trial compared the effects of two rHuEPO dosing regimens on hemoglobin value and quality of life, but the effects are unclear.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of reliable evidence on interventions for treating anemia in patients with HIV infection. This Cochrane review has found some evidence that rHuEPO reduces transfusion requirements, increases hemoglobin levels, and improves quality of life in HIV-infected patients with anemia. However, this is based on evidence from randomized trials with weak or poor methodological quality. There is a need for randomized trials of high methodological quality to evaluate the effect of interventions on anemia in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Anemia is an independent predictor of mortality and immunologic progression of disease among women with HIV in Tanzania

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association of anemia with mortality and disease progression among a cohort of women with HIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

METHODS

Time to all-cause death, AIDS-related death, and a 50% decrease in CD4 cell count among 1078 HIV-positive pregnant women enrolled in a clinical trial of vitamin supplementation from 1995-2003.

RESULTS

Adjusted models showed that anemia was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (relative hazard [RH]: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.52 to 2.79 for moderate anemia and RH: 3.19, 95% CI: 2.23 to 4.56 for severe anemia) and AIDS-related mortality (RH: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.53 to 3.19 for moderate anemia and RH: 3.47, 95% CI: 2.25 to 5.33 for severe anemia), independent of CD4 cell count, World Health Organization clinical stage, age, pregnancy, vitamin supplementation, and body mass index. Anemia was also associated with a more rapid decline in CD4 counts, measured as time to a 50% drop in CD4 cell count from baseline. Erythrocyte characteristics suggestive of iron deficiency were also associated with all-cause and AIDS-related death and a 50% decline in CD4 cell count.

CONCLUSIONS

Anemia is an independent predictor of mortality and disease progression in this cohort. Screening for anemia, coupled with prevention and treatment efforts, should be included in HIV care initiatives, particularly those that target women.

Epoetin Alfa for Treatment of Anemia in HIV-Infected Patients

Despite the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy and the resulting reduction in severe anemia associated with HIV infection, epoetin alfa has continued to play an important role in the management of HIV-infected patients. Mild-to-moderate anemia remains common, and its correction with epoetin alfa has resulted in significant improvements in quality of life, physical functioning, and possibly prolongation of survival. New research has demonstrated that epoetin alfa may have therapeutic potential beyond its ability to stimulate erythropoiesis due to its neuroprotective and antiapoptotic properties. Current and future research will further clarify the role of epoetin alfa in the clinical management of the HIV-infected population.

Impact of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Anemia and Relationship Between Anemia and Survival in a Large Cohort of HIV-Infected Women

BACKGROUND

Anemia is common in HIV-infected individuals and may be associated with decreased survival.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on anemia and the relationship between anemia and overall survival in HIV-infected women.

METHODS

A prospective multicenter study of HIV-1 infection in women. Visits occurred every 6 months, including a standardized history, physical examination, and comprehensive laboratory evaluation. The setting was a university-affiliated clinic at 6 sites in the United States. Participants were 2056 HIV-infected women from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). The outcome measure was anemia, defined as hemoglobin (Hb) <12 g/dL. Survival analysis was based on overall mortality during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

Among HIV-infected women who were not anemic at baseline, 47% became anemic by 3.5 years of follow-up. On multivariate analysis, the use of HAART was associated with resolution of anemia even when used for only 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45; P < 0.05). In the multivariate model, a CD4 cell count <200 cells/microL (OR = 0.56; P < 0.001); HIV-1 RNA level > or =50,000 copies/mL (OR = 0.65; P < 0.001), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) value <80 fL (OR = 0.40; P < 0.001) were also associated with an inability to correct anemia. Similarly, use of HAART for 12 months or more was associated with a protective effect against development of anemia (OR = 0.71; P < 0.001). Among HIV-infected women, anemia was independently associated with decreased survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.58; P < 0.001). Other factors associated with decreased survival included a CD4 cell count <200 cells/microL (HR = 5.83; P < 0.001), HIV-1 RNA level > or = 50,000 copies/mL (HR = 2.12; P < 0.001), and clinical diagnosis of AIDS (HR = 2.83; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Anemia is an independent risk factor for decreased survival among HIV-infected women. HAART therapy for as little as 6 months is associated with resolution of anemia.

Increase of haemoglobin levels by anti-retroviral therapy is associated with a decrease in immune activation

DESIGN

We evaluated whether an increase in haemoglobin levels in the first 6 months of effective anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is associated with a decrease in immune activation. To reduce confounding factors only men (n = 35) and patients not receiving agents known to enhance haematopoiesis or patients without diseases that might suppress haematopoiesis were included. Simultaneously parameters of iron metabolism and cofactors for haematopoiesis were analysed.

RESULTS

A median baseline haemoglobin level of 139 g L-1 increased to 149 g L-1 at month 6 of ART (P < 0.001). At baseline low haemoglobin levels were strongly associated with high neopterin concentrations (r = - 0.64, P < 0.001), and much less correlated to high HIV-1 RNA levels (r = - 0.41, P < 0.05) and to a lower CD4+ cell count (r = 0.33, P < 0.05). The change of neopterin levels during the study period correlated with the relative change in haemoglobin levels, r = - 0.35, P = 0.03, whereas no such correlations were found for the change of HIV-1 RNA levels and the CD4 cell count. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the change of neopterin and soluble transferrin receptors concentrations are independently associated with an increase of haemoglobin levels of more than 15 g L-1.

CONCLUSION

Our study supports a cause-effect relationship between immune activation and anaemia in HIV-infected patients. Treatment of patients with ART decreases virus load, which may thereby result in silencing of immune effector activity thus ameliorating anaemia by reversing the anti-proliferative effects of cytokines towards erythroid progenitors and the iron withdrawal strategy of the immune system.

Prevalence and cumulative incidence of and risk factors for anemia in a multicenter cohort study of human immunodeficiency virus-infected and -uninfected women

We conducted a longitudinal study of 797 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive women (7732 visits) and 389 HIV-negative women (3651 visits) to characterize anemia. At enrollment, the prevalence of anemia was 28.1% among HIV-positive women and 15.1% among HIV-negative women (P<.0001), and during follow-up the cumulative incidence of anemia was 74% and 48%, respectively (P<.0001). Risk factors for anemia were African American race (odds ratio [OR], 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.73-2.69), age (per 5-year increase; OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.21), body mass index (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.97), history of pneumonia (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.20-1.65), oral candidiasis (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.22-1.66), CD4+ lymphocyte count <200 cells/microL (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.46-1.94), history of fever (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.13-1.80), and zidovudine use (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.30). Anemia was common and associated with an increased risk of death (hazards ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.21-2.23) among HIV-positive women.