Clinical Characteristics and Short-Term Outcomes of HIV Patients Admitted to an African Intensive Care Unit

Characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to intensive care units in Uganda: a descriptive nationwide multicentre prospective study

Intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rates have decreased over time. However, in low-and lower-middle income countries (LMICs), there remains an excess ICU mortality with limited understanding of patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes from small single centre studies. We aimed therefore, to describe the characteristics, therapies and outcomes of patients admitted to all intensive care units in Uganda. A nationwide prospective observational study including all patients admitted Uganda's ICUs with available daily charts was conducted from 8th January 2018 to 1st April 2018. Socio-demographics and clinical characteristics including worst vital signs in the first 24 h of admission were recorded with calculation of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS-2) and quick Sequential Organ Function Assessment (qSOFA) score. ICU interventions were recorded during the ICU stay and patients were followed up to 28 days in ICU. The primary outcome was 28 day ICU mortality. Three-hundred fifty-one patients were analysed with mean age 39 (24.1) years, 205 (58.4%) males with 197 (56%) surgical admissions. The commonest indication for ICU admission was postoperative care (42.9%), 214 (61%) had at least one comorbidity, with hypertension 104 (48.6%) most prevalent and 35 (10%) HIV positive. The 28 day ICU mortality was 90/351 (25.6%) with a median ICU stay of 3 (1-7) days. The highest probability of death occurred during the first 10 days with more non-survivors receiving mechanical ventilation (80% vs 34%; p < 0.001), sedation/paralysis (70% vs 50%; p < 0.001), inotropic/vasopressor support (56.7% vs 22.2%; p < 0.001) and renal replacement therapy (14.4% vs 4.2%; p < 0.001). Independent predictors of ICU mortality included mechanical ventilation (HR 3.34, 95% CI 1.48-7.52), sedation/paralysis (HR 2.68, 95% CI 1.39-5.16), inotropes/vasopressor (HR 3.17,95% CI 1.89-5.29) and an HIV positive status (HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.14-4.56). This study provides a comprehensive description of ICU patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes in Uganda. It not only adds to the global body of knowledge on ICU care in resource-limited settings but also serves as a foundation for future research and policy initiatives aimed at optimizing ICU care in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Determinants of Mortality of Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

The provision of intensive care services is advancing globally. However, in resource-limited settings, it is lagging far behind and intensive care unit mortality is still higher due to various reasons. This study aimed to assess determinants of mortality among medical patients admitted to the intensive care unit.

Methods

A five-year facility-based retrospective Cohort Study was conducted. A total of 546 medical patients admitted to the intensive care unit from March 2017 to February 2022 were included. Document review using a structured questionnaire was implemented to collect data. Data entered into Epi Data were analyzed by STATA and summarized using frequency tables and graphs. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify determinants of mortality.

Results

The overall mortality was 35.9%. Approximately half of the deaths were attributed to septic shock, congestive heart failure, severe community-acquired pneumonia, and stroke. The most common immediate cause of death was cardio-respiratory arrest. Source of admission, GCS level at admission, duration of ICU stay, treatment with inotropes, septic shock, and retroviral infection status were found to have a statistically significant association with ICU mortality.

Conclusion and Recommendations

This study revealed a significantly higher mortality rate among patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Early identification and admission of patients to the intensive care unit are important factors that could decrease mortality. Patient selection is essential since some patients with a high likelihood of mortality might not benefit from intensive care unit admission in an area with high resource limitations.

People living with HIV, HCV and HIV/HCV coinfection in intensive care in a German tertiary referral center 2014-2019

PURPOSE

The epidemiology of HIV-infected individuals on the Medical Intensive Care Units (MICU) has changed after profound progress in treatment of AIDS-defining illnesses and anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Changes of MICU utilization of Hepatitis C (HCV) patients following roll-out of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) are yet to evaluate.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study on all patients with HIV, HIV/HCV and HCV admitted to the MICU of University Hospital Bonn 2014-2019. We assessed sociodemographic data, available clinical data from HIV patients (CDC stage, CD4 + lymphocyte cell count, HIV-1-RNA, ART) and HCV patients (HCV-RNA, stage of liver cirrhosis, treatment history) and outcome.

RESULTS

237 patients (46 HIV, 22 HIV/HCV, 169 HCV; 168 male, median age 51.3 years) with 325 MICU admissions were included. Admission criteria for HIV patients were infections (39.7% AIDS-associated, 23.8% with controlled HIV-infection) and cardiopulmonary diseases (14.3%). HIV/HCV coinfected patients had infections in controlled/uncontrolled HIV-infection (46.4%), cardiopulmonary diseases and intoxication/drug abuse (17.9% each). Reasons for HCV-mono-infected patients were infections (24.4%), sequelae of liver disease (20.9%), intoxication/drug abuse (18.4%) and cardiopulmonary diseases (15%). 60 patients deceased; most important risk factor was need for mechanical ventilation. The number of HCV-patients admitted to MICU with chronic active disease and sequelae of liver disease decreased while the proportion of patients with completed DAA-treatment increased.

CONCLUSION

Infections remain the most important reason for MICU admission in patients with HIV and/or HCV infection while non-AIDS related conditions increased. DAA roll-out has a beneficial effect on liver-associated morbidity in HCV patients admitted to MICU.

Outcomes in critically Ill HIV-infected patients between 1997 and 2020: analysis of the OUTCOMEREA multicenter cohort

PURPOSE

Despite antiviral therapy (ART), 800,000 deaths still occur yearly and globally due to HIV infection. In parallel with the good virological control and the aging of this population, multiple comorbidities [HIV-associated-non-AIDS (HANA) conditions] may now be observed.

METHODS

HIV adult patients hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) from all the French region from university and non-university hospital who participate to the OutcomeRea™ database on a voluntary basis over a 24-year period.

RESULTS

Of the 24,298 stays registered, 630 (2.6%) were a first ICU stay for HIV patients. Over time, the mean age and number of comorbidities (diabetes, renal and respiratory history, solid neoplasia) of patients increased. The proportion of HIV diagnosed on ICU admission decreased significantly, while the median duration of HIV disease as well as the percentage of ART-treated patients increased. The distribution of main reasons for admission remained stable over time (acute respiratory distress > shock > coma). We observed a significant drop in the rate of active opportunistic infection on admission, while the rate of active hemopathy (newly diagnosed or relapsed within the last 6 months prior to admission to ICU) qualifying for AIDS increased-nonsignificantly-with a significant increase in the anticancer chemotherapy administration in ICU. Admissions for HANA or non-HIV reasons were stable over time. In multivariate analysis, predictors of 60-day mortality were advanced age, chronic liver disease, past chemotherapy, sepsis-related organ failure assessment score > 4 at admission, hospitalization duration before ICU admission > 24 h, AIDS status, but not the period of admission.

CONCLUSION

Whereas the profile of ICU-admitted HIV patients has evolved over time (HIV better controlled but more associated comorbidities), mortality risk factors remain stable, including AIDS status.

Scope and mortality of adult medical ICU patients in an Eastern Cape tertiary hospital

Background

The characteristics and mortality outcomes of patients admitted to South African intensive care units (ICUs) owing to medical conditions are unknown. Available literature is derived from studies based on data from high-income countries.

Objectives

To determine ICU utilisation by medical patients and evaluate the scope of admissions and clinical associations with hospital mortality in ICU patients 12 years and older admitted to an Eastern Cape tertiary ICU, particularly in the subset with HIV disease.

Methods

A retrospective descriptive one-year cohort study. Data were obtained from the LivAKI study database and demographic data, comorbidities, diagnosis, and mortality outcomes and associations were determined.

Results

There were 261 (29.8%) medical ICU admissions. The mean age of the cohort was 40.2 years; 51.7% were female. When compared with the surgical emergencies, the medical subgroup had higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores (median score 5 v. 4, respectively) and simplified acute physiology score III (SAPS 3) scores (median 52.7 v. 48.5), a higher incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (7.7% v. 2.9%) and required more frequent dialysis (20.3% v. 5.5%). Of the medical admissions, sepsis accounted for 32.4% of admission diagnoses. The HIV seroprevalence rate was 34.0%, of whom 57.4% were on antiretroviral therapy. ICU and hospital mortality rates were 11.1% and 21.5% respectively, while only acute kidney injury (AKI) and sepsis were independently associated with mortality. The HIV-positive subgroup had a higher burden of tuberculosis (TB), higher admission SOFA and SAPS 3 scores and required more organ support.

Conclusion

Among medical patients admitted to ICU, there was a high HIV seroprevalence with low uptake of antiretroviral therapy. Sepsis was the most frequently identified ICU admission diagnosis. Sepsis and AKI (not HIV) were independent predictors of mortality. Co-infection with HIV and TB was associated with increased mortality.

Contributions of the study

The epidemiology and outcomes of adults who are critically ill from medical conditions in South African intensive care units was previously unknown but has been described in this study. The association of sepsis, TB, HIV and acute kidney injury with mortality is discussed.

Mortality in patients with acquired human immunodeficiency virus infection hospitalized in an intensive care unit during the period 2017-2019

Identify risk factors associated with mortality in HIV patients admitted to an ICU in the city of Bogotá. Retrospective cohort study of patients treated in an ICU during the years 2017–2019. The analysis included descriptive statistics, association tests, and a logistic regression model. A predictive model of mortality at the time of admission to the ICU was developed. 110 HIV patients were identified. Association was found between a Charlson index ≥ 6 and mortality (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.0–5.1) and an increase in mortality in the first 21 days of ICU stay (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.0–4.9). In the logistic regression analysis, the absence of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) upon admission to the ICU (OR = 2.5 95% CI 1.0–6.1) and the first 21 days of ICU stay (OR = 2.3 95% CI 1.0–5.4) were associated with an increase in mortality. The predictive mortality model established that mortality was higher in patients admitted to the ICU without having previously received HAART than in those who did receive therapy at the time of admission to the ICU. In patients with HIV admitted to the ICU, the absence of HAART will negatively impact mortality during their hospital stay.

Implementation of a comprehensive intervention focused on hospitalized patients with HIV by an existing stewardship program: successes and lessons learned

Background:

Several national organizations have advocated for inpatient antiretroviral stewardship to prevent the consequences of medication-related errors. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a stewardship initiative on outcomes in people with HIV (PWH).

Methods:

A pharmacist-led audit and review of adult patients admitted with an ICD-10 code for HIV was implemented to an existing antimicrobial stewardship program. A quasi-experimental, retrospective cohort study was conducted comparing PWH admitted during pre- and post-intervention periods. Rates of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-related errors and infectious diseases (ID) consultation with linkage to care were evaluated through selection of a random sample of patients receiving ART in each period. Length of stay (LOS) and mortality were assessed by analyzing all admissions in the post-intervention period. Clinical outcomes including LOS, 30-day all-cause hospital readmission, and in-hospital and 30-day mortality in the post-intervention group were stratified by patients not on ART, on ART at admission, and started on ART as a result of the intervention.

Results:

A total of 100 patients in the pre-intervention period and 103 patients in the post-intervention period were included to assess ART-related errors and linkage to care. A reduction in errors (70.0 versus 25.7%, p < 0.001) and increased linkage to care (19.0 versus 39.6%, p < 0.01) were demonstrated. Of 389 admissions during the post-intervention period, 30-day mortality rates were similar between PWH on ART at admission and those initiated on ART during admission (5% versus 8%, respectively), but less than those not on ART (21%). A longer LOS was observed in the patients started on ART during admission (5 days if ART started during admission versus 3 days if not started during admission, p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

This interdisciplinary intervention was successful in reducing inpatient ART-related errors and increasing ID consultation with linkage to care among PWH.

Acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure in a low-income country: a prospective observational study of hospital prevalence and mortality

INTRODUCTION

Limited data exist on the epidemiology of acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF) in low-income countries (LICs). We sought to determine the prevalence of AHRF in critically ill adult patients admitted to a Ugandan tertiary referral hospital; determine clinical and treatment characteristics as well as assess factors associated with mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study at the Mulago National Referral and Teaching Hospital in Uganda. Critically ill adults who were hospitalised at the emergency department and met the criteria for AHRF (acute shortness of breath for less than a week) were enrolled and followed up for 90 days. Multivariable analyses were conducted to determine the risk factors for death.

RESULTS

A total of 7300 patients was screened. Of these, 327 (4.5%) presented with AHRF. The majority (60 %) was male and the median age was 38 years (IQR 27-52). The mean plethysmographic oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was 77.6% (SD 12.7); mean SpO₂/FiO₂ ratio 194 (SD 32) and the mean Lung Injury Prediction Score (LIPS) 6.7 (SD 0.8). Pneumonia (80%) was the most common diagnosis. Only 6% of the patients received mechanical ventilatory support. In-hospital mortality was 77% with an average length of hospital stay of 9.2 days (SD 7). At 90 days after enrolment, the mortality increased to 85%. Factors associated with mortality were severity of hypoxaemia (risk ratio (RR) 1.29 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.54), p=0.01); a high LIPS (RR 1.79 (95% CI 1.79 1.14 to 2.83), p=0.01); thrombocytopenia (RR 1.23 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.38), p=0.01); anaemia (RR 1.15 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.31), p=0.03) ; HIV co-infection (RR 0.84 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.97), p=0.019) and male gender (RR 1.15 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.31) p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of AHRF among emergency department patients in a tertiary hospital in an LIC was low but was associated with very high mortality. Pneumonia was the most common cause of AHRF. Mortality was associated with higher severity of hypoxaemia, high LIPS, anaemia, HIV co-infection, thrombocytopenia and being male.

Management of HIV-infected patients in the intensive care unit

The widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapies (cART) has converted the prognosis of HIV infection from a rapidly progressive and ultimately fatal disease to a chronic condition with limited impact on life expectancy. Yet, HIV-infected patients remain at high risk for critical illness due to the occurrence of severe opportunistic infections in those with advanced immunosuppression (i.e., inaugural admissions or limited access to cART), a pronounced susceptibility to bacterial sepsis and tuberculosis at every stage of HIV infection, and a rising prevalence of underlying comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, atherosclerosis or non-AIDS-defining neoplasms in cART-treated patients aging with controlled viral replication. Several patterns of intensive care have markedly evolved in this patient population over the late cART era, including a steady decline in AIDS-related admissions, an opposite trend in admissions for exacerbated comorbidities, the emergence of additional drivers of immunosuppression (e.g., anti-neoplastic chemotherapy or solid organ transplantation), the management of cART in the acute phase of critical illness, and a dramatic progress in short-term survival that mainly results from general advances in intensive care practices. Besides, there is a lack of data regarding other features of ICU and post-ICU care in these patients, especially on the impact of sociological factors on clinical presentation and prognosis, the optimal timing of cART introduction in AIDS-related admissions, determinants of end-of-life decisions, long-term survival, and functional outcomes. In this narrative review, we sought to depict the current evidence regarding the management of HIV-infected patients admitted to the intensive care unit.

Clinical outcome of admitted HIV/AIDS patients in Ethiopian tertiary care settings: A prospective cohort study

Background

Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) related illnesses are the leading cause of death in the developing world. However; there is limited evidence regarding the incidence of mortality among admitted HIV patients in Ethiopia.

Objective

To determine the incidence of mortality and its predictors among admitted HIV/AIDS patients in selected tertiary care hospitals in Ethiopia.

Methods

A prospective cohort study involving 136 admitted HIV/AIDS patients from April 1 to August 31, 2018 was conducted in selected tertiary care hospitals in Ethiopia. Data were collected on socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, and drug related variables. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used to compare survival experience of the patients and identify independent predictors of mortality. Hazard ratio was used as a measure of strength of association and p-value of <0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance.

Results

Of 136 patients, 80 (58.8%) were females. The overall in-hospital incidence of mortality was 2.83 per 1000 person-years. The incidences of mortality due to AIDS and non-AIDS related admissions were 6.1 [3.95, 8.67] and 5.3 [3.35, 8.23] per 1000 person-years respectively. The mean ± SD survival times among patients with AIDS and non-AIDS related illnesses were 32 ± 3.1 and 34 ± 3.3 days respectively (log rank p = 0.599). Being on non-invasive ventilation (AHR: 2.99, 95%CI; [1.24, 7.28]; p = 0.015) and having baseline body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 (AHR: 2.6, 95%CI; [1.03, 6.45]; p = 0.04) were independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion

The study found high incidence of in-hospital mortality among admitted HIV/AIDS patients in Ethiopian tertiary care hospitals. Being on non-invasive ventilation and body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 were found to be independent predictors of mortality.

Patterns of presentation and survival of HIV-infected patients admitted to a tertiary-level intensive care unit

OBJECTIVES

Compared to other countires internationally, South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV. There are limited data in developing countries on the outcomes of HIV-infected patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The objectives of this study were to describe the pattern of presentation of these patients and to determine factors that may influence survival to ICU discharge.

METHODS

The medical charts of 204 consecutive HIV-infected individuals who were admitted to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital adult general ICU during the calendar year 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant data were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Two-hundred and four (22.6%) out of a total of 903 patients who were admitted to the ICU were HIV positive. Sepsis-related illnesses were the most common reason for ICU admission (n = 95; 46.6%), followed by post-operative care (n = 69; 33.8%) and non-sepsis-related illnesses (n = 40; 19.6%). The median length of stay in the ICU was 5 (interquartile range 2-9) days. ICU mortality was 33.3% (n = 68). On univariate analysis, age (P = 0.039), length of stay in the ICU (P = 0.040), primary diagnostic category (P < 0.05), sepsis acquired during the ICU stay (P = 0.012), inotrope/vasopressor administration (P < 0.001), mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001), haemodialysis (P = 0.001), CD4 cell count (P = 0.011), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Assessment (APACHE) II score (P < 0.001) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, diagnostic category, sepsis acquired during the ICU stay, inotrope/vasopressor administration, mechanical ventilation, haemodialysis, CD4 cell count, APACHE II score, SOFA score and length of ICU stay were associated with ICU mortality in HIV-infected patients.

Increasing evidence-based interventions in patients with acute infections in a resource-limited setting: a before-and-after feasibility trial in Gitwe, Rwanda

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether a focused education program and implementation of a treatment bundle increases the rate of early evidence-based interventions in patients with acute infections.

DESIGN

Single-center, prospective, before-and-after feasibility trial.

SETTING

Emergency department of a sub-Saharan African district hospital.

PATIENTS

Patients > 28 days of life admitted to the study hospital for an acute infection.

INTERVENTIONS

The trial had three phases (each of 4 months). Interventions took place during the second (educational program followed by implementation of the treatment bundle) and third (provision of resources to implement treatment bundle) phases.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at study enrollment; 24, 48, and 72 h after hospital admission; and at discharge. A total of 1594 patients were enrolled (pre-intervention, n = 661; intervention I, n = 531; intervention II, n = 402). The rate of early evidence-based interventions per patient during Intervention Phase I was greater than during the pre-intervention phase (74 ± 17 vs. 79 ± 15%, p < 0.001). No difference was detected when data were compared between Intervention Phases I and II (79 ± 15 vs. 80 ± 15%, p = 0.58). No differences in the incidence of blood transfusion (pre-intervention, 6%; intervention I, 7%; intervention II, 7%) or severe adverse events in the first 24 h (allergic reactions: pre-intervention, 0.2%; intervention I, 0%; intervention II, 0%; respiratory failure: pre-intervention, 2%; intervention I, 2%; intervention II, 2%; acute renal failure: pre-intervention, 2%; intervention I, 2%; intervention II, 1%) were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that a focused education program and implementation of an infection treatment bundle in clinical practice increased the rate of early evidence-based interventions in patients with acute infections (mostly malaria) admitted to a sub-Saharan African district hospital. Provision of material resources did not further increase this rate. While no safety issues were detected, this could be related to the very low disease severity of the enrolled patient population ( http://www.clinicaltrials.gov : NCT02697513).