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Mathoma A, Sartorius B, Mahomed S. Evaluation of cancer screening services provided for people living with HIV in Botswana, 2022-2023. Health Promot Int 2024; 39:daae042. [PMID: 38742893 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) have an increased risk of cancers. Currently, Botswana has no screening guidelines for common cancers in PLHIV except cervical cancer. Also, the proportion of PLHIV who are screened for cancer is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate cancer screening services for PLHIV receiving care in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinics. Resources for cancer screening were assessed and medical records of adults initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) from 2020 to 2021 in 20 high-volume HIV clinics in Gaborone and Francistown were reviewed. Questionnaires assessing knowledge and practices of cancer screening were administered to health workers. The majority of clinics had the required resources for cancer screening (specifically cervical cancer). Of the 62 health workers working at the HIV clinics, 57 (91.9%) completed the questionnaire: 35 (62.5%) nurses and 22 (37.5%) doctors. Only 26.3% of the health workers were trained in cervical cancer screening. Doctors were more likely to report practicing routine screening of other cancers (e.g. breast) (p = 0.003) while more nurses reported assessing patients for cancer history during follow-up visits (p = 0.036). Most health workers did not perform physical examinations to detect cancer at initial or follow-up visits. Of the 1000 records of PLHIV reviewed, 57.3% were females, and only 38% of these were screened for cervical cancer. Besides cervical cancer, almost all (97.8%) were not screened for any cancer at ART initiation and during follow-up. These findings highlight the need to improve cancer screening services of PLHIV in Botswana through the training of health workers, and the development and enhanced use of screening guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anikie Mathoma
- Division of Research and Innovation, University of Botswana, Corner of Notwane and Mabuto Road, Plot 4775, Gaborone, Botswana
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 236 George Campbell Building, King George V Avenue, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Benn Sartorius
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 236 George Campbell Building, King George V Avenue, Durban 4001, South Africa
- Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, New Richards Building, Roosevelt Dr, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
- Department of Health Metric Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Saajida Mahomed
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 236 George Campbell Building, King George V Avenue, Durban 4001, South Africa
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2
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McMahon DE, Chemtai L, Grant M, Singh R, Semeere A, Byakwaga H, Laker-Oketta M, Maurer T, Busakhala N, Martin J, Bassett IV, Butler L, Freeman EE. Understanding Diagnostic Delays for Kaposi Sarcoma in Kenya: A Qualitative Study. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2022; 90:494-503. [PMID: 35499523 PMCID: PMC9283252 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage in sub-Saharan Africa, reasons for diagnostic delays have not been well described. METHODS We enrolled patients >18 years with newly diagnosed KS between 2016 and 2019 into the parent study, based in western Kenya. We then purposively selected 30 participants with diversity of disease severity and geographic locations to participate in semistructured interviews. We used 2 behavioral models in developing the codebook for this analysis: situated Information, Motivation, and Behavior framework and Andersen model of total patient delay. We then analyzed the interviews using framework analysis. RESULTS The most common patient factors that delayed diagnosis were lack of KS awareness, seeking traditional treatments, lack of personal efficacy, lack of social support, and fear of cancer, skin biopsy, amputation, and HIV diagnosis. Health system factors that delayed diagnosis included previous negative health care interactions, incorrect diagnoses, lack of physical examination, delayed referral, and lack of tissue biopsy availability. Financial constraints were prominent barriers for patients to access and receive care. Facilitators for diagnosis included being part of an HIV care network, living near health facilities, trust in the health care system, desire to treat painful or disfiguring lesions, and social support. CONCLUSIONS Lack of KS awareness among patients and providers, stigma surrounding diagnoses, and health system referral delays were barriers in reaching KS diagnosis. Improved public health campaigns, increased availability of biopsy and pathology facilities, and health provider training about KS are needed to improve early diagnosis of KS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon E McMahon
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | | | - Rhea Singh
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
| | | | | | | | - Toby Maurer
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | | | | | - Ingrid V Bassett
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Esther E Freeman
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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3
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Freeman EE, McCann NC, Semeere A, Reddy KP, Laker-Oketta M, Byakwaga H, Pei PP, Hajny Fernandez ME, Kiprono S, Busakhala N, Martin JN, Maurer T, Bassett IV, Freedberg KA, Hyle EP. Evaluation of four chemotherapy regimens for treatment of advanced AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma in Kenya: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e1179-e1188. [PMID: 35839816 PMCID: PMC9287596 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00242-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most effective treatment for advanced AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma is paclitaxel or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD); neither is routinely used in sub-Saharan Africa due to limited availability and high cost. We examined the clinical impact, costs, and cost-effectiveness of paclitaxel or PLD in Kenya, compared with etoposide or bleomycin-vincristine. METHODS In this study, we use the Cost-Effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications (CEPAC)-International Model to project clinical outcomes and costs among people living with HIV and advanced Kaposi sarcoma on antiretroviral therapy. We compared four different treatment strategies: etoposide, bleomycin-vincristine, paclitaxel, or PLD. We derived cohort characteristics and costs from the Kenyan Academic Model for Providing Access to Healthcare network, and adverse events, efficacy, and mortality from clinical trials. We projected model outcomes over a lifetime and included life expectancy, per-person lifetime costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). We conducted budget impact analysis for 5-year total costs and did deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to evaluate the effect of uncertainty in input parameters. FINDINGS We found that paclitaxel would be more effective than bleomycin-vincristine and would increase life expectancy by 4·2 years per person. PLD would further increase life expectancy by 0·6 years per person. Paclitaxel would be the most cost-effective strategy (ICER US$380 per year-of-life-saved compared with bleomycin-vincristine) and would remain cost-effective across a range of scenarios. PLD would be cost-effective compared with paclitaxel if its price were reduced to $100 per cycle (base case $180 per cycle). Implementing paclitaxel instead of bleomycin-vincristine would save approximately 6400 life-years and would increase the overall 5-year Kenyan health-care costs by $3·7 million; increased costs would be primarily related to ongoing HIV care given improved survival. INTERPRETATION Paclitaxel would substantially increase life expectancy and be cost-effective compared with bleomycin-vincristine for advanced AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma in Kenya and should be the standard of care. PLD would further improve survival and be cost-effective with a 44% price reduction. FUNDING US National Institutes of Health and Massachusetts General Hospital. TRANSLATION For the Swahili translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther E Freeman
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Nicole C McCann
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aggrey Semeere
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Krishna P Reddy
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Pamela P Pei
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Samson Kiprono
- Department of Internal Medicine, Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Naftali Busakhala
- Department of Internal Medicine, Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Jeffery N Martin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Toby Maurer
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ingrid V Bassett
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth A Freedberg
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily P Hyle
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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Sabourin KR, Borok M, Mawhinney S, Matimba M, Jaji F, Fiorillo S, Chifamba DD, Muserere C, Mashiri B, Bhodheni C, Gambiza P, Mandidewa R, Mutimuri M, Gudza I, Mulvahill M, Moore CM, Kutner JS, Simões EAF, Campbell TB. Evaluation of a training intervention to improve cancer care in Zimbabwe: Strategies to Improve Kaposi Sarcoma Outcomes (SIKO), a prospective community-based stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25:e25998. [PMID: 36028920 PMCID: PMC9418419 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Most Zimbabweans access medical care through tiered health systems. In 2013, HIV care was decentralized to primary care clinics; while oncology care remained centralized. Most persons in Zimbabwe with Kaposi sarcoma (KS) are diagnosed late in their disease, and the prognosis is poor. Little is known about whether educational interventions could improve KS outcomes in these settings. Methods Interventions to improve KS detection and management were evaluated at eight Zimbabwe primary care sites (four rural/four urban) that provided HIV care. Interventions included a standardized KS clinical evaluation tool, palliative care integration, standardized treatment and improved consultative services. Interventions were implemented between February 2013 and January 2016 using a randomized stepped‐wedge cluster design. Sites were monitored for KS diagnosis rates and KS outcomes, including early diagnosis (T0 vs. T1 tumour stage), participant retention and mortality. Analyses controlled for within‐clinic correlations. Results A total of 1102 persons with suspected KS (96% HIV positive) were enrolled: 47% incident (new diagnosis), 20% prevalent (previous diagnosis) and 33% determined as not KS. Early (T0) diagnosis increased post‐intervention, though not significant statistically (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.48 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.66–3.79], p = 0.37). New KS diagnosis rates increased 103% (95% CI: 11–273%), p = 0.02) post‐intervention; although paired with an increased odds of incorrectly diagnosing KS (aOR = 2.08 [95% CI: 0.33–3.24], p = 0.001). Post‐intervention, non‐significant decreases in 90‐day return rates (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.69 [95% CI: 0.38–1.45], p = 0.21) and survival (aHR = 1.36 [95% CI: 0.85–2.20], p = 0.20) were estimated. Conclusions KS training interventions at urban and rural Zimbabwe decentralized primary care clinics significantly increased overall and incorrect KS diagnosis rates, but not early KS diagnosis rates, 90‐day return rates or survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Margaret Borok
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Maxwell Matimba
- University of Zimbabwe Clinical Research Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Francis Jaji
- University of Zimbabwe Clinical Research Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Suzanne Fiorillo
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Patricia Gambiza
- University of Zimbabwe Clinical Research Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Mercia Mutimuri
- University of Zimbabwe Clinical Research Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Ivy Gudza
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Camille M Moore
- National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA.,Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jean S Kutner
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Eric A F Simões
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Ibrahim Khalil A, Franceschi S, de Martel C, Bray F, Clifford GM. Burden of Kaposi sarcoma according to HIV status: A systematic review and global analysis. Int J Cancer 2022; 150:1948-1957. [PMID: 35085400 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In 2020, over 34 000 cases of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) were estimated globally, all attributable to KS herpesvirus (KSHV). Prior to the HIV epidemic, KS already existed in KSHV endemic regions, notably in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The HIV epidemic has vastly increased the KS burden. We developed a methodology to provide global estimates of KS burden according to HIV status. A systematic review identified studies reporting HIV prevalence in consecutive KS series. Pooled estimates of HIV prevalence, by country or UN subregion, were used to calculate population-attributable fraction (PAF) and these were applied to IARC's GLOBOCAN 2020 to estimate burden and incidence of HIV-attributable and non-HIV-attributable KS. We identified 55 eligible studies, reporting HIV prevalence ranging from ≤5% to ≥95%. Approximately 80% of KS in SSA was estimated attributable to HIV, vs ~50% in the rest of the world. By applying PAFs to national GLOBOCAN estimates, an estimated 19 560 KS cases attributable to HIV were diagnosed in SSA in 2020 (~80% of the worldwide burden), vs 5064 cases of non-HIV-attributable KS (~60% of the worldwide burden). Incidence of HIV-attributable KS was highest in Southern Africa (6.0 cases per 100 000) and Eastern Africa (3.4), which were also the world regions with highest incidence of non-HIV-attributable KS (0.4 and 1.0 cases per 100 000, respectively). This first systematic effort to produce a global picture of KS burden stratified by HIV status highlights the continuing important burden of HIV-attributable KS in SSA, even in the era of combined antiretroviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmadaye Ibrahim Khalil
- Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Lyon, France
| | | | - Catherine de Martel
- Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Lyon, France
| | - Freddie Bray
- Cancer Surveillance Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Lyon, France
| | - Gary M Clifford
- Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Lyon, France
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6
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Epidemiology of Kaposi’s sarcoma in sub-Saharan Africa. Cancer Epidemiol 2022; 78:102167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2022.102167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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McLigeyo A, Owuor K, Ng’ang’a E, Mwangi J, Wekesa P. Characteristics and Treatment Response of Patients with HIV Associated Kaposi's Sarcoma in Central Kenya. HIV AIDS (Auckl) 2022; 14:207-215. [PMID: 38808105 PMCID: PMC11130515 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s359278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common HIV-associated malignancy in Sub Saharan Africa. In 2018, it was the 7th most common cancer and the 10th most common cause of cancer death in Kenya. This study aimed to describe the baseline and clinical characteristics and treatment response observed following combined antiretroviral treatment (ART) and chemotherapy in KS patients. Methods This was a descriptive analysis of patients aged ≥15 years treated for KS and HIV at 11 treatment hubs in Central Kenya between 2011 and 2014. Data on baseline and clinical characteristics, ART and chemotherapy regimens as well as treatment responses were collected from patient files and KS registers. Results A total of 95 patients presenting with clinically suspected KS with no history of prior treatment with chemotherapy were reviewed. All had histological diagnostic samples taken with 67 (71%) having confirmed KS. All were on ART, either newly initiated or continuing on ART, and 63 of the 67 (94.0%) confirmed to have KS received chemotherapy. Among the 67 patients with confirmed KS, mean age was 37.2 years (± 13.2) and 40 (59.7%) were male. More than 80% had normal baseline and follow-up BMI, and 34 (50.7%) were on a TDF-based regimen, 52 (77.6%) were treated with the Adriamycin, bleomycin and vinblastine protocol, and 55 (82.1%) had KS diagnosis before HIV diagnosis. All 67 patients had mucocutaneous lesions. Complete, partial response and stable disease occurred in 27 (40.3%), 10 (14.9%) and 7 (10.4%), respectively, 11 (16.4%) defaulted care during treatment, six patients died during treatment, four patients died before treatment while two patients had progressive disease during chemotherapy. Conclusion The diagnosis of KS preceded HIV in the majority of cases reviewed, with histology helpful to reduce misdiagnosis. Patients generally complied with their chemotherapy, with overall good response rate for this intervention implemented at primary health-care facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Owuor
- Center for Health Solutions - Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Jonathan Mwangi
- Division of Global HIV & TB, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Paul Wekesa
- Center for Health Solutions - Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
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8
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el‐Azhary RA. Focus Africa. Int J Dermatol 2020; 59:519. [DOI: 10.1111/ijd.14869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Freeman EE, Busakhala N, Regan S, Asirwa FC, Wenger M, Seth D, Moon KC, Semeere A, Maurer T, Wools-Kaloustian K, Bassett I, Martin J. Real-world use of chemotherapy for Kaposi's sarcoma in a large community-based HIV primary care system in Kenya. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:71. [PMID: 31996161 PMCID: PMC6990575 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6506-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is one of the most common HIV-associated malignancies in sub-Saharan Africa. Worldwide, the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved KS survival. In resource-rich settings, survival has also benefited from chemotherapy, which is widely available. Little is known, however, about the epidemiology of chemotherapy use for HIV-associated KS in resource-limited regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS We identified all patients newly diagnosed with HIV-related KS from 2009 to 2012 in the 26-clinic AMPATH network, a large community-based care network in Kenya. We ascertained disease severity at diagnosis, frequency of initiation of chemotherapy, and distribution of chemotherapeutic regimens used. Indications for chemotherapy included AIDS Clinical Trial Group T1 stage and/or "severe" disease defined by WHO KS treatment guidelines. RESULTS Of 674 patients diagnosed with KS, charts were available for 588; 61% were men, median age was 35 years, and median CD4 at KS diagnosis was 185 cells/μl. At time of diagnosis, 58% had at least one chemotherapy indication, and 22% had more than one indication. For patients with a chemotherapy indication, cumulative incidence of chemotherapy initiation (with death as a competing event) was 37% by 1 month and 56% by 1 year. Median time from diagnosis to chemotherapy initiation was 25 days (IQR 1-50 days). In multivariable regression, patients with > 3 chemotherapy indications at time of diagnosis had a 2.30 (95% CI 1.46-3.60) increased risk of rapid chemotherapy initiation (within 30 days of diagnosis) compared to those with only one chemotherapy indication (p < 0.001). Initial regimens were bleomycin-vincristine (78%), adriamycin-bleomycin-vincristine (11%), etoposide (7%), and gemcitabine (4%). CONCLUSIONS A substantial fraction of patients with KS in East Africa are diagnosed at advanced disease stage. For patients with chemotherapy indications, nearly half did not receive chemotherapy by one year. Liposomal anthracyclines, often used in resource-rich settings, were not first line. These findings emphasize challenges in East Africa cancer care, and highlight the need for further advocacy for improved access to higher quality chemotherapy in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther E Freeman
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Bartlett Hall 6R, 55 Fruit Street, Boston MA, MA, 02114, USA.
| | | | - Susan Regan
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Bartlett Hall 6R, 55 Fruit Street, Boston MA, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Fredrick Chite Asirwa
- AMPATH, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
- Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Divya Seth
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Bartlett Hall 6R, 55 Fruit Street, Boston MA, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Khatiya Chelidze Moon
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Bartlett Hall 6R, 55 Fruit Street, Boston MA, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Aggrey Semeere
- University of California, San Francisco, USA
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Toby Maurer
- University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Ingrid Bassett
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Bartlett Hall 6R, 55 Fruit Street, Boston MA, MA, 02114, USA
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Williams VL, Narasimhamurthy M, Rodriguez O, Mosojane K, Bale T, Kesalopa K, Kayembe MA, Grover S. Dermatology-Driven Quality Improvement Interventions to Decrease Diagnostic Delays for Kaposi Sarcoma in Botswana. J Glob Oncol 2019; 5:1-7. [PMID: 31702944 PMCID: PMC6882519 DOI: 10.1200/jgo.19.00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an HIV-associated skin cancer that is highly prevalent in Botswana and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Histopathology-confirmed diagnosis is required for chemotherapeutic interventions in Botswana, which creates barriers to care because of limited biopsy and pathology services. We sought to understand the role a dermatology specialist can play in improving KS care through quality improvement (QI) initiatives to reduce histologic turnaround times (TATs) for KS. METHODS Employment of a dermatology specialist within a public health care system that previously lacked a local dermatologist generated quality improvements in KS care. Retrospective review identified patients diagnosed with KS by skin biopsy in the predermatology QI interval (January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015) versus the postdermatology QI interval (January 1, 2016, to November 31, 2017). Histology TATs and clinical characteristics were recorded. A t test compared the median histology TATs in the pre- and post-QI intervals. RESULTS A total of 192 cases of KS were diagnosed by skin biopsy. Nearly all (98.4%) were HIV-positive; and 52.8% of patients were male with a median age of 39 years. Median TAT in the postdermatology QI interval was 11 days (interquartile range, 12-23 days) compared with 32 days in the predermatology QI interval (interquartile range, 24-56 days; P < .00). CONCLUSION Dermatology-led QI initiatives to improve multispecialty care coordination can significantly decrease histology TATs for KS. The reduction of diagnostic delays is a key first step to decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with this cancer in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L. Williams
- University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana
- Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mukendi A. Kayembe
- University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- National Health Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Surbhi Grover
- University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana
- Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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11
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Huang AYY, Lin CL, Chen GS, Hu SCS. Clinical features of Kaposi's sarcoma: experience from a Taiwanese medical center. Int J Dermatol 2019; 58:1388-1397. [PMID: 31102268 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.14476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most of the previous reports regarding the clinical features of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) have been performed in Western and African countries. The clinical characteristics of KS have not been well defined in Han Chinese or Taiwanese patients. In this study, we analyzed the clinical features of KS patients in a Taiwanese medical center. METHODS Medical records from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital over the past 20 years (1996-2016) were comprehensively reviewed. RESULTS There were 55 patients with KS (50 males and 5 females), including 37 patients (67%) with classic disease, 17 patients (31%) with AIDS-associated disease, and one patient (2%) with immunosuppressive medication-related disease. The average age was 58.7 years (range 20-87 years), and the average age was younger for AIDS patients (33.8 years) compared with non-AIDS patients (69.8 years). Among patients with classic KS, lesions were mostly localized to the lower extremities, whereas AIDS-associated KS patients were more likely to develop disseminated skin lesions, skin lesions on atypical sites (head and neck, trunk), and extracutaneous involvement (particularly oral cavity). The most common underlying diseases were diabetes mellitus (20% of patients) and hepatitis B (15% patients), and 38% of KS patients were smokers. Patients with AIDS-associated KS usually responded well to chemotherapy, whereas only 32% of patients with non-AIDS-associated KS showed complete response to radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the current study will serve as important references for clinicians in the diagnosis of KS and may form the basis for the implementation of KS clinical practice guidelines in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Ya-Yun Huang
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ling Lin
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Gwo-Shing Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Stephen Chu-Sung Hu
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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