Cardiovascular prevention in HIV patients: Results from a successful intervention program

Implementation strategies to improve statin utilization in individuals with hypercholesterolemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Numerous implementation strategies to improve utilization of statins in patients with hypercholesterolemia have been utilized, with varying degrees of success. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the state of evidence of implementation strategies on the uptake of statins.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This systematic review identified and categorized implementation strategies, according to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) compilation, used in studies to improve statin use. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrials.gov from inception to October 2018. All included studies were reported in English and had at least one strategy to promote statin uptake that could be categorized using the ERIC compilation. Data extraction was completed independently, in duplicate, and disagreements were resolved by consensus. We extracted LDL-C (concentration and target achievement), statin prescribing, and statin adherence (percentage and target achievement). A total of 258 strategies were used across 86 trials. The median number of strategies used was 3 (SD 2.2, range 1-13). Implementation strategy descriptions often did not include key defining characteristics: temporality was reported in 59%, dose in 52%, affected outcome in 9%, and justification in 6%. Thirty-one trials reported at least 1 of the 3 outcomes of interest: significantly reduced LDL-C (standardized mean difference [SMD] - 0.17, 95% CI - 0.27 to - 0.07, p = 0.0006; odds ratio [OR] 1.33, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.58, p = 0.0008), increased rates of statin prescribing (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.60 to 3.06, p < 0.0001), and improved statin adherence (SMD 0.13, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.19; p = 0.0002; OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.63, p = 0.023). The number of implementation strategies used per study positively influenced the efficacy outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Although studies demonstrated improved statin prescribing, statin adherence, and reduced LDL-C, no single strategy or group of strategies consistently improved outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42018114952 .

Evaluation of Vascular Event Risk while on Long-term Anti-retroviral Suppressive Therapy [EVERLAST]: Protocol for a prospective observational study

Background & objective

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among the HIV population is high due to a combination of accelerated atherosclerosis from the pro-inflammatory milieu created by chronic HIV infection and the potentially adverse metabolic side effects from cART (combination antiretroviral therapy) medications. Although sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) bears 70% of the global burden of HIV disease, there is a relative paucity of studies comprehensively assessing CVD risk among people living with HIV on the continent. The overarching objective of the Evaluation of Vascular Event Risk while on Long-term Anti-retroviral Suppressive Therapy (EVERLAST) Study is to characterize the burden of CVD among HIV patients on ART in Ghana, and explore factors influencing it.

Methods

The EVERLAST study incorporates prospective CVD risk assessments and a convergent mixed methods approach. This prospective study will evaluate CVD risk by measuring Carotid Intimal Media Thickness (CIMT) and presence of traditional medical and lifestyle vascular risk among 240 Ghanaian HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy compared with age- and sex-matched HIV uninfected (n = 240) and HIV positive ART naïve controls (n = 240). A contextual qualitative analysis will also be conducted to determine attitudes/perceptions of various key local stakeholders about CVD risk among HIV patients. The primary outcome measure will be CIMT measured cross-sectionally and prospectively among the three groups. A host of secondary outcome variables including CVD risk factors, CVD risk equations, HIV associated neurocognitive dysfunction and psychological well-being will also be assessed.

Conclusion

EVERLAST will provide crucial insights into the unique contributions of ART exposure and environmental factors such as lifestyle, traditional beliefs, and socio-economic indicators to CVD risk among HIV patients in a resource-limited setting. Ultimately, findings from our study will be utilized to develop interventions that will be tested in a randomized controlled trial to provide evidence to guide CVD risk management in SSA.

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EVERLAST seeks to assess the burden and determinants of cardiovascular risk among Ghanaian HIV patients

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A mixed methods study with prospective analyses of CVD risk factors among HIV patients and HIV-negative controls over 12 months

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Primary outcome measure is sub-clinical carotid atherosclerosis measured using B-mode ultrasound.

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Secondary outcome measures include neurocognitive dysfunction, and CVD events.

The role of cigarette smoking in epilepsy severity and epilepsy-related quality of life

Empirical evidence suggests that cigarette smoking is common among individuals with epilepsy. However, little is known about relationship between smoking and clinical features of epilepsy. Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine the differences between smokers (n = 43; 58.1% female, M_age = 43.4 years, SD = 11.6) and nonsmokers (n = 49; 63.3% female, M_age = 48.5 years, SD = 15.9) with epilepsy in terms of epilepsy severity (i.e., presence of seizures in the past year, refractory epilepsy status) and epilepsy-related quality of life. As hypothesized, smokers with epilepsy, compared with nonsmokers with epilepsy, were at an increased risk to have experienced seizures in the past year after controlling for the effect of Medicaid status as a proxy for socioeconomic status (odds ratio [OR] = 3.61). Positive smoking status was also associated with lower levels of epilepsy-related quality of life; however, this finding did not remain significant when Medicaid status was taken into consideration. Contrary to the hypotheses, smokers with epilepsy were not at an increased risk of having refractory epilepsy compared with nonsmokers with epilepsy. These findings suggest that cigarette smoking is associated with at least one aspect of epilepsy severity. Thus, in addition to the broader health benefits, smokers with epilepsy should be advised of the increased seizure risk associated with current cigarette smoking. Future work should examine the longitudinal impact of smoking on epilepsy severity, including whether successful smoking cessation ameliorates the seizure risk found in this cross-sectional study.

Interventions for tobacco use cessation in people living with HIV and AIDS

BACKGROUND

Tobacco use is highly prevalent amongst people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and has a substantial impact on morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of interventions to motivate and assist tobacco use cessation for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and to evaluate the risks of any harms associated with those interventions.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group's Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO in June 2015. We also searched EThOS, ProQuest, four clinical trial registries, reference lists of articles, and searched for conference abstracts using Web of Science and handsearched speciality conference databases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Controlled trials of behavioural or pharmacological interventions for tobacco cessation for PLWHA.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted all data using a standardised electronic data collection form. They extracted data on the nature of the intervention, participants, and proportion achieving abstinence and they contacted study authors to obtain missing information. We collected data on long-term (greater than or equal to six months) and short-term (less than six months) outcomes. Where appropriate, we performed meta-analysis and estimated the pooled effects using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect method. Two authors independently assessed and reported the risk of bias according to prespecified criteria.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 14 studies relevant to this review, of which we included 12 in a meta-analysis (n = 2087). All studies provided an intervention combining behavioural support and pharmacotherapy, and in most studies this was compared to a less intensive control, typically comprising a brief behavioural intervention plus pharmacotherapy.There was moderate quality evidence from six studies for the long-term abstinence outcome, which showed no evidence of effect for more intense cessation interventions: (risk ratio (RR) 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72 to 1.39) with no evidence of heterogeneity (I(2) = 0%). The pooled long-term abstinence was 8% in both intervention and control conditions. There was very low quality evidence from 11 studies that more intense tobacco cessation interventions were effective in achieving short-term abstinence (RR 1.51, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.00); there was moderate heterogeneity (I(2) = 42%). Abstinence in the control group at short-term follow-up was 8% (n = 67/848) and in the intervention group was 13% (n = 118/937). The effect of tailoring the intervention for PLWHA was unclear. We further investigated the effect of intensity of behavioural intervention via number of sessions and total duration of contact. We failed to detect evidence of a difference in effect according to either measure of intensity, although there were few studies in each subgroup. It was not possible to perform the planned analysis of adverse events or HIV outcomes since these were not reported in more than one study.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is moderate quality evidence that combined tobacco cessation interventions provide similar outcomes to controls in PLWHA in the long-term. There is very low quality evidence that combined tobacco cessation interventions were effective in helping PLWHA achieve short-term abstinence. Despite this, tobacco cessation interventions should be offered to PLWHA, since even non-sustained periods of abstinence have proven benefits. Further large, well designed studies of cessation interventions for PLWHA are needed.

Cardiovascular disease associated with human immunodeficiency virus: a review

The cardiovascular manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have changed significantly following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens. On one hand, HAART has altered the course of HIV disease, with longer survival of HIV-infected patients, and cardiovascular complications of HIV infection such as myocarditis have been reduced. On the other hand, HAART is associated with an increase in the prevalence of both peripheral and coronary arterial disease. As longevity increases in HIV-infected individuals, long-term effects, such as cardiovascular disease, are emerging as leading health issues in this population. In the present review article, we discuss HIV-associated cardiovascular disease, focusing on epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, management and therapy. Cardiovascular involvement in treatment-naive patients is still important in situations such as non-adherence to treatment, late initiation of treatment, and/or limited access to HAART in developing countries. We therefore describe the cardiovascular consequences in treatment-naive patients and the potential effect of antiretroviral treatment on their regression, as well as the metabolic and cardiovascular implications of HAART regimens in HIV-infected individuals.

Treinamento físico no risco de doença isquêmica cardíaca em sujeitos HIV/AIDS em uso de TARV

INTRODUÇÃO: A terapia antirretroviral combinada (TARV) foi introduzida no Brasil em 1996, como parte da política nacional de acesso gratuito aos serviços de saúde e medicamentos. Infelizmente, o seu uso contínuo tem sido associado com mudanças na distribuição da gordura corporal e com alterações metabólicas que podem aumentar a morbidade e mortalidade nesta população. O treinamento físico tem sido estudado como uma estratégia eficaz de intervenção não farmacológica para melhorar os parâmetros de aptidão física relacionados à saúde e para minimizar os efeitos indesejáveis da infecção pelo HIV e/ou o uso prolongado da TARV, no entanto, há poucos estudos sobre o treinamento físico, síndrome lipodistrófica e cardiologia.OBJETIVO: Avaliar o risco de doença isquêmica cardíaca em sujeitos HIV/AIDS em uso de TARV praticantes de treinamento concorrente com séries simples.MÉTODOS: Quatorze sujeitos foram avaliados através da circunferência abdominal, pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD), colesterol total (CT), HDL, LDL, triglicerídeos (TG) e glicemia. Para a estimativa do risco coronariano em 10 anos utilizou-se o Escore de Framingham.RESULTADOS: A maioria dos sujeitos situou-se dentro dos valores de referência para as variáveis analisadas, exceto para os valores de LDL e TG. Treze sujeitos (92,7%) ficaram abaixo dos 10% de risco coronariano em 10 anos, e apenas um (7,3%) estava em risco moderado. Houve correlação significativa entre o tempo de treinamento e a PAS.CONCLUSÃO: Sugere-se a realização de ensaios clínicos randomizados para avaliar os mesmos desfechos deste estudo.

Cardiovascular risk assessment: a comparison of the Framingham, PROCAM, and DAD equations in HIV-infected persons

This study aims to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to assess the agreement between the Framingham, Framingham with aggravating factors, PROCAM, and DAD equations in HIV-infected patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an outpatient centre in Brazil. 294 patients older than 19 years were enrolled. Estimates of 10-year cardiovascular risk were calculated. The agreement between the CVD risk equations was assessed using Cohen's kappa coefficient. The participants' mean age was 36.8 years (SD = 10.3), 76.9% were men, and 66.3% were on antiretroviral therapy. 47.8% of the participants had abdominal obesity, 23.1% were current smokers, 20.0% had hypertension, and 2.0% had diabetes. At least one lipid abnormality was detected in 72.8%, and a low HDL-C level was the most common. The majority were classified as having low risk for CV events. The percentage of patients at high risk ranged from 0.4 to 5.7. The PROCAM score placed the lowest proportion of the patients into a high-risk group, and the Framingham equation with aggravating factors placed the highest proportion of patients into the high-risk group. Data concerning the comparability of different tools are informative for estimating the risk of CVD, but accuracy of the outcome predictions should also be considered.

Cigarette smoking in the HIV-infected population

As mortality due to AIDS-related causes has decreased with the use of antiretroviral therapy, there has been a rise in deaths related to non-AIDS-defining illnesses. Given the exceedingly high prevalence of cigarette smoking among individuals living with HIV infection, tobacco has been implicated as a major contributor to this paradigm shift. Evidence suggests that smoking-related illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and certain malignancies, contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected persons. In this review, we summarize the adverse health consequences of smoking relevant to HIV-infected individuals and discuss smoking cessation in this unique population, including a discussion of barriers to quitting and a review of studies that have examined smoking cessation interventions.

Cardiovascular risk assessment for persons living with HIV

Systematic assessment of cardiovascular risk among persons living with HIV (PLWH) has become more important as HIV survival has increased. Since the advent of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), PLWH often enjoy life expectancies equal to those of the general population. PLWH then share the same comorbidities as the general population, with some increased risks due to HIV and ART. One comorbidity, cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death in the United States. As the current population of PLWH ages, reducing cardiovascular risk will become even more important. Before cardiovascular risk reduction can take place, providers must first know the patient's risks. This paper describes the importance of cardiovascular risk assessment for PLWH based on current literature and presents findings from a quality-improvement (QI) initiative designed to implement systematic cardiovascular assessment using the Framingham Risk (FR) for PLWH in an infectious-disease practice.

How to improve the quality of a disease management program for HIV-infected patients using a computerized data system. The Saint-Antoine Orchestra program

OBJECTIVES

The emergence of non-AIDS-related events in the HIV-infected population experiencing a longer life expectancy implies the implementation of a comprehensive approach of HIV clinical management through better access to care, prevention, and early diagnosis of co-morbidities.

METHODS

The Orchestra program is a computer-assisted HIV care and support tool implemented since December 2004 in the outpatient clinic of a University Hospital set in Paris, France. The intervention aims at improving access to HIV information care and support specifically targeted five areas of actions: cardiovascular risk factors; gynecological follow-up; anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine coverage; sexuality and prevention of sexually transmitted infections; and compliance to antiretrovirals. The impact of this program was examined prospectively on a "before-after" basis after a two-year implementation.

RESULTS

In the two-year period, 1717 patients were regularly followed. The level of the database information significantly increased in time (low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and glycemia were informed in 74% of patients at inclusion versus 95% at two years, and 83% versus 97%, p < 0.001, respectively). The number of targeted interventions was also higher. For eligible women, papanicolaou smears and mammography were prescribed in 52% of cases after intervention, versus 44% at inclusion, p0.04 and 83% versus 50%, p < 0.001, respectively. Indicators of care eventually improved significantly. Initially 72% non-adherent patients declared to be adherent after the intervention ( p < 0.001) and 67% of patients with initial LDL-hypercholesterolemia normalized their LDL level within two years ( p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The Orchestra program has provided a unique opportunity to assess and improve prevention and management of co-morbidities in HIV patients.

Cardiovascular complications of AIDS

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of the present review article is to present the recent data on the cardiovascular complications in patients infected with HIV as well as the preventive strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease in those patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Individuals infected with HIV frequently demonstrate a metabolic syndrome associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Extensive functional and structural arterial wall changes have been observed in these individuals. It is documented that these vascular changes are closely related to highly active antiretroviral treatment-induced metabolic disorders as well as characteristics of the HIV infection itself. Intensive treatment of vascular dysfunction might be helpful in preventing or retarding the atherosclerotic process in HIV patients.

SUMMARY

Marked changes in arterial function and structure are observed in HIV patients leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Early antiretroviral therapy and aggressive treatment of cardiovascular risk factors might be helpful.

Impact of atazanavir-based HAART regimen on the carotid intima-media thickness of HIV-infected persons: a comparative prospective cohort

OBJECTIVE

With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens, it is crucial to consider their long-term benefits to risk ratios among HIV-infected persons. The impact of protease inhibitors on the cardiovascular risk is controversial.

DESIGN

This observational cohort was designed to investigate the cardiovascular impact of boosted atazanavir (ATV/r), a protease inhibitor that does not provide major dyslipidemia or insulin resistance.

SETTING

This study was carried out at the University Hospital of Brest (France).

PATIENTS

Among the 229 HIV-infected persons of the cohort, 33 cases treated by ATV/r-containing regimen since less than 6 months were compared to 99 age-matched and sex-matched ATV/r naive controls.

INTERVENTION

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The main outcome measure was carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) at the baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months.

RESULTS

Although the cIMT was not different at inclusion (0.633 ± 0.05 vs. 0.666 ± 0.09, P = 0.07), the cIMT course significantly decreased (P = 0.018) in cases at 18 months. The differences remained significant even after adjustment on the variables that differed between cases and controls (P < 0.1) at inclusion (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, cardiovascular family history) and the cumulated and current exposure to the nucleosidic reverse transcriptase inhibitor, nonnucleosidic reverse transcriptase inhibitor, and protease inhibitor class.

CONCLUSION

Despite similar HIV and cardiovascular characteristics at baseline, cIMT decreased after 6 months of follow-up among the patients exposed to ATV/r, even after adjustment for the exposure to the three antiretroviral classes. Considering the shortcomings of this study, especially the absence of randomization and the heterogeneity of the control group, the benefit of ATV/r treatment in patients with high cardiovascular should be confirmed by randomized trials.

Microcirculatory vascular dysfunction in HIV-1 infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVES

We investigated whether HIV-1 infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and HIV-1 infected patients who had never received HAART had differences in their vascular microcirculatory function.

METHODS

We assessed the forearm blood flow before and after four minutes of ischemic occlusion of the brachial artery using venous occlusion strain gauge plethysmography. The hyperaemic forearm blood flow was recorded for three minutes at 15 second intervals. We calculated the maximal percent increase of the forearm blood flow during hyperemia. Forty HIV-infected male patients receiving HAART were compared to 20 age- and BMI- matched, male HIV-infected patients who had never received HAART (control group).

RESULTS

Patients on HAART had similar baseline forearm blood flow but lower maximal and percentage (%) change in forearm blood flow than control patients (4.2 +/- 1.7 vs. 4.1 +/- 1.7 l/ 100mL/min P = 0.8, 32 +/- 11.2 vs. 38.9 +/- 10.5 l/100 mL/min. P = 0.04 and 714 +/- 255 vs. 907 +/- 325%, P = 0.01, respectively). Patients receiving HAART had higher cholesterol than control patients (221 +/- 58 vs. 163 +/- 38 mg/dL, P = 0.001). HAART was associated with the percentage change in the blood flow during hyperemia (coefficient regression B = -0.32, P = 0.02) after adjustment for age, cholesterol and viral load.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-infected patients receiving HAART present abnormalities of arterial microcirculation in comparison with never-treated patients.