Inequalities in HIV disease management and progression in migrants from Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa living in Spain

Differences in epidemiology and mortality between men and women with HIV infection in the CoRIS cohort from 2004 to 2014

INTRODUCTION

This study sought to analyse differences in epidemiology and survival between women and men living with HIV (WLHIV and MLHIV) in the CoRIS cohort and the course of their disease over a 10-year period.

METHODS

Variables of interest between WLHIV and MLHIV were compared. A trend analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel test. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and a Cox regression analysis were used to study survival.

RESULTS

A total of 10,469 people were enrolled; of them, 1,742 (16.6%) were women. At the time of enrolment in the cohort, WLHIV, compared to MLHIV, had higher rates of transmission due to intravenous drug use (IDU), hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection, AIDS-stage disease and foreign origin. They also had a worse immunovirological status and a lower educational level. These differences were maintained in the trend study. Regarding age, the women included in the cohort were older whereas the men were younger. In the comparative analysis between women according to place of origin, we found that the group of Spanish WLHIV featured older women with higher rates of IDU transmission and HCV coinfection, whereas the group of WLHIV born outside of Spain featured women with higher rates of syphilis infection. There were no major differences in relation to other characteristics such as educational level or disease status. Although sex was not a determinant of survival, conditions more prevalent in women were determinants of survival.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-infected women presented at diagnosis with certain epidemiological and HIV-associated characteristics that made them more vulnerable. These trends became more marked or did not improve during the years of observation.

Clinical situation of Venezuelan migrants living with HIV in a hospital in Lima, Peru

Due to a huge crisis extensive to health services many Venezuelan people living with HIV (PLWH) had migrated abroad, including Peru where favorable laws were in place until June 2019. We describe the health status and epidemiological trends of PLWH from Venezuela at an HIV program in Lima. We analyzed baseline and follow-up data of all Venezuelan PLWH enrolled in our HIV program from January 2017 to December 2019. A cross-sectional study in a subsample served to describe ARV adherence and context of migration. Between 2017-2019 our HIV Program registered 398 Venezuelan PLWH, representing 20% of the 2018 annual enrollments; numbers decreased since mid-2019. The median age was 30 years (IQR 26;37) and 90.5% were men. Between 2017 and 2019, the proportion with diagnosis in Peru increased from 14.3% to 60.9%; of AIDS stage at entry, from 8.8% to 27.2%. By December 2019, 182/250 (72.8%) were still in care, and 43 (10.8%) had not started ART. Viral suppression evaluated in 195, was achieved in 71.8%. From 2017 to 2019, migrant PLWH arrived in worsened clinical conditions, with increasing diagnosis in Peru; the flow of migrant PLWH entering care diminished with less favorable laws. Viral suppression rates were suboptimal.

Feasibility of Four Interventions to Improve Treatment Adherence in Migrants Living with HIV in The Netherlands

We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of four existing interventions to improve adherence to them in migrants living with HIV (MLWH): directly administered antiretroviral therapy (DAART), group medical appointments (GMA), early detection and treatment of psychological distress, and peer support by trained MLWH. At baseline and after the interventions, socio-demographic characteristics, psychosocial variables, and data on HIV treatment adherence were collected. The two questionnaires were completed by 234/301 (78%) MLWH included at baseline. Detectable HIV RNA decreased (from 10.3 to 6.8%) as did internalized HIV-related stigma (from 15 to 14 points), and self-reported adherence increased (between 5.5 and 8.3%). DAART and GMA were not feasible interventions. Screening of psychological distress was feasible; however, follow-up diagnostic screening and linkage to psychiatric services were not. Peer support for and by MLWH was feasible. Within this small intervention group, results on HIV RNA < 400 copies/mL (decrease of 23.6%) and outpatient clinic attendance (up to 20.4% kept more appointments) were promising.

Long-term maintenance of virologic suppression in native and migrant HIV-1 naïve patients: an Italian cohort study

Little is known about long-term maintenance of virologic suppression in HIV migrants in Italy. The study aims to compare virologic failure rates and associated factors among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve migrants and natives enrolled in the ARCA database since 2007 who achieved virologic suppression within 18 months from the beginning of the ART. Kaplan-Meier method assessed the probability of virologic suppression and failure. Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Of 2515 patients, 2020 (80.3%) were Italian, 286 (10.6%) migrants from low-income countries, of whom 201 (75.0%) from Africa, and 227 (9.0%) from high-income-countries. The median follow-up was 4.5 years (IQR 2.5-7). No difference was observed in the time of achievement of virological suppression in the three groups (log-rank: p = 0.5687). Higher probability of virologic failure was observed in Africans compared to Italians, to patients from high-income-countries and from low-income-countries other than Africans (Log-rank = p < 0.001). In the adjusted analysis, a higher virologic failure risk was found in Africans only compared to Italians. [HR 4.01; 95% CI 2.44-6.56, p < 0.001]. In Italy, African migrants are less likely to maintain virologic suppression compared to natives and other migrants. Targeted interventions could be needed for foreigners, especially for Africans.

Elevated risk of viral rebound on ART in migrants living in France: role of socioeconomic factors

BACKGROUND

In Western countries, viral rebound on antiretroviral therapy (ART) appears to occur more frequently in migrants. We aimed to assess the respective roles of socioeconomic factors and migration on viral rebound in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in France.

METHODS

We included PLHIV in France, enrolled from 2004 to 2008 in the French ANRS-COPANA cohort, who started a first ART and achieved undetectability (<50 copies/ml) within 1 year. Determinants of viral rebound were assessed using Cox models including geographical origin, HIV transmission group, and clinicobiological and sociodemographic data.

RESULTS

Of 499 included individuals, 288 were born in France, 158 in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and 53 in another country. Kaplan-Meier probabilities of viral rebound-free survival were similar for men having sex with men (MSM) and heterosexuals born in France, and lower in migrants from SSA or other countries (P<0.001). The crude hazard ratio (HR) of viral rebound was 2.49 (95% CI, 1.59, 3.90) in migrants from SSA and 1.78 (0.94, 3.88) in migrants from other countries compared with MSM born in France. Educational level, financial difficulties and HIV status disclosure had the biggest impact on the difference between the crude and adjusted HRs for viral rebound in migrants. In multivariable analysis, viral rebound was no longer associated with geographical origin, but with protease inhibitor-containing ART, a VACS index ≥35 as a potential indicator of frailty, poor financial status (difficulties or debts) and non-disclosure to friend(s).

CONCLUSIONS

Socioeconomic factors affect outcomes on ART, even in the context of free access to HIV care and treatment. Patient-centred strategies should be encouraged with the intervention of social workers to address basic needs and promote social support for more socially vulnerable individuals.

Differences in epidemiology and mortality between men and women with HIV infection in the CoRIS cohort from 2004 to 2014

INTRODUCTION

This study sought to analyse differences in epidemiology and survival between women and men living with HIV in the CoRIS cohort and the course of their disease over a 10-year period.

METHODS

Variables of interest between women living with HIV and men living with HIV were compared. A trend analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel test. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and a Cox regression analysis were used to study survival.

RESULTS

A total of 10,469 people were enrolled; of them, 1,742 (16.6%) were women. At the time of enrolment in the cohort, women living with HIV, compared to men living with HIV, had higher rates of transmission due to intravenous drug use (IDU), hepatitisC virus (HCV) coinfection, AIDS-stage disease and foreign origin. They also had a worse immunovirological status and a lower educational level. These differences were maintained in the trend study. Regarding age, the women included in the cohort were older whereas the men were younger. In the comparative analysis between women according to place of origin, we found that the group of Spanish women living with HIV featured older women with higher rates of IDU transmission and HCV coinfection, whereas the group of women living with HIV born outside of Spain featured women with higher rates of syphilis infection. There were no major differences in relation to other characteristics such as educational level or disease status. Although sex was not a determinant of survival, conditions more prevalent in women were determinants of survival.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-infected women presented at diagnosis with certain epidemiological and HIV-associated characteristics that made them more vulnerable. These trends became more marked or did not improve during the years of observation.

Chronicity, ageing and multimorbidity

Thanks to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV-related mortality has been drastically reduced and HIV infection has become a chronic disease. The HIV-infected population is ageing prematurely. Despite good immunovirological control, HIV causes chronic inflammation and accelerated immunosenes-cence. This clinically manifests as an increased prevalence of age-related comorbidity and frailty occurring earlier than in the general population. The heterogeneity of older HIV-infected adults highlights the rele-vance of identifying those who are at risk of poor health, and frailty may be an effective indicator. The rela-tionship between ageing, HIV infection, antiretroviral treatment, comorbidities and frailty still needs to be clarified. Elderly HIV-infected adults are complex patients who require a specific, global and multidisci-plinary approach.

Sub-Saharan African immigrant women's experiences of (lack of) access to appropriate healthcare in the public health system in the Basque Country, Spain

Background

Immigrant populations face diverse barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare services on several levels. In the Basque Country, Sub-Saharan African women were identified as facing the largest barriers to access them. The aim of the study is to analyse Sub-Saharan African immigrant women's perceptions and experiences of access to appropriate healthcare in the public health system in the Basque Country, Spain.

Methods

Fourteen women from eight Sub-Saharan African countries who have used the Basque public healthcare services were interviewed. A qualitative content analysis was applied: meaning that units were identified, coded and the resulting codes were then organized into three categories.

Results

The first category, Fearing to enter a health system perceived as not friendly for immigrants, included factors, mainly those related to legal conditions for accessing healthcare services and lack of lawful documentation, that made women avoid or discontinue seeking out healthcare.

The second category, Being attended on professionals' own communication terms, comprised how the lack of effective communication compromised not only the access of the immigrant women to healthcare services, but also their health.

Lastly, the third category, Is mistreatment based on racism or merely on bad luck? described how being an immigrant and black influenced the way they were (mis)treated in the health system.

Conclusion

For Sub-Saharan African immigrant women, accessing appropriate healthcare in the Basque Country was perceived to be subject to institutional barriers. At the legal level, barriers included lack of entitlement, difficulties in fulfilling legal access conditions and lack of documentation. The lack of communication with health centre staff and their attitudes, guided by a stereotyped social image of immigrants and black people, also hindered their possibilities of receiving appropriate healthcare. Facilitators for accessing healthcare included strategies from individual professionals, personal networks and social actors to help them to cope with the barriers. There is a need of reinforcing inclusion values and rights-based approach to attention among staff at the health centres to have more non-discriminatory and culturally appropriate health systems.

Anxiety, depression and treatment adherence among HIV-infected migrants

Diagnosing symptoms of psychological distress can be challenging in migrants living with HIV (MLWH) living in Western Europe. We evaluated the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as a screening tool for psychological distress. Additionally, the association between psychological distress and adherence to combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) was determined. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, psychosocial variables, and self-reported adherence to cART data were collected. 306/352 participants completed the HADS. A HADS+ (≥15, at risk for psychological distress) was found in 106/306. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was completed by 60/106. The HADS was repeated in 58 participants as the time between the first HADS and the CIDI was more than three months. In 21/37 participants with a HADS+ (57%) within three months before the CIDI a diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder based on the CIDI was found. Participants with a HADS+ were more likely to be non-adherent (71.3% vs. 43.6%). In a large group of MLWH in the Netherlands, 35% were at risk for symptoms of psychological distress. The HADS seems to be a suitable screening tool for MLWH.

High HIV/STI Test Acceptance Through a Behavioral Health Encounter in Latino Immigrants with Substance Use and Mental Health Problems

Latino immigrants with substance use and mental health problems are at risk for undiagnosed HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Participants in a randomized control trial were recruited in Boston, USA and Madrid and Barcelona, Spain. Eligibility criteria were Latino self-identification, age 18-70, elevated substance use and mental health symptoms, and not currently in substance or mental health care. A multinomial logistic regression examined predictors of HIV/STI testing decline and lost to follow-up (LTFU) prior to testing compared with acceptance. Of 341 participants, 74% accepted testing, 4% declined, and 22% were LTFU. The odds of LTFU were higher in those with high concern for HIV and those whose main partner had done HIV testing. Age ≥ 35 years, females, higher education, and higher report of discrimination lowered the odds of LTFU. Delivery of HIV/STI testing through community agencies and outreach could overcome barriers to HIV/STI diagnosis in this population of Latinos.Clinical Trial Number: NCT02038855.

Older HIV-infected adults: complex patients-comorbidity (I)

Life expectancy in people living with HIV has increased in the past decades, since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatment. Increased survival comes along with new challenges for the HIV physician, as these patients will present comorbidities inherent to ageing that can appear more frequently and at younger age than the general population. The older HIV patient poses a unique challenge, as management should take into account different factors, some related to global ageing such as geriatric syndromes, traditional risk factors, social vulnerability, and age-related diseases, and others related to HIV infection like ART toxicity, drug-drug interactions, immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation. All the above can amount to great polypharmacy and multimorbidity that physician have to be aware of. Little is known about the best screening, management and treatment strategies to improve long-term health outcomes in this ageing population. The following article briefly reviews the main comorbidities that can affect the ageing HIV patient.

Respective roles of migration and social deprivation for virological non-suppression in HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy in France

Barriers to achieve sustained HIV virological suppression on antiretroviral therapy (ART) jeopardize the success of the 90:90:90 UNAIDS initiative which aims to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In France, where access to ART is free and universally available, we analyze the way in which social determinants of health (i.e. cultural, environmental) and economic factors might influence virological outcomes. A cross-sectional study was performed in two hospitals located in Paris area. All consecutive people living with HIV (PLHIV) on ART for at least 6 months attending the outpatient clinics between 01/05/2013 and 31/10/2014 answered an individual score of deprivation, EPICES, retrieving information on health insurance status, economic status, family support and leisure activity. This score varies from 0 to 100 with deprivation state defined above 30.17. Factors associated with HIV viral load >50 copies/ml were assessed by logistic regression modeling with a backward stepwise selection to select the final multivariable model. Sensitivity analyses were performed using two other thresholds for virological non-suppression (100 or 200 copies/ml). Overall, 475 PLHIV were included (53% male, median age 47 years, 66% not born in France mainly in a sub-Saharan African country). Half of French natives and 85% of migrants were classified as deprived. Median duration on ART was 9.7 years with virological suppression in 95.2% of non-deprived participants and in 83.5% of deprived ones (p = 0.001). The final multivariable model retained ART tiredness, younger age, a previous AIDS event and social deprivation (adjusted Odds Ratio, 2.9; 95%CI, 1.2–7.0) as determinants of virological non-suppression but not migration in itself. When using separate components of EPICES score, reporting economic difficulties and non-homeownership were associated with virological non-suppression. In addition to interventions focusing on cultural aspects of migration, social interventions are needed to help people with social vulnerability to obtain sustained responses on ART.

Barriers to health care services for migrants living with HIV in Spain

Background

In Spain, migrants are disproportionately affected by HIV and experience high rates of late diagnosis. We investigated barriers to health care access among migrants living with HIV (MLWH) in Spain.

Methods

Cross sectional electronic survey of 765 adult HIV-positive migrants recruited within 18 health care settings between July 2013 and July 2015. We collected epidemiological, demographic, behavioral and clinical data. We estimated the prevalence and risk factors of self-reported barriers to health care using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of those surveyed, 672 (88%) had information on health care access barriers: 23% were women, 63% from Latin America and Caribbean, 14% from Sub-Saharan Africa and 15% had an irregular immigration status. Men were more likely to report barriers than women (24% vs. 14%, P = 0.009). The main barriers were: lengthy waiting times for an appointment (9%) or in the clinic (7%) and lack of a health card (7%). Having an irregular immigration status was a risk factor for experiencing barriers for both men (OR: (4.0 [95%CI: 2.2-7.2]) and women (OR: 10.5 [95%CI: 3.1-34.8]). Men who experienced racial stigma (OR: 3.1 [95%CI: 1.9-5.1]) or food insecurity (OR: 2.1 [95%CI: 1.2-3.4]) were more likely to report barriers. Women who delayed treatment due to medication costs (6.3 [95%CI: 1.3-30.8]) or had a university degree (OR: 5.8 [95%CI: 1.3-25.1]) were more likely to report barriers.

Conclusion

Health care barriers were present in one in five5 MLWH, were more common in men and were associated to legal entitlement to access care, perceived stigma and financial constraints.

Does region of origin influence the timing and outcome of first-line antiretroviral therapy in France?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess whether the timing of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiation, the choice of cART and virological response differ in migrants versus European natives in the north and east of Paris area, after dissemination of French recommendations for universal treatment.

METHODS

Antiretroviral therapy-naïve HIV-1-infected adults with at least two follow-up visits at one of 15 participating centres between 1 January 2014 and 31 March 2015 were included in the study. Factors associated with cART initiation before 31 March 2015, with protease inhibitor (PI)-containing cART among individuals initiating cART, and with 1-year virological success after cART initiation were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models. Sex, age, region of origin [Western Europe, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) or other], HIV transmission group, baseline AIDS status, CD4 cell count and plasma viral load (VL), and hepatitis B and/or C virus infection were considered in the analyses.

RESULTS

Among 912 individuals, only 584 (64%) started cART during the study period. After adjustment, migrants from SSA were half as likely to initiate cART and to have a subsequent virological response compared with individuals from Western Europe [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36-0.82; and aOR 0.52; 95% CI 0.28-0.98, respectively]. PI-containing cART was more frequently prescribed in migrants from SSA, in people with lower CD4 cell counts and in people with higher VL.

CONCLUSIONS

Even in the context of universal cART recommendations and of free access to care, migrants from SSA still have delayed access to cART and a lower virological response. Efforts are still necessary to provide immediate cART to all people living with HIV.

Influence of geographic origin on AIDS and serious non-AIDS morbidity/mortality during cART among heterosexual HIV-infected men and women in France

BACKGROUND

The influence of geographic origin on the risk of severe illness and death on cART has not been explored in European countries.

METHOD

We studied antiretroviral-naïve heterosexual HIV-1-infected individuals enrolled in the FHDH-ANRS CO4 cohort in France who started cART between 2006 and 2011. Individuals originating from France (French natives), sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and non-French West-Indies (NFW) were studied until 2012. Crude and adjusted rate ratios (aRR) of severe morbid events/deaths (AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related) were calculated using Poisson regression models stratified by sex, comparing each group of migrants to French natives.

RESULTS

Among 2334 eligible men, 1379 (59.1%) originated from France, 838 (35.9%) from SSA and 117 (5.0%) from NFW. SSA male migrants had a higher aRR for non-AIDS infections, particularly bacterial infections (aRR 1.56 (95% CI 1.07-2.29), p = 0.0477), than French natives. Among 2596 eligible women, 1347 (51.9%) originated from France, 1131 (43.6%) from SSA, and 118 (4.5%) from NFW. SSA and NFW female migrants had a higher aRR for non-AIDS infections, particularly non-bacterial infections (respectively, 2.04 (1.18-3.53) and 7.87 (2.54-24.4), p = 0.0010), than French natives. We observed no other significant differences related to geographic origin as concerns the aRRs for AIDS-related infections or malignancies, or for other non-AIDS events/deaths such as cardiovascular disease, neurological/psychiatric disorders, non-AIDS malignancies and iatrogenic disorders, in either gender.

CONCLUSION

Heterosexual migrants from SSA or NFW living in France have a higher risk of non-AIDS-defining infections than their French native counterparts. Special efforts are needed to prevent infectious diseases among HIV-infected migrants.

Self-reported adherence and pharmacy refill adherence are both predictive for an undetectable viral load among HIV-infected migrants receiving cART

HIV-infected migrants were shown to have poorer treatment outcomes than Dutch HIV-infected patients, often due to worse treatment adherence. Self-reported adherence would be an easy way to monitor adherence, but its validity relative to pharmacy refill adherence has not been extensively evaluated in migrants. All HIV-infected migrants older than 18 years and in care at the two Rotterdam HIV-treatment centers were eligible. Refill data with leftover medication (PRL) (residual pill count) were obtained from their pharmacies up to 15 months prior to inclusion. Self-reported adherence to combination Antiretroviral Therapy was assessed by four questions about adherence at inclusion. Additionally, risk factors for pharmacy refill non-adherence were examined. In total, 299 HIV-infected migrants were included. Viral load (VL) was detectable in 11% of the patients. Specificity of PRL was 53% for patients with an adherence of 100% and decreased with lower cut-off values. Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) were 68% and 15% and increased with lower cut-off values. Positive predictive value (PPV) was around 93% for all cut-off values. Using the self-reported questions, 139 patients (47%) reported to be adherent. Sensitivity was 49% and specificity was 72%. PPV and NPV were 95% and 13%. No risk factors for pharmacy refill non-adherence were found in multivariable analyses. Both PRL and self-reported adherence, can predict undetectable VL in HIV-infected migrants. PPV and NPV are similar for both methods. This study shows that using four self-reported items is sufficient to predict adherence which is crucial for optimal clinical outcome in HIV-infected migrants.

Effect of Legal Status on the Early Treatment Outcomes of Migrants Beginning Combined Antiretroviral Therapy at an Outpatient Clinic in Milan, Italy

OBJECTIVE

In a setting of free access to HIV care, we compared the early treatment outcomes of HIV-infected undocumented migrants (UMs), documented migrants (DMs), and Italian subjects.

METHODS

The clinical data of 640 Italians and 245 migrants who started combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) at an HIV clinic in Milan, Italy, were reviewed. The migrants were mainly Latin Americans (83 DMs and 56 UMs) or sub-Saharan Africans (52 DMs and 11 UMs), but a minority were of other origin (33 DMs and 10 UMs). Retention in follow-up and HIV suppression were compared between UMs, DMs, and natives 12 months ± 90 days after start of cART.

RESULTS

There were no significant between-group differences in the stage of HIV infection at the start of cART or the type of regimen received. The Latin American DMs and UMs included a higher proportion of transgender women than the other ethnic groups (P < 0.001). The UMs were less frequently followed up after 12 months than the DMs and natives (P = 0.004) and were more frequently permanently lost to follow-up (P < 0.001). UM status was an independent predictor of lost to follow-up (adjusted odds ratio 8.05, P < 0.001). The DMs and UMs were less frequently HIV suppressed after 12 months than the natives (78% and 80.7% vs 90.5%, P = 0.001), and Latin American migrants were significantly less likely to be virologically suppressed than the natives (adjusted odds ratio 0.30, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite their free access to cART, subgroups of migrants facing multiple levels of vulnerability still have difficulties in gaining optimal HIV care.

Effect of sociodemographic factors on survival of people living with HIV

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose is to describe and understand the sociodemographic determinants of survival in people living with HIV within high-income countries in the context of the current recommendation of universal antiretroviral therapy for all HIV-infected persons, irrespective of their CD4 cell count.

RECENT FINDINGS

Survival rates in people living with HIV have experienced remarkable increases in the last decade because of more efficacious and well tolerated treatments. Still, these improvements are unevenly distributed between regions across the world as well as within regions. HIV outcomes are heavily influenced by what are known as the 'social determinants' of health which have traditionally encompassed the gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic axes. The evidence that these social determinants are now more important than before (more and earlier interventions are now available), has become stronger in the last 2 years.

SUMMARY

Because antiretroviral therapy is now recommended for all HIV-infected persons, sociodemographic factors limiting access to testing, treatment, and retention in care will undoubtedly jeopardize the UNAIDS aspirational objective to end AIDS by 2030. Innovative interventions targeting individuals with social vulnerability are urgently needed to ensure that social inequalities do not continue to be linked with higher mortality.

Immunological and virological response to antiretroviral treatment in migrant and native men and women in Western Europe; is benefit equal for all?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in immunovirological response to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in migrant and native men and women within a European collaboration of HIV cohorts Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research in Europ (COHERE) in EuroCoord, 2004-2013.

METHODS

Migrants were defined as those with geographical origin (GO) different from the reporting country and were grouped as originating from Western Europe and Western Countries (WEWC), Eastern Europe (EE), North Africa and the Middle East (NAME), sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Latin America (LA), Caribbean (CRB) and Asia/Oceania (ASIA/OCE). Native (NAT) individuals were defined as those originating from the reporting country. CD4 cell counts were modelled using piecewise linear mixed-effects models with two slopes, whereas models to estimate subdistribution hazard ratios (sHRs) were used for time to virological response (VR) (i.e. time from cART initiation to the first of two successive HIV RNA measurements < 400 HIV-1 RNA copies/ml).

RESULTS

Of 32 817 individuals, 25 799 (78.6%) were men. The percentage of migrants was higher in women (48.9%) than in men (21.2%) and migrants from SSA accounted for the largest migrant group (29.9% in men and 63.3% in women). Migrant men and women from SSA started at lower CD4 cell counts than NAT individuals, which remained lower over time. VR was ≥ 85% at 12 months for all groups except CRB women (77.7%). Compared with NAT men and women, lower VR was experienced by NAME [sHR 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86-0.97] and SSA (sHR 0.88; 95% CI 0.82-0.95) men and CRB (sHR 0.77; 85% CI 0.67-0.89) women, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunovirological response to cART in Western Europe varies by GO and sex of patients. ART benefits are not equal for all, underlining the point that efforts need to prioritize those most in need.

Sub-Saharan African migrants have slower initial CD4+ cell recovery after combined antiretroviral treatment initiation than French natives

OBJECTIVE

Poorer immunologic responses to combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) have been reported among sub-Saharan African (SSA) migrants than among native Europeans. We studied whether differences in CD4 cell recovery between French natives and SSA migrants starting first-line cART could be explained by differences in socioeconomic conditions, inflammatory marker levels, and other established determinants.

METHODS

We compared 319 French natives and 175 SSA migrants (ANRS-COPANA cohort). Clinical, biological, and socioeconomic data (education, employment, income, and cohabiting partnership) were recorded at regular visits. A piecewise linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze CD4 cell count kinetics on cART.

RESULTS

Compared with French natives, SSA migrants were more frequently women, younger, less educated, living in more adverse conditions, and had more frequent symptoms of depression. The rate of CD4 cell recovery during the first 4 months on cART was significantly slower in SSA migrants, despite a similar virologic response, but did not differ significantly thereafter. The mean CD4 cell count rose from 251 cells/μl at baseline to 508 cells/μl at 36 months in migrants, and from 308 to 623 cells/μl in natives (additional mean gain of 58 cells/μl in natives). The difference persisted after adjustment for clinical, updated socioeconomic, and living conditions (-0.40√CD4 cells/month, P = 0.04); 25-hydroxyvitamin D, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNFR1) levels were lower in SSA migrants, but only sTNFR1 contributed to the difference in CD4 slope.

CONCLUSION

Initial CD4 cell recovery on cART was slower among SSA migrants than among French natives. This difference was not explained by established clinical and biological determinants or by socioeconomic status.

Timing of combined antiretroviral treatment initiation in male and female migrants living with HIV in Western Europe

BACKGROUND

We evaluate differences in timing of cART (combined antiretroviral treatment) initiation by geographical origin in male and female HIV-positive patients in the Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research Europe, a large European Collaboration of HIV Cohorts.

METHODS

We included individuals recruited in Western Europe between January 1997 and March 2013, with known geographical origin and at least 1 CD4 cell count measurement while cART-naive. Timing of cART was assessed through modified time-to-event methods, in which a scale of CD4 cell counts was used instead of time, with cART being the outcome. We estimated the median CD4 cell count at cART initiation (estimated CD4 levels at which the probability of having started cART is 50%) using Kaplan-Meier and adjusted hazard ratios of cART initiation using Cox regression.

RESULTS

Of 151 674 individuals, 110 592 (72.9%) were men. Median (95% confidence interval) CD4 cell count falls far below 250 cells/μl in all groups and was lowest in sub-Saharan African [SSA: 161 (158-167)], Caribbean men [161 (150-174)] and in Asian women [Asian Continent and Oceania: 185 (165-197)]. Among men, the adjusted probability of cART initiation was lower in migrants compared with natives, but differences depended on initial CD4 cell count. For example, in the group with more than 500 CD4 at recruitment, they were 45% (36-53%), 30% (17-40%) and 25% (19-30%) lower for Caribbean, Eastern European and SSA men, respectively. In women, no meaningful differences were observed between natives and most migrant groups. However, SSA women had a 31% (24-38%) higher probability of cART initiation when recruited at a CD4 more than 500 cells/μl and 9% (4-14%) lower when recruited at CD4 less than 100 cells/μl.

CONCLUSION

Most migrant men initiate cART at lower CD4 cell count than natives, whereas this does not hold for migrant women.

Differences between migrants and Spanish-born population through the HIV care cascade, Catalonia: an analysis using multiple data sources

Migrants are considered a key group at risk for HIV infection. This study describes differences between migrants and the Spanish-born population as they progress through the HIV care cascade in Catalonia, Spain. This study found that among people reached by prevention activities, migrants had a higher number of barriers to access HIV testing services than Spanish-born people, driven primarily by shared risk factors. Between 2001 and 2013, 9829 new HIV diagnoses were reported in Catalonia, the proportion of migrants increasing from 24% in 2001 to 41% in 2013. Compared with Spanish-born people, migrants had a higher proportion of women at diagnosis (24·6% vs. 16·7%), and were younger (median age of 33 vs. 37). The most frequent at-risk population was MSM (men who have sex with men) in both migrants and Spanish-born people, (40% and 43%, respectively), although there were significant differences by region of origin. People from sub-Saharan Africa had the highest proportion of late diagnosis (63·7%). Compared with the Spanish-born population, migrants on follow-up had a lower proportion of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (93·7% vs. 90·8%, P < 0·001) and with viral suppression (87·2% vs. 82·9%, P < 0·001). Migrants have higher number of barriers to access HIV testing services, lower retention rates and proportions on ART as compared with Spanish-born people, these differences not being uniform between migrants from different regions.

Influence of geographic origin, sex, and HIV transmission group on the outcome of first-line combined antiretroviral therapy in France

BACKGROUND

More data are needed on the influence of geographic origin, sex, and the HIV transmission group on biological and clinical outcomes after first-line combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiation.

METHODS

We studied antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected adults enrolled in the French Hospital Database on HIV cohort in France and who started cART between 2006 and 2011. The censoring date of the study was 31 December 2012. According to geographic origin [French natives (FRA) or sub-Saharan Africa/non-French West Indies (SSA/NFW)], sex, and HIV transmission group, we assessed 2-year Kaplan-Meier probabilities and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for plasma viral load undetectability and CD4 cell recovery, and 5-year cumulative incidences and aHRs for negative clinical outcomes (AIDS-defining event, serious non-AIDS events, or death).

RESULTS

Of 9746 eligible individuals, 7297 (74.9%) were FRA and 2449 (25.1%) were sub-Saharan Africa/non-French West Indies migrants. More migrants (38.1%) than nonmigrants (27.5%) started cART with a CD4 cell count less than 200/μl (P < 0.0001). By comparison with FRA MSM, nonhomosexual men, whatever their geographic origin, had lower aHRs for viral undetectability; all patient groups, particularly migrants, had lower aHRs for CD4 cell recovery than FRA MSM; aHRs for negative clinical outcome (360 new AIDS-defining events, 1376 serious non-AIDS events, 38 deaths) were also higher in nonhomosexual men, regardless of geographic origin. Preexisting AIDS status, a lower CD4 cell count and older age at cART initiation had the biggest impact on changes between the crude and aHRs of clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Compared with FRA MSM, all migrants had a lower likelihood of CD4 cell recovery, and nonhomosexual men had a higher likelihood of negative virological and clinical outcomes.

Overall and cause-specific excess mortality in HIV-positive persons compared with the general population: Role of HCV coinfection

We aimed to estimate overall and cause-specific excess mortality of HIV-positive patients compared with the general population, and to assess the effect of risk factors.We included patients aged >19 years, recruited from January 1, 2004 to May 31, 2014 in Cohort of the Spanish Network on HIV/AIDS Research. We used generalized linear models with Poisson error structure to model excess mortality rates.In 10,340 patients, 368 deaths occurred. Excess mortality was 0.82 deaths per 100 person-years for all-cause mortality, 0.11 for liver, 0.08 for non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADMs), 0.08 for non-AIDS infections, and 0.02 for cardiovascular-related causes. Lower CD4 count and higher HIV viral load, lower education, being male, and over 50 years were predictors of overall excess mortality. Short-term (first year follow-up) overall excess hazard ratio (eHR) for subjects with AIDS at entry was 3.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.66, 5.19) and 1.37 (95% CI 0.87, 2.15) for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected; medium/long-term eHR for AIDS at entry was 0.90 (95% CI 0.58, 1.39) and 3.83 (95% CI 2.37, 6.19) for HCV coinfection. Liver excess mortality was associated with low CD4 counts and HCV coinfection. Patients aged ≥50 years and HCV-coinfected showed higher NADM excess mortality, and HCV-coinfected patients showed increased non-AIDS infections excess mortality.Overall, liver, NADM, non-AIDS infections, and cardiovascular excesses of mortality associated with being HIV-positive were found, and HCV coinfection and immunodeficiency played significant roles. Differential short and medium/long-term effects of AIDS at entry and HCV coinfection were found for overall excess mortality.

Determinants of virological response to antiretroviral therapy: socio-economic status still plays a role in the era of cART. Results from the ANRS-VESPA 2 study, France

BACKGROUND

Disparities in combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) outcomes have been consistently reported among people living with HIV (PLWHIV). The present study aims at investigating the mechanisms underlying those disparities among PLWHIV in France.

METHODS

We used data from the Vespa2 survey, a large national cross-sectional survey, representative of HIV-infected people followed at hospitals in 2011. Among participants diagnosed ≥1996, HIV treatment-naive at the time of cART initiation and on cART for at least 12 months, the frequency of sustained virological suppression (SVS; undetectable viral load [<50 copies/ml] for at least 6 months) at the time of the survey, was assessed and its social determinants were measured through logistic regression, accounting for clinical and biological determinants of response to cART.

RESULTS

Among 1,246 participants, 77.7% had achieved SVS. SVS was less frequent among those unemployed (0.6 [range 0.3-1.0]) and those with the lowest level of education (0.4 [range 0.2-0.9]). The late presenters, diagnosed at a CD4⁺ T-cell count <200/mm³ (0.5 [range 0.3-0.9]) and the late starters, diagnosed at a CD4⁺ T-cell count >200 but initiating cART at CD4⁺ T-cell count <200 (0.3 [range 0.1-0.8]) were less likely than the ideal starters (≥350 CD4⁺ T-cells/mm³ at cART initiation) to achieve SVS, as were those who reported suboptimal adherence versus those reporting optimal adherence (0.4 [range 0.2-0.7]). In bivariate analyses, material deprivation, discrimination and a weak social network were also associated with a poorer treatment response.

CONCLUSIONS

Structural social factors remain strong determinants of treatment response and should be addressed in a broad approach of care, but wider political issues should also be investigated.

Restricting Access to Health Care to Immigrants in Barcelona: A Mixed-Methods Study With Immigrants Who Have Experienced an Infectious Disease

Austerity policies implemented in Spain in response to the ongoing economic crisis may have detrimental consequences for the health of immigrant populations and for public health in general. A mixed-methods study by the Public Health Agency of Barcelona and the University of Michigan indicates that the Real Decreto-ley 16/2012 (RDL) threatens the health of individuals and the population, especially in the case of infectious diseases. The study sought to determine the percentage of foreign-born persons with an infectious disease who had an Individual Health Card (IHC) prior to the RDL and to determine whether foreign-born persons with an infectious disease in Barcelona encountered problems accessing health care after the RDL. Results indicate that immigrants used the IHC to seek medical attention for infectious diseases and chronic conditions. Results also show that 66% of respondents, including 54% of unemployed respondents, 3% of respondents working without contracts, and those in informal employment (9%), may be at risk of losing at least part of their health coverage. Universal health care access in Spain has been crucial for the control of communicable diseases among immigrant populations. Reducing access to a significant percentage of the total population may have deleterious effects on public health.

Treatment and disease outcomes of migrants from low- and middle-income countries in the Australian HIV Observational Database cohort

People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including low- and middle-income countries, account for a third of new HIV diagnoses in Australia and are a priority for HIV prevention and treatment programs. We describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of participants in the Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD) and compare disease outcomes, progression to AIDS and treatment outcomes of those born in low- and middle-income countries, with those born in high-income countries and Australia. All participants enrolled in AHOD sites where country of birth is routinely collected were included in the study. Age, CD4 count, HIV viral load, antiretroviral therapy, hepatitis co-infection, all-cause mortality and AIDS illness were analysed. Of 2403 eligible participants, 77.3% were Australian born, 13.7% born in high-income countries and 9.0% born in middle- or low-income countries. Those born in Australia or high-income countries were more likely to be male (96%) than those from middle- or low-income countries (76%), p < .0001 and more likely to have acquired HIV via male to male sexual contact (77%; 79%) compared with those from middle- or low-income countries (50%), p < .0001. At enrolment, mean CD4 cell count was higher in Australian born (528 cells/µL) than both those born in high-income countries (468 cells/µL) and those born in middle- and low-income countries (451 cells/µL), p < .0001; whereas the mean HIV RNA level (log10 copies/mL) was similar in all three groups (4.44, 4.76 and 4.26, respectively), p = .19.There was no difference in adjusted incidence risk ratios for all-cause mortality and AIDS incidence in all three groups, p = .39. These findings reflect successful outcomes of people born in low- and middle-income countries once engaged in HIV care.

[HIV infection and immigration]

Migrants represent around one third of patients newly diagnosed with HIV in Spain and they constitute a population with higher vulnerability to its negative consequences due to the socio-cultural, economical, working, administrative and legal contexts. Migrants are diagnosed later, which worsens their individual prognosis and facilitates the maintenance of the HIV epidemic. In spite of the different barriers they experience to access healthcare in general, and HIV-related services in particular, access to antiretroviral treatment has been similar to that of the autochthonous population. However, benefits of treatment have been not, with women in general and men from Sub-Saharan Africa exhibiting the worse response to treatment. We need to proactively promote earlier diagnosis of HIV infection, the adoption of preventive measures to avoid new infections, and to deliver accessible, adapted and high-quality health-care.

HIV Infection in Migrant Populations in the European Union and European Economic Area in 2007-2012: An Epidemic on the Move

BACKGROUND

Migrants are considered a key group at risk for HIV infection. This study describes the epidemiology of HIV and the distribution of late HIV presentation among migrants within the European Union/European Economic Area during 2007-2012.

METHODS

HIV cases reported to European Surveillance System (TESSy) were analyzed. Migrants were defined as people whose geographical origin was different than the reporting country. Multiple logistic regression was used to model late HIV presentation.

RESULTS

Overall, 156,817 HIV cases were reported, of which 60,446 (38%) were migrants. Of these, 53% were from Sub-Saharan Africa, 12% from Latin America, 9% from Western Europe, 7% from Central Europe, 5% from South and Southeast Asia, 4% from East Europe, 4% from Caribbean, and 3% from North Africa and Middle East. Male and female migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America had higher odds of late HIV presentation than native men and women. Migrants accounted for 40% of all HIV notifications in 2007 versus 35% in 2012. HIV cases in women from Sub-Saharan Africa decreased from 3725 in 2007 to 2354 in 2012. The number of HIV cases from Latin America peaked in 2010 to decrease thereafter. HIV diagnoses in migrant men who have sex with men increased from 1927 in 2007 to 2459 in 2012.

CONCLUSIONS

Migrants represent two-fifths of the HIV cases reported and had higher late HIV presentation. HIV epidemic in migrant populations in European Union/European Economic Area member states is changing, probably reflecting the global changes in the HIV pandemic, the impact of large-scale ART implementation, and migration fluctuations secondary to the economic crisis in Europe.

Restricted access to antiretroviral treatment for undocumented migrants: a bottle neck to control the HIV epidemic in the EU/EEA

Background

In the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA), migrants from high-endemic countries are disproportionately affected by HIV. Between 2007 and 2012, migrants represented 39 % of reported HIV cases. There is growing evidence that a significant proportion of HIV acquisition among migrant populations occurs after their arrival in Europe.

Discussion

Migrants are confronted with multiple risk factors that shape patterns of population HIV susceptibility and vulnerability, which simultaneously affect HIV transmission. Undocumented migrants incur additional risks for contracting HIV due to limited access to adequate health care services, protection and justice, alongside insecure housing and employment conditions.

All EU/EEA countries have ratified a number of international and regional human rights instruments that enshrine access to health care as a human right that should be available to everyone without discrimination.

From a clinical and public health perspective, early HIV care and treatment is associated with viral suppression, improved health outcomes and reductions in transmission risks. A current challenge of the HIV epidemic is to reach the highest proportion of overall viral suppression among people living with HIV in order to impact on HIV transmission.

Although the majority of EU/EEA countries regard migrants as an important sub-population for their national responses to HIV, and despite the overwhelming evidence of the individual and public health benefits associated with HIV care and treatment, a significant number of EU/EEA countries do not provide antiretroviral treatment to undocumented migrants.

Summary

HIV transmission dynamics in migrant populations depend on the respective weight of all risk and vulnerability factors to which they are exposed, which act together in a synergistic way. People who are not linked to HIV care will continue to unwillingly contribute to the on-going transmission of HIV. Following the recommendations of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, ensuring access to HIV-care for all sub-populations, including undocumented migrants, would fulfil the human rights of those populations and also strengthen the control of HIV incidence among those not currently able to access HIV care.

Mortality in migrants living with HIV in western Europe (1997-2013): a collaborative cohort study

BACKGROUND

Many migrants face adverse socioeconomic conditions and barriers to health services that can impair timely HIV diagnosis and access to life-saving treatments. We aimed to assess the differences in overall mortality by geographical origin in HIV-positive men and women using data from COHERE, a large European collaboration of HIV cohorts from 1997 to 2013.

METHODS

In this observational cohort study, we included HIV-positive, antiretroviral-naive people accessing care in western Europe from COHERE. Individuals were eligible if enrolled in a cohort that collected information on geographical origin or ethnic origin from Jan 1, 1997, to March 19, 2013, aged 18-75 years, they had available information about sex, they were not infected perinatally or after the receipt of clotting factor concentrates, and were naive to combination antiretroviral therapy at cohort entry. Migrants' origins were grouped into seven regions: western Europe and similar countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA); eastern Europe; North Africa and the Middle East; sub-Saharan Africa; Latin America; the Caribbean; and Asia and the rest of Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand). Crude and adjusted mortality rate ratios were calculated by use of Poisson regression stratified by sex, comparing each group with the native population. Multiple imputation with chained equations was used to account for missing values.

FINDINGS

Between Oct 25, 1979, and March 19, 2013, we recruited 279 659 individuals to the COHERE collaboration in EuroCoord. Of these 123 344 men and 45 877 women met the inclusion criteria. Our data suggested effect modification by transmission route (pinteraction=0·12 for men; pinteraction=0·002 for women). No significant difference in mortality was identified by geographical origin in men who have sex with men. In heterosexual populations, most migrant men had mortality lower than or equal to that of native men, whereas no group of migrant women had mortality lower than that in native women. High mortality was identified in heterosexual men from Latin America (rate ratio [RR] 1·46, 95% CI 1·00-2·12, p=0·049) and heterosexual women from the Caribbean (1·48, 1·29-1·70, p<0·0001). Compared with that in the native population, mortality in injecting drug users was similar or low for all migrant groups.

INTERPRETATION

Characteristics of and risks faced by migrant populations with HIV differ for men and women and for populations infected heterosexually, by sex between men, or by injecting drug use. Further research is needed to understand how inequalities are generated and maintained for the groups with higher mortality identified in this study.

FUNDING

EuroCoord.

Increased risk of virologic failure to the first antiretroviral regimen in HIV-infected migrants compared to natives: data from the ICONA cohort

Migrant and Italian HIV-infected patients (n = 5773) enrolled in the ICONA cohort in 2004-2014 were compared for disparities in access to an initial antiretroviral regimen and/or risk of virologic failure (VF), and determinants of failure were evaluated. Variables associated with initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) were analysed. Primary endpoint was time to failure after at least 6 months of ART and was defined as: VF, first of two consecutive virus loads (VL) >200 copies/mL; treatment discontinuation (TD) for any reason; and treatment failure as confirmed VL >200 copies/mL or TD. A Poisson multivariable analysis was performed to control for confounders. Migrants presented significantly lower CD4 counts and more frequent AIDS events at baseline. When adjusting for baseline confounders, migrants presented a lower likelihood to begin ART (odds ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.95, p 0.012). After initiating ART, the incidence VF rate was 6.4 per 100 person-years (95% CI 4.8-8.5) in migrants and 2.7 in natives (95% CI 2.2-3.3). Multivariable analysis confirmed that migrants had a higher risk of VF (incidence rate ratio 1.90, 95% CI 1.25-2.91, p 0.003) and treatment failure (incidence rate ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.01-1.33, p 0.031), with no differences for TD. Among migrants, variables associated with VF were age, unemployment and use of a boosted protease inhibitor-based regimen versus nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Despite the use of more potent and safer drugs in the last 10 years, and even in a universal health care setting, migrants living with HIV still present barriers to initiating ART and an increased risk of VF compared to natives.

Good continuum of HIV care in Belgium despite weaknesses in retention and linkage to care among migrants

Background

The Belgian HIV epidemic is largely concentrated among men who have sex with men and Sub-Saharan Africans. We studied the continuum of HIV care of those diagnosed with HIV living in Belgium and its associated factors.

Methods

Data on new HIV diagnoses 2007–2010 and HIV-infected patients in care in 2010–2011 were analysed. Proportions were estimated for each sequential stage of the continuum of HIV care and factors associated with attrition at each stage were studied.

Results

Of all HIV diagnosed patients living in Belgium in 2011, an estimated 98.2 % were linked to HIV care, 90.8 % were retained in care, 83.3 % received antiretroviral therapy and 69.5 % had an undetectable viral load (<50 copies/ml). After adjustment for sex, age at diagnosis, nationality and mode of transmission, we found lower entry into care in non-Belgians and after preoperative HIV diagnoses; lower retention in non-Belgians and injecting drug users; higher retention in men who have sex with men and among those on ART. Younger patients had lower antiretroviral therapy uptake and less viral suppression; those with longer time from diagnosis had higher ART uptake and more viral suppression; Sub-Saharan Africans on ART had slightly less viral suppression.

Conclusions

The continuum of HIV care in Belgium presents low attrition rates over all stages. The undiagnosed HIV-infected population, although not precisely estimated, but probably close to 20 % based on available survey and surveillance results, could be the weakest stage of the continuum of HIV care. Its identification is a priority along with improving the HIV care continuum of migrants.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1230-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Clinical, epidemiological and treatment failure data among HIV-1 non-B-infected patients in the Spanish AIDS Research Network Cohort

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of HIV-1 non-B variants is increasing in Spain, showing a higher number of transmitted drug resistance mutations (TDR) since 2002. This study presents the features of non-B-infected patients enrolled in the cohort of antiretroviral treatment (ART) naïve HIV-infected patients included in the Research Network on HIV/AIDS (CoRIS).

METHODS

The study includes a selected group of HIV-1 non-B-infected subjects from 670 subjects with pol sequences collected from 2004 to 2008 in the CoRIS cohort. Epidemiological-clinical-virological data were analyzed since cohort entry until October 2011, considering the presence or absence of treatment failure (TF).

RESULTS

Eighty two non-B infected subjects with known HIV-1 variants were selected from 2004 to 2008 in the CoRIS cohort, being mainly female, immigrants, infected by recombinant viruses, and by heterosexual route. They had an intermediate TDR rate (9.4%), a high rate of TF (25.6%), of losses to follow-up (35%), of coinfections (32.9%), and baseline CD4+ counts ≥350cells/mm(3) (61.8%). Non-B subjects with TF showed higher rates of heterosexual infection (85.7% vs. 69.5%, p<0.05), tuberculosis (30.8% vs. 9.1%, p=0.10) and hepatitis C (23.8% vs. 13.9%, p=0.34) coinfections and lower rates of syphilis (0% vs. 21.9%, p<0.05), and had more frequently received first-line ART including protease inhibitors (PIs) than patients without TF (70% vs. 30%, p<0.05). Interestingly, infection with non-B variants reduced the risk of TDR to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and increased the risk to PIs.

CONCLUSION

HIV-1 non-B-infected patients in Spain had a particular epidemiological and clinical profile that should be considered during their clinical management.

Hispano-Americans in Europe: what do we know about their health status and determinants? A scoping review

Background

Policy makers and health practitioners are in need of guidance to respond to the growing geographic mobility of Hispano-American migrants in Europe. Drawing from contributions from epidemiology, social sciences, demography, psychology, psychiatry and economy, this scoping review provides an up-to-date and comprehensive synthesis of studies addressing the health status and determinants of this population. We describe major research gaps and suggest specific avenues of further inquiry.

Methods

We identified systematically papers that addressed the concepts “health” and “Hispano Americans” indexed in five data bases from Jan 1990 to May 2014 with no language restrictions. We screened the 4,464 citations retrieved against exclusion criteria and classified 193 selected references in 12 thematic folders with the aid of the reference management software ENDNOTE X6. After reviewing the full text of all papers we extracted relevant data systematically into a table template to facilitate the synthesising process.

Results

Most studies focused on a particular disease, leaving unexplored the interlinkages between different health conditions and how these relate to legislative, health services, environmental, occupational, and other health determinants. We elucidated some consistent results but there were many heterogeneous findings and several popular beliefs were not fully supported by empirical evidence. Few studies adopted a trans-national perspective and many consisted of cross-sectional descriptions that considered “Hispano-Americans” as a homogeneous category, limiting our analysis. Our results are also constrained by the availability and varying quality of studies reviewed.

Conclusions

Burgeoning research has produced some consistent findings but there are huge gaps in knowledge. To prevent unhelpful generalisations we need a more holistic and nuanced understanding of how mobility, ethnicity, income, gender, legislative status, employment status, working conditions, neighbourhood characteristics and social status intersect with demographic variables and policy contexts to influence the health of the diverse Hispano-American populations present in Europe.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1799-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Later cART initiation in migrant men from sub-Saharan Africa without advanced HIV disease in France

Objective

To compare the time from entry into care for HIV infection until combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiation between migrants and non migrants in France, excluding late access to care.

Methods

Antiretroviral-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals newly enrolled in the FHDH cohort between 2002–2010, with CD4 cell counts &gt;200/μL and no previous or current AIDS events were included. In three baseline CD4 cell count strata (200–349, 350-499, ≥500/μL), we examined the crude time until cART initiation within three years after enrolment according to geographic origin, and multivariable hazard ratios according to geographic origin, gender and HIV-transmission group, with adjustment for baseline age, enrolment period, region of care, plasma viral load, and HBV/HBC coinfection.

Results

Among 13338 individuals, 9605 (72.1%) were French natives (FRA), 2873 (21.4%) were migrants from sub-Saharan Africa/non-French West Indies (SSA/NFW), and 860 (6.5%) were migrants from other countries. Kaplan-Meier probabilities of cART initiation were significantly lower in SSA/NFW than in FRA individuals throughout the study period, regardless of the baseline CD4 stratum. After adjustment, the likelihood of cART initiation was respectively 15% (95%CI, 1–28) and 20% (95%CI, 2–38) lower in SSA/NFW men than in FRA men who had sex with men (MSM) in the 350-499 and ≥500 CD4 strata, while no difference was observed between other migrant groups and FRA MSM.

Conclusion

SSA/NFW migrant men living in France with CD4 &gt;350/μL at entry into care are more likely to begin cART later than FRA MSM, despite free access to treatment. Administrative delays in obtaining healthcare coverage do not appear to be responsible.

Clinical and epidemiological features of HIV/AIDS infection among migrants at first access to healthcare services as compared to Italian patients in Italy: a retrospective multicentre study, 2000-2010

PURPOSE

Migrants account for approximately 8.7% of the resident population in Italy. The immigration status deeply influences access to prevention and care, thus contributing to increase the burden of HIV/AIDS among such a fragile category. The aim of this study was to investigate socio-demographic and baseline clinical and immunological features of HIV-infected migrants, as compared to Italians.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed data for all the 1,611 HIV-infected migrant patients and a random sample of 4,230 HIV-infected Italian patients aged 18 or older who first accessed nine Italian clinical centres in 2000-2010 and were followed up at least 1 year. Differences in baseline characteristics between migrants and Italians were evaluated in univariate analysis, while factors associated with late presentation were evaluated in multivariate analysis using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The baseline profile differs between the HIV-infected migrant and Italian patients, substantially reflecting what reported by current statistics in terms of gender, age, risk category as well as clinical features. Late presenters were more frequent among migrants as compared to Italians (53.0 vs 45.8%; adjusted odds ratio [(AOR) = 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34-1.78]. Other factors associated with late presentation included increasing age, as well as undocumented legal status among foreign-born subjects (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI 0.97-2.04), though of borderline significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Late presentation still represents a relevant problem despite the advances in the management of HIV infection. More efforts are needed to allow early diagnosis and access to care among the most vulnerable, such as undocumented foreign-born subjects in a country where migration flows are on the rise.

HIV testing policies for migrants and ethnic minorities in EU/EFTA Member States

Background: In the context of an European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) research project, our objective was to describe current recommendations regarding HIV testing and counselling targeting migrants and ethnic minorities in the European Union/European Economic Area/European Free Trade Association (EU/EEA/EFTA) Member States. Methods: An on-line survey was conducted among 31 EU/EEA/EFTA Member States. The survey inquired on the existence of specific HIV testing and counselling recommendations or policies for migrants and/or ethnic minorities and the year of their publication. Additionally, we performed a review of national recommendations, guidelines or any other policy documents retrieved from an Internet search through the different countries’ competent bodies. Results: Twenty-nine (94%) country representatives responded the survey, and 28 documents from 27 countries were identified. National guidelines on HIV testing are heterogeneous and tailored, according to the epidemiological situation. Twenty-two countries identify migrants and four countries identify ethnic minorities as particularly vulnerable to HIV. Sixteen countries explicitly recommend offering an HIV test to migrants/ethnic minorities. Guidelines especially target people originating from HIV endemic countries, and benefits of HIV early detection are highlighted. HIV testing is not mandatory in any country, but some countries overtly facilitate this practice. Conclusion: Benefits of HIV testing in migrants and ethnic minorities, at both individual and community levels are recognized by many countries. In spite of this, not all countries identify the need to test these groups.