Epidemiological differences and risk factors for hospitalization in people living with HIV in Istanbul, Turkey

We aimed to determine the risk factors for hospitalization in treatment-naïve people living with HIV (PLHIV) and also the frequency of HIV-related comorbidities in hospitalized patients. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory findings of treatment-naïve PLHIV followed up in our department between January 2015 and July 2018 were retrospectively evaluated and risk factors for hospitalization at initial presentation were analyzed. A total of 629 patients were included. In all, 558 patients (88.7%) were male and 326 (51.8%) were men who have sex with men (MSM), and 8.6% of all patients were hospitalized at initial presentation. When comparing outpatient and inpatient groups, the mean age (p < 0.001), rates of having heterosexual (HS) intercourse (p < 0.001), low education level (p < 0.001), late presenters (p < 0.001), and CD4 cell count < 50 cells/mm3 (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the inpatient group. In logistic regression analysis, older age and CD4 T lymphocyte count < 50 cells/mm3 were found to be independent risk factors for hospitalization. Among hospitalized patients, 55.5% had oropharyngeal/esophageal candidiasis, 38.9% had tuberculosis, corresponding to a HIV-related comorbidity in 118 patients, among whom a mortality rate of 9.2% was detected. The rate of hospitalization was high among our patients. The majority of the hospitalized patients were HS individuals with a relatively older age who had low educational level. A lower rate of hospitalizations in a higher risk group such as MSM suggests that educational and preventive activities are required to increase awareness and to encourage HIV testing, not only in high-risk groups, but also in the general population.

Turkey 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines on recommendations for screening diagnosing and managing hepatitis C virus

The present guideline updates the Turkish recommendations for the screening, diagnosis and management of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prepared by the Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL) and Viral Hepatitis Society (VHS). The aim of this guidance was to provide updates recommendations to physicians, who are interested in HCV care on the optimal screening, diagnosis and pre-treatment management for patients with HCV infection in Turkey. These recommendations, produced by panel experts, were aimed to addresses the management issues ranging from diagnosis and linkage to care, to the optimal treatment regimen in patients with HCV infection. Recommendations are based on evidence and opinions of more than 70% of the panelists. This guidance is supported by the memberships of two societies and not by pharmaceutical companies. This guidance will be updated frequently as new data become available.