Hepatitis C Treatment in People With HIV: Potential to Eliminate Disease and Disparity

Access to direct acting antivirals (DAAs) may be associated with reductions in hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia prevalence among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). Among 3755 PWH, estimated HCV viremia prevalence decreased by 94.0% from 36% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27%-46%) in 2009 (pre-DAA era) to 2% (95% CI, 0%-4%) in 2021 (DAA era). Male sex, black race, and older age were associated with HCV viremia in 2009 but not in 2021. Injection drug use remained associated with HCV viremia in 2009 and 2021. Targeted interventions are needed to meet the HCV care needs of PWH who use drugs.

Clinical management and outcomes of HIV-positive patients newly diagnosed with prostate cancer: a single institution experience

INTRODUCTION

10-year outcomes in patients living with HIV who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are unknown.

METHODS

52 patients living with HIV were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Disease-free survival stratified by clinical, pathologic, and HIV characteristics were examined.

RESULTS

No difference in disease-free survival was observed based on prostate cancer treatment modality, CD4 count, or HIV viral load.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostate cancer outcomes in patients living with HIV are favorable irrespective of treatment modality.

Evaluating the agreement between different substance use recall periods in multiple HIV cohorts

BACKGROUND

This study aims to evaluate the agreement in substance use on both binary and ordinal scales between 3-month and 6-month recall periods with samples from different communities, demographic backgrounds, and HIV status.

METHODS

We administered the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) to 799 participants from three different North American cohorts focused on substance use and HIV. We conducted a within-person agreement analysis by calculating the agreement levels and Kappa statistic between data collected using the 3-month recall ASSIST and 6-month custom substance use surveys as well as different terminology for each substance in multiple cohorts.

RESULTS

For all drugs studied, the agreement on the binary use or ordinal frequency of use metrics showed a high agreement level between 80.4% and 97.9% and an adequate adjusted kappa value between 0.61 and 0.96, suggesting substantial agreement. According to the agreement criteria we proposed, substance use data collected using different recall periods and with variation in drug names can be harmonized across cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to evaluate the feasibility of data harmonization of substance use by demonstrating high level of agreement between different recall periods in different cohorts. The results can inform data harmonization efforts in consortia where data are collected from cohorts using different questions and recall periods.

Risk Factors for Hospitalization and Effect of Immunosuppression on Clinical Outcomes Among an Urban Cohort of Patients With Mpox

Background

During the 2022 mpox outbreak most patients were managed as outpatients, but some required hospitalization. Uncontrolled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been identified as a risk factor for severe mpox.

Methods

Patients with mpox diagnosed or treated within the Johns Hopkins Health System between 1 June and 15 December 2022 were included. The primary outcome of interest was risk of hospitalization. Demographic features, comorbid conditions, treatment, and clinical outcomes were determined.

Results

A total of 353 patients were tested or treated for mpox; 100 had mpox diagnosed or treated (median age, 35.3 years; 97.0% male; 57.0% black and 10.0% Hispanic; 46.0% people with HIV [PWH]). Seventeen patients (17.0%) required hospitalization, 10 of whom were PWH. Age >40 years, race, ethnicity, HIV status, insurance status, and body mass index >30 (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) were not associated with hospitalization. Eight of 9 patients (88.9%) with immunosuppression were hospitalized. Immunosuppression was associated with hospitalization in univariate (odds ratio, 69.3 [95% confidence interval, 7.8-619.7]) and adjusted analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 94.8 [8.5-1060.1]). Two patients (11.8%) who were hospitalized required intensive care unit admission and died; both had uncontrolled HIV infection and CD4 T-cell counts <50/µL. Median cycle threshold values for the first positive mpox virus sample did not differ between those who were hospitalized and those who were not.

Conclusions

Immunosuppression was a significant risk factor for hospitalization with mpox. PWH with CD4 T-cell counts <50/µL are at high risk of death due to mpox infection. Patients who are immunosuppressed should be considered for early and aggressive treatment of mpox, given the increased risk of hospitalization.

Joint effects of substance use disorders and recent substance use on HIV viral non-suppression among people engaged in HIV care in an urban clinic, 2014-2019

AIMS

To estimate the joint effects of substance use disorder (SUD) and recent substance use on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) non-suppression.

DESIGN

Retrospective clinical cohort study with repeated observations within individuals.

SETTING

Baltimore, Maryland, United States.

PARTICIPANTS

1881 patients contributed 10 794 observations.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary independent variable was the combination of history of SUD and recent substance use. History of SUD was defined as any prior International Classification of Diseases 9/10 code for cocaine or opioid disorder. Recent substance use was defined as the self-report of cocaine or non-prescribed opioid use on the National Institute of Drug Abuse-modified Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test or clinician-documented cocaine or opioid use abstracted from the medical record. The outcome was viral non-suppression, defined as HIV RNA >200 copies/mL on the first viral load measurement within 1 year subsequent to each observation of substance use. We adjusted for birth sex, Black race, age, HIV acquisition risk factors, years in care and CD4 cell count. In secondary analyses, we also adjusted for depressive, anxiety and panic symptoms, cannabis use and cannabis use disorder.

FINDINGS

On their first observation, 31% of patients had a history of an SUD and 18% had recent substance use. Relative to no history of SUD and no recent substance use, the 1-year fully adjusted risk difference (RD) for viral non-suppression associated with cocaine and opioid use disorder and recent substance use was 7.7% (95% CI = 5.3%-10.0%), the RD was 5.5% (95% CI = 1.2%-9.7%) for history of cocaine use disorder without recent substance use, and the RD was 4.6% (95% CI = 2.7%-6.5%) for recent substance use without a SUD.

CONCLUSIONS

Substance use and substance use disorders appear to be highly prevalent among, and independently associated with, viral non-suppression among people with HIV.

Measuring time in buprenorphine treatment stages among people with HIV and opioid use disorder by retention definition and its association with cocaine and hazardous alcohol use

BACKGROUND

We use a novel, longitudinal approach to describe average time spent in opioid use disorder (OUD) cascade of care stages for people with HIV (PWH) and with OUD, incorporating four definitions of treatment retention. Using this approach, we describe the impact of cocaine or hazardous alcohol use on time spent retained on buprenorphine.

METHODS

We followed PWH with OUD enrolled in the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort from their first buprenorphine treatment episode between 2013 and 2020. We estimated 4-year restricted mean time spent on buprenorphine below buprenorphine retention threshold, on buprenorphine above retention threshold, off buprenorphine and in HIV care, loss to follow-up, and death. Retention definitions were based on retention threshold (180 vs 90 days) and allowable treatment gap (7 vs 30 days). Differences in 2-year restricted mean time spent retained on buprenorphine were estimated for patients with and without cocaine or hazardous alcohol use.

RESULTS

The study sample (N = 179) was 63% male, 82% non-Hispanic Black, and mean age was 53 (SD 8) years. Patients spent on average 13.9 months (95% CI 11.4, 16.4) on buprenorphine over 4 years. There were differences in time spent retained on buprenorphine based on the retention definition, ranging from 6.5 months (95% CI 4.6, 8.5) to 9.6 months (95% CI 7.4, 11.8). Patients with cocaine use spent fewer months retained on buprenorphine. There were no differences for patients with hazardous alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS

PWH with OUD spend relatively little time receiving buprenorphine in their HIV primary care clinic. Concurrent cocaine use at buprenorphine initiation negatively impact time on buprenorphine.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the risk for myocardial infarction by type in people with HIV

OBJECTIVES

The relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease in people with HIV (PWH) is incompletely understood. We determined whether COPD is associated with risk of myocardial infarction (MI) among PWH, and if this differs for type 1 (T1MI) and type 2 (T2MI).

DESIGN

We utilized data from five sites in the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) cohort, a multisite observational study.

METHODS

Our primary outcome was an adjudicated MI, classified as T1MI or T2MI. We defined COPD based on a validated algorithm requiring COPD diagnosis codes and at least 90-day continuous supply of inhalers. We conducted time-to-event analyses to first MI and used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to measure associations between COPD and MI.

RESULTS

Among 12 046 PWH, 945 had COPD. Overall, 309 PWH had an MI: 58% had T1MI ( N  = 178) and 42% T2MI ( N  = 131). In adjusted models, COPD was associated with a significantly increased risk of all MI [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.68 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.99-3.60)] even after including self-reported smoking [aHR 2.40 (95% CI 1.76-3.26)]. COPD was also associated with significantly increased risk of T1MI and T2MI individually, and with sepsis and non-sepsis causes of T2MI. Associations were generally minimally changed adjusting for substance use.

CONCLUSION

COPD is associated with a substantially increased risk for MI, including both T1MI and T2MI, among PWH. Given the association with both T1MI and T2MI, diverse mechanistic pathways are involved. Future strategies to decrease risk of T1MI and T2MI in PWH who have COPD are needed.

Telemedicine Use Among People With HIV in 2021: The Hybrid-Care Environment

BACKGROUND

Telemedicine use for the care of people with HIV (PWH) significantly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. During 2021, vaccine uptake increased and patients were encouraged to resume in-person care, resulting in a mixture of in-person and telemedicine visits. We studied how different patient populations used telemedicine in this hybrid-care environment.

METHODS

Using observational data from patients enrolled in the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort, we analyzed all in-person and telemedicine HIV primary care visits completed in an HIV clinic from January 1st, 2021, to December 31st, 2021. We used log-binomial regression to investigate the association between patient characteristics and the probability of completing a telemedicine versus in-person visit and the probability of completing a video versus telephone visit.

RESULTS

A total of 5518 visits were completed by 1884 patients; 4282 (77.6%) visits were in-person, 800 (14.5%) by phone, and 436 (7.9%) by video. The relative risk (RR) of completing telemedicine vs. in-person visits was 0.65 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.47, 0.91) for patients age 65 years or older vs. age 20-39 years; 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.98) for male patients vs. female patients; 0.81 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.99) for Black vs. White patients; 0.62 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.79) for patients in the highest vs. lowest quartile of Area Deprivation Index; and 1.52 (95% CI: 1.26, 1.84) for patients >15 miles vs. <5 miles from clinic.

CONCLUSIONS

In the second year of the pandemic, overall in-person care was used more than telemedicine and significant differences persist across subgroups in telemedicine uptake.

Associations between alcohol and cigarette use and type 1 and 2 myocardial infarction among people with HIV

OBJECTIVES

People with HIV have a higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI) than the general population, with a greater proportion of type 2 MI (T2MI) due to oxygen demand-supply mismatch compared with type 1 (T1MI) resulting from atherothrombotic plaque disruption. People living with HIV report a greater prevalence of cigarette and alcohol use than do the general population. Alcohol use and smoking as risk factors for MI by type are not well studied among people living with HIV. We examined longitudinal associations between smoking and alcohol use patterns and MI by type among people living with HIV.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Using longitudinal data from the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems cohort, we conducted time-updated Cox proportional hazards models to determine the impact of smoking and alcohol consumption on adjudicated T1MI and T2MI.

RESULTS

Among 13 506 people living with HIV, with a median 4 years of follow-up, we observed 177 T1MI and 141 T2MI. Current smoking was associated with a 60% increase in risk of both T1MI and T2MI. In addition, every cigarette smoked per day was associated with a 4% increase in risk of T1MI, with a suggestive, but not significant, 2% increase for T2MI. Cigarette use had a greater impact on T1MI for men than for women and on T2MI for women than for men. Increasing alcohol use was associated with a lower risk of T1MI but not T2MI. Frequency of heavy episodic alcohol use was not associated with MI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings reinforce the prioritization of smoking reduction, even without cessation, and cessation among people living with HIV for MI prevention and highlight the different impacts on MI type by gender.

The relationship of alcohol and other drug use during the COVID-19 pandemic among people with or at risk of HIV; A cross-sectional survey of people enrolled in Collaborating Consortium of Cohorts Producing NIDA Opportunities (C3PNO) cohorts

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic increased. People living with HIV or at risk for HIV acquisition often have psycho-social and structural barriers or co-occurring substance use making them vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol. We describe factors associated with alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic in this group.

METHODS

From May 2020 to February 2021, 1984 people enrolled in 6 existing cohort studies completed surveys about alcohol and other drug use during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe the past-month prevalence of no alcohol use, low-risk use, and hazardous use. We use multinomial regression to describe factors associated with low-risk or hazardous alcohol use relative to no alcohol use.

RESULTS

Forty-five percent of participants reported no alcohol use, 33% low-risk use, and 22% hazardous use in the past 30 days. Cannabis and stimulant use were associated with a higher prevalence of low-risk use relative to no use. Tobacco, stimulant, cannabis use and recent overdose were associated with a higher prevalence of hazardous use relative to no use. Substance use treatment and living with HIV were associated with a lower prevalence of low-risk or hazardous use relative to no use.

CONCLUSIONS

Stimulant use was strongly associated with a higher prevalence of hazardous alcohol use while engagement in substance use treatment or living with HIV was associated with a lower prevalence. Ascertaining hazardous alcohol and other drug use, particularly stimulants, in clinical care could identify people at higher risk for adverse outcome and harm reduction counseling.

COVID-19 and the HIV continuum in people living with HIV enrolled in Collaborating Consortium of Cohorts Producing NIDA Opportunities (C3PNO) cohorts

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the normal delivery of HIV care, altered social support networks, and caused economic insecurity. People with HIV (PWH) are vulnerable to such disruptions, particularly if they have a history of substance use. We describe engagement in care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for PWH during the pandemic.

METHODS

From May 2020 to February 2021, 773 PWH enrolled in 6 existing cohorts completed 1495 surveys about substance use and engagement in HIV care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We described the prevalence and correlates of having missed a visit with an HIV provider in the past month and having missed a dose of ART in the past week.

RESULTS

Thirteen percent of people missed an HIV visit in the past month. Missing a visit was associated with unstable housing, food insecurity, anxiety, low resiliency, disruptions to mental health care, and substance use including cigarette smoking, hazardous alcohol use, cocaine, and cannabis use. Nineteen percent of people reported missing at least one dose of ART in the week prior to their survey. Missing a dose of ART was associated with being a man, low resiliency, disruptions to mental health care, cigarette smoking, hazardous alcohol use, cocaine, and cannabis use, and experiencing disruptions to substance use treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Social determinants of health, substance use, and disruptions to mental health and substance use treatment were associated with poorer engagement in HIV care. Close attention to continuity of care during times of social disruption is especially critical for PWH.

Time Between Viral Loads for People With HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients experienced significant care disruptions, including laboratory monitoring. We investigated changes in the time between viral load (VL) checks for people with HIV (PWH) associated with the pandemic.

SETTING AND METHODS

This was an observational analysis of VLs of PWH in routine care at a large subspecialty clinic. At pandemic onset, the clinic temporarily closed its onsite laboratory. The exposure was time period (time varying): prepandemic (January 1, 2019-March 15, 2020); pandemic laboratory closed (March 16-July 12, 2020); and pandemic laboratory open (July 13-December 31, 2020). We estimated time from an index VL to a subsequent VL, stratified by whether the index VL was suppressed (≤200 copies/mL). We also calculated cumulative incidence of a nonsuppressed VL following a suppressed index VL, and of resuppression following a loss of viral suppression.

RESULTS

Compared with prepandemic, hazard ratios for next VL check were 0.34 (95% CI: 0.30 to 0.37, laboratory-closed) and 0.73 (CI: 0.68 to 0.78, laboratory-open) for suppressed patients, and 0.56 (CI: 0.42 to 0.79, laboratory-closed) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.76 to 1.10, laboratory-open) for nonsuppressed patients. The 12-month cumulative incidence of loss of suppression was the same in the pandemic laboratory-open (4%) and prepandemic (4%) period. The hazard of resuppression following the loss of suppression was lower during the pandemic laboratory-open versus the prepandemic period (hazard ratio: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50 to 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Early pandemic restrictions and laboratory closure significantly delayed VL monitoring. Once the laboratory reopened, nonsuppressed patients resumed normal monitoring. Suppressed patients still had a delay but no significant loss of suppression.

Factors Associated With Severity of COVID-19 Disease in a Multicenter Cohort of People With HIV in the United States, March-December 2020

BACKGROUND

Understanding the spectrum of COVID-19 in people with HIV (PWH) is critical to provide clinical guidance and risk reduction strategies.

SETTING

Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinic System, a US multisite clinical cohort of PWH in care.

METHODS

We identified COVID-19 cases and severity (hospitalization, intensive care, and death) in a large, diverse HIV cohort during March 1, 2020-December 31, 2020. We determined predictors and relative risks of hospitalization among PWH with COVID-19, adjusted for disease risk scores.

RESULTS

Of 16,056 PWH in care, 649 were diagnosed with COVID-19 between March and December 2020. Case fatality was 2%; 106 (16.3%) were hospitalized, and 12 died. PWH with current CD4 count <350 cells/mm 3 [aRR 2.68; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.93 to 3.71; P < 0.001] or lowest recorded CD4 count <200 cells/mm 3 (aRR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.36; P < 0.005) had greater risks of hospitalization. HIV viral load and antiretroviral therapy status were not associated with hospitalization, although most of the PWH were suppressed (86%). Black PWH were 51% more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 compared with other racial/ethnic groups (aRR 1.51; 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.19; P = 0.03). Chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and increased cardiovascular and hepatic fibrosis risk scores were associated with higher hospitalization risk. PWH who were older, not on antiretroviral therapy, and with current CD4 count <350 cells/mm 3 , diabetes, and chronic kidney disease were overrepresented among PWH who required intubation or died.

CONCLUSIONS

PWH with CD4 count <350 cells/mm 3 , and a history of CD4 count <200 cells/mm 3 , have a clear excess risk of severe COVID-19, accounting for comorbidities associated with severe outcomes. PWH with these risk factors should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination and early treatment and monitored closely for worsening illness.

Risk factors for atrial fibrillation in a multicenter United States clinical cohort of people with HIV infection

To assess atrial fibrillation risk factors in people with HIV, we identified incident atrial fibrillation in a large clinical cohort of people receiving care. Compared with 970 controls without atrial fibrillation, the 97 with adjudicated incident atrial fibrillation were older, less likely Hispanic, and had more coronary disease, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In multivariable analysis, nonuse of antiretroviral therapy and prescription of antiretroviral regimens with multiple core agents were associated with increased atrial fibrillation risk.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Recent Alcohol Use and HIV Viral Non-Suppression Among People Engaged in HIV Care in an Urban Clinic, 2014-2018

We estimated joint associations between having history of alcohol use disorder (AUD) (based on prior ICD-9/ICD-10 codes) and recent self-reported alcohol use and viral non-suppression (≥ 1 viral load measurement > 20 copies/mL in the same calendar year as alcohol consumption was reported) among patients on ART enrolled in routine care, 2014-2018, in an urban specialty clinic. Among 1690 patients, 26% had an AUD, 21% reported high-risk alcohol use, and 39% had viral non-suppression. Relative to person-years in which people without AUD reported not drinking, prevalence of viral non-suppression was higher in person-years when people with AUD reported drinking at any level; prevalence of viral non-suppression was not significantly higher in person-years when people with AUD reported not drinking or person-years when people without AUD reported drinking at any level. No level of alcohol use may be "safe" for people with a prior AUD with regard to maintaining viral suppression.

Telemedicine and visit completion among people with HIV during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic compared with prepandemic

OBJECTIVES

Telemedicine became the primary mode of delivering care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe the impact of telemedicine on access to care for people with HIV (PWH) by comparing the proportion of PWH engaged in care prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted an observational analysis of patients enrolled in the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort, a single-center cohort of patients at an urban HIV subspecialty clinic affiliated with an academic center. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinic transitioned from in-person to mostly telemedicine visits. We compared patients receiving care in two time periods. The prepandemic period included 2010 people with at least one visit scheduled between 1 September 2019 and 15 March 2020. The pandemic period included 1929 people with at least one visit scheduled between 16 March 2020 and 30 September 2020. We determined the proportion of patients completing at least one of their scheduled visits during each period.

RESULTS

Visit completion increased significantly from 88% prepandemic to 91% during the pandemic (P = 0.008). Visit completion improved significantly for patients age 20-39 (82 to 92%, P < 0.001), women (86 to 93%, P < 0.001), Black patients (88 to 91%, P = 0.002) and patients with detectable viremia (77 to 85%, P = 0.06) during the pandemic. Only 29% of people who completed at least one telemedicine visit during the pandemic did so as a video (versus telephone) visit.

CONCLUSION

During the pandemic when care was widely delivered via telemedicine, visit completion improved among groups with lower prepandemic engagement but most were limited to telephone visits.

Post-sequelae symptoms and comorbidities after COVID-19

The frequency, severity, and forms of symptoms months after coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) are poorly understood, especially in community settings. To better understand and characterize symptoms months after community‐based COVID‐19, a retrospective cohort analysis was conducted. Three hundred and twenty‐eight consecutive persons with a positive test for SARS‐CoV‐2 in the Johns Hopkins Health System, Maryland, March−May 2020, were selected for the study. Symptom occurrence and severity were measured through questionnaires. Of 328 persons evaluated, a median of 242 days (109−478 days) from the initial positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test, 33.2% reported not being fully recovered and 4.9% reported symptoms that constrained daily activities. Compared to those who reported being fully recovered, those with post‐acute sequelae were more likely to report a prior history of heart attack (p < 0.01). Among those reporting long‐term symptoms, men and women were equally represented (men = 34.8%, women = 34.6%), but only women reported symptoms that constrained daily activities, and 56% of them were caregivers. The types of new or persistent symptoms varied, and for many, included a deviation from prior COVID‐19 health, such as being less able to exercise, walk, concentrate, or breathe. A limitation is that self‐report of symptoms might be biased and/or caused by factors other than COVID‐19. Overall, even in a community setting, symptoms may persist months after COVID‐19 reducing daily activities including caring for dependents.

•

Even months after coronavirus 2019 a substantial proportion of persons continue to have symptoms that might restrict their daily activities.

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Further research is needed to prevent this complication especially as the pandemic spreads over the world.

Racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 disease incidence independent of comorbidities, among people with HIV in the US

OBJECTIVES

To define the incidence of clinically-detected COVID-19 in people with HIV (PWH) in the US and evaluate how racial and ethnic disparities, comorbidities, and HIV-related factors contribute to risk of COVID-19.

DESIGN

Observational study within the CFAR Network of Integrated Clinical Systems cohort in 7 cities during 2020.

METHODS

We calculated cumulative incidence rates of COVID-19 diagnosis among PWH in routine care by key characteristics including race/ethnicity, current and lowest CD4 count, and geographic area. We evaluated risk factors for COVID-19 among PWH using relative risk regression models adjusted with disease risk scores.

RESULTS

Among 16,056 PWH in care, of whom 44.5% were Black, 12.5% were Hispanic, with a median age of 52 years (IQR 40-59), 18% had a current CD4 count < 350, including 7% < 200; 95.5% were on antiretroviral therapy, and 85.6% were virologically suppressed. Overall in 2020, 649 PWH were diagnosed with COVID-19 for a rate of 4.94 cases per 100 person-years. The cumulative incidence of COVID-19 was 2.4-fold and 1.7-fold higher in Hispanic and Black PWH respectively, than non-Hispanic White PWH. In adjusted analyses, factors associated with COVID-19 included female sex, Hispanic or Black identity, lowest historical CD4 count <350 (proxy for CD4 nadir), current low CD4/CD8 ratio, diabetes, and obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the presence of structural racial inequities above and beyond medical comorbidities increased the risk of COVID-19 among PWHPWH with immune exhaustion as evidenced by lowest historical CD4 or current low CD4:CD8 ratio had greater risk of COVID-19.

The Effect of Buprenorphine on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Suppression

BACKGROUND

Opioid use is prevalent among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH) and adversely affects HIV outcomes. We assessed the effect of buprenorphine (BUP) initiation on subsequent HIV viral loads.

METHODS

We identified PLWH from the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort who initiated BUP between 2002 and 2017. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to estimate the prevalence of viral suppression (<200 copies/mL) before and after BUP initiation. We matched individuals who initiated BUP with controls based on viral load measurement dates and used prior event rate ratio (PERR) methods to estimate the effect of BUP initiation on viral suppression. PERR methods account for unmeasured confounders.

RESULTS

We identified 279 PLWH who initiated BUP. After BUP initiation, PLWH were more likely to be virally suppressed (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.37). After matching PLWH who initiated BUP to controls and accounting for measured and unmeasured confounders, BUP initiation increased viral suppression for both those on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at baseline (PERR PR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00-1.18) and those not on ART at baseline (PR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.10-1.61).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the initiation of BUP results in an increase in the probability of being virally suppressed after accounting for both measured and unmeasured confounders. Persons with opioid use disorder should initiate BUP to not only treat substance use but also to increase viral suppression allowing for treatment as prevention.

Clustering of SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Households of Patients Diagnosed in the Outpatient Setting in Baltimore, Maryland

In an outpatient cohort in Maryland, clustering of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positivity within households was high, with 76% of 74 households reporting at least 1 other symptomatic person and 66% reporting another person who tested SARS-CoV-2 positive. SARS-CoV-2 positivity among household members was associated with larger household size and bedroom sharing.

Factors associated with severity of COVID-19 disease in a multicenter cohort of people with HIV in the United States, March-December 2020

BACKGROUND

Understanding the spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease in people with HIV (PWH) is critical to provide clinical guidance and implement risk-reduction strategies.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize COVID-19 in PWH in the United States and identify predictors of disease severity.

DESIGN

Observational cohort study.

SETTING

Geographically diverse clinical sites in the CFAR Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS).

PARTICIPANTS

Adults receiving HIV care through December 31, 2020.

MEASUREMENTS

COVID-19 cases and severity (hospitalization, intensive care, death).

RESULTS

Of 16,056 PWH in care, 649 were diagnosed with COVID-19 between March-December 2020. Case fatality was 2%; 106 (16.3%) were hospitalized and 12 died. PWH with current CD4 count <350 cells/mm ³ (aRR 2.68; 95%CI 1.93-3.71; P<.001) or lowest recorded CD4 count <200 (aRR 1.67; 95%CI 1.18-2.36; P<.005) had greater risk of hospitalization. HIV viral load suppression and antiretroviral therapy (ART) status were not associated with hospitalization, although the majority of PWH were suppressed (86%). Black PWH were 51% more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to other racial/ethnic groups (aRR 1.51; 95%CI 1.04-2.19, P=.03). Chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and increased cardiovascular and hepatic fibrosis risk scores were associated with higher risk of hospitalization. PWH who were older, not on ART, with current CD4 <350, diabetes, and CKD were overrepresented amongst PWH who required intubation or died.

LIMITATIONS

Unable to compare directly to persons without HIV; underestimate of total COVID-19 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

PWH with CD4 <350 cells/mm ³ , low CD4/CD8 ratio, and history of CD4 <200, have a clear excess risk of severe COVID-19, after accounting for comorbidities also associated with severe outcomes. PWH with these risk factors should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination, early treatment, and monitored closely for worsening illness.

Integrase Inhibitor Prescribing Disparities in the DC and Johns Hopkins HIV Cohorts

Integrase inhibitors (INSTIs) are recommended by expert panels as initial therapy for people with HIV. Because there can be disparities in prescribing and uptake of novel and/or recommended therapies, this analysis assessed potential INSTI prescribing disparities using a combined data set from the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort and the DC Cohort. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with ever being prescribed an INSTI. Disparities were noted, including clinic location, age, and being transgender. Identifying disparities may allow clinicians to focus their attention on these individuals and ensure that therapy decisions are grounded in valid clinical reasons.

The Patient Reported Outcomes as a Clinical Tool (PROACT) Pilot Study: What Can be Gained by Sharing Computerized Patient-Reported Mental Health and Substance Use Symptoms with Providers in HIV Care?

Substance use and mental health (SU/MH) disorders are insufficiently recognized in HIV care. We examined whether conveying SU/MH screening results to patients and providers increased SU/MH discussions and action plans. Intervention participants completed a computerized patient-reported questionnaire before their HIV visit; screened positive on ≥ 1 measure: depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, at-risk alcohol use, or drug use; and reviewed screening results to decide which to prioritize with their provider. Screening results and clinical recommendations were conveyed to providers via medical record. A historic control included patients with positive screens but no conveyance to patient or provider. The patient-provider encounter was audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded. For the overall sample (n = 70; 38 control, 32 intervention), mean age (SD) was 51.8 (10.3), 61.4% were male, and 82.9% were Black. Overall, 93.8% raised SU/MH in the intervention compared to 50.0% in the control (p < 0.001). Action plans were made for 40.0% of intervention and 10.5% of control encounters (p = 0.049). Conveying screening results with clinical recommendations increased SU/MH action plans, warranting further research on this intervention to address SU/MH needs.

Delayed Rise of Oral Fluid Antibodies, Elevated BMI, and Absence of Early Fever Correlate With Longer Time to SARS-CoV-2 RNA Clearance in a Longitudinally Sampled Cohort of COVID-19 Outpatients

BACKGROUND

Sustained molecular detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in the upper respiratory tract (URT) in mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is common. We sought to identify host and immune determinants of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection.

METHODS

Ninety-five symptomatic outpatients self-collected midturbinate nasal, oropharyngeal (OP), and gingival crevicular fluid (oral fluid) samples at home and in a research clinic a median of 6 times over 1-3 months. Samples were tested for viral RNA, virus culture, and SARS-CoV-2 and other human coronavirus antibodies, and associations were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Viral RNA clearance, as measured by SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in 507 URT samples occurred a median (interquartile range) 33.5 (17-63.5) days post-symptom onset. Sixteen nasal-OP samples collected 2-11 days post-symptom onset were virus culture positive out of 183 RT-PCR-positive samples tested. All participants but 1 with positive virus culture were negative for concomitant oral fluid anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The mean time to first antibody detection in oral fluid was 8-13 days post-symptom onset. A longer time to first detection of oral fluid anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99; P = .020) and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (aHR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.18-0.78; P = .009) were independently associated with a longer time to SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA clearance. Fever as 1 of first 3 COVID-19 symptoms correlated with shorter time to viral RNA clearance (aHR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.02-4.18; P = .044).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that delayed rise of oral fluid SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, elevated BMI, and absence of early fever are independently associated with delayed URT viral RNA clearance.

Development and Validation of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Missed HIV Health Care Provider Visits in a Large US Clinical Cohort

Background

Identifying individuals at high risk of missing HIV care provider visits could support proactive intervention. Previous prediction models for missed visits have not incorporated data beyond the individual level.

Methods

We developed prediction models for missed visits among people with HIV (PWH) with ≥1 follow-up visit in the Center for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems from 2010 to 2016. Individual-level (medical record data and patient-reported outcomes), community-level (American Community Survey), HIV care site–level (standardized clinic leadership survey), and structural-level (HIV criminalization laws, Medicaid expansion, and state AIDS Drug Assistance Program budget) predictors were included. Models were developed using random forests with 10-fold cross-validation; candidate models with the highest area under the curve (AUC) were identified.

Results

Data from 382 432 visits among 20 807 PWH followed for a median of 3.8 years were included; the median age was 44 years, 81% were male, 37% were Black, 15% reported injection drug use, and 57% reported male-to-male sexual contact. The highest AUC was 0.76, and the strongest predictors were at the individual level (prior visit adherence, age, CD4+ count) and community level (proportion living in poverty, unemployed, and of Black race). A simplified model, including readily accessible variables available in a web-based calculator, had a slightly lower AUC of .700.

Conclusions

Prediction models validated using multilevel data had a similar AUC to previous models developed using only individual-level data. The strongest predictors were individual-level variables, particularly prior visit adherence, though community-level variables were also predictive. Absent additional data, PWH with previous missed visits should be prioritized by interventions to improve visit adherence.

Delayed rise of oral fluid antibodies, elevated BMI, and absence of early fever correlate with longer time to SARS-CoV-2 RNA clearance in an longitudinally sampled cohort of COVID-19 outpatients

Background

Sustained molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the upper respiratory tract (URT) in mild to moderate COVID-19 is common. We sought to identify host and immune determinants of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection.

Methods

Ninety-five outpatients self-collected mid-turbinate nasal, oropharyngeal (OP), and gingival crevicular fluid (oral fluid) samples at home and in a research clinic a median of 6 times over 1-3 months. Samples were tested for viral RNA, virus culture, and SARS-CoV-2 and other human coronavirus antibodies, and associations were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Viral RNA clearance, as measured by SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR, in 507 URT samples occurred a median (IQR) 33.5 (17-63.5) days post-symptom onset. Sixteen nasal-OP samples collected 2-11 days post-symptom onset were virus culture positive out of 183 RT-PCR positive samples tested. All participants but one with positive virus culture were negative for concomitant oral fluid anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The mean time to first antibody detection in oral fluid was 8-13 days post-symptom onset. A longer time to first detection of oral fluid anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies (aHR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-0.99, p=0.020) and BMI ≥ 25kg/m ² (aHR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18-0.78, p=0.009) were independently associated with a longer time to SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA clearance. Fever as one of first three COVID-19 symptoms correlated with shorter time to viral RNA clearance (aHR 2.06, 95% CI 1.02-4.18, p=0.044).

Conclusions

We demonstrate that delayed rise of oral fluid SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, elevated BMI, and absence of early fever are independently associated with delayed URT viral RNA clearance.

The Clinical Course of COVID-19 in the Outpatient Setting: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Outpatient coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been insufficiently characterized. To determine the progression of disease and determinants of hospitalization, we conducted a prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Outpatient adults with positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were recruited by phone between April 21 and July 23, 2020, after receiving outpatient or emergency department testing within a large health network in Maryland, United States. Symptoms were collected by participants on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, and portable pulse oximeter oxygen saturation (SaO2), heart rate, and temperature were collected for 15 consecutive days. Baseline demographics, comorbid conditions, and vital signs were evaluated for risk of subsequent hospitalization using negative binomial and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 118 SARS-CoV-2-infected outpatients, the median age (interquartile range [IQR]) was 56.0 (50.0-63.0) years, and 50 (42.4%) were male. Among individuals in the first week of illness (n = 61), the most common symptoms included weakness/fatigue (65.7%), cough (58.8%), headache (45.6%), chills (38.2%), and anosmia (27.9%). Participants returned to their usual health a median (IQR) of 20 (13-38) days from symptom onset, and 66.0% of respondents were at their usual health during the fourth week of illness. Over 28 days, 10.9% presented to the emergency department and 7.6% required hospitalization. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the initial home SaO2 for predicting subsequent hospitalization was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.73-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Symptoms often persisted but uncommonly progressed to hospitalization among outpatients with COVID-19. Home SaO2 may be a helpful tool to stratify risk of hospitalization.

Longitudinal study reveals HIV-1-infected CD4+ T cell dynamics during long-term antiretroviral therapy

Proliferation of CD4+ T cells harboring HIV-1 proviruses is a major contributor to viral persistence in people on antiretroviral therapy (ART). To determine whether differential rates of clonal proliferation or HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) pressure shape the provirus landscape, we performed an intact proviral DNA assay (IPDA) and obtained 661 near-full-length provirus sequences from 8 individuals with suppressed viral loads on ART at time points 7 years apart. We observed slow decay of intact proviruses but no changes in the proportions of various types of defective proviruses. The proportion of intact proviruses in expanded clones was similar to that of defective proviruses in clones. Intact proviruses observed in clones did not have more escaped CTL epitopes than intact proviruses observed as singlets. Concordantly, total proviruses at later time points or observed in clones were not enriched in escaped or unrecognized epitopes. Three individuals with natural control of HIV-1 infection (controllers) on ART, included because controllers have strong HIV-1-specific CTL responses, had a smaller proportion of intact proviruses but a distribution of defective provirus types and escaped or unrecognized epitopes similar to that of the other individuals. This work suggests that CTL selection does not significantly check clonal proliferation of infected cells or greatly alter the provirus landscape in people on ART.

Factors Associated with HIV Disclosure Status Among iENGAGE Cohort of New to HIV Care Patients

HIV disclosure is an important behavior with implications for HIV treatment and prevention but understudied among new to HIV care patients who face unique challenges adjusting to a new diagnosis. This study evaluated the factors associated with HIV disclosure status and patterns of HIV disclosure among new to HIV care patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted evaluating the iENGAGE (integrating ENGagement and Adherence Goals upon Entry) cohort. Participants were enrolled in this randomized behavioral trial between December 2013 and June 2016. The primary and secondary outcomes included HIV disclosure status (Yes/No) and patterns of disclosure (Broad, Selective and Nondisclosure), respectively. Logistic and Multinomial Logistic Regression were used to evaluate the association of participant factors with HIV disclosure and patterns of HIV disclosure, respectively. Of 371 participants, the average age was 37 ± 12 years, 79.3% were males, and 62.3% were African Americans. A majority of participants (78.4%) disclosed their HIV status at baseline, 63.1% were broad disclosers and 15.2% were selective disclosers. In multivariable regression, black race, emotional support, and unmet needs predicted any HIV and broad disclosure, whereas males, emotional support, active coping, and acceptance were associated with selective disclosure. Interventions to promote early disclosure should focus on coping strategies and unmet needs, particularly among black and male people living with HIV initiating care.

Gaps Up To 9 Months Between HIV Primary Care Visits Do Not Worsen Viral Load

Current guidelines specify that visit intervals with viral monitoring should not exceed 6 months for HIV patients. Yet, gaps in care exceeding 6 months are common. In an observational cohort using US patients, we examined the association between gap length and changes in viral load status and sought to determine the length of the gap at which significant increases in viral load occur. We identified patients with gaps in care greater than 6 months from 6399 patients from six US HIV clinics. Gap strata were >6 to <7, 7 to <8, 8 to <9, 9 to <12, and ≥12 months, with viral load measurements matched to the opening and closing dates for the gaps. We examined visit gap lengths in association with two viral load measurements: continuous (log10 viral load at gap opening and closing) and dichotomous (whether patients initially suppressed but lost viral suppression by close of the care gap). Viral load increases were nonsignificant or modest when gap length was <9 months, corresponding to 10% or fewer patients who lost viral suppression. For gaps ≥12 months, there was a significant increase in viral load as well as a much larger loss of viral suppression (in 23% of patients). Detrimental effects on viral load after a care gap were greater in young patients, black patients, and those without private health insurance. On average, shorter gaps in care were not detrimental to patient viral load status. HIV primary care visit intervals of 6 to 9 months for select patients may be appropriate.

Assessing Antiretroviral Use During Gaps in HIV Primary Care Using Multisite Medicaid Claims and Clinical Data

BACKGROUND

Some individuals who appear poorly retained by clinic visit-based retention measures are using antiretroviral therapy (ART) and maintaining viral suppression. We examined whether individuals with a gap in HIV primary care (≥180 days between HIV outpatient clinic visits) obtained ART during that gap after 180 days.

SETTING

HIV Research Network data from 5 sites and Medicaid Analytic Extract eligibility and pharmacy data were combined.

METHODS

Factors associated with having both an HIV primary care gap and a new (ie, nonrefill) ART prescription during a gap were evaluated with multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 6892 HIV Research Network patients, 6196 (90%) were linked to Medicaid data, and 4275 had any Medicaid ART prescription. Over half (54%) had occasional gaps in HIV primary care. Women, older people, and those with suppressed viral load were less likely to have a gap. Among those with occasional gaps (n = 2282), 51% received a new ART prescription in a gap. Viral load suppression before gap was associated with receiving a new ART prescription in a gap (odds ratio = 1.91, 95% confidence interval: 1.57 to 2.32), as was number of days in a gap (odds ratio = 1.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.02 to 1.05), and the proportion of months in the gap enrolled in Medicaid.

CONCLUSIONS

Medicaid-insured individuals commonly receive ART during gaps in HIV primary care, but almost half do not. Retention measures based on visit frequency data that do not incorporate receipt of ART and/or viral suppression may misclassify individuals who remain suppressed on ART as not retained.

Reduced Frequency of Cells Latently Infected With Replication-Competent Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 in Virally Suppressed Individuals Living in Rakai, Uganda

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) persists in latently infected resting CD4+ T cells (rCD4 cells), posing a major barrier to curing HIV-1 infection. Previous studies have quantified this pool of latently infected cells in Americans; however, no study has quantified this reservoir in sub-Saharan Africans, who make up the largest population of HIV-1-infected individuals globally.

Methods

Peripheral blood was collected from 70 virally suppressed HIV-1-infected individuals from Rakai District, Uganda, who had initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) during chronic infection. The quantitative viral outgrowth assay was used to determine frequency of latently infected rCD4 cells containing replication-competent virus. Multivariate regression was used to identify correlates of reservoir size and to compare reservoir size between this Ugandan cohort and a previously studied cohort of individuals from Baltimore, Maryland.

Results

The median frequency of latently infected rCD4 cells in this Ugandan cohort was 0.36 infectious units per million cells (IUPM; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.55 IUPM), 3-fold lower than the frequency observed in the Baltimore cohort (1.08 IUPM; .72-1.49 IUPM; P < .001). Reservoir size in Ugandans was correlated positively with set-point viral load and negatively with duration of viral suppression.

Conclusions

Virally suppressed Ugandans had a 3-fold lower frequency of rCD4 cells latently infected with replication-competent HIV-1, compared with previous observations in a cohort of American patients, also treated with ART during chronic infection. The biological mechanism driving the observed smaller reservoir in Ugandans is of interest and may be of significance to HIV-1 eradication efforts.

Short Communication: The Impact of Viral Suppression and Viral Breakthrough on Limited-Antigen Avidity Assay Results in Individuals with Clade B HIV Infection

We analyzed the impact of HIV viral load on the performance of a limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay (LAg-Avidity assay) and determined if this assay could be used to identify viral breakthrough. Three groups of samples were tested: (1) 18 individuals (30 samples) previously identified as elite suppressors; (2) 18 individuals (72 samples) who were continually suppressed on antiretroviral treatment (ART) with 1 sample before and 2-6 samples (one/year) after ART initiation; and (3) 20 individuals (179 samples) on ART who had evidence of viral breakthrough (>400 copies/ml) with subsequent viral suppression. Elite suppressors had the lowest LAg-Avidity assay values. Among those who were continually suppressed on ART, 83% (15/18) had LAg-Avidity assay values that decreased over time. Although the LAg-Avidity assay on a single sample cannot identify when a viral breakthrough occurs, paired longitudinal samples could identify viral breakthrough (sensitivity: 65%, specificity: 84%).

Comparing longitudinal CD4 responses to cART among non-perinatally HIV-infected youth versus adults: Results from the HIVRN Cohort

BACKGROUND

Youth have residual thymic tissue and potentially greater capacity for immune reconstitution than adults after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). However, youth face behavioral and psychosocial challenges that may make them more likely than adults to delay ART initiation and less likely to attain similar CD4 outcomes after initiating cART. This study compared CD4 outcomes over time following cART initiation between ART-naïve non-perinatally HIV-infected (nPHIV) youth (13-24 years-old) and adults (≥25-44 years-old).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of ART-naïve nPHIV individuals 13-44 years-old, who initiated their first cART between 2008 and 2011 at clinical sites in the HIV Research Network. A linear mixed model was used to assess the association between CD4 levels after cART initiation and age (13-24, 25-34, 35-44 years), accounting for random variation within participants and between sites, and adjusting for key variables including gender, race/ethnicity, viral load, gaps in care (defined as > 365 days between CD4 tests), and CD4 levels prior to cART initiation (baseline CD4).

RESULTS

Among 2,595 individuals (435 youth; 2,160 adults), the median follow-up after cART initiation was 179 weeks (IQR 92-249). Baseline CD4 was higher for youth (320 cells/mm3) than for ages 25-34 (293) or 35-44 (258). At 239 weeks after cART initiation, median unadjusted CD4 was higher for youth than adults (576 vs. 539 and 476 cells/mm3, respectively), but this difference was not significant when baseline CD4 was controlled. Compared to those with baseline CD4 ≤200 cells/mm3, individuals with baseline CD4 of 201-500 and >500 cells/mm3 had greater predicted CD4 levels: 390, 607, and 831, respectively. Additionally, having no gaps in care and higher viral load were associated with better CD4 outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite having residual thymic tissue, youth attain similar, not superior, CD4 gains as adults. Early ART initiation with minimal delay is as essential to optimizing outcomes for youth as it is for their adult counterparts.

The Impact of Youth-Friendly Structures of Care on Retention Among HIV-Infected Youth

Limited data exist on how structures of care impact retention among youth living with HIV (YLHIV). We describe the availability of youth-friendly structures of care within HIV Research Network (HIVRN) clinics and examine their association with retention in HIV care. Data from 680 15- to 24-year-old YLHIV receiving care at 7 adult and 5 pediatric clinics in 2011 were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was retention in care, defined as completing ≥2 primary HIV care visits ≥90 days apart in a 12-month period. Sites were surveyed to assess the availability of clinic structures defined a priori as 'youth-friendly'. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models assessed structures associated with retention in care. Among 680 YLHIV, 85% were retained. Nearly half (48%) of the 680 YLHIV attended clinics with youth-friendly waiting areas, 36% attended clinics with evening hours, 73% attended clinics with adolescent health-trained providers, 87% could email or text message providers, and 73% could schedule a routine appointment within 2 weeks. Adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, YLHIV were more likely to be retained in care at clinics with a youth-friendly waiting area (AOR 2.47, 95% CI [1.11-5.52]), evening clinic hours (AOR 1.94; 95% CI [1.13-3.33]), and providers with adolescent health training (AOR 1.98; 95% CI [1.01-3.86]). Youth-friendly structures of care impact retention in care among YLHIV. Further investigations are needed to determine how to effectively implement youth-friendly strategies across clinical settings where YLHIV receive care.

HIV Infection Itself May Not Be Associated With Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease Among African Americans Without Cardiovascular Symptoms

Background

The key objectives of this study were to examine whether HIV infection itself is associated with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and the potential contributions of cocaine use and antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) to subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in HIV‐infected persons.

Methods and Results

Between June 2004 and February 2015, 1429 African American (AA) adults with/without HIV infection in Baltimore, Maryland, were enrolled in an observational study of the effects of HIV infection, exposure to ART, and cocaine use on subclinical CAD. The prevalence of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis was 30.0% in HIV‐uninfected and 33.7% in HIV‐infected (P=0.17). Stratified analyses revealed that compared to HIV‐uninfected, HIV‐infected ART naïve were at significantly lower risk for subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, whereas HIV‐infected long‐term ART users (≥36 months) were at significantly higher risk. Thus, an overall nonsignificant association between subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and HIV was found. Furthermore, compared to those who were ART naïve, long‐term ART users (≥36 months) were at significantly higher risk for subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in chronic cocaine users, but not in those who never used cocaine. Cocaine use was independently associated with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

Conclusions

Overall, HIV infection, per se, was not associated with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in this population. Cocaine use was prevalent in both HIV‐infected and ‐uninfected individuals and itself was associated with subclinical disease. In addition, cocaine significantly elevated the risk for ART‐associated subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. Treating cocaine addiction must be a high priority for managing HIV disease and preventing HIV/ART‐associated subclinical and clinical CAD in individuals with HIV infection.

The Contribution of Missed Clinic Visits to Disparities in HIV Viral Load Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

We explored the contribution of missed primary HIV care visits ("no-show") to observed disparities in virological failure (VF) among Black persons and persons with injection drug use (IDU) history.

METHODS

We used patient-level data from 6 academic clinics, before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Health Resources and Services Administration Retention in Care intervention. We employed staged multivariable logistic regression and multivariable models stratified by no-show visit frequency to evaluate the association of sociodemographic factors with VF. We used multiple imputations to assign missing viral load values.

RESULTS

Among 10 053 patients (mean age = 46 years; 35% female; 64% Black; 15% with IDU history), 31% experienced VF. Although Black patients and patients with IDU history were significantly more likely to experience VF in initial analyses, race and IDU parameter estimates were attenuated after sequential addition of no-show frequency. In stratified models, race and IDU were not statistically significantly associated with VF at any no-show level.

CONCLUSIONS

Because missed clinic visits contributed to observed differences in viral load outcomes among Black and IDU patients, achieving an improved understanding of differential visit attendance is imperative to reducing disparities in HIV.

Beyond core indicators of retention in HIV care: missed clinic visits are independently associated with all-cause mortality

BACKGROUND

The continuum of care is at the forefront of the domestic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) agenda, with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently releasing clinical core indicators. Core indicators for retention in care are calculated based on attended HIV care clinic visits. Beyond these retention core indicators, we evaluated the additional prognostic value of missed clinic visits for all-cause mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a multisite cohort study of 3672 antiretroviral-naive patients initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) during 2000-2010. Retention in care was measured by the IOM and DHHS core indicators (2 attended visits at defined intervals per 12-month period), and also as a count of missed primary HIV care visits (no show) during a 24-month measurement period following ART initiation. All-cause mortality was ascertained by query of the Social Security Death Index and/or National Death Index, with adjusted survival analyses starting at 24 months after ART initiation.

RESULTS

Among participants, 64% and 59% met the IOM and DHHS retention core indicators, respectively, at 24 months. Subsequently, 332 patients died during 16 102 person-years of follow-up. Failure to achieve the IOM and DHHS indicators through 24 months following ART initiation increased mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.79-2.80 and HR = 2.36; 95% CI, 1.89-2.96, respectively). Among patients classified as retained by the IOM or DHHS clinical core indicators, >2 missed visits further increased mortality risk (HR = 3.61; 95% CI, 2.35-5.55 and HR = 3.62; 95% CI, 2.30-5.68, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Beyond HIV retention core indicators, missed clinic visits were independently associated with all-cause mortality. Caution is warranted in relying solely upon retention in care core indicators for policy, clinical, and programmatic purposes.

Enhanced personal contact with HIV patients improves retention in primary care: a randomized trial in 6 US HIV clinics

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to determine whether enhanced personal contact with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients across time improves retention in care compared with existing standard of care (SOC) practices, and whether brief skills training improves retention beyond enhanced contact.

METHODS

The study, conducted at 6 HIV clinics in the United States, included 1838 patients with a recent history of inconsistent clinic attendance, and new patients. Each clinic randomized participants to 1 of 3 arms and continued to provide SOC practices to all enrollees: enhanced contact with interventionist (EC) (brief face-to-face meeting upon returning for care visit, interim visit call, appointment reminder calls, missed visit call); EC + skills (organization, problem solving, and communication skills); or SOC only. The intervention was delivered by project staff for 12 months following randomization. The outcomes during that 12-month period were (1) percentage of participants attending at least 1 primary care visit in 3 consecutive 4-month intervals (visit constancy), and (2) proportion of kept/scheduled primary care visits (visit adherence).

RESULTS

Log-binomial risk ratios comparing intervention arms against the SOC arm demonstrated better outcomes in both the EC and EC + skills arms (visit constancy: risk ratio [RR], 1.22 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.09-1.36] and 1.22 [95% CI, 1.09-1.36], respectively; visit adherence: RR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.05-1.11] and 1.06 [95% CI, 1.02-1.09], respectively; all Ps < .01). Intervention effects were observed in numerous patient subgroups, although they were lower in patients reporting unmet needs or illicit drug use.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced contact with patients improved retention in HIV primary care compared with existing SOC practices. A brief patient skill-building component did not improve retention further. Additional intervention elements may be needed for patients reporting illicit drug use or who have unmet needs.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

CDCHRSA9272007.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with development of subclinical coronary artery disease in HIV-infected African American cocaine users with low Framingham-defined cardiovascular risk

Chronic cocaine use may lead to premature atherosclerosis, but the prevalence of and risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic cocaine users have not been reported. The objective of this study was to examine whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with the development of CAD in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected African American cocaine users with low CAD risk.

METHODS

In this prospective follow-up study, we investigated 169 HIV-infected African American cocaine users with low Framingham risk at baseline. The main outcome measures were incidence of subclinical CAD and development of subclinical CAD.

RESULTS

Fifty of the 169 African Americans had evidence of subclinical disease on the initial cardiac computed tomography. A second cardiac computed tomography was performed on the 119 African Americans without disease on the first scan. The total sum of person-years of follow-up was 289.6. Subclinical CAD was detected in 11 of these, yielding an overall incidence of 3.80/100 person-years (95% confidence interval 1.90-6.80). Among the factors investigated, only vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with development of subclinical CAD. The study did not find significant associations between CD4 count, HIV viral load, or antiretroviral treatment use and the incidence of subclinical CAD. This study appears to suggest that there is a threshold level of vitamin D (10 ng/mL) above which the effect of vitamin D on subclinical CAD is diminished.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of subclinical CAD in HIV-infected African American cocaine users with low CAD risk is high, especially in those with vitamin D deficiency. Well designed randomized clinical trials are warranted to confirm the role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of CAD in HIV-infected African American cocaine users with low CAD risk.

Effect of natural and ARV-induced viral suppression and viral breakthrough on anti-HIV antibody proportion and avidity in patients with HIV-1 subtype B infection

BACKGROUND

Viral suppression and viral breakthrough impact the humoral immune response to HIV infection. We evaluated the impact of viral suppression and viral breakthrough on results obtained with two cross-sectional HIV incidence assays.

METHODS

All samples were collected from adults in the US who were HIV infected for >2 years. Samples were tested with the BED capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) which measures the proportion of IgG that is HIV-specific, and with an antibody avidity assay based on the Genetic Systems 1/2+ O ELISA. We tested 281 samples: (1) 30 samples from 18 patients with natural control of HIV-1 infection known as elite controllers or suppressors (2) 72 samples from 18 adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART), with 1 sample before and 2-6 samples after ART initiation, and (3) 179 samples from 20 virally-suppressed adults who had evidence of viral breakthrough receiving ART (>400 copies/ml HIV RNA) and with subsequent viral suppression.

RESULTS

For elite suppressors, 10/18 had BED-CEIA values <0.8 normalized optical density units (OD-n) and these values did not change significantly over time. For patients receiving ART, 14/18 had BED-CEIA values that decreased over time, with a median decrease of 0.42 OD-n (range 0.10 to 0.63)/time point receiving ART. Three patterns of BED-CEIA values were observed during viral breakthrough: (1) values that increased then returned to pre-breakthrough values when viral suppression was re-established, (2) values that increased after viral breakthrough, and (3) values that did not change with viral breakthrough.

CONCLUSIONS

Viral suppression and viral breakthrough were associated with changes in BED-CEIA values, reflecting changes in the proportion of HIV-specific IgG. These changes can result in misclassification of patients with long-term HIV infection as recently infected using the BED-CEIA, thereby influencing a falsely high value for cross-sectional incidence estimates.

Improvement in the health of HIV-infected persons in care: reducing disparities

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, major challenges remain in achieving access, retention, and adherence. Our inner-city HIV clinical practice in Baltimore has a diverse patient population with high rates of poverty, black race, and injection drug use (IDU), providing us the opportunity to compare health process and outcomes.

METHODS

Using data collected in a clinical HIV cohort in Baltimore, we compared receipt of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV type 1 (HIV-1) RNA, CD4, incidence of opportunistic illness, and mortality from 1995 to 2010. Comparisons were made of these outcomes by HIV risk group, sex, and race (black, white).

RESULTS

From 1995 to 2010, we followed 6366 patients comprising 27 941 person-years (PY) of follow-up. By 2010, 87% of patients were receiving ART; median HIV-1 RNA was <200 copies/mL, median CD4 was 475 cells/mm(3), opportunistic illness rates were 2.4 per 100 PY, and mortality rates were 2.1 per 100 PY, with no differences by demographic or HIV risk group. The only differences were that the IDU risk group had a median CD4 that was 79 cells/mm(3) lower and HIV-1 RNA 0.16 log(10 )copies/mL higher compared with other risk groups (P < .01). In 2009 a 28-year-old HIV-infected person was estimated to have 45.4 years of life remaining, which did not differ by demographic or behavioral risk group.

DISCUSSION

Our results emphasize that advances in HIV treatment have had a positive impact on all affected demographic and behavioral risk groups in an HIV clinical setting, with an expected longevity for HIV-infected patients that is now 73 years.

A low-effort, clinic-wide intervention improves attendance for HIV primary care

BACKGROUND

Retention in care for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients is a National HIV/AIDS Strategy priority. We hypothesized that retention could be improved with coordinated messages to encourage patients' clinic attendance. We report here the results of the first phase of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Health Resources and Services Administration Retention in Care project.

METHODS

Six HIV-specialty clinics participated in a cross-sectionally sampled pretest-posttest evaluation of brochures, posters, and messages that conveyed the importance of regular clinic attendance. 10,018 patients in 2008-2009 (preintervention period) and 11,039 patients in 2009-2010 (intervention period) were followed up for clinic attendance. Outcome variables were the percentage of patients who kept 2 consecutive primary care visits and the mean proportion of all primary care visits kept. Stratification variables were: new, reengaging, and active patients, HIV RNA viral load, CD4 cell count, age, sex, race or ethnicity, risk group, number of scheduled visits, and clinic site. Data were analyzed by multivariable log-binomial and linear models using generalized estimation equation methods.

RESULTS

Clinic attendance for primary care was significantly higher in the intervention versus preintervention year. Overall relative improvement was 7.0% for keeping 2 consecutive visits and 3.0% for the mean proportion of all visits kept (P < .0001). Larger relative improvement for both outcomes was observed for new or reengaging patients, young patients and patients with elevated viral loads. Improved attendance among the new or reengaging patients was consistent across the 6 clinics, and less consistent across clinics for active patients.

CONCLUSION

Targeted messages on staying in care, which were delivered at minimal effort and cost, improved clinic attendance, especially for new or reengaging patients, young patients, and those with elevated viral loads.

Clinic-based treatment of opioid-dependent HIV-infected patients versus referral to an opioid treatment program: A randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Opioid dependence is common in HIV clinics. Buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP) is an effective treatment of opioid dependence that may be used in routine medical settings.

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinic-based treatment with BUP (clinic-based BUP) with case management and referral to an opioid treatment program (referred treatment).

DESIGN

Single-center, 12-month randomized trial. Participants and investigators were aware of treatment assignments. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00130819)

SETTING

HIV clinic in Baltimore, Maryland.

PATIENTS

93 HIV-infected, opioid-dependent participants who were not receiving opioid agonist therapy and were not dependent on alcohol or benzodiazepines.

INTERVENTION

Clinic-based BUP included BUP induction and dose titration, urine drug testing, and individual counseling. Referred treatment included case management and referral to an opioid-treatment program.

MEASUREMENTS

Initiation and long-term receipt of opioid agonist therapy, urine drug test results, visit attendance with primary HIV care providers, use of antiretroviral therapy, and changes in HIV RNA levels and CD4 cell counts.

RESULTS

The average estimated participation in opioid agonist therapy was 74% (95% CI, 61% to 84%) for clinic-based BUP and 41% (CI, 29% to 53%) for referred treatment (P < 0.001). Positive test results for opioids and cocaine were significantly less frequent in clinic-based BUP than in referred treatment, and study participants receiving clinic-based BUP attended significantly more HIV primary care visits than those receiving referred treatment. Use of antiretroviral therapy and changes in HIV RNA levels and CD4 cell counts did not differ between the 2 groups.

LIMITATION

This was a small single-center study, follow-up was only moderate, and the study groups were unbalanced in terms of recent drug injections at baseline.

CONCLUSION

Management of HIV-infected, opioid-dependent patients with a clinic-based BUP strategy facilitates access to opioid agonist therapy and improves outcomes of substance abuse treatment.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Health Resources and Services Administration Special Projects of National Significance program.

T-cell enumeration from dried blood spots by quantifying rearranged T-cell receptor-beta genes

Significant hurdles remain to large-scale implementation of medical interventions in the developing world due to the lack of a modern diagnostic infrastructure. This is especially pertinent to the international roll-out of antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV, which ideally includes a CD4 T-cell count to determine eligibility. We designed a novel technique to estimate mature T-cell numbers by calculating the amount of rearranged T-cell receptor beta genes from dried blood spots of HIV-infected individuals in the United States and Uganda. It was observed that the rearranged T-cell receptor beta count correlated well with total lymphocyte counts from both study populations (Baltimore R=0.602, Uganda R=0.497; p<0.001) and the ability for this measurement to determine antiretroviral initiation was similar to total lymphocyte counts, which can be used to determine eligibility in HIV+children. This technique as well as other dried blood spot based technologies could increase the diagnostic and monitoring capabilities in resource-limited settings.

Rate of comorbidities not related to HIV infection or AIDS among HIV-infected patients, by CD4 cell count and HAART use status

The rate of comorbidities not related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among HIV-infected patients may be higher than expected. We assessed the incidence of comorbidities not related to HIV infection or AIDS by CD4 cell count and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) use status in an HIV clinical practice. A total of 2824 patients contributed 9172 person-years of longitudinal data during the period 1997-2006. Among patients with a CD4 cell count <350 cells/mm(3), receipt of HAART was associated with a significantly decreased incidence of comorbidities not related to HIV infection or AIDS.

Immune status at presentation to care did not improve among antiretroviral-naive persons from 1990 to 2006

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention initiatives to improve access to HIV services have increased over time. Despite this, >250,000 cases of HIV infection in the United States are undiagnosed, and many infected persons do not present for care until their HIV infection is advanced. Late presentation may increase the risk of HIV transmission and make HIV infection more difficult to treat effectively. With more effective HIV therapy, it was hoped that patients might present earlier in their disease course.

METHODS

To assess immune status and time of HIV diagnosis in patients who newly presented for care, we analyzed data for the period 1990-2006 from patients who were antiretroviral naive at presentation to the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinic in Baltimore, Maryland. We compared CD4(+) cell count and time from HIV diagnosis at presentation by demographic characteristics at enrollment.

RESULTS

The median presenting CD4(+) cell count decreased from 371 cells/mm(3) during 1990-1994 to 276 cells/mm(3) during 2003-2006 (P<.01) overall and decreased within individual demographic groups. There was also a decrease in the median time from HIV diagnosis to presentation for care (271 days in 1990-1994 to 196 days in 2003-2006; P<.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that, in addition to CD4(+) cell count at presentation, male sex was associated with lower CD4(+) cell counts (-93 cells/mm(3)), as was black race (-71 cells/mm(3)) and older age (-20 cells/mm(3) per 10 years).

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a decrease in time from diagnosis of HIV infection to presentation for care, coupled with an increase in the severity of immunocompromise at time of presentation, over the past 16 years in Maryland. New strategies to provide earlier HIV testing and referral into care are urgently needed.

Comparison of clinical response to initial highly active antiretroviral therapy in the patients in clinical care in the United States and Brazil

BACKGROUND

US and Brazilian studies indicate that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been effective in reducing morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS. Differences exist in the adoption and patterns of antiretroviral drug use and in the incidence of AIDS-defining illness (ADI) between the 2 countries, however, and there has not been a direct comparison of clinical response between Brazil and the United States. We sought to determine if there have been differences in the clinical response to HAART from HIV clinical practices in the United States and Brazil.

METHODS

We compared 2 similarly designed clinical cohorts from Baltimore, Maryland and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Patients who started HAART from 1997 to 2004 were compared for HIV-1 RNA suppression and CD4+ T-lymphocyte count change by 1 year of therapy and for development of an ADI up to 6 years of follow-up. A total of 1368 patients from Baltimore and 1045 patients from Rio de Janeiro were studied.

RESULTS

There was no difference by location in achieving an HIV-1 RNA level <400 copies/mL (46.9% in Rio de Janeiro, 50.8% in Baltimore), in the log change in HIV-1 RNA level (-1.65 log in Rio de Janeiro, - 1.63 log in Baltimore), or in the change in CD4 count (116 cells/mm3 in Rio de Janeiro, 122 cells/mm3 in Baltimore) by 12 months after starting HAART. By Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression adjusted for demographic and clinical prognostic factors, there was no difference by location in development of the first ADI after starting HAART (relative hazard = 1.02; 95% confidence interval: 0.82 to 1.25 for Rio de Janeiro vs. Baltimore). The most commonly occurring ADI in Rio de Janeiro was tuberculosis (27.7% of patients), and the most commonly occurring ADI in Baltimore was esophageal candidiasis (36.8% of patients).

CONCLUSIONS

There were only minor differences in clinical response to the use of HAART comparing Rio de Janeiro with Baltimore, despite differences in patterns of antiretroviral drug use and ADI incidence. This analysis indicates that HAART can be similarly effective in treating HIV/AIDS in countries with different economies.

CD4+ Cell Count 6 Years after Commencement of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Persons with Sustained Virologic Suppression

BACKGROUND

Sustained suppression of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 RNA load with the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) results in immunologic improvement, but it is not clear whether the CD4(+) cell count increases to normal levels or whether it reaches a less-than-normal plateau. We characterized the increase in the CD4(+) cell count in patients in clinical practice who maintained sustained viral suppression for up to 6 years.

METHODS

All patients were from the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort, a longitudinal observational study of patients receiving primary HIV care in Baltimore, Maryland, who were observed for >1 year while receiving HAART and who had sustained suppression of the HIV RNA load at <400 copies/mL. We analyzed annual change in the CD4(+) cell count for up to 6 years after the start of HAART, stratified by baseline CD4(+) cell counts of < or =200, 201-350, >350 cells/microL, and we assessed the development of clinical events (death and new acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining illness) by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 655 patients were observed for a median of 46 months (range, 13-72 months). The median change from baseline to most recent CD4(+) cell count was +274 cells/microL, with 92% of patients having an increase in CD4(+) cell count. By 6 years, the median CD4(+) cell count was 493 cells/microL among patients with baseline CD4(+) cell counts < or =200 cells/microL, 508 cells/microL among those with baseline CD4(+) cell counts of 201-350 cells/microL, and 829 cells/microL among those with baseline CD4(+) cell counts >350 cells/microL. In addition to baseline CD4(+) cell count, injection drug use and older age were associated with a lesser CD4(+) cell count response, and duration of therapy was associated with a greater CD4(+) cell count response.

CONCLUSION

Only patients with baseline CD4(+) cell counts >350 cells/microL returned to nearly normal CD4(+) cell counts after 6 years of follow-up. Significant increases were observed in all CD4(+) cell count strata during the first year, but there was a lower plateau CD4(+) cell count at lower baseline CD4(+) cell strata. These data suggest that waiting to start HAART at lower CD4(+) cell counts will result in the CD4(+) cell count not returning to normal levels.