Risks of Type 2 diabetes among older people living with HIV: A scoping review

Effect of a Supervised Aerobic Exercise Training Program and Ginkgo Biloba Extract on Metabolic Parameters and Functional Capacity in HIV-Infected Subjects

Background: A remarkable increase in metabolic comorbidities occur in people living with HIV infection (PLWH). Supervised physical activity provides significant health benefits. Ginkgo biloba (GKB) extract has been reported to have a wide range of metabolic advantages. This study aimed to examine the effects of an exercise training (ET) program and a GKB extract on PLWH. Methods: This was a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study. Twenty-eight PLWH were assigned to receive a placebo (n = 10), GKB extract (n = 10), or statins (n = 8). All patients underwent a supervised ET program 3-5 times per week. Anthropometric measurements, functional capacities, and metabolic parameters were assessed in all participants at baseline and after 12 weeks of follow-up. Results: After the 12-week intervention, body fat decreased significantly by 2-3% in all groups relative to their baseline values (p < 0.05). Total cholesterol and LDL-c were significantly decreased in the ET + statin group (p = 0.04, and p = 0.007, respectively) compared to baseline values, while HbA1c and the HOMA-IR index were significantly decreased in the ET + GKB group (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively) compared to baseline values, and a significant increase in CD4+ T cell mean was observed in the ET + placebo group (p = 0.005) compared to baseline values. A significant increase in cardiorespiratory capacity (VO2max) from their baseline values was observed in all groups (p < 0.001) after 12 weeks of intervention from their baseline values. Conclusions: Body fat and cardiorespiratory fitness significantly improved after a 12-week supervised ET program. GKB extract significantly decreased insulin resistance.

Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in People Living With HIV in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Backgrounds The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is thought to be higher than that in noninfected people. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of DM among people living with HIV in Dammam, Saudi Arabia (SA). Methods This was a cross-sectional study that included adult patients with HIV who were followed at Dammam Medical Complex. The electronic medical records of the patients were reviewed for their demographic data, comorbid conditions, and HIV history (e.g., duration and medications). The patients were categorized based on their glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels into nondiabetic patients (A1C < 5.7%), prediabetic patients (A1C between 5.7% and 6.4%), and diabetic patients (A1C ≥ 6.5). Results A total of 769 HIV patients were assessed. The A1C of 325 patients could not be retrieved. The remaining 444 patients were included in the analysis. These consisted of 71 female patients (15.99%) and 373 male patients (84.01%). The average age of the patients was 38.62±11.33 years. Their duration for living with HIV was on average 3.76±3.15 years. The cohort consisted of 290 nondiabetic patients (65.32%), 107 prediabetic patients (24.1%), and 47 diabetic patients (10.59%). The nondiabetic patients were generally younger than the prediabetic patients (35.97 vs 40.72 years on average, P value < 0.001). They were infected with HIV for shorter durations (3.45 vs 4.19 years on average, P value < 0.05) with a higher percentage of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (97.93% vs 84.11%, P value < 0.001). Similarly, the nondiabetic patients were generally younger than the diabetic patients (35.97 vs 50.19 years on average, P value < 0.001). They were also infected with HIV for shorter durations (3.45 vs 4.65 years on average, P value < 0.05) with, also, a higher percentage of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (97.93% vs 89.36%, P value < 0.01). Conclusions The prevalence of DM among people living with HIV in Dammam, SA, was high with DM remaining highly underdiagnosed in this population. However, the prevalence of DM in this study involving mostly HIV patients treated with newer HAART agents was lower than what was reported in multiple previous studies that included patients using older agents.

A scoping review of strategies for adolescents' sexual and reproductive health role modelling

BACKGROUND

Individuals strive to maintain their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) by being exposed to correct information, having access to contraceptives, and promoting safe sex practices. Adolescent SRH promotion efforts should consider the influence of role models. This review explored the availability and nature of strategies and programmes on adolescents' SRH role modelling and described them using a scoping review.

METHODS

Studies were retrieved from four databases and grey literature through a search of 223 studies. The databases included EBSCO-host, Medline, Sabinet, and Pubmed. Data extraction was guided by a data-extraction tool adapted from the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The characteristics of the selected studies were recorded in a Microsoft spreadsheet. Eleven studies published between 2014 and 2022 were included for the final review and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Selected articles focused on adolescents' SRH; however, only two studies focused particularly on role modelling. Nonetheless, some aspects of the findings and recommendations presented could be extrapolated to adolescents' SRH role modelling. This includes adolescent-parent communication on SRH, community engagement, mentoring, positive role modelling, and information sharing through media campaigns.

CONCLUSION

There is a lack of literature on SRH role modelling because most studies did not focus on role modelling as an aspect of SRH. Therefore, research needs to be conducted on strategies and programmes focusing on SRH modelling.Contribution: The findings of this scoping review may encourage the development and implementation of strategies and programmes targeting adolescents' SRH throughout diverse communities to promote adolescent SRH.