Anemia in combined antiretroviral treatment-naive HIV-infected patients in China: A retrospective study of prevalence, risk factors, and mortality

Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Predictors of Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia in Patients with and without Chronic Pulmonary Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a severe respiratory infection caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii in immunocompromised hosts. The role of P. jirovecii colonization in the development or progression of various pulmonary diseases has been reported. Our aim was to explore serial change in serum biomarkers and the independent risk factors for mortality in patients with and without chronic pulmonary diseases who developed PJP.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study to select patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021. Information regarding demographics, clinical characteristics, underlying diseases, laboratory tests, treatment, and outcomes was collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 167 patients diagnosed with PJP were included in the study: 53 in the CPD-PJP group and 114 in the NCPD-PJP group. The number of patients with PJP showed an increasing trend over the 10-year period. A similar trend was observed for in-hospital mortality. Independent risk factors associated with death in the NCPD-PJP group were procalcitonin level (adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.16, P=0.01), pneumothorax (adjusted OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01-0.38, P=0.002), neutrophil count (adjusted OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05-1.53, P=0.01) at 14 days, and hemoglobin level (adjusted OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.98; P=0.002) at 14 days after admission. The risk factor associated with death in the CPD-PJP group was neutrophil count (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.99-1.43; P=0.05) at 14 days after admission.

Conclusion

The risk factors for death were different between patients with PJP with and without chronic pulmonary disease. Early identification of these factors in patients with PJP and other underlying diseases may improve prognosis.

The burden of anemia among Chinese HIV-infected patients following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in the treat-all era: a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

To assess the prevalence of anemia before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and to identify impact of anemia on mortality among HIV-infected patients in China during the Treat-All era.

METHODS

All HIV-infected patients who newly initiated ART between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2020 were enrolled and followed up to December 31, 2021 in China. We analyzed the prevalence of anemia before and after ART initiation. Generalized estimating equations were fitted to determine factors associated with anemia after ART. Time-dependent cox proportional hazards models were performed to estimate the effect of anemia on death.

RESULTS

Of 436,658 patients at the baseline of ART initiation, the overall prevalence of anemia was 28.6%. During a median 2.65 (IQR: 1.80-3.51) years of follow-up after ART initiation, 376,325 (86.2%) patients had at least one Hb measurement (a total of 955,300 hemoglobin measurements). The annual prevalence of anemia after ART was 17.0%, 14.1%, 13.4%, 12.6% and 12.7%, respectively. Being anemic at the baseline of ART initiation (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 6.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.67-6.92) was the strongest factor associated with anemia after ART. Anemia status after ART showed a strong association with death after multivariable adjustment (mild anemia: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.65, 95% CI: 2.55-2.76; moderate anemia: aHR = 4.60; 95% CI:4.40-4.81; severe anemia: aHR = 6.41; 95% CI:5.94-6.91).

CONCLUSIONS

In the era of ART universal access, pre-ART anemia was common among HIV-infected patients. Notably, a certain proportion of anemia still persisted after ART, and was significantly associated with death. We recommend strengthening the monitoring of patients at risk of anemia, especially in patients with baseline anemia or during the first year of ART, and timely treatment for correcting anemia.

Anemia and opportunistic infections in hospitalized people living with HIV: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

There is a high prevalence of anemia among people living with HIV in Guangxi, China. Therefore, we investigated anemia and opportunistic infections in hospitalized people living with HIV and explored the risk factors related to anemia in people living with HIV to actively prevent anemia in people living with HIV.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied people living with HIV admitted to Guangxi Chest Hospital from June 2016 to October 2021. Detailed information on the sociodemographic and clinical features of the participants was collected. The X² test was used to compare the prevalence between the anemic and non-anemic groups. The logistic regression analysis was applied to exclude confounding factors and identify factors related to anemia.

RESULTS

Among 5645 patients with HIV, 1525 (27.02%) had anemia. The overall prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe anemia was 4.66%, 14.08%, and 8.27%, respectively. The factors significantly related to increased risk of anemia were CD4 count < 50 cells/µl (aOR = 2.221, 95% CI = [1.775, 2.779]), CD4 count 50-199 cells/µl (aOR = 1.659, 95% CI = [1.327, 2. 073]), female (aOR = 1.644, 95% CI = [1.436, 1.881]) co-infected with HCV (aOR = 1.465, 95% CI = [1.071, 2.002]), PM (aOR = 2.356, 95% CI = [1.950, 2.849]), or TB (aOR = 1.198, 95% CI = [1.053, 1.365]).

CONCLUSIONS

Within Guangxi of China, 27.02% of hospitalized people living with HIV presented with anemia. Most patients with anemia were in the mild to moderate stage. The low CD4 count, female gender, and concomitant infection with Penicillium marneffei, Hepatitis C virus, or Tuberculosis were independent correlates of anemia. Thus, these findings would be helpful to clinicians in preventing and intervening in anemia in people living with HIV.

Prevalence of anaemia and the associated factors among hospitalised people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To estimate anaemia prevalence and the associated factors among hospitalised people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

PLHIV receiving ART and hospitalised in a specialised hospital for infectious disease in Guizhou Province, Southwest China, between 1 January 2018 and 31 March 2021.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 6959 hospitalised PLHIV aged ≥18 years and receiving ART were included in this study.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Anaemia was diagnosed as a haemoglobin concentration <120 g/L for non-pregnant females and <130 g/L for males. Mild, moderate and severe anaemia were diagnosed as below the gender-specific lower limit of normal but ≥110 g/L, 80-110 g/L and <80 g/L, respectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anaemia was 27.5%, and that of mild, moderate and severe anaemia was 9.2%, 12.2% and 6.1%, respectively. Results from multivariate logistic regression showed that females had increased odds of anaemia (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.60, 95% CI: 1.42 to 1.81) compared with males. Widowed or divorced inpatients (anaemia: aOR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.47; severe anaemia: aOR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.97) and thrombocytopenia inpatients (anaemia: aOR=4.25, 95% CI: 3.54 to 5.10; severe anaemia: aOR=4.16, 95% CI: 3.24 to 5.35) had increased odds of anaemia and severe anaemia compared with their counterparts. Hepatitis C was associated with increased odds of severe anaemia (aOR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.11 to 2.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Anaemia was prevalent among hospitalised PLHIV. Female sex, those widowed or divorced, and thrombocytopenia were associated with increased odds of anaemia, and those widowed or divorced, thrombocytopenia and hepatitis C were associated with increased odds of severe anaemia. Determination of anaemia predictors, early detection and timely management of anaemia are crucial to prevent anaemia progression.

Prevalence of anemia among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Anemia is the most frequent hematologic abnormality among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWHIV) and is associated with HIV disease progression and higher risk of mortality of the patients. However, there is a wide variation of the prevalence of anemia among PLWHIV in different clinical settings. We aimed to obtain more precise estimates of prevalence of anemia and severity of anemia among PLWHIV, which may be important for patients, caregivers, researchers and health policy-makers.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for original articles reporting the prevalence of anemia defined using age and sex-specific hemoglobin levels according to World Health Organization criteria among PLWHIV from inception to August 31, 2021. We used DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analyses to obtain pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of anemia and severity of anemia among PLWHIV. A univariable meta-regression has been conducted to assess the association between anemia prevalence and study characteristics, including study design, median year of sampling, geographical region, World Bank Income level, and proportion of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

FINDINGS

We included 63 observational studies covering 110,113 PLWHIV. The pooled prevalence of anemia was 39.7% (95% CI: 31.4%-48.0%) for children living with HIV aged <15 years, 46.6% (95% CI: 41.9%-51.4%) for adults (men and non-pregnant women) living with HIV aged ≥15 years, and 48.6% (95% CI: 41.6%-55.6%) for pregnant women living with HIV. Among adults living with HIV, the pooled prevalence of severity of anemia was 21.6% (95% CI: 19.9%-23.3%), 22.6% (95% CI: 14.8%-30.4%), and 6.2% (95% CI: 4.4%-8.1%) for mild, moderate and severe anemia, respectively. Compared with East Africa, anemia prevalence among adults living with HIV was higher in Southern Africa (p = 0.033).

INTERPRETATION

Anemia is prevalent among PLWHIV. Thus, policies, strategies, and programs should be considered to identify the predictors of anemia among PLWHIV to reduce the burden of anemia among patients in the ART era.

Manifestations and Related Risk Factors of Thrombocyte Abnormalities in HIV-Positive Patients Before and After the Initiation of ART

Background

At present, the thrombocyte abnormality is not well described before and after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The purpose of this research is to investigate the dynamic changes and related risk factors of thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis in HIV-infected individuals.

Methods

We performed a real-world observational study among 6637 HIV patients who started ART from January, 2013 to August, 2020 at the Beijing Ditan Hospital. Hazard indicators linked with thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis were analyzed by logistic/Cox regression.

Results

The prevalence of thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis was 2.65% and 5.85% among ART-naïve patients, respectively. Correlated risk factors: (thrombocytopenia) older age, coinfection with HBV, leucopenia, anemia, and CD4 count <350 cells/uL; (thrombocytosis) WBC level ≥4.0 x 10⁹/L, anemia, NLR ≥2.0, and CD4 count ≥350 cells/uL. As for the recovery rate, it was 86.6/54.2, 83.4/46.3, 66.0/35.1, and 65.3/ 33.9 per 100 PYFU in thrombocytopenia/thrombocytosis at different treatment period (12m, 24m, 36m, and 48m). While the new-onset incidence of thrombocytopenia/thrombocytosis at different ART period (12m, 24m, 36m, 48m, 60m, 72m, and 84m) was 0.25/7.2, 0.19/6.31, 0.16/4.74, 0.16/4.55, 0.16/4.48, 0.15/4.41, and 0.15/4.39. And the driving forces of thrombocytosis were antiretroviral treatment, female, overweight, and WBC level ≥ 4.0 x 10⁹/L.

Conclusion

In the medical practice, while paying attention to thrombocytopenia, clinicians should be highly vigilant about the thrombocytosis of HIV/AIDS patients, and related treatment strategies need to be further studied.

Impact of Persistent Anemia on Systemic Inflammation and Tuberculosis Outcomes in Persons Living With HIV

Tuberculosis (TB) is associated with systemic inflammation and anemia, which are aggravated in persons living with HIV (PLWH). Here, we characterized the dynamics of hemoglobin levels in PLWH coinfected with TB undergoing antitubercular therapy (ATT). We also examined the relationships between anemia and systemic inflammatory disturbance as well as the association between persistent anemia and unfavorable clinical outcomes. Data on several blood biochemical parameters and on blood cell counts were retrospectively analyzed in a cohort of 256 TB/HIV patients from Brazil during 180 days of ATT. Multidimensional statistical analyses were employed to profile systemic inflammation of patients stratified by anemia status (hemoglobin levels <12 g/dL for female and <13.5 g/dL for male individuals) prior to treatment and to perform prediction of unfavorable outcomes, such as treatment failure, loss to follow up and death. We found that 101 (63.63%) of patients with anemia at pre-ATT persisted with such condition until day 180. Such individuals exhibited heightened degree of inflammatory perturbation (DIP), which in turn was inversely correlated with hemoglobin levels. Recovery from anemia was associated with increased pre-ATT albumin levels whereas persistent anemia was related to higher total protein levels in serum. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that lower baseline hemoglobin levels was the major determinant of the unfavorable outcomes. Our findings demonstrate that persistent anemia in PLWH during the course of ATT is closely related with chronic inflammatory perturbation. Early intervention to promote recovery from anemia may improve ATT outcomes.

Prevalence and risk factors of anaemia in hospitalised HIV-infected patients in southeast China: a retrospective study

The association between opportunistic infection (OI) and anaemia among HIV-infected patients remains to be studied. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia in hospitalised HIV-infected patients to reveal the association between OI and anaemia. We conducted a retrospective study of HIV-positive hospitalised patients from June 2016 to December 2017 in Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University. Patients’ information on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were carefully collected. The comparison of anaemia prevalence between groups was conducted with χ² test. A logistic regression model was carried out to analyse the predictors of anaemia. The total prevalence of anaemia in hospitalised HIV-infected patients was 55.15%. The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anaemia was 41.42%, 11.08% and 2.64%, respectively. Predictors independently associated with anaemia were: CD4 counts <50 cells/μl (odds ratio (OR): 6.376, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.916–21.215, P = 0.003), CD4 counts 50–199 cells/μl (OR: 6.303, 95% CI = 1.874–21.203, P = 0.003), co-infection with tuberculosis (TB) (OR: 2.703, 95% CI = 1.349–5.414, P = 0.005) or Penicillium marneffei (PM) (OR: 7.162, 95% CI = 3.147–15.299, P < 0.001). In Fujian, China, more than half inpatients with HIV were anaemic, but severe anaemia is infrequent. Lower CD4 counts, co-infection with TB or PM were independent risk factors for anaemia. Chinese HIV patients especially with TB, PM infection and low CD4 level should be routinely detected for anaemia to improve therapy.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cytopenia in HIV-Infected Patients before and after the Initiation of HAART

Background

Cytopenia is a frequent hematological disorder in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, the distribution and risk factors of cytopenia in patients starting highly active anti-retrovirus treatment (HAART) and the effect of HAART on cytopenia were not fully investigated.

Methods

From November 2004 to August 2016, a retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of cytopenia in 4325 HAART-naïve patients. Risk factors of cytopenia at baseline and on recovery from cytopenia were analyzed using logistic regression analysis after 24 months of HAART in Beijing Ditan Hospital.

Results

The prevalence of cytopenia was 19.1% in HIV-naïve patients. Risk factors for cytopenia in HAART-naïve patients were a CD4 cell count<200 cells/μL, femaleness, WHO stage IV, coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), BMI <18.5 kg/m², a viral load ≥100,000 copies/ml, and age ≥40 years. In total, 70.2% and 76.4% of patients with cytopenia recovered after 6 and 24 months of HAART, respectively. The predictors of patients without normal blood cells after 24 months HAART were a CD4 cell count of <200 cells/μL, femaleness, WHO stage IV, coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), BMI <18.5 kg/m², a viral load ≥100,000 copies/ml, and age ≥40 years. In total, 70.2% and 76.4% of patients with cytopenia recovered after 6 and 24 months of HAART, respectively. The predictors of patients without normal blood cells after 24 months HAART were a CD4 cell count of <200 cells/

Conclusion

Early detection could decrease the prevalence of HIV-related cytopenia, while starting HAART as early as possible seems to be effective for normalization of the blood cells in HIV-infected patients.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in microscopic polyangiitis patients with renal involvement: a study of 124 Chinese patients

BACKGROUND

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a systemic autoimmune disease, and renal involvement is frequently present in MPA. MPA patients with renal involvement may have a worse prognosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors associated with all-cause death and renal survival in MPA patients with renal involvement.

METHODS

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed. One hundred twenty-four patients newly diagnosed with MPA with renal involvement excluding end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who were hospitalized at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2012 to July 2017 were included. All the survivors were followed up with until July 2018. The clinical and laboratory data at the time of the initial MPA diagnosis were collected, and the predictive values of the variables for mortality and renal outcome were analysed.

RESULTS

Among the 124 patients, 52 were men (41.9%) and 72 were women (58.1%), and the age range was from 25 to 85 years (63.9±10.6 years). Seventy-six patients (61.3%) had pulmonary involvement. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that age≥65 years (HR: 2.437; P=0.021), serum creatinine≥500 μmol/L (HR=2.207; P=0.009) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) (HR=2.366; P=0.013) were associated with mortality. Cox multivariate analysis identified that serum creatinine≥500 μmol/L (HR=8.236; P<0.001) and ILD (HR=2.649; P=0.001) were independent detrimental factors for renal survival, and immunosuppressive treatment was a protective factor for renal survival (HR=0.349; P=0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the serum creatinine level at diagnosis was 0.705 for mortality and 0.870 for progression to ESRD or the doubling of serum creatinine.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, serum creatinine level at diagnosis and ILD were independent predictors of mortality in MPA patients with renal involvement. Serum creatinine level at diagnosis, ILD and immunosuppressive treatment were independently related to renal survival.

A Model to Predict In-Hospital Mortality in HIV/AIDS Patients with Pneumocystis Pneumonia in China: The Clinical Practice in Real World

We aimed to develop and validate a predictive model to evaluate in-hospital mortality risk in HIV/AIDS patients with PCP in China. 1001 HIV/AIDS patients with PCP admitted in the Beijing Ditan hospital from August 2009 to January 2018 were included in this study. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify independent risk factors of death, and a predictive model was devised based on risk factors. The overall in-hospital mortality was 17.3%. The patients were randomly assigned into derivation cohort (801cases) and validation cohort (200 cases) in 8:2 ratio, respectively, in which in derivation cohort we found that 7 predictors, including LDH >350U/L, HR>130 times/min, room air PaO₂ <70mmHg, later admission to ICU, Anemia (HGB≤90g/L), CD4<50cells/ul, and development of a pneumothorax, were associated with poor prognosis in HIV/AIDS patients with PCP and were included in the predictive model. The model had excellent discrimination with AUC of 0.904 and 0.921 in derivation and validation cohort, respectively. The predicted scores were divided into two groups to assess the in-hospital mortality risk: low-risk group (0-11 points with mortality with 2.15-12.77%) and high-risk group (12-21 points with mortality with 38.78%-81.63%). The cumulative mortality rate also indicated significant difference between two groups with Kaplan-Meier curve (p<0.001). A predictive model to evaluate mortality in HIV/AIDS patients with PCP was constructed based on routine laboratory and clinical parameters, which may be a simple tool for physicians to assess the prognosis in HIV/AIDS patients with PCP in China.