Disparities in the Quality of Cardiovascular Care Between HIV-Infected Versus HIV-Uninfected Adults in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study

Integrating hypertension detection and management in HIV care in South Africa: protocol for a stepped-wedged cluster randomized effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial

BACKGROUND

HIV clinical guidelines recommend hypertension detection and management to lower cardiovascular disease risk, but these have not been effectively implemented for people living with HIV (PWH). Addressing this implementation gap requires community-engaged implementation studies focused on addressing implementation barriers specific to the HIV care context.

METHODS

This protocol describes a type 2 effectiveness-implementation hybrid study conducted in nine primary care clinics in Johannesburg. The study will evaluate the effect of implementation strategies on guideline-recommended blood pressure assessment and management in HIV clinics and the effects of assessment/management on patient blood pressure. A stepped-wedge, cluster randomized study design was used to randomize clinics to the time at which they receive the implementation strategies and patient intervention. The implementation strategies tested include identifying and preparing care champions, changing record systems, conducting ongoing training, providing audit and feedback, and changing the physical structure/equipment. The patient intervention tested includes detection of elevated blood pressure, educational materials, lifestyle modification advice, and medication where needed. Implementation outcomes include adoption, fidelity (co-primary outcome), cost, and maintenance of the blood pressure assessment protocol in participating clinics, while patient outcomes include reach, effectiveness (co-primary outcome), and long-term effects of the intervention on patient blood pressure. These will be assessed via direct observation, study records, staff logs, medical chart reviews, and patient and healthcare worker surveys. To examine effects on the implementation (intervention fidelity) and effectiveness (patient blood pressure changes) co-primary outcomes, we will use the standard Hussey and Hughes model for analysis of stepped-wedge designs which includes fixed effects for both interventions and time periods, and a random effect for sites. Finally, we will examine the costs for the implementation strategies, healthcare worker time, and patient-facing intervention materials, as well as the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of the intervention using study records, patient surveys, and a time and motion assessment.

DISCUSSION

This study will address knowledge gaps around implementation of cardiovascular disease preventive practices in HIV care in South Africa. In doing so, it will provide a dual opportunity to promote evidence-based care in the South African HIV care context and help refine implementation research methods to better serve HIV populations globally.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05846503. Registered on May 6, 2023. https://classic.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov/ct2/show/NCT05846503 .

Effectiveness of statins in people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

People living with HIV (PLWH) receiving statin therapy have shown improved lipid profiles. However, they are not free from side effects, thereby requiring strict monitoring of the therapy. The meta-analysis aims to analyze the effect of statins in PLWH and critically appraise the effectiveness of statin therapy in PLWH.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science servers were used to conduct a systematic search in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines. The meta-analysis of pooled effect estimates is produced using Revman software.

RESULTS

A total of 12 RCTs with 8716 participants were included in the analysis. Analysis of the overall effect estimates found that statins resulted in a mean reduction of 41.15 mg/dl (MD = -41.15; 95% CI: -44.19, -38.11; p < 0.00001), 34.99 mg/dl (MD = -34.99; 95% CI: -34.99; 95% CI: -41.16, -28.82; p < 0.00001), and 7.36 mg/dl (MD = -7.36; 95% CI = -48.35, -33.62; p < 0.00001) in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels, respectively. It is revealed that statins are associated with a significant increase in the discontinuation rate of treatment compared to placebo treatment (RR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.36-2.65; p = 0.0002).

CONCLUSION

When considered collectively, statin therapy's advantages appear to exceed its occasional predictable side effects like liver or muscle toxicity.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42023469521.

HIV-Associated Hypertension: Risks, Mechanisms, and Knowledge Gaps

HIV type 1 (HIV-1) is the causative agent of AIDS. Since the start of the epidemic, HIV/AIDS has been responsible for ≈40 million deaths. Additionally, an estimated 39 million people are currently infected with the virus. HIV-1 primarily infects immune cells, such as CD4+ (cluster of differentiation 4+) T lymphocytes (T cells), and as a consequence, the number of CD4+ T cells progressively declines in people living with HIV. Within a span of ≈10 years, HIV-1 infection leads to the systemic failure of the immune system and progression to AIDS. Fortunately, potent antiviral therapy effectively controls HIV-1 infection and prevents AIDS-related deaths. The efficacy of the current antiviral therapy regimens has transformed the outcome of HIV/AIDS from a death sentence to a chronic disease with a prolonged lifespan of people living with HIV. However, antiviral therapy is not curative, is challenged by virus resistance, can be toxic, and, most importantly, requires lifelong adherence. Furthermore, the improved lifespan has resulted in an increased incidence of non-AIDS-related morbidities in people living with HIV including cardiovascular diseases, renal disease, liver disease, bone disease, cancer, and neurological conditions. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge of the cardiovascular comorbidities associated with HIV-1 infection, with a particular focus on hypertension. We also discuss the potential mechanisms known to drive HIV-1-associated hypertension and the knowledge gaps in our understanding of this comorbid condition. Finally, we suggest several directions of future research to better understand the factors, pathways, and mechanisms underlying HIV-1-associated hypertension in the post-antiviral therapy era.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Control in People With and Without HIV

BACKGROUND

Management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and other modifiable factors may mitigate the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PWH) compared with people without HIV (PWoH).

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 8285 PWH and 170 517 PWoH from an integrated health system. Risk factor control was measured using a novel disease management index (DMI) accounting for amount/duration above treatment goals (0% to 100% [perfect control]), including 2 DMIs for hypertension (diastolic and systolic blood pressure), 3 for dyslipidemia (low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglycerides), and 1 for diabetes (HbA1c). CVD risk by HIV status was evaluated overall and in subgroups defined by DMIs, smoking, alcohol use, and overweight/obesity in adjusted Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

PWH and PWoH had similar DMIs (80%-100%) except for triglycerides (worse for PWH) and HbA1c (better for PWH). In adjusted models, PWH had an elevated risk of CVD compared with PWoH (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.31). This association was attenuated in subgroups with controlled dyslipidemia and diabetes but remained elevated for PWH with controlled hypertension or higher total cholesterol. The strongest HIV status association with CVD was seen in the subgroup with frequent unhealthy alcohol use (HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.04-4.34).

CONCLUSIONS

Control of dyslipidemia and diabetes, but not hypertension, attenuated the HIV status association with CVD. The strong association of HIV and CVD with frequent unhealthy alcohol use suggests enhanced screening and treatment of alcohol problems in PWH is warranted.

Clinical Outcomes After Acute Coronary Syndromes or Revascularization Among People Living With HIV: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Clinical outcomes after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in people living with HIV have not been characterized in sufficient detail, and extant data have not been synthesized adequately.

Objective

To better characterize clinical outcomes and postdischarge treatment of patients living with HIV after ACS or PCIs compared with patients in an HIV-negative control group.

Data Sources

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for all available longitudinal studies of patients living with HIV after ACS or PCIs from inception until August 2023.

Study Selection

Included studies met the following criteria: patients living with HIV and HIV-negative comparator group included, patients presenting with ACS or undergoing PCI included, and longitudinal follow-up data collected after the initial event.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Data extraction was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Clinical outcome data were pooled using a random-effects model meta-analysis.

Main Outcome and Measures

The following clinical outcomes were studied: all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death, recurrent ACS, stroke, new heart failure, total lesion revascularization, and total vessel revascularization. The maximally adjusted relative risk (RR) of clinical outcomes on follow-up comparing patients living with HIV with patients in control groups was taken as the main outcome measure.

Results

A total of 15 studies including 9499 patients living with HIV (pooled proportion [range], 76.4% [64.3%-100%] male; pooled mean [range] age, 56.2 [47.0-63.0] years) and 1 531 117 patients without HIV in a control group (pooled proportion [range], 61.7% [59.7%-100%] male; pooled mean [range] age, 67.7 [42.0-69.4] years) were included; both populations were predominantly male, but patients living with HIV were younger by approximately 11 years. Patients living with HIV were also significantly more likely to be current smokers (pooled proportion [range], 59.1% [24.0%-75.0%] smokers vs 42.8% [26.0%-64.1%] smokers) and engage in illicit drug use (pooled proportion [range], 31.2% [2.0%-33.7%] drug use vs 6.8% [0%-11.5%] drug use) and had higher triglyceride (pooled mean [range], 233 [167-268] vs 171 [148-220] mg/dL) and lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (pooled mean [range], 40 [26-43] vs 46 [29-46] mg/dL) levels. Populations with and without HIV were followed up for a pooled mean (range) of 16.2 (3.0-60.8) months and 11.9 (3.0-60.8) months, respectively. On postdischarge follow-up, patients living with HIV had lower prevalence of statin (pooled proportion [range], 53.3% [45.8%-96.1%] vs 59.9% [58.4%-99.0%]) and β-blocker (pooled proportion [range], 54.0% [51.3%-90.0%] vs 60.6% [59.6%-93.6%]) prescriptions compared with those in the control group, but these differences were not statistically significant. There was a significantly increased risk among patients living with HIV vs those without HIV for all-cause mortality (RR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.32-2.04), major adverse cardiovascular events (RR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22), recurrent ACS (RR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.12-2.97), and admissions for new heart failure (RR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.73-6.62).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest the need for attention toward secondary prevention strategies to address poor outcomes of cardiovascular disease among patients living with HIV.

Statin use for cardiovascular disease prevention: perceptions among people living with HIV in the United States

BACKGROUND

People living with HIV (PLWH) may be at heightened risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statin use and lifestyle changes reduce the risk of CVD but remain under-prescribed among PLWH. The objective of this study was to characterize knowledge of CVD and statin use, current usage, barriers to taking statins, and information desired by PLWH to improve statin uptake among PLWH in Los Angeles, CA.

METHODS

Between April 2019 and April 2020, we conducted four focus group discussions (n = 37) with patients across three public community health clinics that serve PLWH in Los Angeles County, California. All clinics participated in a larger study to improve statin prescribing for PLWH. We asked about knowledge of statins, willingness to take a statin, possible barriers to statin usage, preferred information sources for health information, and desired information about statins. We utilized standard qualitative content analysis methods to identify themes.

RESULTS

We found a range in the awareness of statins, with some participants reporting never having heard of statins while others had a history of statin use. There were concerns about the potential long-term effect of statin use, but participants expressed willingness to use CVD medications generally and statins specifically, especially if recommended by their healthcare provider. Participants also expressed interest in potential alternatives to statin usage such as exercising regularly and nutritious eating.

CONCLUSIONS

More interventions are needed to increase statin use among PLWH to improve CVD outcomes, which also has implications for HIV progression. Clinics should aim to increase patient and provider knowledge about CVD risk and statin use for PLWH and provide shared decision-making tools that are easy to use and culturally appropriate.

Effects of statins beyond lipid-lowering agents in ART-treated HIV infection

Antiretroviral therapies (ART) have reduced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection-associated morbidity and mortality improving the life of people with HIV (PWH). However, ART lead to residual HIV production, which in conjunction with microbial translocation and immune dysfunction contributes to chronic inflammation and immune activation. PWH on ART remain at an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) including myocardial infarction and stroke; which in part is explained by chronic inflammation and immune activation. Lifestyle factors and certain ART are associated with dyslipidemia characterized by an increase of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which further contributes in the increased risk for CVDs. Lipid-lowering agents like statins are emerging as immune modulators in decreasing inflammation in a variety of conditions including HIV. The international randomized clinical trial REPRIEVE has shed light on the reduction of CVDs with statin therapy among PWH. Such reports indicate a more than expected benefit of statins beyond their lipid-lowering effects. Bempedoic acid, a first-in-class non-statin LDL-lowering drug with immune modulatory effects, may further aid PWH in combination with statins. Herein, we critically reviewed studies aimed at lipid-lowering and immune-modulating roles of statins that may benefit aging PWH.

Achievement of Primary Prevention Cardiometabolic Targets in Women with HIV: An Urgent Call to Action to Pursue Cardiovascular Health

BACKGROUND

Cardiometabolic health has become crucial, especially for women with HIV (WWH). We assessed the achievement of targets for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes (H/Dy/DT) in primary prevention in a WWH cohort.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis including all WWH in our clinic, excluding those who had a myocardial infarction. H/Dy/DT achievement was assessed by both EACS guidelines and individual cardiovascular risk, CVR (measured by ESC calculator), using logistic regression to evaluate differences in H/Dy/DT achievement between migrant and Italian women.

RESULTS

We included 292 WWH, 55.5% Italian and 44.5% migrant women; the median age was 50 (IQR:42-58) years, 94.5% had undetectable HIV-RNA, 55.1% had a high level of education, 27.1% were smokers, and 19.2% did regularly physical exercise. Overall, 76%, 19%, and 5% of women presented a low, a high, and a very high CVR, respectively. Among Italians, 28.4% and 6.2% women presented a high and a very high CVR, respectively. Considering migrants, 7.7% and 3.8% women presented a high and a very high CVR, respectively. Overall, among migrant women, those with a high CVR were more likely to be not at target than those with a low risk (especially for LDL-c and blood pressure among people on treatment), despite the fact that we did not detect a statistically significant difference. By contrast, migrants were more likely to achieve glycemic targets than Italians (p = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

H/Dy/DT target achievement is suboptimal, especially in migrants. A more aggressive pharmacological treatment, also assessing adherence to medical prescriptions, and promotion of healthy lifestyle should be urgently implemented, possibly redrawing the current model of care.

Expanding Access to Organ Transplant for People Living With HIV: Can Policy Catch Up to Outcomes Data?

Advances in antiretroviral and immunosuppressive regimens have improved outcomes following solid organ transplantation in people living with HIV (PLWH). The HIV Organ Policy and Equity Act was conceived to reduce the discard of HIV-positive organs and improve access to transplant for PLWH. Nevertheless, PLWH continue to experience disproportionately low rates of transplant. This overview examines the hurdles to transplantation in PLWH with end-organ disease, the potential and realized impact of the HIV Organ Policy and Equity Act, and changes that could permit expanded access to organ transplant in this population.

Nurse-Led Strategy to Improve Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Level Among People With HIV: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Despite higher atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, people with HIV (PWH) experience unique barriers to ASCVD prevention, such as changing models of HIV primary care.

Objective

To test whether a multicomponent nurse-led strategy would improve systolic blood pressure (SBP) and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level in a diverse population of PWH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This randomized clinical trial enrolled PWH at 3 academic HIV clinics in the US from September 2019 to January 2022 and conducted follow-up for 12 months until January 2023. Included patients were 18 years or older and had a confirmed HIV diagnosis, an HIV-1 viral load less than 200 copies/mL, and both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Participants were stratified by trial site and randomized 1:1 to either the multicomponent EXTRA-CVD (A Nurse-Led Intervention to Extend the HIV Treatment Cascade for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention) intervention group or the control group. Primary analyses were conducted according to the intention-to-treat principle.

Intervention

The EXTRA-CVD group received home BP monitoring guidance and BP and cholesterol management from a dedicated prevention nurse at 4 in-person visits (baseline and 4, 8, and 12 months) and frequent telephone check-ins up to every 2 weeks as needed. The control group received general prevention education sessions from the prevention nurse at each of the 4 in-person visits.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Study-measured SBP was the primary outcome, and non-HDL cholesterol level was the secondary outcome. Measurements were taken over 12 months and assessed by linear mixed models. Prespecified moderators tested were sex at birth, baseline ASCVD risk, and trial site.

Results

A total of 297 PWH were randomized to the EXTRA-CVD arm (n = 149) or control arm (n = 148). Participants had a median (IQR) age of 59.0 (53.0-65.0) years and included 234 males (78.8%). Baseline mean (SD) SBP was 135.0 (18.8) mm Hg and non-HDL cholesterol level was 139.9 (44.6) mg/dL. At 12 months, participants in the EXTRA-CVD arm had a clinically significant 4.2-mm Hg (95% CI, 0.3-8.2 mm Hg; P = .04) lower SBP and 16.9-mg/dL (95% CI, 8.6-25.2 mg/dL; P < .001) lower non-HDL cholesterol level compared with participants in the control arm. There was a clinically meaningful but not statistically significant difference in SBP effect in females compared with males (11.8-mm Hg greater difference at 4 months, 9.6 mm Hg at 8 months, and 5.9 mm Hg at 12 months; overall joint test P = .06).

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this trial indicate that the EXTRA-CVD strategy effectively reduced BP and cholesterol level over 12 months and should inform future implementation of multifaceted ASCVD prevention programs for PWH.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03643705.

Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing in Older People Living With HIV: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV from a progressive and often fatal infection to a chronic disease. Currently, people living with HIV (PLHIV) have near-normal life expectancy; however, they face accelerated ageing and a rise in non-AIDS-defining HIV-associated conditions. Comorbidities increase the number of prescribed drugs and, therefore, the risk of polypharmacy and prescribing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Still, there are no specific tools to identify PIMs in older PLHIV, which opens a pathway to investigate the particularities in the prescription of medication in this population.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review in 5 electronic databases for studies reporting the use of tools to identify PIMs in older PLHIV. No language or date restrictions were applied. To complete the search, abstracts published in the most relevant HIV Conferences and Events in their editions from 2010 to 2022 were screened.

RESULTS

Of 50,193 records returned (13,701 of the databases and 36,492 of the Congresses), 39 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were single-centre and conducted in Europe. Twenty-eight studies were cross-sectional, and most researchers used explicit criteria, mainly Beers and STOPP-START criteria, to identify PIMs.

CONCLUSIONS

Potentially inappropriate prescribing is frequent among older PLHIV. Explicit conventional tools to identify PIMs in older populations may need to be adapted to tackle the needs of PLHIV. Implicit tools may be more valid, although their use is more time-consuming, and standardization is complex.

Longitudinal outcomes following peripheral vascular intervention among older persons living with HIV

BACKGROUND

Persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PLWH) have an increased risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in comparison to the general population. However, a gap remains in understanding optimal management for this condition. This study assesses longitudinal outcomes associated with peripheral endovascular intervention (PVI) for PAD among PLWH.

METHODS

All Medicare fee-for-service patients undergoing femoropopliteal artery PVI between April 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018 were identified and stratified by HIV serostatus. The primary outcome was major adverse limb events (MALE), defined as major amputation or arterial embolism/thrombosis following an index procedure. The subdistribution hazard was used to evaluate the association between HIV serostatus and MALE, accounting for the competing risk of death. Results were adjusted for sociodemographics and major comorbidities.

RESULTS

Of 168,553 patients who underwent PVI, 357 (0.21%) were PLWH. The average age was 77.0 ± 7.6 years; 80.3% had hypertension, 70.3% had hyperlipidemia, and 24.6% had tobacco use disorder. Compared to those without HIV, PLWH were younger and had a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors. MALE were substantially more frequent among PLWH, with a cumulative incidence of 24.6%, compared to 14.5% among those without HIV. The adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio was 1.26 (95% CI 1.00-1.58, p = 0.05). The use of guideline-directed statin therapy was low in both groups in the 90 days following revascularization (57.9% in PLWH vs 58.1% in those without HIV, p = 0.95).

CONCLUSION

Among US Medicare beneficiaries, PLWH had poorer long-term outcomes following PVI. Greater attention to the management of symptomatic PAD is warranted for the HIV population, particularly following revascularization.

Cardiovascular health among persons with HIV without existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVES

We sought to characterize atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and metrics of cardiovascular health in persons with HIV (PWH) eligible for primary prevention of ASCVD.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study of PWH 40 years and older without documented ASCVD who received care at three HIV clinics in San Francisco from 2019 to 2022.

METHODS

We used ICD-10 codes and electronic health record data to assess ASCVD risk and cardiovascular health, as defined by the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8) metrics for nicotine exposure, BMI, lipids, glucose, and blood pressure (BP).

RESULTS

Among 2567 PWH eligible for primary prevention of ASCVD, the median age was 55 years, 14% were women, and 95% were on antiretroviral therapy. Seventy-seven percent had undergone complete assessment of ASCVD risk factors, and 50% of these patients had intermediate-high ASCVD risk (≥7.5%). Of those with hypertension, 39% were prescribed an antihypertensive. Among those eligible, 43% were prescribed a statin. The mean LE8 cardiovascular health score [0--100 (best health)] was 55.1 for nicotine exposure, 71.3 for BMI, 70.4 for lipids, 81.2 for blood glucose, 56.0 for BP, with an average score of 66.2 across the five metrics. Patients with Medicare insurance, black patients, and those with sleep apnea and chronic kidney disease had on average lower cardiovascular health scores; patients with undetectable viral loads had higher cardiovascular health scores.

CONCLUSION

We highlight opportunities for improving primary prevention of ASCVD among PWH, especially in the areas of guideline-based therapy, nicotine exposure, and BP control.

Correlates of physical activity among people living with and without HIV in rural Uganda

Background

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to diminishing AIDS-related mortality but a concomitant increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) for people with HIV (PWH). Whereas physical activity (PA) has been shown to help prevent NCDs and NCD outcomes in other settings, there are few data on PA and its correlates among PWH in high-endemic settings. We aimed to compare PA by HIV serostatus in rural Uganda.

Methods

We analysed data from the UGANDAC study, an observational cohort including PWH in ambulatory HIV care in Mbarara, Uganda, and age- and gender-matched people without HIV (PWOH). Our primary outcome of interest was PA, which we assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and considered as a continuous measure of metabolic equivalents in minutes/week (MET-min/week). Our primary exposure of interest was HIV serostatus. We fit univariable and multivariable linear regression models to estimate the relationship between HIV and PA levels, with and without addition of sociodemographic and clinical correlates of PA (MET-min/week). In secondary analyses, we explored relationships restricted to rural residents, and interactions between gender and serostatus.

Results

We enrolled 309 participants, evenly divided by serostatus and gender. The mean age of PWH was 52 [standard deviation (SD) 7.2] and 52.6 (SD 7.3) for PWOH. In general, participants engaged in high levels of PA regardless of serostatus, with 81.2% (251/309) meeting criteria for high PA. However, PWOH reported higher mean levels of PA met-minutes/week than PWH (9,128 vs 7,152, p ≤ 0.001), and a greater proportion of PWOH (88.3%; 136/154) met the criteria for high PA compared to PWH (74.2%; 115/155). In adjusted models, lower levels of PA persisted among PWH (β = -1,734, 95% CI: -2,645, -824, p ≤ 0.001). Results were similar in a sensitivity analysis limited to people living in rural areas.

Conclusion

In a rural Ugandan cohort, PWOH had higher levels of PA than PWH. Interventions that encourage PA among PWH may have a role in improving NCD risk profiles among PWH in the region.

Preventing cardiovascular disease in midlife women with HIV: An examination of facilitators and barriers to heart health behaviors

Midlife women with HIV (WWH) are disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet little is known about perceptions of CVD risk and the factors that influence engagement in heart health behaviors in this population. Few (if any) studies have used a qualitative approach to examine these perceptions, which has important implications for minimizing the negative impact of HIV-related noncommunicable diseases, the risk for which increases after midlife. Eighteen midlife WWH (aged 40-59) in Boston, MA, completed semistructured interviews to explore perceptions of CVD, HIV, and barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle behaviors. Interviews were analyzed via thematic analysis. Participants viewed heart health as important but were unaware of HIV-associated CVD risk. Facilitators included family and generational influences, social support, and access to resources. Physical symptoms, menopause, mental health challenges, and limited financial resources were barriers. Midlife WWH may benefit from tailored CVD prevention interventions that target their unique motivations and barriers to healthy behaviors.

Evaluation of Statin Prescribing Practices and Predictors of Statin Underutilization in Persons With HIV

BACKGROUND

Persons with HIV (PWH) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with those without HIV. Despite the increased risk, PWH are less likely to be prescribed statin therapy compared with the general population. The purpose of this study is to describe the statin prescribing practices of an outpatient HIV clinic and identify potential predictors of statin underutilization.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective, single-center chart review of PWH ages 40-79 years receiving care at an HIV clinic. Statin eligibility, statin prescribing practices, and appropriateness of statin therapy were evaluated. Logistical regression analyses were conducted to assess for predictors of underutilization of statin therapy.

RESULTS

Of the 606 patients, statin therapy was indicated in 362 patients (60%). Among those with a statin indication, 60.2% were prescribed appropriate statin therapy, 11.6% were prescribed statin therapy but not at the indicated intensity, and 28.2% were not prescribed statin therapy. Tobacco use ( P = 0.0023) was identified as a predictor of statin underutilization. The odds of statin prescribing were higher for those with clinical atherosclerotic CVD ( P = 0.004) and hypertension ( P = 0.017).

CONCLUSION

Statin underutilization was significantly higher in PWH smoking tobacco and PWH without atherosclerotic CVD or low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol 190 mg/dL or higher. In addition, this study highlights the need for more robust CVD prevention efforts in PWH. Identifying predictors of statin underutilization may aid in elucidating where gaps in cardiovascular prevention care may exist.

Statins Utilization in Adults With HIV: The Treatment Gap and Predictors of Statin Initiation

BACKGROUND

We characterized trends in statin eligibility and subsequent statin initiation among people with HIV (PWH) from 2001 to 2017 and identified predictors of statin initiation between 2014 and 2017.

SETTING

PWH participating in the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design (NA-ACCORD) enrolled in 12 US cohorts collecting data on statin eligibility criteria/prescriptions from 2001 to 2017.

METHODS

We determined the annual proportion eligible for statins, initiating statins, and median waiting time (from statin eligibility to initiation). Eligibility was defined using ATP III guidelines (2001-2013) and ACC/AHA guidelines (2014-2017). We assessed initiation predictors in 2014-2017 among statin-eligible PWH using Poisson regression, estimating adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

RESULTS

Among 16,409 PWH, 7386 (45%) met statin eligibility criteria per guidelines (2001-2017). From 2001 to 2013, statin eligibility ranged from 22% to 25%. Initiation increased from 13% to 45%. In 2014, 51% were statin-eligible, among whom 25% initiated statins, which increased to 32% by 2017. Median waiting time to initiation among those we observed declined over time. Per 10-year increase in age, initiation increased 46% (aPR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.29 to 1.67). Per 1-year increase in calendar year from 2014 to 2017, there was a 41% increase in the likelihood of statin initiation (aPR 1.41, 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.58).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a substantial statin treatment gap, amplified by the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines. Measures are warranted to clarify reasons we observe this gap, and if necessary, increase statin use consistent with guidelines including efforts to help providers identify appropriate candidates.

Two decade trends in cardiovascular disease outcomes and cardiovascular risk factors among US veterans living with HIV

Coomprhensive data on temporal trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and outcomes in people living with HIV are limited. Using retrospective data on 50,284 US Veterans living with HIV (VLWH) who received care in the VA from 2001 to 2019, we calculated the prevalence and incidence estimates of CVD risk factors and outcomes, as well as the average annual percent changes (AAPC) in the estimates. The mean age of the Veterans increased from 47.8 (9.1) years to 58.0 (12.4) years during the study period. The population remained predominantly (>95%) male and majority Black (∼50%). The prevalence of the CVD outcomes increased progressively over the study period: coronary artery disease (3.9%-18.7%), peripheral artery disease (2.3%, 10.3%), ischemic cerebrovascular disease (1.1%-9.9%), and heart failure (2.4%-10.5%). There was a progressive increase in risk factor burden, except for smoking which declined after 2015. The AAPC in prevalence was statistically significant for the CVD outcomes and risk factors. When adjusted for age, the predicted prevalence of CVD risk factors and outcomes showed comparable (but attenuated) trends. There was generally a comparable (but attenuated) trend in incidence of CVD outcomes, procedures, and risk factors over the study period. The use of statins increased from 10.6% (2001) to 40.8% (2019). Antiretroviral therapy usage increased from 77.7% (2001) to 85.0% (2019). In conclusion, in a retrospective analysis of large-scale VA data we found the burden and incidence of several CVD risk factors and outcomes have increased among VLWH over the past 20 years.

Addressing gaps in cardiovascular care for people with HIV: bridging scientific evidence and practice

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

People with HIV continue to have an excess burden of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population. The reasons for these disparities in cardiovascular disease include HIV-specific risk enhancers, traditional atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors, and sociodemographic disparities, all of which are ripe targets for intervention.

RECENT FINDINGS

Accurate risk prediction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains difficult, and cardiovascular risk for people with HIV may be underestimated in the absence of HIV-specific risk enhancers. Despite this increased cardiovascular risk, people with HIV are undertreated and often placed on inadequate lipid lowering therapy. Structural racism and HIV-related stigma play a role, and provider-level and structural-level interventions to encourage early identification and treatment of persons at high risk are necessary.

SUMMARY

Persons with HIV should be screened with existing cardiovascular risk prediction tools, and those at high risk cardiovascular disease should be promptly referred for lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions as appropriate. System-level implementation research is ongoing in attempts to narrow the gap in cardiovascular care, particularly for vulnerable communities in low resource settings.

Underprescribing of statin therapy in people with HIV at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

DISCLAIMER

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PURPOSE

People with HIV (PWH) are at increased risk for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The primary objective of this study was to evaluate adherence to guideline recommendations on statin use in PWH for both primary and secondary ASCVD prevention in a single healthcare institution.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate statin use for cardiovascular risk reduction in PWH 40 to 75 years of age at an HIV clinic over a 1-year evaluation period. The study included patients who met one of the 4 criteria for statin therapy defined in the "ACC/AHA Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults." Patient demographics were collected and a 10-year ASCVD risk score was calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 432 PWH were evaluated for statin therapy; 205 patients (47.5%) met criteria for statin therapy. The majority of patients were male, the average age was 58 years, and the average time since HIV diagnosis was 19 years. The mean ASCVD risk score was 14.2%. Only 79 patients (38.5%) who met criteria were prescribed statin therapy, and only 45 (56.9%) were prescribed statin therapy of appropriate intensity. Use of ART pharmacokinetic enhancer was low and did not affect statin prescribing. Multivariable analysis found that age, diabetes, clinical ASCVD, and an appointment with a pharmacist clinician prescriber predicted statin utilization. A high ASCVD risk score (>20%) did not predict statin treatment.

CONCLUSION

Statin prescribing is low in PWH, who are at increased risk for ASCVD. Future research in PWH should focus on improving ASCVD risk assessment and exploring causes for statin underprescribing.

Pattern of arterial inflammation and inflammatory markers in people living with HIV compared with uninfected people

STUDY DESIGN

To compare arterial inflammation (AI) between people living with HIV (PLWH) and uninfected people as assessed by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET).

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 20 PLWH and 20 uninfected people with no known cardiovascular disease and at least 3 traditional cardiovascular risk factors. All patients underwent 18F-FDG-PET/computed tomography (CT) of the thorax and neck. Biomarkers linked to inflammation and atherosclerosis were also determined. The primary outcome was AI in ascending aorta (AA) measured as mean maximum target-to-background ratio (TBRmax). The independent relationships between HIV status and both TBRmax and biomarkers were evaluated by multivariable linear regression adjusted for body mass index, creatinine, statin therapy, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular 10-year estimated risk (ASCVD).

RESULTS

Unadjusted mean TBRmax in AA was slightly higher but not statistically different (P = .18) in PLWH (2.07; IQR 1.97, 2.32]) than uninfected people (2.01; IQR 1.85, 2.16]). On multivariable analysis, PLWH had an independent risk of increased mean log-TBRmax in AA (coef = 0.12; 95%CI 0.01,0.22; P = .032). HIV infection was independently associated with higher values of interleukin-10 (coef = 0.83; 95%CI 0.34, 1.32; P = .001), interferon-γ (coef. = 0.90; 95%CI 0.32, 1.47; P = .003), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) (coef. = 0.75; 95%CI: 0.42, 1.08, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with high cardiovascular risk, HIV status was an independent predictor of increased TBRmax in AA. PLWH also had an increased independent risk of IFN-γ, IL-10, and VCAM-1 levels.

Variation in statin prescription among veterans with HIV and known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

People with HIV have increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, worse outcomes following incident ASCVD, and experience gaps in cardiovascular care, highlighting the need to improve delivery of preventive therapies in this population.

OBJECTIVE

Assess patient-level correlates and inter-facility variations in statin prescription among Veterans with HIV and known ASCVD.

METHODS

We studied Veterans with HIV and existing ASCVD, ie, coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), who received care across 130 VA medical centers for the years 2018-2019. We assessed correlates of statin prescription using two-level hierarchical multivariable logistic regression. Median odds ratios (MORs) were used to quantify inter-facility variation in statin prescription.

RESULTS

Nine thousand six hundred eight Veterans with HIV and known ASCVD (mean age 64.3 ± 8.9 years, 97% male, 48% Black) were included. Only 68% of the participants were prescribed any-statin. Substantially higher statin prescription was observed for those with diabetes (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-2.6), history of coronary revascularization (OR = 4.0, CI, 3.2-5.0), and receiving antiretroviral therapy (OR = 3.0, CI, 2.7-3.4). Blacks (OR = 0.7, CI, 0.6-0.9), those with non-coronary ASCVD, ie, ICVD and/or PAD only, (OR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.48-0.57), and those with history of illicit substance use (OR=0.7, CI, 0.6-0.9) were less likely to be prescribed statins. There was significant variation in statin prescription across VA facilities (10th, 90th centile: 55%, 78%), with an estimated 20% higher likelihood of difference in statin prescription practice for two clinically similar individuals treated at two comparable facilities (adjusted MOR = 1.21, CI, 1.18-1.24), and a greater variation observed for Blacks or those with non-coronary ASCVD or history of illicit drug use.

CONCLUSION

In an analysis of large-scale VA data, we found suboptimal statin prescription and significant interfacility variation in statin prescription among Veterans with HIV and known ASCVD, particularly among Blacks and those with a history of non-coronary ASCVD.

Perspectives of HIV specialists and cardiologists on the specialty referral process for people living with HIV: a qualitative descriptive study

BACKGROUND

Cardiology care may be beneficial for risk factor management in people living with HIV (PLWH), yet limited information is available about the referral process from the perspectives of HIV specialists and cardiologists.

METHODS

We conducted 28 qualitative interviews at academic medical centers in the United States from December 2019 to February 2020 using components of the Specialty Referral Process Framework: referral decision, entry into referral care, and care integration. We analyzed the data using applied thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Reasons for cardiology referral most commonly included secondary prevention, uncontrolled risk factors, cardiac symptoms, and medication management. Facilitators in the referral process included ease of referral, personal relationships between HIV specialists and cardiologists, and close proximity of the clinic to the patient's home. Barriers included lack of transportation, transportation costs, insurance coverage gaps, stigma, and patient reluctance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results will inform future studies on implementation strategies aimed at improving the specialty referral process for PLWH.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04025125 .

US emergency care patterns among nurse practitioners and physician assistants compared with physicians: a cross-sectional analysis

OBJECTIVES

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants (NPs/PAs) increasingly practice in emergency departments (EDs), yet limited research has compared their practice patterns with those of physicians.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Using nationally representative data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), we analysed ED visits among NPs/PAs and physicians between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2017. To compare NP/PA and physician utilisation, we estimated propensity score-weighted multivariable regressions adjusted for clinical/sociodemographic variables, including triage acuity score (1=sickest/5=healthiest). Because NPs/PAs may preferentially consult physicians for more complex patients, we performed sensitivity analyses restricting to EDs with >95% of visits including the NP/PA-physician combination.

EXPOSURES

NPs/PAs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Use of hospitalisations, diagnostic tests, medications, procedures and six low-value services, for example, CT/MRI for uncomplicated headache, based on Choosing Wisely and other practice guidelines.

RESULTS

Before propensity weighting, we studied visits to 12 410 NPs/PAs-alone, 21 560 to the NP/PA-physician combination and 143 687 to physicians-alone who saw patients with increasing age (41, 45 and 47 years, p<0.001) and worsening triage acuity scores (3.03, 2.85 and 2.67, p<0.001), respectively. After weighting, NPs/PAs-alone used fewer medications (2.62 vs 2.80, p=0.002), diagnostic tests (3.77 vs 4.66, p<0.001), procedures (0.67 vs 0.77, p<0.001), hospitalisations (OR 0.35 (95% CI 0.26 to 0.46)) and low-value CT/MRI studies (OR 0.65 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.80)) than physicians. Contrastingly, the NP/PA-physician combination used more medications (3.08 vs 2.80, p<0.001), diagnostic tests (5.07 vs 4.66, p<0.001), procedures (0.86 vs 0.77, p<0.001), hospitalisations OR 1.33 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.51) and low-value CT/MRI studies (OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.43)) than physicians-results were similar among EDs with >95% of NP/PA visits including the NP/PA-physician combination.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

While U.S. NPs/PAs-alone used less care and low-value advanced diagnostic imaging, the NP/PA-physician combination used more care and low-value advanced diagnostic imaging than physicians alone. Findings were reproduced among EDs where nearly all NP/PA visits were collaborative with physicians, suggesting that NPs/PAs seeing more complex patients used more services than physicians alone, but the converse might be true for more straightforward patients.

Statin usage and cardiovascular risk among people living with HIV in the U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study

OBJECTIVES

Using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2013 atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) management guidelines, we conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of people living with HIV in the US Military HIV Natural History Study to determine whether individuals were receiving statins when indicated.

METHODS

Prescription data was taken from Military Health System data. Statin eligibility was defined by ASCVD guidelines. We used the 10-year ASCVD pooled cohorts' equation to evaluate risk for each participant.

RESULTS

Across all categories, 31.9% (n = 390) of individuals met criteria for statin use, and when adding these subjects to the number of those already receiving statins (n = 96), 62.1% of all eligible subjects (n = 302/486) were actually receiving statin therapy. In multivariable analysis, individuals of African American race [odds ratio (OR) = 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.31-0.73] or Hispanic ethnicity (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.19-0.94) were less likely to receive statin prescriptions than white individuals. Individuals with a higher CD4 count (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05-1.20 per 100 cells/μL]) were significantly more likely to receive a statin prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

These data highlight discrepancies between ASCVD guidelines and primary care management of people living with HIV (PLWH) in the military health system, along with important racial differences. Targeted interventions are critical to identify and treat appropriate candidates for statin therapy among PLWH in the military and other settings.

Extrahepatic causes of death in cirrhosis compared to other chronic conditions in the United States, 1999-2017

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Cirrhosis-related mortality is underestimated and is increasing; extrahepatic factors may contribute. We examined trends in cirrhosis mortality from 1999-2017 in the United States attributed to liver-related (varices, peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, sepsis) or extrahepatic (cardiovascular disease, influenza and pneumonia, diabetes, malignancy) causes, and compared mortality trends with congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A national mortality database was used. Changes in age-standardized mortality over time were determined by joinpoint analysis. Average annual percentage change (AAPC) was estimated.

RESULTS

Cirrhosis cohort: From 1999-2017, both liver-related (AAPC 1.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7-1.9) and extrahepatic mortality (AAPC 1.0%; 95% CI 0.7-1.2) increased. Cirrhosis vs other chronic disease cohorts: changes in all-cause mortality were higher in cirrhosis (AAPC 1.0%; 95% CI 0.7-1.4) than CHF (AAPC 0.1%; 95% CI -0.5- 0.8) or COPD (AAPC -0.4%; 95% CI -0.6- -0.2). Sepsis mortality was highest in cirrhosis (AAPC 3.6%, 95% 3.2- 4.1) compared to CHF (AAPC 0.6%, 95% CI -0.5- 1.7) or COPD (AAPC 0.8%, 95% CI 0.5- 1.2). Cardiovascular mortality increased in cirrhosis (AAPC 1.3%, 95% CI 1.1- 1.5), declined in CHF (AAPC -2.0%, 95% CI -5.3- 1.3) and remained unchanged in COPD (AAPC 0.1%, 95% CI -0.2- 0.4). Extrahepatic mortality was higher among women, rural populations, and individuals >65 years with cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Extrahepatic causes of death are important drivers of mortality and differentially impact cirrhosis compared to other chronic diseases.

Factors affecting statin uptake among people living with HIV: primary care provider perspectives

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH), but statin therapy, safe and effective for PLWH, is under-prescribed. This study examined clinic leadership and provider perceptions of factors associated with statin prescribing for PLWH receiving care in eight community health clinics across Los Angeles, California.

METHODS

We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with clinic leadership and providers across community health clinics participating in a larger study (INSPIRE) aimed at improving statin prescribing through education and feedback. Clinics included federally qualified health centers (N = 5), community clinics (N = 1) and county-run ambulatory care clinics (N = 2). Leadership and providers enrolled in INSPIRE (N = 39) were invited to participate in an interview. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to structure our interview guide and analysis. We used standard qualitative content analysis methods to identify themes within CFIR categories; we also assessed current CVD risk assessment and statin-prescribing practices.

RESULTS

Participants were clinic leaders (n = 6), primary care physicians with and without an HIV specialization (N = 6, N = 6, respectively), infectious diseases specialists (N = 12), nurse practitioners, physician assistants and registered nurses (N = 7). Ninety-five percent of providers from INSPIRE participated in an interview. We found that CVD risk assessment for PLWH is standard practice but that there is variation in risk assessment practices and that providers are unsure whether or how to adjust the risk threshold to account for HIV. Time, clinic and patient priorities impede ability to conduct CVD risk assessment with PLWH.

CONCLUSIONS

Providers desire more data and standard practice guidance on prescribing statins for PLWH, including estimates of the effect of HIV on CVD, how to adjust the CVD risk threshold to account for HIV, which statins are best for people on antiretroviral therapy and on shared decision-making around prescribing statins to PLWH. While CVD risk assessment and statin prescribing fits within the mission and workflow of primary care, clinics may need to emphasize CVD risk assessment and statins as priorities in order to improve uptake.

Factors associated with adherence to guideline-recommended cardiovascular disease prevention among HIV clinicians

Integrating cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in routine HIV care remains a challenge. This study aimed to identify factors associated with adherence to guideline-recommended CVD preventive practices among HIV clinicians. Clinicians from eight HIV clinics in Atlanta were invited to complete an online survey. The survey was informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and assessed the following: clinician CVD risk screening and advice frequency (never to always), individual characteristics (clinician beliefs, self-efficacy, and motivation), inner setting factors (clinic culture, learning climate, leadership engagement, and resources available), and outer setting factors (peer pressure and patient needs). Bivariate correlations examined associations between these factors and guideline adherence. Thirty-eight clinicians completed the survey (82% women, mean age 42 years, 50% infectious disease physicians). For risk screening, clinicians always check patient blood pressure (median score 7.0/7), while they usually ask about smoking or check their blood glucose (median score 6.0/7). For advice provision, clinicians usually recommend quitting smoking, controlling cholesterol or controlling blood pressure (median score 6.0/7), while they often recommend controlling blood glucose, losing weight, or improving diet/physical activity (median score 5.5/7). Clinician beliefs, motivation and self-efficacy were positively correlated with screening and advice practices (r = .55−.84), while inner setting factors negatively correlated with lifestyle-related screening and advice practices (r = −.51 to −.76). Peer pressure was positively correlated with screening and advice practices (r = .57–.89). Clinician psychosocial characteristics and perceived peer pressure positively influence adherence to guideline-recommended CVD preventive practices. These correlates along with leadership engagement could be targeted with proven implementation strategies.

Statin gap in patients living with HIV: assessing dose appropriateness

OBJECTIVES

Patients living with HIV (PLWH) are predisposed to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), resulting in concomitant antiretroviral and statin use. A statin prescribing gap for PLWH has been reported, but appropriateness of statin selection and dosing (ASD) has not been described.

METHODS

This is a comparative, retrospective study reviewing ASD in PLWH vs. uninfected patients at two outpatient clinics within an academic medical centre. Adults > 21 years old indicated for statin therapy were included. The primary outcome was percentage of PLWH prescribed an appropriately dosed statin, accounting for clinical- and patient-related variables, compared with uninfected patients. The secondary outcome was to identify patient characteristics associated with inappropriately dosed statins.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, 879 PLWH and 879 uninfected patients were included for analysis. Fewer PLWH (27.8%, n = 244) were prescribed an ASD compared with uninfected patients (40.5%, n = 356, P < 0.001). Similar rates of statin omission were seen in both populations (P = 0.11). More PLWH received too low a dose compared with the uninfected population (P < 0.0064). There were lower ASD rates in PLWH for subgroups of patients with clinical ASCVD (P = 0.00013) and 10-year ASCVD risk ≥7.5% (P = 0.00055), but not in patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL or diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a statin gap exists in both PLWH and uninfected patients, the clinical significance may be greater for PLWH given the increased risk of ASCVD. This study confirms a larger statin gap in PLWH, particularly when underdosing of statin medications is considered. Additional analysis is warranted to investigate reasons for the ASD gap and beneficial clinical interventions.

Assessing Cardiovascular Risk in People Living with HIV: Current Tools and Limitations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide the current state of the development and application of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prediction tools in people living with HIV (PLWH).

RECENT FINDINGS

Several risk prediction models developed on the general population are available to predict CVD risk, the most notable being the US-based pooled cohort equations (PCE), the Framingham risk functions, and the Europe-based SCORE (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation). In validation studies in cohorts of PLWH, these models generally underestimate CVD risk, especially in individuals who are younger, women, Black race, or predicted to be at low/intermediate risk. An HIV-specific CVD prediction model, the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) model, is available, but its performance is modest, especially in US-based cohorts. Enhancing CVD prediction with novel biomarkers of inflammation or coronary artery calcification is of interest but has not yet been evaluated in PLWH. Finally, studies on CVD risk prediction are lacking in diverse PLWH globally. While available risk models for CVD prediction in PLWH remain suboptimal, clinicians should remain vigilant of higher CVD risk in this population and should use any of these risk scores for risk stratification to guide preventive interventions. Focus on established traditional risk factors such as smoking remains critical in PLWH. Risk prediction functions tailored to PLWH in diverse settings will enhance clinicians' ability to deliver optimal preventive care.

Mechanisms and primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among people living with HIV

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To highlight mechanisms of elevated risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among people living with HIV (PLWH), discuss therapeutic strategies, and opportunities for primary prevention.

RECENT FINDINGS

HIV-associated ASCVD risk is likely multifactorial and due to HIV-specific factors and traditional risk factors even in the setting of treated and suppressed HIV disease. Although a growing body of evidence suggests that inflammation and immune activation are key drivers of atherogenesis, therapies designed to lower inflammation including colchicine and low-dose methotrexate have not improved secondary cardiovascular endpoints among PLWH. Statins continue to be the mainstay of management of hyperlipidemia in HIV, but the impact of newer lipid therapies including proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors on ASCVD risk among PLWH is under investigation. Aside from the factors mentioned above, healthcare disparities are particularly prominent among PLWH and thus likely contribute to increased ASCVD risk.

SUMMARY

Our understanding of mechanisms of elevated ASCVD risk in HIV continues to evolve, and the optimal treatment for CVD in HIV aside from targeting traditional risk factors remains unknown. Future studies including novel therapies to lower inflammation, control of risk factors, and implementation science are needed to ascertain optimal ways to treat and prevent ASCVD among PLWH.

Preventive Cardiovascular Care in Patients With HIV Infection in an Outpatient Clinic

BACKGROUND

People/patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) are at an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to normal disease processes, antiretroviral medication adverse effects, and age-related comorbid conditions. Preventive cardiovascular (CV) screenings such as the need for statin, low-dose aspirin, or smoking cessation counseling are not well studied in PLWH.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether there are differences in preventive CV care offered to patients with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 1 outpatient clinic.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 150 consecutive patients if they had at least 4 appointments in 2 years and they did not have a history and they do not have a history of CV events. A randomly selected sample of patients without HIV infection receiving primary care services in the same clinic were used as the control group and were enrolled using the same inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

More patients met statin criteria and were prescribed it in the HIV-negative arm [(70% vs. 24.67%; p < 0.0001); (89.52% vs. 54.05%; p < 0.0001)]. More patients in the HIV-negative arm met aspirin criteria and were prescribed it [(10.67% vs. 8.16%; p = 0.46); (50% vs. 33.3%; p = 0.33)]. There were more current smokers in the HIV-positive arm and a slightly greater number that received smoking cessation counseling [(38% vs. 11.33%; p < 0.0001); (82.46% vs. 76.47%; p = 0.58)].

CONCLUSION

Our results found that PLWH receive less preventive CV care compared to non-HIV-infected patients in the same outpatient clinic. Increased efforts are needed to ensure PLWH are receiving primary preventive CV care they need.

Patients Living With HIV Are Less Likely to Receive Appropriate Statin Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that statins are underprescribed in patients living with HIV (PLWH) at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but none have assessed if eligible patients receive the correct statin and intensity compared to uninfected controls.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to determine whether statin-eligible PLWH are less likely to receive appropriate statin therapy compared to patients without HIV.

METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated statin eligibility and prescribing among patients in both an HIV and internal medicine clinic at an urban, academic medical center from June-September 2018 using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline on treating blood cholesterol to reduce ASCVD risk. Patients were assessed for eligibility and actual treatment with appropriate statin therapy. Characteristics of patients appropriately and not appropriately treated were compared with chi-square testing and predictors for receiving appropriate statin therapy were determined with logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 221/300 study subjects were statin-eligible. Fewer statin-eligible PLWH were receiving the correct statin intensity for their risk benefit group versus the uninfected control group (30.2% vs 67.0%, p < 0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, PLWH were significantly less likely to receive appropriate statin therapy, while those with polypharmacy were more likely to receive appropriate statin therapy.

CONCLUSION

Our study reveals that PLWH may be at a disadvantage in receiving appropriate statin therapy for ASCVD risk reduction. This is important given the heightened risk for ASCVD in this population, and strategies that address this gap in care should be explored.

Etiology and pathophysiology of heart failure in people with HIV

HIV-associated cardiomyopathy is a well-established sequela in people infected with HIV (PHIV). Despite significant advances in HIV management through the use of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), PHIV on HAART continue to have elevated risk of cardiomyopathy and heart failure, even when accounting for known cardiovascular risk factors. This review article will explore the proposed mechanisms by which chronic HIV infection induces cardiomyopathy and heart failure in the setting of HAART. Evaluation, work-up, and management of cardiomyopathy in PHIV will also be briefly discussed. The advent of HAART has altered the pathophysiology HIV-associated cardiomyopathy from a rapidly progressive cardiomyopathy, often with pericardial involvement, into a chronic process involving inflammation and persistent immune dysregulation. With the significant decrease in AIDS-related deaths, the prevalence of cardiomyopathy and the mortality associated with heart failure in PHIV have increased. Multiple immune-related and inflammatory mechanisms have been proposed, which may provide insight into evaluation and management of cardiomyopathy in PHIV.

Perspectives of Chronic Disease Management Among Persons with HIV: A Qualitative Study

INTRODUCTION

Persons with HIV (PWH) are living to advanced age as a result of ART. These epidemiological changes highlight the importance of innovating chronic care delivery of PWH, but there is limited research regarding patient preferences for chronic care delivery.

METHODS

We conducted in-depth interviews of 20 PWH who receive care at the Duke Infectious Diseases Clinic. Manuscript was coded and we used thematic analysis to identify emerging themes from interviewees' responses.

RESULTS

Insights of the interviews revealed a strong affinity of PWH with their HIV providers and a reliance on them for primary care as a result. Participants also expressed a strong preference for receiving NCD care from a single provider, regardless of their current chronic disease care configuration. Participants also stated a willingness to embrace new roles of non-provider HIV clinic staff in their chronic disease care.

CONCLUSION

Overall, persons living with HIV prefer consolidation and co-location of their care, and are willing to endure minor inconveniences to accommodate this preference. Efforts towards promoting primary care integration into HIV clinics are warranted.

Patient-Reported Reasons for Not Using Primary Prevention Statin Therapy

Almost half of patients who meet American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) criteria for statin therapy are untreated. We aimed to evaluate patient-reported reasons for not using guideline-recommended statin therapy in a public healthcare system. Achieving this goal is key to addressing gaps in care and reducing preventable cardiovascular morbidity. We surveyed patients who met 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines for statin therapy but were not using statins. The survey probed domains of patient knowledge regarding cardiovascular health and benefits of statins, barriers to use, physician trust, and interest in cardiovascular care. Among 71 patients eligible for guideline-recommended statin therapy but not currently taking statins, 49 (69%) had a high school education or lower, 41 (58%) reported that they were unaware they should be prescribed a statin and 49 (69%) were unaware of the benefits of statins. Almost all patients, 70 (99%), reported caring about their cardiovascular health, 61 (86%) reported that they had a high level of trust in their physician, and 51 (72%) reported a willingness to follow their physician’s advice. Despite interest in cardiovascular health, awareness of benefits of statin therapy was low and knowledge of recommended statin therapy was low. Increasing patients’ awareness of their eligibility through systematic testing and linkage to statin therapy, along with education, may increase statin use among patients recommended for therapy.

Implementation of Cholesterol-Lowering Therapy to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk in Persons Living with HIV

The widespread availability of highly effective antiretroviral therapies has reduced mortality from opportunistic infections in persons living with HIV (PLHIV), resulting in an increase in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and other chronic illnesses (Samji et al. 2013). Although there has been a decline in morbidity and mortality from ASCVD in the past several decades, contemporary studies continue to report higher rates of cardiovascular events (Rosenson et al. 2020). HIV has been identified as a risk enhancer for ASCVD by multiple professional guideline writing committees (Grundy Scott et al. 2019, Mach et al. 2020); however, the utilization of cholesterol-lowering therapies in PLHIV remains low (Rosenson et al. 2018). Moreover, the use of statin therapy in PLHIV is complicated by drug-drug interactions that may either elevate or lower the blood statin concentrations resulting in increased toxicity or reduced efficacy respectively. Other comorbidities commonly associated with HIV present other challenges for the use of cholesterol-lowering therapies. This review will summarize the data on lipoprotein-associated ASCVD risk in PLHIV and discuss the challenges with effective treatment. Finally, we present a clinical algorithm to optimize cardiovascular risk reduction in this high-risk population.

Differences by Sex in Cardiovascular Comorbid Conditions Among Older Adults (Aged 50-64 or ≥65 Years) Receiving Care for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

BACKGROUND

Differences by sex in cardiovascular comorbid conditions among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons aged 50-64 years have been understudied; even fewer data are available for persons aged ≥65 years.

METHODS

We used matched interview and medical record abstraction data from the 2009-2012 data cycles of the Medical Monitoring Project, a nationally representative sample of HIV-infected adults in care. We included men and women aged 50-64 and ≥65 years at time of interview. We calculated weighted prevalence estimates and used logistic regression to compute adjusted prevalence differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) assessing sex differences in various characteristics and cardiovascular comorbid conditions. Comorbid conditions included overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥25), abnormal total cholesterol level (defined as ≥200 mg/dL), diagnosed diabetes mellitus, or diagnosed hypertension.

RESULTS

Of 7436 participants, 89.5% were aged 50-64 years and 10.4% aged ≥65 years, 75.1% were men, 40.4% (95% CI, 33.5%-47.2%) were non-Hispanic black, 72.0% (70.4%-73.6%) had HIV infection diagnosed ≥10 years earlier. After adjustment for sociodemographic and behavioral factors, women aged 50-64 years were more likely than men to be obese (adjusted prevalence difference, 8.4; 95% CI, 4.4-12.3), have hypertension (3.9; .1-7.6), or have high total cholesterol levels (9.9; 6.2-13.6). Women aged ≥65 years had higher prevalences of diabetes mellitus and high total cholesterol levels than men.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular comorbid conditions were prevalent among older HIV-infected persons in care; disparities existed by sex. Closer monitoring and risk-reduction strategies for cardiovascular comorbid conditions are warranted for older HIV-infected persons, especially older women.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Management in Persons With HIV: Does Clinician Specialty Matter?

Background

The impact of clinician specialty on cardiovascular disease risk factor outcomes among persons with HIV (PWH) is unclear.

Methods

PWH receiving care at 3 Southeastern US academic HIV clinics between January 2014 and December 2016 were retrospectively stratified into 5 groups based on the specialty of the clinician managing their hypertension or hyperlipidemia. Patients were followed until first atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event, death, or end of study. Outcomes of interest were meeting 8th Joint National Commission (JNC-8) blood pressure (BP) goals and National Lipid Association (NLA) non–high-density lipoprotein (HDL) goals for hypertension and hyperlipidemia, respectively. Point estimates for associated risk factors were generated using modified Poisson regression with robust error variance.

Results

Of 1667 PWH in the analysis, 965 had hypertension, 205 had hyperlipidemia, and 497 had both diagnoses. At study start, the median patient age was 52 years, 66% were Black, and 65% identified as male. Among persons with hypertension, 24% were managed by an infectious diseases (ID) clinician alone, and 5% were co-managed by an ID clinician and a primary care clinician (PCC). Persons managed by an ID clinician were less likely to meet JNC-8 hypertension targets at the end of observation than the rest of the cohort (relative risk [RR], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75–0.95), but when mean study blood pressure was considered, there was no difference between persons managed by ID and the rest of the cohort (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.88–1.05). There was no significant association between the ID clinician managing hyperlipidemia and meeting NLA non-HDL goals (RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.68–1.15).

Conclusions

Clinician specialty may play a role in suboptimal hypertension outcomes in persons with HIV.

Smoking and cessation treatment among persons with and without HIV in a U.S. integrated health system

BACKGROUND

Persons with HIV (PWH) are more likely to smoke and are more susceptible to the harmful effects of smoking than persons without HIV. We examined smoking patterns and use of cessation treatment among PWH and persons without HIV in a U.S. integrated health system.

METHODS

We identified adults (≥18 years) with HIV and demographically-matched persons without HIV between July 2013 and December 2017. Smoking status and cessation treatment were ascertained from health records. We calculated age-standardized annual prevalence of smoking and evaluated trends using Cochran-Armitage tests and Poisson regression. Factors associated with cessation treatment during the study period, and smoking in the last year of the study, were evaluated by HIV status using multivariable Poisson models.

RESULTS

The study included 11,235 PWH and 227,320 persons without HIV. Smoking prevalence was higher among PWH across all years but declined for both groups (from 16.6% to 14.6% in PWH and 11.6% to 10.5% in persons without HIV). Among smokers, PWH were more likely to initiate cessation treatment compared to persons without HIV (17.9% vs. 13.3%, covariate-adjusted prevalence ratio of 1.31, 95% CI = 1.15-1.50), with few differences in cessation treatment across subgroups of PWH. In 2017, smoking prevalence remained higher in PWH, especially among those who were younger or who had diagnoses of depression or substance use disorder.

CONCLUSION

In a setting with access to cessation resources, smoking prevalence decreased both in PWH and persons without HIV. PWH had greater uptake of cessation treatment, which is encouraging for smoking reduction and improved health.

Evolocumab, a PCSK9-Monoclonal Antibody, Rapidly Reverses Coronary Artery Endothelial Dysfunction in People Living With HIV and People With Dyslipidemia

Background PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) is well recognized for its important role in cholesterol metabolism. Elevated levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and inhibition with PCSK9 antibodies (PCSK9i) lowers cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. PCSK9 levels are also elevated in people living with HIV (PLWH) and those with dyslipidemia. Because increased PCSK9 in PLWH is associated with impaired coronary endothelial function, a barometer of coronary vascular health, we tested the hypothesis that PCSK9i improves impaired coronary endothelial function in dyslipidemia without coronary artery disease and in PLWH with nearly optimal/above goal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Methods and Results We performed a single-center study in 19 PLWH and 11 with dyslipidemia to evaluate the effects of the PCSK9i evolocumab on coronary endothelial function using cine 3T MRI to noninvasively measure coronary endothelial function, assessed as the changes in coronary cross-sectional area and coronary blood flow from rest to that during isometric handgrip exercise, a known endothelial-dependent vasodilator. Before evolocumab, there was a decrease or no coronary vasodilation and no increase in coronary blood flow (the normal responses) to isometric handgrip exercise in either group. Following 6 weeks of evolocumab, 480 mg q4 weeks, the % cross-sectional area changes from rest to isometric handgrip exercise were +5.6±5.5% and +4.5±3.1% in the PLWH and dyslipidemia groups, respectively, both P<0.01 versus baseline. Improved cross-sectional area was paralleled by a significant coronary blood flow improvement in both groups. Conclusions To our knowledge, these data represent the first evidence that PCSK9 inhibition improves coronary artery health in PLWH and people with dyslipidemia. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03500302.

Differences in Cardiovascular Care Between Adults With and Without Opioid Prescriptions in the United States

Background

Patients prescribed opioids often have chronic conditions that increase their risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but little is known about the primary preventive cardiovascular care these patients receive.

Methods and Results

We analyzed data from the 2014 to 2016 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to evaluate physicians’ provision of primary preventive cardiovascular care to adults with and without opioid prescriptions. We included all visits made by adults 40 to 79 years old with at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor but no existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. There were ≈32 million visits by adults who were prescribed opioids and ≈167 million visits by adults not prescribed opioids on an annual basis. The prevalence of primary preventive care was modest in patients with versus those without opioid prescriptions, respectively: (1) statins for patients with dyslipidemia (52.1% versus 46.3%); (2) statins for patients with diabetes mellitus (49.1% versus 37.9%); (3) antihypertensive agents for patients with hypertension (76.5% versus 65.8%); (4) diet/exercise counseling (40.5% versus 45.3%); and (5) smoking cessation therapy (25.3% versus 19.3%). In multivariate analyses, opioid use was associated with higher rates of statin therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06–1.47; P=0.007) and antihypertensive medication in patients with hypertension (aRR 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06–1.22; P<0.001).

Conclusions

Overall adherence to guideline‐recommended primary preventive cardiovascular care during ambulatory visits was suboptimal. Findings show that patients prescribed opioids versus those without opioid prescriptions were more likely to receive statin therapy and antihypertensive agents in the setting of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, respectively. Ongoing efforts to bridge these gaps in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease remain a high priority.

Contemporary Lifestyle Modification Interventions to Improve Metabolic Comorbidities in HIV

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Metabolic comorbidities including diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, all of which are traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors that are highly prevalent in people with HIV (PWH). Bone disease including osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fragility fractures is also prevalent in PWH. These comorbidities may be prevented and treated in part with lifestyle modification, including changes to dietary and physical habits. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent literature that characterizes current lifestyle habits in PWH as well as the effectiveness of lifestyle strategies to improve metabolic comorbidities prevalent in PWH.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have expanded our knowledge regarding the current lifestyle habits of PWH as well as the potential for lifestyle modification to prevent or improve comorbidities prevalent in PWH. Clinical trials focusing on lifestyle modification have shown some benefit of such interventions on traditional risk factors for comorbidities; however, significant heterogeneity exists between studies and results are not consistent. Further clinical trials are needed including developing lifestyle strategies that are feasible, effective, and sustainable to prevent and decrease prevalence of comorbidities in this population.

Successful recruitment of a multi-site international randomized placebo-controlled trial in people with HIV with attention to diversity of race and ethnicity: critical role of central coordination

Background: The Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE) is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, designed to test whether a statin medication can prevent cardiovascular disease in people with HIV. REPRIEVE recently completed enrollment of 7557 participants at over 100 clinical sites globally. Participant groups of focus were women, and racial and ethnic minorities.Objective: To describe recruitment methods and strategies developed by the REPRIEVE Clinical Coordinating Center (CCC) and share best practices learned from the recruitment process.Methods: Enrollment targets were agreed upon with the primary funder, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and were milestone driven. Milestones included number of sites activated, number of participants enrolled within specific time frames, and proportion of women and minorities enrolled. Strategies to achieve these milestones included structured interviews with site-designated REPRIEVE Recruitment Champions to develop best practices, development of a multimedia campaign, and site level recruitment support.Results: Recruitment initiated March, 2015 and completed March, 2019. The final accrual target was 7500 participants over 48 months. The trial met this target within the time specified. Overall, 10,613 screens were completed, 48% of participants enrolled from sites outside of North America, 32% were female, 44% were Black or African American, and 25% were Hispanic or Latino.Conclusions: REPRIEVE met its overall projected recruitment goal by using multiple, simultaneous strategies to specifically target a diverse population including minority subgroups. REPRIEVE benefited from the development of recruitment strategies with clear targets and communication of accrual targets to study teams.

Association of adherence to antiretroviral therapy with economic burden of cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected population

AIMS

There is a lack of studies that rigorously and systematically assess the economic burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) related to the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We aimed to assess the association between adherence to ART and economic burden of CVDs in an HIV-infected population.

METHODS

Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database 2000-2011 was utilized for analyzing 18,071 HIV-infected patients free of CVDs before HIV diagnosis. The level of adherence to ART was measured by the medication possession ratio (MPR). Generalized estimating equations analysis was applied to estimate the cost impact of a variety of CVDs. All costs were presented in 2018 US dollars.

RESULTS

The incidence of CVDs ranged from 0.17/1000 person-years (cardiogenic shock) to 2.60/1000 person-years (ischemic heart diseases (IHDs)). The mean annual medical cost for a base-case patient without CVDs was US$3000. Having cerebrovascular diseases, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmia, and IHDs increased annual costs by 41%, 33%, 30%, 16%, and 14%, respectively. The cost impact of incident CVDs in years with high adherence to ART (MPR ≥ 0.8) was significantly lower than that in years with low adherence (MPR < 0.1) (e.g. having cerebrovascular diseases in the high- versus low-adherence years increased annual costs by 21% versus 259%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The economic burden of incident CVDs in an HIV-infected population was compelling and varied by the extent of using ART. A reduced economic impact of CVDs was found in years when patients possessed a greater adherence to ART.

Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and prevention of heart failure in people with HIV

Heart failure (HF) has been a known complication of HIV/AIDS for three decades. As the treatment of HIV has changed, so has the epidemiology and pathophysiology of HF in people with HIV (PWH). Initial manifestations of HF in uncontrolled HIV primarily included a rapidly evolving cardiomyopathy with pericardial involvement. With the widespread uptake of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), HF in PWH has become a chronic disease reflective of the aging population and associated comorbidities, albeit with a contribution from HIV-associated chronic immune dysregulation and inflammation. Despite viral suppression, PWH remain at elevated risk for both HF with reduced ejection fraction and HF with preserved ejection fraction. In this review, we discuss the changing epidemiology and mechanisms of HF in PWH and how that may inform HF prevention in this vulnerable population.

ImPlementation REsearCh to DEvelop Interventions for People Living with HIV (the PRECluDE consortium): Combatting chronic disease comorbidities in HIV populations through implementation research

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) prevented premature mortality and improved the quality of life among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH), such that now more than half of PLWH in the United States are 50 years of age and older. Increased longevity among PLWH has resulted in a significant rise in chronic, comorbid diseases. However, the implementation of guideline-based interventions for preventing, treating, and managing such age-related, chronic conditions among the HIV population is lacking. The PRECluDE consortium supported by the Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute catalyzes implementation research on proven-effective interventions for co-occurring heart, lung, blood, and sleep diseases and conditions among PLWH. These collaborative research studies use novel implementation frameworks with HIV, mental health, cardiovascular, and pulmonary care to advance comprehensive HIV and chronic disease healthcare in a variety of settings and among diverse populations.

Physical activity and exercise to improve cardiovascular health for adults living with HIV

Pharmacologic advancements in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has extended the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH). An unfortunate side effect of HIV treatment, however, is an increased prevalence of dyslipidemia, glycemic dysregulation and abnormal distribution of body fat (lipodystrophy). Consequently, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) is significantly increased in PLWH and ultimately a major cause of mortality. Physical activity and exercise training are interventions that have effectively protected against the development of CVD and, in the presence of CVD, has help mitigate morbidity and mortality. Early concerns over potential immunosuppressive effects of exercise in PLWH have largely been dispelled and in some cases exercise has been shown to strengthen markers of immune function. Interventions with aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and their combination, particularly at higher intensities, are showing promising health outcomes in PLWH. This review will summarize the key cardiovascular and metabolic effects of antiretroviral therapy; the effects of the types and intensities of exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiometabolic markers, and muscle strength; and provide recommendations on strategies to apply exercise interventions in clinical settings.

Comparing rates of statin therapy in eligible patients living with HIV versus uninfected patients

OBJECTIVES

Despite an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in people living with HIV (PLWH), a gap in statin prescribing practices has been described for statin-eligble PLWH and uninfected patients. Few data have become available characterizing this gap since the publication of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association lipid guidelines. The objective of this study was to characterize statin prescribing rates for eligible PLWH compared to uninfected adults.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, comparative analysis of patients seen at two clinics in an urban, academic medical system between February 2017 and September 2017. Patients who qualified for one of the statin benefit groups were included: those with a history of clinical ASCVD, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥ 190 mg/dL, diabetes mellitus, or 10-year ASCVD risk score ≥ 7.5%. Patients < 21 years old or without a lipid panel within 3 years were excluded. The primary outcome was the percentage of PLWH prescribed a statin compared to uninfected patients. Predictors associated with receiving a statin were analysed using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Nine hundred and eight PLWH and 2239 uninfected patients met the study criteria. A difference in statin prescribing rates was observed between PLWH and uninfected patients (44% versus 56%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66-0.94). However, only in the 10-year ASCVD risk group were the rates significantly different (24% for PLWH versus 36% for uninfected patients; adjusted OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.5-0.92). PLWH more often received a medium-intensity statin and uninfected patients more often received a high-intensity statin.

CONCLUSIONS

PLWH with ASCVD risk were less likely to be prescribed a statin compared to uninfected patients. Additional analyses are needed to investigate reasons for the statin prescribing gap and appropriateness of lipid agent selection in both study populations.