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Protective HLA-B57: T cell and natural killer cell recognition in HIV infection. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1329-1339. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20220244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the basis of the immune determinants controlling disease outcome is critical to provide better care to patients and could be exploited for therapeutics and vaccine design. The discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virus as the causing agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) decades ago, led to a tremendous amount of research. Among the findings, it was discovered that some rare HIV+ individuals, called HIV controllers (HICs), had the ability to control the virus and keep a low viral load without the need of treatment. This ability allows HICs to delay or avoid progression to AIDS. HIV control is strongly associated with the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles in HICs. From the HIV protective HLAs described, HLA-B57 is the most frequent in HIC patients. HLA-B57 can present a large range of highly conserved Gag-derived HIV peptides to CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, both the focus of this review. So far there are limited differences in the immune response strength, magnitude, or receptor repertoire towards HIV epitopes that could explain viral control in HICs. Interestingly, some studies revealed that during early infection the large breadth of the immune response towards HIV mutants in HLA-B57+ HIC patients, might in turn influence the disease outcome.
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Justice AC, Tate JP. Strengths and Limitations of the Veterans Aging Cohort Study Index as a Measure of Physiologic Frailty. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2020; 35:1023-1033. [PMID: 31565954 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2019.0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Veterans Aging Cohort Study Index (VACS Index) is an index comprised of routine clinical laboratory tests that accurately and generalizably predicts all-cause mortality among those living with and without HIV infection. Increasing evidence supports its use as a measure of physiologic frailty among those aging with HIV because of its associations with frailty related outcomes including mortality, hospitalization, fragility fractures, serious falls, pneumonia, cognitive decline, delirium, and functional decline. In this review, we explore the evidence supporting the validity (construct, correlative, and predictive), responsiveness, and feasibility of the VACS Index as an early indicator of physiologic frailty. We also consider its limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C. Justice
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Janet P. Tate
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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McNeil T, Rowe E. 'Looking after the survivors': the health of a cohort of long-term human immunodeficiency virus patients 25 years on. Intern Med J 2020; 49:592-597. [PMID: 30426651 DOI: 10.1111/imj.14165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders and malignancy than their uninfected peers. AIM To survey the health of a South Australian cohort of long-term HIV patients, who had been diagnosed with HIV prior to the availability of combination antiretroviral therapy. METHODS Data from 88 patients were collected retrospectively across four domains: demographics, HIV history, antiretroviral medication and medical comorbidity. RESULTS There were high rates of cardiovascular risk factors, in particular active smoking, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus, which translated into a high rate of ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular accidents. A large proportion of the patients suffered depression and cognitive impairment. Approximately one-fifth of the cohort had been diagnosed with a malignancy, with anal cancer being the most prevalent. Many patients had experienced permanent toxicity from antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSION The present study showed high rates of 'non-HIV morbidity' in a group of long-term HIV patients in South Australia. Clinicians should aggressively modify cardiovascular risk factors, ensure appropriate immunisations, monitor mental health and consider targeted malignancy screening in these patients. A robust clinical infrastructure and multidisciplinary team is required to facilitate the complex care needs of long-term HIV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas McNeil
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Emily Rowe
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Tate JP, Sterne JAC, Justice AC. Albumin, white blood cell count, and body mass index improve discrimination of mortality in HIV-positive individuals. AIDS 2019; 33:903-912. [PMID: 30649058 PMCID: PMC6749990 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite viral suppression and immune response on antiretroviral therapy, people with HIV infection experience excess mortality compared with uninfected individuals. The Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index incorporates clinical biomarkers of general health with age, CD4 cell count, and HIV-1 RNA to discriminate mortality risk in a variety of HIV-positive populations. We asked whether additional biomarkers further enhance discrimination. DESIGN AND METHODS Using patients from VACS for development and from the Antiretroviral Therapy Cohort Collaboration (ART-CC) for validation, we obtained laboratory values from a randomly selected visit from 2000 to 2014, at least 1 year after antiretroviral therapy initiation. Patients were followed for 5-year, all-cause mortality through September 2016. We fitted Cox models with established predictors and added new predictors based on model fit and Harrell's c-statistic. We converted all variables to continuous functional forms and selected the best model (VACS Index 2.0) for validation in ART-CC patients. We compared discrimination using c-statistics and Kaplan-Meier plots. RESULTS Among 28 390 VACS patients and 12 109 ART-CC patients, 7293 and 722 died, respectively. Nadir CD4, CD8, and CD4 : CD8 ratio did not improve discrimination. Addition of albumin, white blood count, and BMI, improved c-statistics in VACS from 0.776 to 0.805 and in ART-CC from 0.800 to 0.831. Results were robust in all nine ART-CC cohorts, all lengths of follow-up and all subgroups. CONCLUSION VACS Index 2.0, adding albumin, white blood count, and BMI to version 1.0 and using continuous variables, provides improved discrimination and is highly transportable to external settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet P Tate
- VA Connecticut Health Systems, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Mindfulness-based intervention among People living with HIV/AIDS: A Systematic Review. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2018; 33:12-19. [PMID: 30396609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Barré‐Sinoussi F, Abdool Karim SS, Albert J, Bekker L, Beyrer C, Cahn P, Calmy A, Grinsztejn B, Grulich A, Kamarulzaman A, Kumarasamy N, Loutfy MR, El Filali KM, Mboup S, Montaner JSG, Munderi P, Pokrovsky V, Vandamme A, Young B, Godfrey‐Faussett P. Expert consensus statement on the science of HIV in the context of criminal law. J Int AIDS Soc 2018; 21:e25161. [PMID: 30044059 PMCID: PMC6058263 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, prosecutions for non-disclosure, exposure or transmission of HIV frequently relate to sexual activity, biting, or spitting. This includes instances in which no harm was intended, HIV transmission did not occur, and HIV transmission was extremely unlikely or not possible. This suggests prosecutions are not always guided by the best available scientific and medical evidence. DISCUSSION Twenty scientists from regions across the world developed this Expert Consensus Statement to address the use of HIV science by the criminal justice system. A detailed analysis of the best available scientific and medical research data on HIV transmission, treatment effectiveness and forensic phylogenetic evidence was performed and described so it may be better understood in criminal law contexts. Description of the possibility of HIV transmission was limited to acts most often at issue in criminal cases. The possibility of HIV transmission during a single, specific act was positioned along a continuum of risk, noting that the possibility of HIV transmission varies according to a range of intersecting factors including viral load, condom use, and other risk reduction practices. Current evidence suggests the possibility of HIV transmission during a single episode of sex, biting or spitting ranges from no possibility to low possibility. Further research considered the positive health impact of modern antiretroviral therapies that have improved the life expectancy of most people living with HIV to a point similar to their HIV-negative counterparts, transforming HIV infection into a chronic, manageable health condition. Lastly, consideration of the use of scientific evidence in court found that phylogenetic analysis alone cannot prove beyond reasonable doubt that one person infected another although it can be used to exonerate a defendant. CONCLUSIONS The application of up-to-date scientific evidence in criminal cases has the potential to limit unjust prosecutions and convictions. The authors recommend that caution be exercised when considering prosecution, and encourage governments and those working in legal and judicial systems to pay close attention to the significant advances in HIV science that have occurred over the last three decades to ensure current scientific knowledge informs application of the law in cases related to HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Salim S Abdool Karim
- Mailman School of Public HealthColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
- Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South AfricaUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Weill Medical CollegeCornell UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Jan Albert
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell BiologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Linda‐Gail Bekker
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Chris Beyrer
- Department of EpidemiologyCenter for AIDS Research and Center for Public Health and Human RightsJohn Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Pedro Cahn
- Infectious Diseases UnitJuan A. Fernandez Hospital Buenos AiresCABAArgentina
- Buenos Aires University Medical SchoolBuenos AiresArgentina
- Fundación HuéspedBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Alexandra Calmy
- Infectious DiseasesGeneva University HospitalGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Beatriz Grinsztejn
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas‐FiocruzFiocruz, Rio de JaneiroBrazil
| | - Andrew Grulich
- Kirby InstituteUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNSWAustralia
| | | | | | - Mona R Loutfy
- Women's College Research InstituteTorontoCanada
- Women's College HospitalTorontoCanada
- Department of MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Kamal M El Filali
- Infectious Diseases UnitIbn Rochd Universtiy HospitalCasablancaMorocco
| | - Souleymane Mboup
- Institut de Recherche en Santéde Surveillance Epidemiologique et de FormationsDakarSenegal
| | - Julio SG Montaner
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDSVancouverCanada
| | - Paula Munderi
- International Association of Providers of AIDS CareKampalaUganda
| | - Vadim Pokrovsky
- Russian Peoples’ Friendship University (RUDN‐ University)MoscowRussian Federation
- Central Research Institute of EpidemiologyFederal Service on Customers’ Rights Protection and Human Well‐being SurveillanceMoscowRussian Federation
| | - Anne‐Mieke Vandamme
- KU LeuvenDepartment of Microbiology and ImmunologyRega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and Epidemiological VirologyLeuvenBelgium
- Center for Global Health and Tropical MedicineUnidade de MicrobiologiaInstituto de Higiene e Medicina TropicalUniversidade Nova de LisboaLisbonPortugal
| | - Benjamin Young
- International Association of Providers of AIDS CareWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Peter Godfrey‐Faussett
- UNAIDSGenevaSwitzerland
- Department of Infectious and Tropical DiseasesLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonEngland
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Masiá M, Padilla S, Moreno S, Barber X, Iribarren JA, del Romero J, Gómez-Sirvent JL, Rivero M, Vidal F, Campins AA, Gutiérrez F. Prediction of long-term outcomes of HIV-infected patients developing non-AIDS events using a multistate approach. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184329. [PMID: 28886092 PMCID: PMC5590896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objetives Outcomes of people living with HIV (PLWH) developing non-AIDS events (NAEs) remain poorly defined. We aimed to classify NAEs according to severity, and to describe clinical outcomes and prognostic factors after NAE occurrence using data from CoRIS, a large Spanish HIV cohort from 2004 to 2013. Design Prospective multicenter cohort study. Methods Using a multistate approach we estimated 3 transition probabilities: from alive and NAE-free to alive and NAE-experienced (“NAE development”); from alive and NAE-experienced to death (“Death after NAE”); and from alive and NAE-free to death (“Death without NAE”). We analyzed the effect of different covariates, including demographic, immunologic and virologic data, on death or NAE development, based on estimates of hazard ratios (HR). We focused on the transition “Death after NAE”. Results 8,789 PLWH were followed-up until death, cohort censoring or loss to follow-up. 792 first incident NAEs occurred in 9.01% PLWH (incidence rate 28.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 26.80–30.84, per 1000 patient-years). 112 (14.14%) NAE-experienced PLWH and 240 (2.73%) NAE-free PLWH died. Adjusted HR for the transition “Death after NAE” was 12.1 (95%CI, 4.90–29.89). There was a graded increase in the adjusted HRs for mortality according to NAE severity category: HR (95%CI), 4.02 (2.45–6.57) for intermediate-severity; and 9.85 (5.45–17.81) for serious NAEs compared to low-severity NAEs. Male sex (HR 2.04; 95% CI, 1.11–3.84), age>50 years (1.78, 1.08–2.94), hepatitis C-coinfection (2.52, 1.38–4.61), lower CD4 cell count at cohort entry (HR 2.49; 95%CI 1.20–5.14 for CD4 cell count below 200 and HR 2.16; 95%CI 1.01–4.66 for CD4 cell count between 200–350, both compared to CD4 cell count higher than 500) and concomitant CD4<200 cells/mL (2.22, 1.42–3.44) were associated with death after NAE. CD4 count and HIV-1 RNA at engagement, previous AIDS and hepatitis C-coinfection predicted mortality in NAE-free persons. Conclusion NAEs, including low-severity events, increase prominently the risk for mortality in PLWH. Prognostic factors differ between NAE-experienced and NAE-free persons. These findings should be taken into account in the clinical management of PLWH developing NAEs and may permit more targeted prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Masiá
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General de Elche, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Sergio Padilla
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General de Elche, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Santiago Moreno
- Infectious Diseases Service, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Barber
- Statistics, Centro de Investigación Operativa, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Félix Gutiérrez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General de Elche, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Hu G, Liao K, Yang L, Pendyala G, Kook Y, Fox HS, Buch S. Tat-Mediated Induction of miRs-34a & -138 Promotes Astrocytic Activation via Downregulation of SIRT1: Implications for Aging in HAND. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2017; 12:420-432. [PMID: 28236278 PMCID: PMC5546000 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-017-9730-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Astrocyte activation is a hallmark of HIV infection and aging in the CNS. In chronically infected HIV patients, prolonged activation of astrocytes has been linked to accelerated aging including but not limited to neurocognitive impairment and frailty. The current study addresses the role of HIV protein Tat in inducing a set of small noncoding microRNAs (miRNA) that play critical role in astrogliosis. In our efforts to link astrocyte activation as an indicator of aging, we assessed the brains of both wild type and HIV transgenic rats for the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). As expected, in the WT animals we observed age-dependent increase in astrogliosis in the older animals compared to the younger group. Interestingly, compared to the young WT group, young HIV Tg rats exhibited higher levels of GFAP in this trend was also observed in the older HIV Tg rats compared to the older WT group. Based on the role of SIRT1 in aging and the regulation of SIRT1 by miRNAs-34a and -138, we next assessed the expression levels of these miRs in the brains of both the young an old WT and HIV Tg rats. While there were no significant differences in the young WT versus the HIV Tg rats, in the older HIV Tg rats there was a significant upregulation in the expression of miRs-34a & -138 in the brains. Furthermore, increased expression of miRs-34a & -138 in the older Tg rats, correlated with a concomitant decrease in their common anti-aging target protein SIRT1, in the brains of these animals. To delineate the mechanism of action we assessed the role of HIV-Tat (present in the Tg rats) in inducing miRs-34a & -138 in both the primary astrocytes and the astrocytoma cell line A172, thereby leading to posttranscriptional suppression of SIRT1 with a concomitant up regulation of NF-kB driven expression of GFAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoku Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ke Liao
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China
| | - Gurudutt Pendyala
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Yeonhee Kook
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Howard S Fox
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Shilpa Buch
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Agarwal RP, Kumar A, Lewis JE. A pilot feasibility and acceptability study of yoga/meditation on the quality of life and markers of stress in persons living with HIV who also use crack cocaine. J Altern Complement Med 2015; 21:152-8. [PMID: 25695849 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2014.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persons living with HIV (PLWH) who also use crack cocaine may have stressful, chaotic lives and typically do not engage in standard medical care that addresses a multitude of extenuating life circumstances. Yoga/meditation (YM) improves quality of life (QOL) and biomarkers of stress, but the effect of this intervention is almost unknown in PLWH, particularly those who use crack cocaine. OBJECTIVES This pilot study sought to compare the feasibility and acceptability of 60-minute, twice-per-week sessions of YM for 2 months with those of no-contact control and to evaluate the effects of the intervention on QOL (according to the Short Form-36, Perceived Stress Scale [PSS], and Impact of Events Scale [IES]) and salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) among PLWH who use crack cocaine. DESIGN Participants were randomly assigned to YM or no-contact control and were assessed at baseline, 2 months after the intervention, and 4 months' follow-up. RESULTS The YM program was acceptable and feasible, with high overall attendance (89%) and individual participation in yoga sessions (83%). YM participants showed modest improvements on QOL. The PSS total score and the IES intrusion score improved significantly 2 months after the intervention, but cortisol and DHEA-S did not change. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study showed a high level of feasibility and acceptability and modest effects on measures of QOL among PLWH who use crack cocaine. The results suggest utility of YM as a simple, safe, and inexpensive format to improve QOL in a population that has many medical difficulties and extenuating stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram P Agarwal
- 1 Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, FL
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Wilkinson AL, McMahon J, Cheah YS, Bradshaw CS, El-Hayek C, Stoové M. Paying the price in an era of HIV treatment as prevention: a retrospective study of the cost burden of HIV treatment for people living with HIV in Victoria, Australia. Sex Health 2015; 12:34-8. [DOI: 10.1071/sh14144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background
An estimated 25 700 people live with diagnosed HIV (PLWH) in Australia and ~1200 newly diagnosed cases were notified in 2012. New HIV prevention strategies focus on individual uptake of treatment; however, a potential barrier is the financial burden of antiretroviral treatment (ART). We describe HIV ART dispensed and the estimated associated costs for PLWH in Victoria. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of pharmacy data on ART dispensed between January 2012 and November 2013 from a hospital network, including Victoria’s largest sexual health clinic was conducted. Estimated annual patient costs of ART were calculated by the number of items dispensed per year, concession status, dispensing site and applicable co-payment. Results: A total of 60 225 dispensing records from 3903 individuals were included; this represented 83.8% of pharmaceutical benefits scheme-recorded ART dispensed in Victoria over this period. The estimated annual co-payment costs for patients without a concession card and who were collecting two medications was $433.20. One-fifth of patients (21.3%) collected four or more items, equating to an estimated annual cost of at least $866.40 without a concession card and $141.60 with a concession card. Of those dispensed four or more items, 40.4% were concession card holders. Conclusions: There may be meaningful patient costs associated with accessing ART for some PLWH. New HIV treatment-based prevention strategies need to consider financial vulnerabilities and appropriately targeted initiatives to alleviate patient costs associated with ART, ensuring they do not act as a barrier to commencement of and adherence to HIV treatment.
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Winston J, Chonchol M, Gallant J, Durr J, Canada RB, Liu H, Martin P, Patel K, Hindman J, Piontkowsky D. Discontinuation of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate for Presumed Renal Adverse Events in Treatment-Naïve HIV-1 Patients: Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Studies. HIV CLINICAL TRIALS 2014; 15:231-45. [DOI: 10.1310/hct1506-231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Practicalities and challenges in re-orienting the health system in Zambia for treating chronic conditions. BMC Health Serv Res 2014; 14:295. [PMID: 25005125 PMCID: PMC4094789 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-14-295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The rapid evolution in disease burdens in low- and middle income countries is forcing policy makers to re-orient their health system towards a system which has the capability to simultaneously address infectious and non-communicable diseases. This paper draws on two different but overlapping studies which examined how actors in the Zambian health system are re-directing their policies, strategies and service structures to include the provision of health care for people with chronic conditions. Methods Study methods in both studies included semi-structured interviews with government health officials at national level, and governmental and non-governmental health practitioners operating from community-, primary health care to hospital facility level. Focus group discussions were conducted with staff, stakeholders and caregivers of programmes providing care and support at community- and household levels. Study settings included urban and rural sites. Results A series of adaptations transformed the HIV programme from an emergency response into the first large chronic care programme in the country. There are clear indications that the Zambian government is intending to expand this reach to patients with non-communicable diseases. Challenges to do this effectively include a lack of proper NCD prevalence data for planning, a concentration of technology and skills to detect and treat NCDs at secondary and tertiary levels in the health system and limited interest by donor agencies to support this transition. Conclusion The reorientation of Zambia’s health system is in full swing and uses the foundation of a decentralised health system and presence of local models for HIV chronic care which actively involve community partners, patients and their families. There are early warning signs which could cause this transition to stall, one of which is the financial capability to resource this process.
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