Hyperlactatemia in a group of HIV patients living in Yaounde-Cameroon

Combined Physical Training Increases Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Levels, But Not Irisin in People Living with HIV/AIDS

This study evaluated plasma levels of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), irisin, and lactate in people living with HIV/AIDS who completed a combined physical training program. Nineteen HIV+ participants (age: 39.60 ± 10.96 years; carrier time: 7.75 ± 7.88 years; time of ART: 6.41 ± 5.93 years) performed strength/aerobic training (combined physical training) in the same session for 8 weeks and levels of BDNF, irisin, and lactate were assessed. BDNF (pg/mL) was higher post-CPT (Pre: 1258.73 ± 372.30; Post: 1504.17 ± 322.30; p < 0.001). Irisin (ng/mL) showed no change (Pre: 115.61 ± 72.41; Post: 125.87 ± 81.14; p = 0.973). There was positive correlation between irisin and lactate (mmol/L) pre (r = 0.55, p = 0.04), and lactate values were higher in the group with the highest value of irisin (3.65 ± 0.69 × 2.82 ± 0.59, p = 0.02). Combined physical training results in increased basal BDNF in people living with HIV/AIDS, this finding suggests that increased concentration of BDNF may be associated with decreased chances of developing cognitive disorders or HIV-associated dementia. Further studies involving molecular mechanisms on this subject are necessary.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality among HIV-positive patients presenting with an acute illness to the emergency department

OBJECTIVES

Despite better access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) over recent years, HIV remains a major global cause of mortality. The present study aimed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality among HIV-positive patients presenting to an emergency department (ED).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, HIV-positive patients presenting to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital adult ED between 07 July 2017 and 18 October 2018 were prospectively enrolled. Data were compared between participants who survived to hospital discharge and those who died. The data were further subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine variables that were associated with in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Of a total of 1224 participants, the in-hospital mortality was 13.6% (n = 166). On multivariate analysis, respiratory rate > 20 breaths/min [odds ratio (OR) = 1.90, P = 0.012], creatinine > 120 μmol/L (OR = 1.97, P = 0.006), oxygen saturation < 90% (OR = 2.09, P = 0.011), white cell count < 4.0 × 10⁹ /L (OR = 2.09, P = 0.008), ART non-adherence or not yet on ART (OR = 2.39, P = 0.012), Glasgow Coma Scale < 15 (OR = 2.53, P = 0.000), albumin < 35 g/L (OR = 2.61, P = 0.002), lactate > 2 mmol/L (OR = 4.83, P = 0.000) and cryptococcal meningitis (OR = 6.78, P = 0.000) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine clinical and laboratory parameters are useful predictors of in-hospital mortality in HIV-positive patients presenting to the ED with an acute illness. These parameters may be of value in guiding clinical decision-making, directing the appropriate use of resources and influencing patient disposition, and may also be useful in developing an outcome prediction tool.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Prediabetes and Diabetes Mellitus Among HIV-infected Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To summarize evidence on the rates and drivers of progression from normoglycemia to prediabetes and/or diabetes mellitus (hereafter "diabetes") in antiretroviral treatment (ART)-exposed HIV-infected people.

METHODS

We searched EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Global Index Medicus to identify articles published from 1 January 2000 to 30 April 2017. A random-effects model produced a summary estimate of the incidence across studies and heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane's Q statistic.

RESULTS

We included 44 studies, whose methodologic quality was high with only 10 (30%) medium-quality studies and none of low quality. There was substantial heterogeneity between studies in estimates of the incidence of diabetes and prediabetes. The pooled incidence rate of overt diabetes and prediabetes were 13.7 per 1,000 person-years of follow-up (95% CI = 13, 20; I = 98.1%) among 396,496 person-years and 125 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI = 0, 123; I = 99.4) among 1,532 person-years, respectively. The major risk factors for diabetes and prediabetes were aging, family history of diabetes, Black or Hispanic origin, overweight/obesity, central obesity, lipodystrophy/lipoatrophy, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, increased baseline fasting glycemia, and certain ART regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

These data highlight the important and fast-increasing burden of diabetes and prediabetes among the ART-exposed HIV-infected population. More research is needed to better capture the interplay between prediabetes/diabetes and ART in HIV-infected patients, considering the increasing number of ART-exposed patients subsequent to the World Health Organization's recommendation of initiating ART at HIV infection diagnosis regardless of CD4 count and age.

Antiretroviral therapy related adverse effects: Can sub-Saharan Africa cope with the new "test and treat" policy of the World Health Organization?

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that early antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation results in significant HIV transmission reduction. This is the rationale behind the "test and treat" policy of the World Health Organization (WHO). Implementation of this policy will lead to an increased incidence of ART-related adverse effects, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Is the region yet ready to cope with such a challenging issue?

MAIN BODY

The introduction and widespread use of ART have drastically changed the natural history of HIV/AIDS, but exposure to ART leads to serious medication-related adverse effects mainly explained by mitochondrial toxicities, and the situation will get worse in the near future. Indeed, ART is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, lipodystrophy, prediabetes and overt diabetes, insulin resistance and hyperlactatemia/lactic acidosis. The prevalence of these disorders is already high in SSA, and the situation will be exacerbated by the implementation of the new WHO recommendations. Most SSA countries are characterized by (extreme) poverty, very weak health systems, inadequate and low quality of health services, inaccessibility to existing health facilities, lack of (qualified) health personnel, lack of adequate equipment, inaccessibility and unaffordability of medicines, and heavy workload in a context of a double burden of disease. Additionally, there is dearth of data on the incidence and predictive factors of ART-related adverse effects in SSA, to anticipate on strategies that should be put in place to prevent the occurrence of these conditions or properly estimate the upcoming burden and prepare an adequate response plan. These are required if we are to anticipate and effectively prevent this upcoming burden.

CONCLUSION

While SSA would be the first region to experience the huge benefits of implementing the "test and treat" policy of the WHO, the region is not yet prepared to manage the consequential increased burden of ART-related toxic and metabolic complications. Urgent measures should be taken to fill the lacunae if SSA is not to become over-burdened by the consequences of the "test and treat" policy.

Rates and drivers of progression to pre-diabetes and diabetes mellitus among HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy: a global systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

INTRODUCTION

With the new 'test and treat' policy of the WHO, it is obvious that the number of HIV-infected patients taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) will grow exponentially, with consequential increase in the burden of diabetes mellitus (DM). Our aim is to summarise existing data on the incidence of pre-diabetes and DM, and associated risk factors among HIV-infected adults.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This systematic review will include cohort studies reporting the incidence of pre-diabetes and/or DM, and associated risk factors among HIV-infected adults on ART, with these patients being free of any impaired glucose metabolism at study baseline. We will perform electronic searches in PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Web of Science and WHO Global Health Library, supplemented with manual searches. Articles published from 1 January 2000 to 31 July 2016, in English or French languages, and without any geographical restriction will be eligible for inclusion. 3 authors will independently screen, select studies, extract data and assess the risk of bias with discrepancies resolved by consensus. We will assess clinical heterogeneity by examining the study design and setting, criteria and cut-offs used to define pre-diabetes or DM, process of calculation of incidence and outcomes in each study. We will also assess statistical heterogeneity using the χ(2) test of homogeneity and quantify it using the I(2) statistic. A random effects meta-analysis will be used to estimate the overall cumulative incidence of pre-diabetes/DM and risk factors.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This systematic review will use data from published studies and does not require ethics approval. Its results are expected to help putting in place action plans and preventive measures to curb the growing burden of DM in the HIV population on ART. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific conferences.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42016039651.