Gender inequalities in the response to combination antiretroviral therapy over time: the Swiss HIV Cohort Study

Factors associated with sex differences in viral non-suppression in the Swedish InfCareHIV cohort: An observational real-world study

OBJECTIVES

Women living with HIV are underrepresented in clinical trials assessing outcomes of antiretroviral treatment (ART), justifying the need for observational studies. We investigated differences in viral non-suppression between women and men in the Swedish InfCareHIV cohort and analysed results in relation to biological and socio-demographic variables and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

METHODS

The study included people living with HIV (PLWH) aged ≥18 years, who initiated ART at least 6 months prior to inclusion. Data from the InfCareHIV registry 2011-2018 were collected. Associations between variables and HIV RNA ≥50 copies/mL were investigated in uni- and multivariable analyses using generalized estimating equations, providing relative risks (RRs) as effect size.

RESULTS

The study included 38% (n = 2981) women. Women were more likely to have HIV RNA ≥50 copies/mL than were men [RR = 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.31]. After adjusting for origin and route of transmission, sex at birth was no longer associated with viral non-suppression. PROMs were available in 52.4% of PLWH, and items associated with viral non-suppression were impaired adherence in women (RR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.79-3.17) and men (RR 1.84, 95% CI: 1.40-2.42), and experience of side effects in women (RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.10-2.02).

CONCLUSIONS

This observational study found a 20% higher relative risk of viral non-suppression in women than in men and the difference was associated with socio-demographic factors. The associations between PROMs and viral non-suppression varied between women and men. PROMs are important health outcomes that may identify PLWH in need of support to achieve viral non-suppression.

Dissemination of the Women-Centred HIV Care Model: A Multimodal Process and Evaluation

BACKGROUND

Using data from a national cohort study and focus groups, the Women-Centred HIV Care (WCHC) Model was developed to inform care delivery for women living with HIV.

METHODS

Through an evidence-based, integrated knowledge translation approach, we developed 2 toolkits based on the WCHC Model for service providers and women living with HIV in English and French (Canada's national languages). To disseminate, we distributed printed advertising materials, hosted 3 national webinars and conducted 2 virtual capacity-building training series.

RESULTS

A total of 315 individuals attended the webinars, and the average WCHC knowledge increased by 29% (SD 4.3%). In total, 131 service providers engaged in 22 virtual capacity-building training sessions with 21 clinical cases discussed. Learners self-reported increased confidence in 15/15 abilities, including the ability to provide WCHC. As of December 2023, the toolkits were downloaded 7766 times.

CONCLUSIONS

We successfully developed WCHC toolkits and shared them with diverse clinical and community audiences through various dissemination methods.

Cumulative Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 Viremia Is Associated With Increased Risk of Multimorbidity Among US Women With HIV, 1997-2019

Background

To evaluate the effect of cumulative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 viremia on aging-related multimorbidity among women with HIV (WWH), we analyzed data collected prospectively among women who achieved viral suppression after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation (1997-2019).

Methods

We included WWH with ≥2 plasma HIV-1 viral loads (VL) <200 copies/mL within a 2-year period (baseline) following self-reported ART use. Primary outcome was multimorbidity (≥2 nonacquired immune deficiency syndrome comorbidities [NACM] of 5 total assessed). The trapezoidal rule calculated viremia copy-years (VCY) as area-under-the-VL-curve. Cox proportional hazard models estimated the association of time-updated cumulative VCY with incident multimorbidity and with incidence of each NACM, adjusting for important covariates (eg, age, CD4 count, etc).

Results

Eight hundred six WWH contributed 6368 women-years, with median 12 (Q1-Q3, 7-23) VL per participant. At baseline, median age was 39 years, 56% were Black, and median CD4 was 534 cells/mm3. Median time-updated cumulative VCY was 5.4 (Q1-Q3, 4.7-6.9) log10 copy-years/mL. Of 211 (26%) WWH who developed multimorbidity, 162 (77%) had incident hypertension, 133 (63%) had dyslipidemia, 60 (28%) had diabetes, 52 (25%) had cardiovascular disease, and 32 (15%) had kidney disease. Compared with WWH who had time-updated cumulative VCY <5 log10, the adjusted hazard ratio of multimorbidity was 1.99 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-3.08) and 3.78 (95% CI, 2.17-6.58) for those with VCY 5-6.9 and ≥7 log10 copy-years/mL, respectively (P < .0001). Higher time-updated cumulative VCY increased the risk of each NACM.

Conclusions

Among ART-treated WWH, greater cumulative viremia increased the risk of multimorbidity and of developing each NACM, and hence this may be a prognostically useful biomarker for NACM risk assessment in this population.

Difference in the neurocognitive functions of WLWH and MLWH in an Italian cohort of people living with HIV

Based on the available literature, women living with HIV (WLWH) seem to show greater cognitive and emotional disadvantages than men living with HIV (MLWH). Our aim was to compare the cognitive performance of MLWH and WLWH in an Italian cohort of People Living With HIV (PLWH) and to analyse factors potentially contributing to sex differences in cognitive function. We ran a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of a monocentric dataset of PLWH who were administered a standardized neuropsychological test battery (SNB) during routine clinical care. We enrolled 161 Italian PLWH who are on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART): 114 (70.8%) MLWH and 47 (29.2%) WLWH.

Global cognitive performance (composite z score) (GCP) was significantly higher in MLWH than WLWH [mean 0.19 (SD 0.85) vs − 0.13 (SD 0.96); p = 0.039]. Moreover, WLWH obtained significantly higher scores on the Zung Depression Scale than MLWH [mean 41.8 (SD 10.9) vs 36.7 (SD 9.2); p = 0.003]. However, there was no statistically significant direct effect between male sex and better GCP (p = 0.692) in the context of a mediation model. On the contrary, the associations between male sex and better GCP were mediated by higher level of education (a*b =  + 0.15, Bootstrap CI95 = 0.05 and 0.27) and a lower Zung depression score (a*b =  + 0.10, Bootstrap CI95 = 0.02 and 0.21).

In conclusion, the global cognitive performance of WLWH is lower than that of MLWH. However, other demographic and clinical factors besides sex might help explain differences in their neurocognitive functions and make it possible for us to monitor them and identify those patients most in need.

Sex differences and adverse events of antiretrovirals in people living with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

INTRODUCTION

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV/AIDS is associated with adverse events (AEs). However, little is known about the differences in the risk of AEs between women and men living with HIV/AIDS. This study aims to determine (1) whether there are sex differences in the risk of AEs in people with HIV/AIDS treated with ART and (2) the prevalence of AEs to the reproductive system and bone mineral density in women.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This systematic review (SR) will include randomised trials evaluating ART in people living with HIV/AIDS with at least 12 weeks of duration follow-up. Searches will be conducted in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, Lilacs, trial registries and grey literature databases, without restriction on publication status, year of publication and language. The primary outcome will be the risk of ART discontinuation or drop-outs/withdrawals of ART due to AEs and the number of any treatment-emergent AE. The secondary outcomes are the incidence of serious clinic or laboratory (grade 3 and/or 4) treatment-emergent AEs, hospitalisation, death and AEs specific to the reproductive system and bone mineral density (osteoporosis, osteopenia and fractures) of women. Selection, data extraction and quality assessment will be performed by pairs of reviewers. Cochrane collaboration tools will be used to assess the risk of bias. If appropriate, a meta-analysis will be conducted to synthesise results. The overall quality of the evidence for each outcome will be determined by the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The results of this SR will assist the formulation of public policies aimed at the management and monitoring of AEs of ART in people living with HIV/AIDS. A deliberative dialogue will be scheduled with the Department of Chronic Conditions and Sexually Transmitted Infections of Brazil's Ministry of Health to align the project with policymakers' interests.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021251051.

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.

HIV Drug Resistance in Children and Adolescents: Always a Challenge?

Purpose of Review

With the expanded roll-out of antiretrovirals for treatment and prevention of HIV during the last decade, the emergence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) has become a growing challenge. This review provides an overview of the epidemiology and trajectory of HIVDR globally with an emphasis on pediatric and adolescent populations.

Recent Findings

HIVDR is associated with suboptimal virologic suppression and treatment failure, leading to an increased risk of HIV transmission to uninfected people and increased morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV. High rates of HIVDR to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors globally are expected to decline with the introduction of the integrase strand transfer inhibitors and long-acting combination regimens, while challenge remains for HIVDR to other classes of antiretroviral drugs.

Summary

We highlight several solutions including increased HIV viral load monitoring, expanded HIVDR surveillance, and adopting antiretroviral regimens with a high-resistance barrier to decrease HIVDR. Implementation studies and programmatic changes are needed to determine the best approach to prevent and combat the development of HIVDR.

All-cause hospitalization according to demographic group in people living with HIV in the current antiretroviral therapy era

OBJECTIVE

We investigated differences in all-cause hospitalization between key demographic groups among people with HIV in the UK in the current antiretroviral therapy (ART) era.

DESIGN/METHODS

We used data from the Royal Free HIV Cohort study between 2007 and 2018. Individuals were classified into five groups: MSM, Black African men who have sex with women (MSW), MSW of other ethnicity, Black African women and women of other ethnicity. We studied hospitalizations during the first year after HIV diagnosis (Analysis-A) separately from those more than one year after diagnosis (Analysis-B). In Analysis-A, time to first hospitalization was assessed using Cox regression adjusted for age and diagnosis date. In Analysis-B, subsequent hospitalization rate was assessed using Poisson regression, accounting for repeated hospitalization within individuals, adjusted for age, calendar year, time since diagnosis.

RESULTS

The hospitalization rate was 30.7/100 person-years in the first year after diagnosis and 2.7/100 person-years subsequently; 52% and 13% hospitalizations, respectively, were AIDS-related. Compared with MSM, MSW and women were at much higher risk of hospitalization during the first year [aHR (95% confidence interval, 95% CI): 2.7 (1.7-4.3), 3.0 (2.0-4.4), 2.0 (1.3-2.9), 3.0 (2.0-4.5) for Black African MSW; other ethnicity MSW; Black African women; other ethnicity women respectively, Analysis-A] and remained at increased risk subsequently [corresponding aIRR (95% CI): 1.7 (1.2-2.4), 2.1 (1.5-2.8), 1.5 (1.1-1.9), 1.7 (1.2-2.3), Analysis-B].

CONCLUSION

In this setting with universal healthcare, substantial variation exists in hospitalization risk across demographic groups, both in early and subsequent periods after HIV diagnosis, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

The HIV epidemic in Colombia: spatial and temporal trends analysis

Background

Colombia has the fourth highest incidence rate of HIV/AIDS among all Latin American countries and it has been increasing since the 1980s. However, the number of studies that addresses this trend is limited. Here, we employed spatial and temporal trend analyses to study the behaviour of the epidemic in the Colombian territory.

Methods

Our sample included 72,994 cases of HIV/AIDS and 21,898 AIDS-related deaths reported to the National Ministry of Health between 2008 and 2016. We employed the joinpoint regression model to analyse the annual HIV/AIDS incidence and AIDS mortality rates. In the spatial analysis, we used univariate autocorrelation techniques and the Kernel density estimator.

Results

While the HIV/AIDS incidence had an increasing trend in Colombia, the AIDS mortality rate was stable. HIV/AIDS incidence and AIDS mortality showed a downward trend in the 0–14 age group. An upward trend was observed for HIV/AIDS incidence in people older than 15 years and with the highest trend in the 65 years and above group. AIDS mortality showed an increasing trend among people aged 65 years or older. The comparison between the sexes showed an upward trend of HIV/AIDS incidence in all age groups and AIDS-mortality rates in 65 years and above in men, while in women, the incidence was upward among those aged 45 years and above, and concerning the AIDS-mortality rate in the 45–64 group. The high–high clusters of HIV/AIDS incidence and AIDS mortality were located in the Andean and Caribbean regions.

Conclusion

Our study found an upward trend in HIV/AIDS incidence and a stable trend in the AIDS mortality rate in Colombia. The downward trend in HIV/AIDS incidence and AIDS mortality rate in the 0–14 age group reflects the downwards mother-to-child HIV transmission. The upward trend in HIV/AIDS incidence in older women and AIDS mortality in younger women rates, compared with men, may be due to late diagnosis and treatment. The Caribbean and the ‘coffee belt’ regions were the most impacted by the HIV epidemic, most likely due to sexual tourism. Our results provide crucial information that may help Colombian health authorities fight HIV transmission.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10196-y.

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.

Socioeconomic and psychosocial factors are associated with poor treatment outcomes in Australian adults living with HIV: a case-control study

Background A substantial minority of patients living with HIV refuse or cease antiretroviral therapy (ART), have virological failure (VF) or develop an AIDS-defining condition (ADC) or serious non-AIDS event (SNAE). It is not understood which socioeconomic and psychosocial factors may be associated with these poor outcomes.

METHODS

Thirty-nine patients with poor HIV treatment outcomes, defined as those who refused or ceased ART, had VF or were hospitalised with an ADC or SNAE (cases), were compared with 120 controls on suppressive ART. A self-report survey recorded demographics, physical health, life stressors, social supports, HIV disclosure, stigma or discrimination, health care access, treatment adherence, side effects, health and treatment perceptions and financial and employment status. Socioeconomic and psychosocial covariates significant in bivariate analyses were assessed with conditional multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for year of HIV diagnosis.

RESULTS

Cases and controls did not differ significantly with regard to sex (96.2% (n = 153) male) or age (mean (± s.d.) 51 ± 11 years). Twenty cases (51%) had refused or ceased ART, 35 (90%) had an HIV viral load >50 copies mL-1, 12 (31%) were hospitalised with an ADC and five (13%) were hospitalised with a new SNAE. Three covariates were independently associated with poor outcomes: foregoing necessities for financial reasons (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.3-7.6, P = 0.014), cost barriers to accessing HIV care (aOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.0-9.6, P = 0.049) and lower quality of life (aOR 3.8, 95% CI 1.5-9.7, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite universal health care, socioeconomic and psychosocial factors are associated with poor HIV outcomes in adults in Australia. These factors should be addressed through targeted interventions to improve long-term successful treatment.

Gender difference in all-cause mortality of people living with HIV in Iran: findings from a 20-year cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Gender differences in the efficacy of treatment and the mortality of HIV-infected patients have not yet been fully elucidated. For the first time, we used data from a 20-year cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) in four provinces (Fars, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad) in the southern part of Iran to assess the gender difference in all-cause mortality in PLWH in Iran.

METHODS

We analysed data for 1216 patients aged ≥ 15 years who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS between 1997 and 2017. Three hundred and fourteen (25.8%) were women.

RESULTS

The death rate from all causes among women was 13.7% vs. 43.8% among men (P < 0.001). All-cause mortality was significantly associated with gender [the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for men compared with women was 3.20], not being on antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared with being on ART at the last visit (aHR 5.42), older age (aHR 1.03), delayed HIV diagnosis compared with early diagnosis (aHR 1.72), history of incarceration (aHR 1.57), higher log CD4 count at diagnosis (aHR 0.54), and prophylaxis for Pneumocystis pneumonia (aHR 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this 20-year cohort study suggest that gender is an important predictor of survival among HIV-infected patients. Improving early HIV diagnosis and early ART initiation in men, as well as increased access to hepatitis C virus treatment are needed to increase the survival rate of HIV-infected patients in Iran.

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.

Ethnicity as predictor of immune reconstitution among Malaysian HIV-positive patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy

The impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on immune recovery and viral load suppression among HIV-1 positive patients treated with HAART particularly in Malaysia is largely unknown. This cross-sectional study enrolled 170 HIV-1-infected individuals of three major ethnicities who attended three HIV outpatient clinics in Malaysia. Questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic data while CD4 count and viral load data were gathered from hospital's record. Multiple factors were assessed for their predictive effects on CD4 count recovery (≥500 cells/mm³ ) and viral load suppression (≤50 copies/mL) using binary logistic regression. Most of the subjects were male (149/87.6%), in the age group 30 to 39 years old (78/45.9%) and got infected via homosexual contact (82/48.2%). Indians were associated with 11 times higher chance for CD4 recovery as compared to Malays at 8 to 12 months of HAART (adjusted OR: 10.948, 95% CI: 1.873, 64.001, P = .008). Viral load suppression was positively influenced by intravenous drug use (IVDU) status (adjusted OR: 35.224, 95% CI: 1.234, 1000.489, P = .037) at 4 to 6 months of HAART. Higher pretreatment CD4 count was a positive predictor for both initial immunological and virological responses while higher pretreatment viral load was a negative predictor for virological suppression only. In conclusion, ethnicity plays a significant role in determining early immune reconstitution in Malaysia, besides pretreatment CD4 count. Further studies are needed to identify possible biological factors underlying this association.

Impact of HIV-1 primary drug resistance on the efficacy of a first-line antiretroviral regimen in the blood of newly diagnosed individuals in Bamako, Mali

Background

To achieve the 90-90-90 targets assigned by UNAIDS, it is crucial to monitor ART in HIV-1-infected patients, especially in resource-limited countries.

Objectives

To evaluate the immunovirological response after 12 months of ART in newly HIV-1-diagnosed people in Bamako, Mali; to determine primary and acquired resistance rates to antiretroviral drugs; and to evaluate the impact of primary resistance on the efficacy of ART.

Patients and methods

One hundred and nineteen HIV-1-infected people (88.2% women; median age 34 years) were enrolled between January and June 2014. HIV-1 RNA loads (Abbott RealTime HIV-1 assay) were tested in the blood before and at months 3, 6 and 12 after initiation of ART. Primary and acquired resistances to ART were evaluated by the Viroseq™ HIV-1 genotyping assay.

Results

During the study, 8.4% of people died and 37% were lost to follow-up. After 1 year of ART, an undetectable HIV-1 RNA viral load was found in 87.7% of cases. The overall rate of primary drug resistance mutations was 17.5% (3.2%, 15.9% and 0% for NRTIs, NNRTIs and PIs, respectively). These mutations were not associated with either higher mortality rates or larger numbers of virological failures. The acquired resistance rate was estimated at 3.1%.

Conclusions

Our study showed a high primary resistance level and a huge proportion of people non-adherent to the treatment programme. Reassuringly, almost 90% virological success and a low level of acquired mutations were observed in adherent people at month 12. Reinforced education, regular virological monitoring and early HIV-1 diagnosis may help to improve retention in the care system.

Elderly HIV-positive women: A gender-based analysis from the Multicenter Italian "GEPPO" Cohort

BACKGROUND

HIV-positive patients are facing age-and disease-related comorbidities. Since gender differences in viro-immunological, clinical and therapeutic features have been described, aim of this analysis was to explore such differences in elderly HIV-positive females compared to males coming from the same cohort.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Ten Infectious Diseases Center participating to a new multicenter Italian geriatric Cohort aiming at describing health transition over time in HIV-positive individuals.

PARTICIPANTS

HIV-positive patients aged ≥65 years old.

MEASUREMENTS

We recorded clinical, viro-immunological and therapeutical data.

RESULTS

We included 210 women (17%) out of 1237 patients. Compared to males, elderly females were less likely to present a HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL (74.3% vs. 81.8%, OR 0.64, 95%CI 0.44-0.93); they showed higher CD4+/CD8+ ratio (p = 0.016). Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) strategies were similar between genders (p>0.05), although women were less likely to be treated with protease Inhibitors (PIs) (p = 0.05); specifically, in triple-drug regimens females received less PIs (28% vs 38% p = 0.022) and more integrase inhibitors (30% vs. 20% p = 0.012). Bone disease was more common in females (p<0.001) while males presented more frequently cardiovascular disease (CVD) (p<0.001). In females with bone disease, PIs and boosted regimens (38% vs. 53.7% p = 0.026 and 30.4 vs 44.0% p = 0.048 respectively) were prescribed less frequently. Polypharmacy was common and similar in both genders (20% vs. 22.8%, p = >0.05). A higher use of lipid-lowering drugs (20.5% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.04) was observed in females and yet they were less likely to receive anti-thrombotic agents (18.6% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.019) even when CVD was recorded (57.1% vs. 83.1%, p = 0.018). In multivariate analysis, we found that female gender was independently associated with a higher CD4+/CD8+ ratio but not with virological suppression.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly HIV-positive women display a worse virologic response despite a better immune reconstitution compared to males. The burden of comorbidities as well as the medications received (including cART) may slightly differ according to gender. Our data suggest that more efforts and focused interventions are needed in this population.

Attrition Across the HIV Cascade of Care Among a Diverse Cohort of Women Living With HIV in Canada

BACKGROUND

In North America, women have lower engagement across the HIV cascade of care compared with men. Among women living with HIV (WLWH) in Canada, we measured the prevalence and correlates of attrition across cascade stages overall, and by key subpopulations.

METHODS

We analyzed baseline survey data regarding 6 nested stages of the HIV cascade among 1424 WLWH enrolled in the Canadian HIV Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS), including: linked to care, retained in care, initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART), current ART use, ART adherence (≥90%), and viral suppression (<50 copies/mL). Logistic regression identified factors associated with attrition at each stage.

RESULTS

Overall, 98% of WLWH were linked to care; 96% retained; 88% initiated ART; 83% were currently on ART; and, among those on ART, 68% were adherent and 72% were virally suppressed, with substantial variability by subpopulation (49%-84%).The largest attrition occurred between current ART use and adherence (-17%), with the greatest losses among indigenous women (-25%), women who use illicit drugs (-32%), and women incarcerated in the past year (-45%). Substantial attrition also occurred between linkage to care and ART initiation (-11%), with the greatest losses among women 16-29 years (-20%) and with unstable housing (-27%). Factors independently associated with attrition at viral suppression included household annual income, racial discrimination, incarceration history, age, and resilience.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, 28% of WLWH were lost across the HIV care cascade, with significant differences by stage, subpopulation, and social inequities. Targeted interventions are needed to improve women's retention across the cascade.

Safety of monitoring antiretroviral therapy response in HIV-1 infection using CD4+ T cell count at long-term intervals

The latest Brazilian guideline recommended the reduction of routine CD4+ T cell counts for the monitoring of patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) under combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of monitoring response to cART in HIV-1 infection using routine viral load at shorter intervals and CD4+ T cell count at longer intervals. CD4+ T cell counts and HIV-1 viral load were evaluated in 1,906 HIV-1-infected patients under cART during a three-year follow-up. Patients were stratified as sustained, non-sustained and non-responders. The proportion of patients who showed a CD4+ T > 350cells/µL at study entry among those with sustained, non-sustained and non-responders to cART and who remained with values above this threshold during follow-up was 94.1%, 81.8% and 71.9%, respectively. HIV-1-infected patients who are sustained virologic responders and have initial CD4+ T cell counts > 350cells/µL showed a higher chance of maintaining the counts of these cells above this threshold during follow-up than those presenting CD4+ T ≤ 350cells/µL (OR = 39.9; 95%CI: 26.5-60.2; p < 0.001). This study showed that HIV-1-infected patients who had sustained virologic response and initial CD4+ T > 350cells/µL were more likely to maintain CD4+ T cell counts above this threshold during the next three-year follow-up. This result underscores that the evaluation of CD4+ T cell counts in longer intervals does not impair the safety of monitoring cART response when routine viral load assessment is performed in HIV-1-infected patients with sustained virologic response.

Out of focus: tailoring the cascade of care to the needs of women living with HIV

Around half of the global adult HIV-positive population are women, yet historically women have been under-represented in clinical studies of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and there has been minimal exploration of gender-specific factors related to the response to and appropriateness of treatment choices in women living with HIV (WLWH). There are several key issues pertaining to the cascade of HIV care that make it important to differentiate WLWH from men living with HIV. Factors that are gender specific may impact on the status of WLWH, affecting access to diagnosis and treatment, optimal clinical management, ART outcomes, retention in care, and the overall long-term wellbeing of WLWH. In this review, we discuss the results of recently reported women-only clinical trials and highlight the key unmet needs of WLWH as they pertain to the cascade of HIV care across World Health Organization European Region countries. As significant knowledge gaps remain, the review identifies key areas where further research is required, in order to support improved management of WLWH and guide informed clinical decision-making, including addressing psychosocial factors as part of comprehensive care.

Age Differences by Sex in Antiretroviral-Naïve Participants: Pooled Analysis from Randomized Clinical Trials

Age and sex effects on antiretroviral therapy (ART) response are not well elucidated. Our pooled analysis of 40 randomized clinical trials measured the association of age and sex on CD4+ T cell count changes and virologic suppression using multivariable regression modeling. The average increase in CD4+ T cell count from baseline to week 48 was 17.3 cells/mm³ lower and clinically insignificant (95% confidence interval -30.8 to -3.8) among women ages ≥ 50 years (n = 573), compared to women ≤ 35 years (n = 3,939). Results were similar for men. Virologic suppression odds were 60% and 21% times greater among participants ≥50 years compared to ≤35 years, in women and men, respectively. In both sexes, larger increases in CD4+ T cell count changes were observed in younger, compared to older, participants; however, virologic suppression was higher in older, compared to younger, participants suggesting a non-sex-specific age effect response to ART.

Promoting high standards of care for women living with HIV: position statement from the Women Against Viruses in Europe Working Group

OBJECTIVES

Gender-related factors can influence management decisions, treatment outcomes and the overall long-term wellbeing of people living with HIV (PLWH). The Women Against Viruses in Europe (WAVE) Working Group was established to promote the health and wellbeing of women living with HIV (WLWH). WAVE is part of the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) and organizes annual workshops to discuss different issues in the management of WLWH.

METHODS

In 2016, 34 WAVE members including community representatives, HIV clinicians and researchers met to discuss standards of care for WLWH and to review current guidelines. Participants focused on three different themes: (1) access to and engagement and retention in care; (2) monitoring of women on antiretroviral therapy and management of comorbidities; and (3) review of EACS treatment guidelines.

RESULTS

Five priority areas for optimizing the care of WLWH were identified: (1) psychosocial aspects of HIV diagnosis and care; (2) mental health and wellbeing; (3) pharmacokinetics, toxicity and tolerability of antiretroviral therapy; (4) coinfections and comorbidities; and (5) sexual and reproductive health. WAVE recommendations are provided for each of these areas, and gaps in knowledge and needs for changes in currently existing standards are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

This position statement provides an overview of the key recommendations to optimize the care of WLWH that emerged during the 2016 WAVE workshop.

Gender Differences in Outcomes of Antiretroviral Treatment Among HIV-Infected Patients in China: A Retrospective Cohort Study, 2010-2015

BACKGROUD

Women now account for about half of all people living with HIV worldwide, but researchers lack clear information and large population-based study about gender differences in treatment outcomes.

METHODS

A nationwide retrospective observational cohort study with data from the China National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program was performed. Antiretroviral-naive patients older than 18 years initiating standard antiretroviral therapy between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011, were included and followed up to December 31, 2015. We used modified Poisson regression models to estimate the impact of gender on virological suppression and retention in treatment, and Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate gender difference in mortality.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight thousand six hundred forty-six patients [46,083 (67.1%) men and 22,563 (32.9%) women] with HIV met eligibility criteria. Women were significantly more likely to achieve virological suppression than men both at 12 months [adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01 to 1.03, P < 0.001] and 48 months (aRR 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.02, P = 0.005) after initiating antiretroviral treatment. Women were also more likely to remain in treatment at 12 months (aRR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.02, P < 0.001) and 48 months (aRR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.05, P < 0.001), although the difference became insignificant in alive patients. All-cause mortality was lower in women than in men (2.34 vs. 4.03 deaths/100PY, adjusted hazard ratio 0.72, 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.77, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In China, women are more likely to achieve virological suppression, remain in treatment, and have a significantly lower risk of death than men. Future studies could take both biological and sociobehavioral factors into analysis to clarify the influence factors.

High mortality rates in men initiated on anti-retroviral treatment in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

In attaining UNAIDS targets of 90-90-90 to achieve epidemic control, understanding who the current utilizers of HIV treatment services are will inform efforts aimed at reaching those not being reached. A retrospective chart review of CAPRISA AIDS Treatment Program (CAT) patients between 2004 and 2013 was undertaken. Of the 4043 HIV-infected patients initiated on ART, 2586 (64.0%) were women. At ART initiation, men, compared to women, had significantly lower median CD4+ cell counts (113 vs 131 cells/mm3, p <0.001), lower median body mass index (BMI) (21.0 vs 24.2 kg/m2, p<0.001), higher mean log viral load (5.0 vs 4.9 copies/ml, p<0.001) and were significantly older (median age: 35 vs. 32 years, p<0.001). Men had higher mortality rates compared to women, 6.7 per 100 person-years (p-y), (95% CI: 5.8-7.8) vs. 4.4 per 100 p-y, (95% CI: 3.8-5.0); mortality rate ratio: 1.54, (95% CI: 1.27-1.87), p <0.001. Age-standardised mortality rate was 7.9 per 100 p-y (95% CI: 4.1-11.7) for men and 5.7 per 100 p-y (95% CI: 2.7 to 8.6) for women (standardised mortality ratio: 1.38 (1.15 to 1.70)). Mean CD4+ cell count increases post-ART initiation were lower in men at all follow-up time points. Men presented later in the course of their HIV disease for ART initiation with more advanced disease and experienced a higher mortality rate compared to women.

Socioeconomic status and treatment outcomes for individuals with HIV on antiretroviral treatment in the UK: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses

Background

Few studies have assessed the effect of socioeconomic status on HIV treatment outcomes in settings with universal access to health care. Here we aimed to investigate the association of socioeconomic factors with antiretroviral therapy (ART) non-adherence, virological non-suppression, and virological rebound, in HIV-positive people on ART in the UK.

Methods

We used data from the Antiretrovirals, Sexual Transmission Risk and Attitudes (ASTRA) questionnaire study, which recruited participants aged 18 years or older with HIV from eight HIV outpatient clinics in the UK between Feb 1, 2011, and Dec 31, 2012. Participants self-completed a confidential questionnaire on sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle issues. In participants on ART, we assessed associations of financial hardship, employment, housing, and education with: self-reported ART non-adherence at the time of the questionnaire; virological non-suppression (viral load >50 copies per mL) at the time of questionnaire in those who started ART at least 6 months ago (cross-sectional analysis); and subsequent virological rebound (viral load >200 copies per mL) in those with initial viral load of 50 copies per mL or lower (longitudinal analysis).

Findings

Of the 3258 people who completed the questionnaire, 2771 (85%) reported being on ART at the time of the questionnaire, and 2704 with complete data were included. 873 (32%) of 2704 participants reported non-adherence to ART and 219 (9%) of 2405 had virological non-suppression in cross-sectional analysis. Each of the four measures of lower socioeconomic status was strongly associated with non-adherence to ART, and with virological non-suppression (prevalence ratios [PR] adjusted for gender/sexual orientation, age, and ethnic origin: greatest financial hardship vs none 2·4, 95% CI 1·6–3·4; non-employment 2·0, 1·5–2·6; unstable housing vs homeowner 3·0, 1·9–4·6; non-university education 1·6, 1·2–2·2). 139 (8%) of 1740 individuals had subsequent virological rebound (rate=3·6/100 person-years). Low socioeconomic status was predictive of longitudinal rebound risk (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for greatest financial hardship vs none 2·3, 95% CI 1·4–3·9; non-employment 3·0, 2·1–4·2; unstable housing vs homeowner 3·3, 1·8–6·1; non-university education 1·6, 1·1–2·3).

Interpretation

Socioeconomic disadvantage was strongly associated with poorer HIV treatment outcomes in this setting with universal health care. Adherence interventions and increased social support for those most at risk should be considered.

Funding

National Institute for Health Research.

Socioeconomic status and response to antiretroviral therapy in high-income countries: a literature review

It has been shown that socioeconomic factors are associated with the prognosis of several chronic diseases; however, there is no recent systematic review of their effect on HIV treatment outcomes. We aimed to review the evidence regarding the existence of an association of socioeconomic status with virological and immunological response to antiretroviral therapy (ART). We systematically searched the current literature using the database PubMed. We identified and summarized original research studies in high-income countries that assessed the association between socioeconomic factors (education, employment, income/financial status, housing, health insurance, and neighbourhood-level socioeconomic factors) and virological response, immunological response, and ART nonadherence among people with HIV-prescribed ART. A total of 48 studies met the inclusion criteria (26 from the United States, six Canadian, 13 European, and one Australian), of which 14, six, and 35 analysed virological, immunological, and ART nonadherence outcomes, respectively. Ten (71%), four (67%), and 23 (66%) of these studies found a significant association between lower socioeconomic status and poorer response, and none found a significant association with improved response. Several studies showed that adjustment for nonadherence attenuated the association between socioeconomic status and ART response. Our review provides strong support that socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with poorer response to ART. However, most studies have been conducted in settings such as the United States without universal free healthcare access. Further study in settings with free access to ART could help assess the impact of socioeconomic status on ART outcomes and the mechanisms by which it operates.

Incidence of AIDS-Defining Opportunistic Infections and Mortality during Antiretroviral Therapy in a Cohort of Adult HIV-Infected Individuals in Hanoi, 2007-2014

Background

Although the prognosis for HIV-infected individuals has improved after antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale-up, limited data exist on the incidence of AIDS-defining opportunistic infections (ADIs) and mortality during ART in resource-limited settings.

Methods

HIV-infected adults in two large hospitals in urban Hanoi were enrolled to the prospective cohort, from October 2007 through December 2013. Those who started ART less than one year before enrollment were assigned to the survival analysis. Data on ART history and ADIs were collected retrospectively at enrollment and followed-up prospectively until April 2014.

Results

Of 2,070 cohort participants, 1,197 were eligible for analysis and provided 3,446 person-years (PYs) of being on ART. Overall, 161 ADIs episodes were noted at a median of 3.20 months after ART initiation (range 0.03–75.8) with an incidence 46.7/1,000 PYs (95% confidence interval [CI] 39.8–54.5). The most common ADI was tuberculosis with an incidence of 29.9/1,000 PYs. Mortality after ART initiation was 8.68/1,000 PYs and 45% (19/45) died of AIDS-related illnesses. Age over 50 years at ART initiation was significantly associated with shorter survival after controlling for baseline CD4 count, but neither having injection drug use (IDU) history nor previous ADIs were associated with poor survival. Semi-competing risks analysis in 951 patients without ADIs history prior to ART showed those who developed ADIs after starting ART were at higher risk of death in the first six months than after six months.

Conclusion

ADIs were not rare in spite of being on effective ART. Age over 50 years, but not IDU history, was associated with shorter survival in the cohort. This study provides in-depth data on the prognosis of patients on ART in Vietnam during the first decade of ART scale-up.