1
|
Maskew M, Brennan AT, Venter WDF, Fox MP, Vezi L, Rosen S. Retention in care and viral suppression after same-day ART initiation: One-year outcomes of the SLATE I and II individually randomized clinical trials in South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25825. [PMID: 34612601 PMCID: PMC8694178 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Same‐day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV consistently increases ART uptake, but concerns remain about higher attrition from care after initiation. We analysed 12‐month retention in the SLATE SDI trials. Methods SLATE I (Simplified Algorithms for Treatment Eligibility I, enrolment 06 March–28 July 2017) and SLATE II (enrolment 14 March–18 September 2018) were individually randomized trials at public outpatient clinics in Johannesburg that enrolled patients not yet on ART and administered the SLATE I or II algorithm. This included a symptom self‐report, medical history, brief physical examination and readiness questionnaire to assess the eligibility for SDI. The studies compared the offer of SDI using the SLATE algorithms to standard of care initiation procedures. ART uptake and early retention were previously reported. Using routine clinic records, we conducted a pooled analysis of retention in care and HIV viral suppression 14 months after study enrolment, a time point equivalent to 12 months potential on ART, with an additional month allowed on either end to initiate ART and to return for the 12‐month visit. Results and discussion We enrolled 1193 study participants (standard arms, n = 599, 50%; intervention arms, n = 594, 50%) and analysed by originally assigned groups. By 14 months after enrolment, 50% of intervention arm patients and 46% of standard arm patients remained in care at the initiating site (crude risk difference 4% (95% confidence interval −1%‐10%); crude relative risk 1.10 (0.97–1.23), with similar viral suppression between arms. Observed attrition from care at site by 14 months was high in both study arms, but we found no evidence that the offer of SDI led to greater overall attrition or lower rates of viral suppression 1 year after starting ART and may have generated small improvements. SDI may have shifted some attrition from before to after dispensing of the first dose of medication. Conclusions An offer of SDI of ART, following a carefully designed protocol to identify patients who are eligible and ready to start treatment, is not inherently associated with an overall increase in patient attrition from care and leads to similar rates of viral suppression. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02891135, registered 01 September 2016. First participant enrolled 06 March 2017 in South Africa. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03315013, registered 19 October 2017. First participant enrolled 14 March 2018.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mhairi Maskew
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Alana T Brennan
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Willem D F Venter
- Ezintsha, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Matthew P Fox
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lungisile Vezi
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sydney Rosen
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lee EH, Ganesan K, Khamadi SA, Meribe SC, Njeru D, Adamu Y, Magala F, Crowell TA, Akom E, Agaba P, Desai P, Hamm T, Teyhen D, Ake JA, Polyak CS, Shaffer D, Sawe F, Hickey PW. Attaining 95-95-95 through Implementation Science: 15 Years of Insights and Best Practices from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research's Implementation of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:12-25. [PMID: 33241783 PMCID: PMC7790083 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) supports more than 350,000 people on lifesaving HIV treatment in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda through funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Here, we review and synthesize the range of impacts WRAIR’s implementation science portfolio has had on PEPFAR service delivery for military and civilian populations since 2003. We also explore how investments in implementation science create institutional synergies within the U.S. Department of Defense, contributing to broad global health engagements and improving health outcomes for populations served. Finally, we discuss WRAIR’s contributions to PEPFAR priorities through use of data to drive and improve programming in real time in the era of HIV epidemic control and public health messaging that includes prevention, the 95-95-95 goals, and comorbidities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth H Lee
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.,2The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kavitha Ganesan
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.,3Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Samoel A Khamadi
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.,4HJF Medical Research International, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | | | - Dorothy Njeru
- 6U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Yakubu Adamu
- 5U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Fred Magala
- 7Makerere University Walter Reed Project, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Trevor A Crowell
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.,2The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,3Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Eniko Akom
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.,3Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Patricia Agaba
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.,3Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Priyanka Desai
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.,3Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Tiffany Hamm
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.,3Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Deydre Teyhen
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Julie A Ake
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Christina S Polyak
- 1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.,3Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Douglas Shaffer
- 8U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Fredrick Sawe
- 6U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.,9HJF Medical Research International, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Patrick W Hickey
- 2The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Scott NA, Maskew M, Fong RM, Olson IE, Brennan AT, Fox MP, Vezi L, Ehrenkranz PD, Rosen S. Patient Perspectives of Quality of the Same-Day Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Process in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Qualitative Dominant Mixed-Methods Analysis of the SLATE II Trial. Patient 2021; 14:175-86. [PMID: 32909218 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-020-00437-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background HIV patients in South Africa continue to report operational barriers to starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). In the Simplified Algorithm for Treatment Eligibility (SLATE) II trial, same-day initiation (SDI) of ART increased the number of patients commencing ART and achieving HIV viral suppression by using a screening tool to distinguish between patients eligible for SDI and those requiring additional care before starting treatment. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation to explore trial patients’ perceptions and experiences of SDI. Methods SLATE II was implemented at three urban, public primary health care clinics in Gauteng Province, South Africa. We conducted a short quantitative survey and in-depth interviews among a purposive sample of 89 of the 593 trial participants in the intervention and standard arms, using a mixed inductive–deductive framework approach. Results Nearly all respondents (95%) were satisfied with their care, despite reporting clinic wait times of ≥ 3 h (72%). Intervention patients found the initiation process to be easy; standard patients found it complicated and were frustrated with being shuffled around the clinic. No intervention arm patients felt that SDI was “too fast” or indicated a preference for a more gradual process. Both groups highlighted the need for good counselling and non-judgmental, respectful staff. Standard patients suggested improving patient–provider relations, strengthening counselling, reducing wait times, and minimising referrals. Conclusions While it is difficult to untangle the role of providers from that of the SLATE algorithm in influencing patient experiences, adoption of SLATE II implementation procedures could improve patient experience of treatment initiation. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03315013, registered October 19, 2017. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40271-020-00437-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
4
|
Brennan A, Maskew M, Larson BA, Tsikhutsu I, Bii M, Vezi L, Fox M, Venter WDF, Ehrenkranz PD, Rosen S. Prevalence of TB symptoms, diagnosis and treatment among people living with HIV (PLHIV) not on ART presenting at outpatient clinics in South Africa and Kenya: baseline results from a clinical trial. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035794. [PMID: 32895266 PMCID: PMC7476481 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We used screening data and routine clinic records for intervention arm patients in the Simplified Algorithm for Treatment Eligibility (SLATE) trials to describe the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) symptoms, diagnosis and treatment among people living with HIV (PLHIV), not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and presenting at outpatient clinics in South Africa and Kenya. We compared the performance of the WHO four-symptom TB screening tool with a baseline Xpert test. SETTING Outpatient HIV clinics in South Africa and Kenya. PARTICIPANTS Eligible patients were non-pregnant, PLHIV, >18 years of age, not on ART, willing to provide written informed consent. A total of 594 patients in South Africa and 240 in Kenya were eligible. RESULTS Prevalence of any TB symptom was 38% in Kenya, 35% (SLATE I) and 47% (SLATE II) in South Africa. During SLATE I, 70% of patients in Kenya and 57% in South Africa with ≥1 TB symptom were tested for TB. In SLATE II, 79% of patients with ≥1 TB symptom were tested. Of those, 19% tested positive for TB in Kenya, 15% (SLATE I) and 5% (SLATE II) tested positive in South Africa. Of the 28 patients who tested positive in both trials, 20 initiated TB treatment. The lowest median CD4 counts were among those with active TB (Kenya 124 cells/mm3; South Africa 193 cells/mm3). When comparing the WHO four-symptom screening tool to the Xpert test (SLATE II), we found that increasing the number of symptoms required for a positive screen from one to three or four decreased sensitivity but increased the positive predictive value to >30%. CONCLUSIONS 80% of patients assessed for ART initiation presented with ≥1 TB symptoms. Reconsideration of the 'any symptom' rule may be appropriate, with ART initiation among patients with fewer/milder symptoms commencing while TB test results are pending. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02891135 and NCT03315013.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alana Brennan
- Departments of Epidemiology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Global Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mhairi Maskew
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Bruce A Larson
- Department of Global Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isaac Tsikhutsu
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation Medical Research International, Inc, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Margaret Bii
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation Medical Research International, Inc, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lungisile Vezi
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Matthew Fox
- Departments of Epidemiology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Global Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Sydney Rosen
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Global Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mshweshwe-Pakela N, Hansoti B, Mabuto T, Kerrigan D, Kubeka G, Hahn E, Charalambous S, Hoffmann CJ. Feasibility of implementing same-day antiretroviral therapy initiation during routine care in Ekurhuleni District, South Africa: Retention and viral load suppression. South Afr J HIV Med 2020; 21:1085. [PMID: 32934830 PMCID: PMC7479383 DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v21i1.1085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Same-day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been advocated as an approach to increase linkage to care and overall ART initiation. Clinical trials have demonstrated impressive benefits. However, questions regarding patient preparedness and retention in care remain for routine implementation of this approach. Objectives In this study, we sought to describe SDI of ART during routine care delivery and compare time to ART initiation on longitudinal care outcomes. Method We performed a retrospective chart review of 100 consecutive individuals, newly diagnosed with HIV, from 10 health facilities across Ekurhuleni, from January to July 2017. Records were reviewed for a period of 1 year post-diagnosis. Abstracted data included demographics, time to ART initiation, clinic visits and laboratory test results (including viral load testing). Results A total of 993 patient records were reviewed, of which 826 were included in the analysis. The majority of patients (752, 91%) had ART initiation recorded, of which 654 (79%) had ART initiated within 30 days, and 224 (27%) had SDI. Uptake of SDI of ART was higher among women (36% vs. 10.4%; p < 0.001) and in younger patients (33.7% in those < 29 years; p < 0.01). Retention in care at 6 months was achieved in 477 (58%) patients. Of those with 6-month viral loads, 350/430 (73%) had a viral load < 400 c/m. Retention in care and viral suppression were similar among those with SDI of ART and later ART initiation. Conclusion Same-day initiation of ART was successfully delivered with similar retention and viral load outcomes as subsequent initiation, providing re-assurance for scale-up of this strategy in routine care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bhakti Hansoti
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America.,Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Tonderai Mabuto
- Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Deanna Kerrigan
- Department of Sociology, American University, Washington, United States of America
| | - Griffiths Kubeka
- Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth Hahn
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Salome Charalambous
- Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Christopher J Hoffmann
- Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America.,Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pascoe SJS, Fox MP, Huber AN, Murphy J, Phokojoe M, Gorgens M, Rosen S, Wilson D, Pillay Y, Fraser‐Hurt N. Differentiated HIV care in South Africa: the effect of fast-track treatment initiation counselling on ART initiation and viral suppression as partial results of an impact evaluation on the impact of a package of services to improve HIV treatment adherence. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22:e25409. [PMID: 31691521 PMCID: PMC6831947 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In response to suboptimal adherence and retention, South Africa's National Department of Health developed and implemented National Adherence Guidelines for Chronic Diseases. We evaluated the effect of a package of adherence interventions beginning in January 2016 and report on the impact of Fast-Track Treatment Initiation Counselling (FTIC) on ART initiation, adherence and retention. METHODS We conducted a cluster-randomized mixed-methods evaluation in 4 provinces at 12 intervention sites which implemented FTIC and 12 control facilities providing standard of care. Follow-up was by passive surveillance using clinical records. We included data on subjects eligible for FTIC between 08 Jan 2016 and 07 December 2016. We adjusted for pre-intervention differences using difference-in-differences (DiD) analyses controlling for site-level clustering. RESULTS We enrolled 362 intervention and 368 control arm patients. Thirty-day ART initiation was 83% in the intervention and 82% in the control arm (RD 0.5%; 95% CI: -5.0% to 6.0%). After adjusting for baseline ART initiation differences and covariates using DiD we found a 6% increase in ART initiation associated with FTIC (RD 6.3%; 95% CI: -0.6% to 13.3%). We found a small decrease in viral suppression within 18 months (RD -2.8%; 95% CI: -9.8% to 4.2%) with no difference after adjustment (RD: -1.9%; 95% CI: -9.1% to 5.4%) or when considering only those with a viral load recorded (84% intervention vs. 86% control). We found reduced crude 6-month retention in intervention sites (RD -7.2%; 95% CI: -14.0% to -0.4%). However, differences attenuated by 12 months (RD: -3.6%; 95% CI: -11.1% to 3.9%). Qualitative data showed FTIC counselling was perceived as beneficial by patients and providers. CONCLUSIONS We saw a short-term ART-initiation benefit to FTIC (particularly in districts where initiation prior to intervention was lower), with no reductions but also no improvement in longer-term retention and viral suppression. This may be due to lack of fidelity to implementation and delivery of those components that support retention and adherence. FTIC must continue to be implemented alongside other interventions to achieve the 90-90-90 cascade and fidelity to post-initiation counselling sessions must be monitored to determine impact on longer-term outcomes. Understanding the cost-benefit and role of FTIC may then be warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie JS Pascoe
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Matthew P Fox
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
| | - Amy N Huber
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Joshua Murphy
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | | | | | - Sydney Rosen
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
| | | | - Yogan Pillay
- National Department of HealthPretoriaSouth Africa
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hansoti B, Mwinnyaa G, Hahn E, Rao A, Black J, Chen V, Clark K, Clarke W, Eisenberg AL, Fernandez R, Iruedo J, Laeyendecker O, Maharaj R, Mda P, Miller J, Mvandaba N, Nyanisa Y, Reynolds SJ, Redd AD, Ryan S, Stead DF, Wallis LA, Quinn TC. Targeting the HIV Epidemic in South Africa: The Need for Testing and Linkage to Care in Emergency Departments. EClinicalMedicine 2019; 15:14-22. [PMID: 31709410 PMCID: PMC6833451 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2019.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Eastern Cape province of South Africa has one of the highest burdens of HIV in the world. Emergency Departments (EDs) can serve as optimal clinical sites for the identification of new HIV infections and entry into care. We sought to determine the current burden of HIV disease among ED patients in the Eastern Cape. METHODS We conducted a prospective cross-sectional observational study in the EDs of three Hospitals in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa from June 2017 to July 2018. All adult, non-critical patients presenting to the ED were systematically approached and offered a Point-Of-Care (POC) HIV test in accordance with South African guidelines. All HIV-positive individuals had their blood tested for the presence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the presence of viral suppression (≤ 1000 copies/ml). HIV incidence was estimated using a multi-assay algorithm, validated for a subtype C epidemic. FINDINGS Of the 2901 patients for whom HIV status was determined (either known HIV-positive or underwent POC HIV testing), 811 (28.0%) were HIV positive, of which 234 (28.9%) were newly diagnosed. HIV prevalence was higher in Mthatha [34% (388/1134) at Mthatha Regional Hospital and 28% (142/512) at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital], compared to Port Elizabeth [22% (281/1255) at Livingstone Hospital]. HIV incidence was estimated at 4.5/100 person-years (95% CI: 2.4, 6.50) for women and 1.5 (CI 0.5, 2.5) for men. Of all HIV positive individuals tested for ART (585), 54% (316/585) tested positive for the presence of ARTs, and for all HIV positive participants with viral load data (609), 49% (299/609) were found to be virally suppressed. INTERPRETATION Our study not only observed a high prevalence and incidence of HIV among ED patients but also highlights significant attrition along the HIV care cascade for HIV positive individuals. Furthermore, despite developing an optimal testing environment, we were only able to enrol a small sub-set of the ED population. Given the high HIV prevalence and high attrition in the ED population, HIV services in the ED should also develop strategies that can accommodate large testing volumes and ART initiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bhakti Hansoti
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - George Mwinnyaa
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 31 Center Dr # 7A03, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Elizabeth Hahn
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Aditi Rao
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - John Black
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Umtata Part 1, Mthatha, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Livingstone Hospital, Stanford Road, Korsten, Port Elizabeth 6020, South Africa
| | - Victoria Chen
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Kathryn Clark
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - William Clarke
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Anna L. Eisenberg
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 31 Center Dr # 7A03, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Joshua Iruedo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Umtata Part 1, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Oliver Laeyendecker
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 31 Center Dr # 7A03, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Roshen Maharaj
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Umtata Part 1, Mthatha, South Africa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Livingstone Hospital, Stanford Road, Korsten, Port Elizabeth 6020, South Africa
| | - Pamela Mda
- Nelson Mandela Hospital Clinical Research Unit, Sisson St, Fort Gale, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
| | - Jernelle Miller
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Nomzamo Mvandaba
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Umtata Part 1, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Yandisa Nyanisa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Umtata Part 1, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Steven J. Reynolds
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 31 Center Dr # 7A03, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Andrew D. Redd
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 31 Center Dr # 7A03, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sofia Ryan
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - David F. Stead
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Umtata Part 1, Mthatha, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Frere Hospital, Amalinda Main Rd, Braelyn, East London 5201, South Africa
| | - Lee A. Wallis
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape Town, Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Thomas C. Quinn
- The Johns Hopkins University, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 31 Center Dr # 7A03, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Brennan AT, Maskew M, Larson BA, Tsikhutsu I, Bii M, Vezi L, Fox MP, Venter WDF, Ehrenkranz P, Rosen S. Who is seeking antiretroviral treatment for HIV now? Characteristics of patients presenting in Kenya and South Africa in 2017-2018. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22:e25358. [PMID: 31518058 PMCID: PMC6743421 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many African countries have had at least two years' experience with universal treatment eligibility for HIV. The literature contains few descriptions, though, of populations starting treatment since adoption of universal eligibility. Using baseline data from a clinical trial of same-day ART initiation, we describe the populations presenting for HIV testing or care at study clinics in Kenya and South Africa in 2017-18, during the era of same-day initiation. METHODS The Simplified Algorithm for Treatment Eligibility (SLATE) trials in Kenya (SLATE I) and South Africa (SLATE II) were multicenter, non-blinded, individually randomized, pragmatic trials evaluating simple, standardized algorithms to determine eligibility for same-day initiation of ART without relying on laboratory results, point of care tests or multiple clinic visits. In Kenya, enrolment occurred during July 2017 to April 2018. In South Africa, enrolment occurred during March to September 2018. We describe demographic, socioeconomic and clinical characteristics of patients randomized to the same-day initiation arm for both studies. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A total of 240 and 296 participants were enrolled in Kenya and South Africa. The majority were female (59% and 64% respectively), with a median age of 35 years. In both countries, most subjects were newly diagnosed with HIV on the day of enrolment (62%, 55%), believed they already had adequate knowledge to begin ART (78%, 68%), and preferred to start ART immediately (same-day) (98% in both countries). About 40% of all patients had at least one symptom related to tuberculosis (cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss) and/or cryptococcal meningitis (continuous headache). More than a third of patients (37%, 36%) presented with advanced disease (CD4 <200 cells/mm3 ), a fifth presented with very advanced disease (CD4 < 100), and approximately 1 in 20 presented with very advanced disease and were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS Despite >2 years of universal eligibility for ART in Kenya and South Africa, in 2017-2018 more than half of HIV-positive patients presenting at public sector clinics were not yet aware of their status, and more than a third presented for care with advanced HIV disease. These proportions remain similar to those observed before the introduction of universal eligibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alana T Brennan
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Mhairi Maskew
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Bruce A Larson
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
| | - Isaac Tsikhutsu
- Kenya Medical Research Institute/U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate‐AfricaNairobiKenya
- Henry Jackson Foundation MRIKerichoKenya
| | - Margaret Bii
- Kenya Medical Research Institute/U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate‐AfricaNairobiKenya
- Henry Jackson Foundation MRIKerichoKenya
| | - Lungisile Vezi
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Matthew P Fox
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Willem DF Venter
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV InstituteDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | | | - Sydney Rosen
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rosen S, Maskew M, Larson BA, Brennan AT, Tsikhutsu I, Fox MP, Vezi L, Bii M, Venter WDF. Simplified clinical algorithm for identifying patients eligible for same-day HIV treatment initiation (SLATE): Results from an individually randomized trial in South Africa and Kenya. PLoS Med 2019; 16:e1002912. [PMID: 31525187 PMCID: PMC6746347 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends "same-day" initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV patients who are eligible and ready. Identifying efficient, safe, and feasible procedures for determining same-day eligibility and readiness is now a priority. The Simplified Algorithm for Treatment Eligibility (SLATE) study evaluated a clinical algorithm that allows healthcare workers to determine eligibility for same-day treatment and to initiate ART at the patient's first clinic visit. METHODS AND FINDINGS SLATE was an individually randomized trial at three outpatient clinics in urban settlements in Johannesburg, South Africa and three hospital clinics in western Kenya. Adult, nonpregnant, HIV-positive, ambulatory patients presenting for any HIV care, including HIV testing, but not yet on ART were enrolled and randomized to the SLATE algorithm arm or standard care. The SLATE algorithm used four screening tools-a symptom self-report, medical history questionnaire, physical examination, and readiness assessment-to ascertain eligibility for same-day initiation or refer for further care. Follow-up was by record review, and analysis was conducted by country. We report primary outcomes of 1) ART initiation ≤28 days and 2) initiation ≤28 days and retention in care ≤8 months of enrollment. From March 7, 2017 to April 17, 2018, we enrolled 600 patients (median [IQR] age 34 [29-40] and CD4 count 286 [128-490]; 63% female) in South Africa and 477 patients in Kenya (median [IQR] age 35 [29-43] and CD4 count 283 [117-541]; 58% female). In the intervention arm, 78% of patients initiated ≤28 days in South Africa, compared to 68% in the standard arm (risk difference [RD] [95% confidence interval (CI)] 10% [3%-17%]); in Kenya, 94% of intervention-arm patients initiated ≤28 days compared to 89% in the standard arm (6% [0.5%-11%]). By 8 months in South Africa, 161/298 (54%) intervention-arm patients had initiated and were retained, compared to 146/302 (48%) in the standard arm (6% [(2% to 14%]). By 8 months in Kenya, the corresponding retention outcomes were identical in both arms (137/240 [57%] of intervention-arm patients and 136/237 [57%] of standard-arm patients). Limitations of the trial included limited geographic representativeness, exclusion of patients too ill to participate, missing viral load data, greater study fidelity to the algorithm than might be achieved in standard care, and secular changes in standard care over the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS In South Africa, the SLATE algorithm increased uptake of ART within 28 days by 10% and showed a numerical increase (6%) in retention at 8 months. In Kenya, the algorithm increased uptake of ART within 28 days by 6% but found no difference in retention at 8 months. Eight-month retention was poor in both arms and both countries. These results suggest that a simple structured algorithm for same-day treatment initiation procedures is feasible and can increase and accelerate ART uptake but that early retention on treatment remains problematic. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02891135, registered September 1, 2016. First participant enrolled March 6, 2017 in South Africa and July 13, 2017 in Kenya.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Rosen
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Mhairi Maskew
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Bruce A. Larson
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alana T. Brennan
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Isaac Tsikhutsu
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kericho, Kenya
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation Medical Research International, Inc., Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Matthew P. Fox
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lungisile Vezi
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Margaret Bii
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kericho, Kenya
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation Medical Research International, Inc., Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Willem D. F. Venter
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Stafford KA, Odafe SF, Lo J, Ibrahim R, Ehoche A, Niyang M, Aliyu GG, Gobir B, Onotu D, Oladipo A, Dalhatu I, Boyd AT, Ogorry O, Ismail L, Charurat M, Swaminathan M. Evaluation of the clinical outcomes of the Test and Treat strategy to implement Treat All in Nigeria: Results from the Nigeria Multi-Center ART Study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218555. [PMID: 31291273 PMCID: PMC6619660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In December 2016, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health updated its HIV guidelines to a Treat All approach, expanding antiretroviral therapy (ART) eligibility to all individuals with HIV infection, regardless of CD4+ cell count, and recommending ART be initiated within two weeks of HIV diagnosis (i.e., the Test and Treat strategy). The Test and Treat policy was first piloted in 32 local government areas (LGAs). The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of adult patients initiated on ART within two weeks of HIV diagnosis during this pilot. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients who initiated ART within two weeks of new HIV diagnosis between October 2015 and September 2016 in eight randomly selected LGAs participating in the Test and Treat pilot study. 2,652 adults were newly diagnosed and initiated on ART within two weeks of HIV diagnosis. Of these patients, 8% had documentation of a 12-month viral load measurement, and 13% had documentation of a six-month viral load measurement. Among Test and Treat patients with a documented viral load, 79% were suppressed (≤400 copies/ml) at six months and 78% were suppressed at 12 months. By 12 months post-ART initiation, 34% of the patients who initiated ART under the Test and Treat strategy were lost to follow-up. The median CD4 cell count among patients initiating ART within two weeks of HIV diagnosis was 323 cells/mm3 (interquartile range, 161–518). While randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that Test and Treat strategies can improve patient retention and increase viral suppression compared to standard of care, these findings indicate that the effectiveness of Test and Treat in some settings may be far lower than the efficacy demonstrated in randomized controlled trials. Significant attention to the way Test and Treat strategies are implemented, monitored, and improved particularly related to early retention, can help expand access to ART for all patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A. Stafford
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Solomon F. Odafe
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CGH/DGHT, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Julia Lo
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ramat Ibrahim
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Akipu Ehoche
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Mercy Niyang
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Gambo G. Aliyu
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bola Gobir
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation, Abuja, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Dennis Onotu
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CGH/DGHT, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Ademola Oladipo
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CGH/DGHT, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim Dalhatu
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CGH/DGHT, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Andrew T. Boyd
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CGH/DGHT, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - Lawal Ismail
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Military HIV Research Program, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Manhattan Charurat
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite antiretroviral therapy (ART) being widely available, HIV continues to cause substantial illness and premature death in low-and-middle-income countries. High rates of loss to follow-up after HIV diagnosis can delay people starting ART. Starting ART within seven days of HIV diagnosis (rapid ART initiation) could reduce loss to follow-up, improve virological suppression rates, and reduce mortality. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of interventions for rapid initiation of ART (defined as offering ART within seven days of HIV diagnosis) on treatment outcomes and mortality in people living with HIV. We also aimed to describe the characteristics of rapid ART interventions used in the included studies. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, Embase, and four other databases up to 14 August 2018. There was no restriction on date, language, or publication status. We also searched ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and websites for unpublished literature, including conference abstracts. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared rapid ART versus standard care in people living with HIV. Children, adults, and adolescents from any setting were eligible for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed the eligibility of the studies identified in the search, assessed the risk of bias and extracted data. The primary outcomes were mortality and virological suppression at 12 months. We have presented all outcomes using risk ratios (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Where appropriate, we pooled the results in meta-analysis. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS We included seven studies with 18,011 participants in the review. All studies were carried out in low- and middle-income countries in adults aged 18 years old or older. Only one study included pregnant women.In all the studies, the rapid ART intervention was offered as part of a package that included several cointerventions targeting individuals, health workers and health system processes delivered alongside rapid ART that aimed to facilitate uptake and adherence to ART.Comparing rapid ART with standard initiation probably results in greater viral suppression at 12 months (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.27; 2719 participants, 4 studies; moderate-certainty evidence) and better ART uptake at 12 months (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.12; 3713 participants, 4 studies; moderate-certainty evidence), and may improve retention in care at 12 months (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.35; 5001 participants, 6 studies; low-certainty evidence). Rapid ART initiation was associated with a lower mortality estimate, however the CIs included no effect when compared to standard of care (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.01; 5451 participants, 7 studies; very low-certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether rapid ART has an effect on modification of ART treatment regimens as data are lacking (RR 7.89, 95% CI 0.76 to 81.74; 977 participants, 2 studies; very low-certainty evidence). There was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions on the occurrence of adverse events. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS RCTs that include initiation of ART within one week of diagnosis appear to improve outcomes across the HIV treatment cascade in low- and middle-income settings. The studies demonstrating these effects delivered rapid ART combined with several setting-specific cointerventions. This highlights the need for pragmatic research to identify feasible packages that assure the effects seen in the trials when delivered through complex health systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Mateo-Urdiales
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK, L3 5QA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Rosen S, Maskew M, Brennan AT, Fox MP, Vezi L, Ehrenkranz PD, Venter WDF. Improved simplified clinical algorithm for identifying patients eligible for immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV (SLATE II): protocol for a randomized evaluation. Trials 2018; 19:548. [PMID: 30305142 PMCID: PMC6180640 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-2928-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends rapid (≤ 7 days) or same-day initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV-positive patients. South Africa adopted this recommendation in 2017, but multiple clinic visits, long waiting times, and delays for laboratory tests remain common. Streamlined approaches to same-day initiation that allow the majority of patients to start ART immediately, while ensuring that patients who do require additional services receive them, are needed to achieve national and international treatment program goals. METHODS/DESIGN The SLATE II (Simplified Algorithm for Treatment Eligibility) study is an individually randomized evaluation of a clinical algorithm to reliably determine a patient's eligibility for immediate ART initiation without waiting for laboratory results or additional clinic visits. It differs from the earlier SLATE I study in management of patients with symptoms of tuberculosis (under SLATE II these patients may be started on ART immediately) and other criteria for immediate initiation. SLATE II will randomize (1:1) 600 adult, HIV-positive patients who present for HIV testing or care and are not yet on ART in South Africa. Patients randomized to the standard arm will receive standard-of-care ART initiation from clinic staff. Patients randomized to the intervention arm will be administered a symptom report, medical history, brief physical exam, and readiness assessment. Symptomatic patients will also have a tuberculosis (TB) module with lipoarabinomannan antigen of mycobacteria test. Patients who have satisfactory results for all four components will be dispensed antiretrovirals (ARVs) immediately, at the same clinic visit. Patients who have any negative results will be referred for further investigation, care, counseling, tests, or other services prior to being dispensed ARVs. Follow-up will be by passive medical record review. The primary outcomes will be ART initiation in ≤ 7 days and retention in care 8 months after study enrollment. DISCUSSION SLATE II improves upon the SLATE I study by reducing the number of reasons for delaying ART initiation and allowing more patients with TB symptoms to start ART on the day of diagnosis. If successful, SLATE II will provide a simple and streamlined approach that can readily be adopted in other settings without investment in additional technology. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03315013 . Registered on 19 October 2017.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Rosen
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Ave Room 390, Boston, MA 02118 USA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - M Maskew
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - A T Brennan
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Ave Room 390, Boston, MA 02118 USA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
| | - M P Fox
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Ave Room 390, Boston, MA 02118 USA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA USA
| | - L Vezi
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - W D F Venter
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|