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Kitenge MK, Fatti G, Eshun-Wilson I, Aluko O, Nyasulu P. Prevalence and trends of advanced HIV disease among antiretroviral therapy-naïve and antiretroviral therapy-experienced patients in South Africa between 2010-2021: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:549. [PMID: 37608300 PMCID: PMC10464046 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08521-4] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the significant progress made in South Africa in getting millions of individuals living with HIV into care, many patients still present or re-enter care with Advanced HIV Disease (AHD). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of AHD among ART-naive and ART-experienced patients in South Africa using studies published between January 2010 and May 2022. METHODS We searched for relevant data on PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and other sources, with a geographical filters limited to South Africa, up to May 31, 2022. Two reviewers conducted all screening, eligibility assessment, data extraction, and critical appraisal. We synthesized the data using the inverse-variance heterogeneity model and Freeman-Tukey transformation. We assessed heterogeneity using the I2 statistic and publication bias using the Egger and Begg's test. RESULTS We identified 2,496 records, of which 53 met the eligibility criteria, involving 11,545,460 individuals. The pooled prevalence of AHD among ART-naive and ART-experienced patients was 43.45% (95% CI 40.1-46.8%, n = 53 studies) and 58.6% (95% CI 55.7 to 61.5%, n = 2) respectively. The time trend analysis showed a decline of 2% in the prevalence of AHD among ART-naive patients per year. However, given the high heterogeneity between studies, the pooled prevalence should be interpreted with caution. CONCLUSION Despite HIV's evolution to a chronic disease, our findings show that the burden of AHD remains high among both ART-naive and ART-experienced patients in South Africa. This emphasizes the importance of regular measurement of CD4 cell count as an essential component of HIV care. In addition, providing innovative adherence support and interventions to retain ART patients in effective care is a crucial priority for those on ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel K Kitenge
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Tuberculosis and HIV investigative Network (THINK), Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
| | - Geoffrey Fatti
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Kheth'Impilo AIDS Free Living, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ingrid Eshun-Wilson
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Omololu Aluko
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Department of Biostatistics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Peter Nyasulu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Pry JM, Mwila C, Kapesa H, Mulabe M, Frimpong C, Moono M, Savory T, Bolton-Moore C, Herce ME, Iyer S. Estimating potential silent transfer using baseline viral load measures among people presenting as new to HIV care in Lusaka, Zambia: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070384. [PMID: 37230517 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070384] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate potential silent transfer using baseline viral load measures among individuals presenting as new to HIV care in routine HIV clinical settings in Lusaka, Zambia. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Two large, urban government-operated health facilities supported by the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia. PARTICIPANTS A total of 248 participants with an incident positive HIV rapid test. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was HIV viral suppression at baseline (i.e., potential silent transfer), defined as having a viral load ≤1000 RNA copies(c)/mL at the time of initiating HIV care. We also examined viral suppression at ≤60 c/mL. METHODS We surveyed and measured baseline HIV viral load as part of the national recent infection testing algorithm among people living with HIV (PLWH) presenting as new to care. Using mixed effects Poisson regression, we identified characteristics among PLWH associated with potential silent transfer. RESULTS Among the 248 PLWH included, 63% were women with median age of 30, and 66 (27% (66/248)) had viral suppression at ≤1000 c/mL and 53 (21% (53/248)) at ≤60 c/mL thresholds, respectively. Participants aged 40+ years had a significantly higher adjusted prevalence of potential silent transfer (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 2.10; 95% CI: 2.08, 2.13) compared with participants aged 18-24 years. Participants reporting no formal education had a significantly higher adjusted prevalence of potential silent transfer (aPR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.52, 1.75) compared with those completing primary education. Among 57 potential silent transfers who completed a survey, 44 (77%) indicated having tested positive previously at ≥1 of 38 clinics in Zambia. CONCLUSIONS The high proportion of PLWH with potential silent transfer points to clinic shopping and/or co-enrolment at multiple care sites simultaneously, suggesting an opportunity to improve care continuity at the time of HIV care entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake M Pry
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Chilambwe Mwila
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Herbert Kapesa
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Musunge Mulabe
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Christiana Frimpong
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Misinzo Moono
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Theodora Savory
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Carolyn Bolton-Moore
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Division of Infectious Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Michael E Herce
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shilpa Iyer
- Research Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Vignesh R, Balakrishnan P, Tan HY, Yong YK, Velu V, Larsson M, Shankar EM. Tuberculosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome-An Extempore Game of Misfiring with Defense Arsenals. Pathogens 2023; 12. [PMID: 36839482 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The lethal combination involving TB and HIV, known as "syndemic" diseases, synergistically act upon one another to magnify the disease burden. Individuals on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) are at risk of developing TB-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS). The underlying inflammatory complication includes the rapid restoration of immune responses following ART, eventually leading to exaggerated inflammatory responses to MTB antigens. TB-IRIS continues to be a cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV/TB coinfected patients initiating ART, and although a significant quantum of knowledge has been acquired on the pathogenesis of IRIS, the underlying pathomechanisms and identification of a sensitive and specific diagnostic marker still remain a grey area of investigation. Here, we reviewed the latest research developments into IRIS immunopathogenesis, and outlined the modalities to prevent and manage strategies for better clinical and diagnostic outcomes for IRIS.
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MacKellar D, Hlophe T, Ujamaa D, Pals S, Dlamini M, Dube L, Suraratdecha C, Williams D, Byrd J, Tobias J, Mndzebele P, Behel S, Pathmanathan I, Mazibuko S, Tilahun E, Ryan C. Antiretroviral therapy initiation and retention among clients who received peer-delivered linkage case management and standard linkage services, Eswatini, 2016-2020: retrospective comparative cohort study. Arch Public Health 2022; 80:74. [PMID: 35260189 PMCID: PMC8905856 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-022-00810-9] [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: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persons living with HIV infection (PLHIV) who are diagnosed in community settings in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable to barriers to care that prevent or delay many from obtaining antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess if a package of peer-delivered linkage case management and treatment navigation services (CommLink) was more effective than peer-delivered counseling, referral, and telephone follow-up (standard linkage services, SLS) in initiating and retaining PLHIV on ART after diagnosis in community settings in Eswatini. HIV-test records of 773 CommLink and 769 SLS clients aged ≥ 15 years diagnosed between March 2016 and March 2018, matched by urban and rural settings of diagnosis, were selected for the study. CommLink counselors recorded resolved and unresolved barriers to care (e.g., perceived wellbeing, fear of partner response, stigmatization) during a median of 52 days (interquartile range: 35-69) of case management. RESULTS Twice as many CommLink than SLS clients initiated ART by 90 days of diagnosis overall (88.4% vs. 37.9%, adjusted relative risk (aRR): 2.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.97, 2.77) and during test and treat when all PLHIV were eligible for ART (96.2% vs. 37.1%, aRR: 2.59, 95% CI: 2.20, 3.04). By 18 months of diagnosis, 54% more CommLink than SLS clients were initiated and retained on ART (76.3% vs. 49.5%, aRR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.33, 1.79). Peer counselors helped resolve 896 (65%) of 1372 identified barriers of CommLink clients. Compared with clients with ≥ 3 unresolved barriers to care, 42% (aRR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.68) more clients with 1-2 unresolved barriers, 44% (aRR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.25, 1.66) more clients with all barriers resolved, and 54% (aRR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.81) more clients who had no identified barriers were initiated and retained on ART by 18 months of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS To improve early ART initiation and retention among PLHIV diagnosed in community settings, HIV prevention programs should consider providing a package of peer-delivered linkage case management and treatment navigation services. Clients with multiple unresolved barriers to care measured as part of that package should be triaged for differentiated linkage and retention services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan MacKellar
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | | | | | - Sherri Pals
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Lenhle Dube
- Eswatini Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Chutima Suraratdecha
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daniel Williams
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - James Tobias
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Stephanie Behel
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ishani Pathmanathan
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Caroline Ryan
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mbabane, Eswatini
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Zuñiga JA, Sales A, Jang DE, West Ohueri C, Burkholder G, Moore R, Davy-Méndez T, Christopoulos K, García AA. Self-Management Model fails to Predict Quality of Life for People Living with Dual Diagnosis of HIV and Diabetes. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:488-95. [PMID: 34351517 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03405-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to test a self-management model for self-management in people living with HIV and type 2 diabetes (PLWH + T2DM). We conducted a predictive, longitudinal study of data from a national research cohort of PLWH using lag analysis to test short- and long-term health outcomes for PLWH + T2DM. We used a dataset from the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Network of Integrated Clinic Systems (CNICS), a nation-wide research network of 8 clinics that serves PLWH. Patient-reported outcomes, collected at clinic visit, included depression, adherence, CD4 cell count, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We computed summary statistics to describe the sample. Using lag analysis, we then modeled the three variables of adherence, CD4 count, and HRQoL as a function of their predecessors in our conceptual model. In the final model, an increase of in medication adherence corresponded to a small increase in HRQoL. An increase in CD4 count corresponded to a small increase in HRQoL. An increase in lagged depression was associated with a small decrease in HRQoL. The model was not sufficient to predict short- or long-term outcomes in PLWH + T2DM. Although depression had a moderate impact, the final model was not clinically significant. For people with a dual diagnosis of HIV and T2DM, variables other than those traditionally addressed in self-management interventions may be more important.
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Yapa HM, Kim HY, Petoumenos K, Post FA, Jiamsakul A, De Neve JW, Tanser F, Iwuji C, Baisley K, Shahmanesh M, Pillay D, Siedner MJ, Bärnighausen T, Bor J. CD4+ T-Cell Count at Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation in the "Treat-All" Era in Rural South Africa: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:1350-1359. [PMID: 34309633 PMCID: PMC9049265 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab650] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND South Africa implemented universal test and treat (UTT) in September 2016 in an effort to encourage earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS We therefore conducted an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis to assess the impact of UTT on mean CD4 count at ART initiation among adults aged ≥16 years attending 17 public sector primary care clinics in rural South Africa, between July 2014 and March 2019. RESULTS Among 20 599 individuals (69% women), CD4 counts were available for 74%. Mean CD4 at ART initiation increased from 317.1 cells/μL (95% confidence interval [CI], 308.6 to 325.6) 1 to 8 months prior to UTT to 421.0 cells/μL (95% CI, 413.0 to 429.0) 1 to 12 months after UTT, including an immediate increase of 124.2 cells/μL (95% CI, 102.2 to 146.1). However, mean CD4 count subsequently fell to 389.5 cells/μL (95% CI, 381.8 to 397.1) 13 to 30 months after UTT but remained above pre-UTT levels. Men initiated ART at lower CD4 counts than women (-118.2 cells/μL, 95% CI, -125.5 to -111.0) throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS Although UTT led to an immediate increase in CD4 count at ART initiation in this rural community, the long-term effects were modest. More efforts are needed to increase initiation of ART early in those living with human immunodeficiency virus, particularly men.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Manisha Yapa
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia,Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,Correspondence: H. Manisha Yapa, Level 6, Wallace Wurth Building, University of New South Wales, High Street, Kensington NSW 2052, Australia ()
| | - Hae-Young Kim
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kathy Petoumenos
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Frank A Post
- King’s College Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Awachana Jiamsakul
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jan-Walter De Neve
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Tanser
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom,Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Collins Iwuji
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Kathy Baisley
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maryam Shahmanesh
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deenan Pillay
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,Division of Infection & Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J Siedner
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany,Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacob Bor
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,Department of Global Health and Epidemiology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Wits Health Consortium, Faculty of Health Science, University of Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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Dejen D, Jara D, Yeshanew F, Fentaw Z, Mengie Feleke T, Girmaw F, Wagaye B. Attrition and Its Predictors Among Adults Receiving First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy in Woldia Town Public Health Facilities, Northeast Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cohort Study. HIV AIDS (Auckl) 2021; 13:445-454. [PMID: 33907472 PMCID: PMC8068483 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s304657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Introduction There is an expansion and advancement of antiretroviral therapy. However, attrition of patients from HIV care is one of the major drivers of poor performance of HIV/AIDS programs, which leads to drug resistance, morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to assess the incidence of attrition and its predictors among adults receiving first-line antiretroviral therapy. Methods An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 634 adults receiving antiretroviral therapy, and study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were cleaned and entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to STATA 14.1 for further analysis. The predictors of attrition were identified using bivariable and multivariable Cox Proportional hazard models; then, variables at a p-value of less than 0.25 and 0.05 were included in the multivariable analysis and statistically significant, respectively. Results The total time observed was found to be 1807.08 person-years of observation with a median follow-up time of 2.67 years (IQR 1.25−4.67). The incidence rate of attrition was 8.36 (95% CI: 7.12−9.80) per 100 person-years. Significant predictors of attrition were being young age [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) =2.0, 95% CI, (1.11−3.58)], nearest calendar year of ART initiation [AHR =2.32, 95% CI, (1.08–5.01)], bedridden functional status [AHR=3.25, 95% CI, (1.33−7.96)], WHO stage III [AHR=3.57, 95% CI, (1.58−8.06)] and stage IV [AHR=5.46, 95% CI, (1.97−15.13)], viral load result of ≤1000 [AHR=0.11, 95% CI, (0.06−0.23)], disclosure status [AHR=2.03, 95% CI, (1.22−3.37)] and adherence level of poor [AHR=3.19, 95 CI, (1.67−6.09)]. Conclusion The result of this study showed that the incidence of attrition among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy was high. However, as a standard, every client who started antiretroviral therapy should be retained. Positive predictors of attrition were young age (15–24), recent year of ART initiation, baseline functional status, advanced WHO stage III and IV, no disclosure status, fair/poor adherence whereas, viral load result of ≤1000 copies/mL had a preventive effect on attrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demeke Dejen
- Care and Treatment, Amhara Regional Health Bureau CDC Project Cluster Health Facilities HIV Case Detection Linkage, Woldia, Ethiopia
| | - Dube Jara
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Fanos Yeshanew
- Department of Public Health Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Zinabu Fentaw
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfa Mengie Feleke
- Amhara Regional Health Bureau CDC Project Zonal Monitoring and Evaluation, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Fentaw Girmaw
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Science, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
| | - Birhanu Wagaye
- Department of Public Health Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
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Tlhajoane M, Dzamatira F, Kadzura N, Nyamukapa C, Eaton JW, Gregson S. Incidence and predictors of attrition among patients receiving ART in eastern Zimbabwe before, and after the introduction of universal 'treat-all' policies: A competing risk analysis. PLOS Glob Public Health 2021; 1:e0000006. [PMID: 36962073 PMCID: PMC10021537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
As HIV treatment is expanded, attention is focused on minimizing attrition from care. We evaluated the impact of treat-all policies on the incidence and determinants of attrition amongst clients receiving ART in eastern Zimbabwe. Data were retrospectively collected from the medical records of adult patients (aged≥18 years) enrolled into care from July 2015 to June 2016-pre-treat-all era, and July 2016 to June 2017-treat-all era, selected from 12 purposively sampled health facilities. Attrition was defined as an absence from care >90 days following ART initiation. Survival-time methods were used to derive incidence rates (IRs), and competing risk regression used in bivariate and multivariable modelling. In total, 829 patients had newly initiated ART and were included in the analysis (pre-treat-all 30.6%; treat-all 69.4%). Incidence of attrition (per 1000 person-days) increased between the two time periods (pre-treat-all IR = 1.18 (95%CI: 0.90-1.56) versus treat-all period IR = 1.62 (95%CI: 1.37-1.91)). In crude analysis, patients at increased risk of attrition were those enrolled into care during the treat-all period, <34 years of age, WHO stage I at enrolment, and had initiated ART on the same day as HIV diagnosis. After accounting for mediating clinical characteristics, the difference in attrition between the pre-treat-all, and treat-all periods ceased to be statistically significant. In a full multivariable model, attrition was significantly higher amongst same-day ART initiates (aSHR = 1.47, 95%CI:1.05-2.06). Implementation of treat-all policies was associated with an increased incidence of ART attrition, driven largely by ART initiation on the same day as HIV diagnosis which increased significantly in the treat all period. Differentiated adherence counselling for patients at increased risk of attrition, and improved access to clinical monitoring may improve retention in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malebogo Tlhajoane
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Noah Kadzura
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Constance Nyamukapa
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Jeffrey W Eaton
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Gregson
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Ricks S, Denkinger CM, Schumacher SG, Hallett TB, Arinaminpathy N. The potential impact of urine-LAM diagnostics on tuberculosis incidence and mortality: A modelling analysis. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003466. [PMID: 33306694 PMCID: PMC7732057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003466] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan (LAM) tests could offer important new opportunities for the early detection of tuberculosis (TB). The currently licensed LAM test, Alere Determine TB LAM Ag ('LF-LAM'), performs best in the sickest people living with HIV (PLHIV). However, the technology continues to improve, with newer LAM tests, such as Fujifilm SILVAMP TB LAM ('SILVAMP-LAM') showing improved sensitivity, including amongst HIV-negative patients. It is important to anticipate the epidemiological impact that current and future LAM tests may have on TB incidence and mortality. METHODS AND FINDINGS Concentrating on South Africa, we examined the impact that widening LAM test eligibility would have on TB incidence and mortality. We developed a mathematical model of TB transmission to project the impact of LAM tests, distinguishing 'current' tests (with sensitivity consistent with LF-LAM), from hypothetical 'future' tests (having sensitivity consistent with SILVAMP-LAM). We modelled the impact of both tests, assuming full adoption of the 2019 WHO guidelines for the use of these tests amongst those receiving HIV care. We also simulated the hypothetical deployment of future LAM tests for all people presenting to care with TB symptoms, not restricted to PLHIV. Our model projects that 2,700,000 (95% credible interval [CrI] 2,000,000-3,600,000) and 420,000 (95% CrI 350,000-520,000) cumulative TB incident cases and deaths, respectively, would occur between 2020 and 2035 if the status quo is maintained. Relative to this comparator, current and future LAM tests would respectively avert 54 (95% CrI 33-86) and 90 (95% CrI 55-145) TB deaths amongst inpatients between 2020 and 2035, i.e., reductions of 5% (95% CrI 4%-6%) and 9% (95% CrI 7%-11%) in inpatient TB mortality. This impact in absolute deaths averted doubles if testing is expanded to include outpatients, yet remains <1% of country-level TB deaths. Similar patterns apply to incidence results. However, deploying a future LAM test for all people presenting to care with TB symptoms would avert 470,000 (95% CrI 220,000-870,000) incident TB cases (18% reduction, 95% CrI 9%-29%) and 120,000 (95% CrI 69,000-210,000) deaths (30% reduction, 95% CrI 18%-44%) between 2020 and 2035. Notably, this increase in impact arises largely from diagnosis of TB amongst those with HIV who are not yet in HIV care, and who would thus be ineligible for a LAM test under current guidelines. Qualitatively similar results apply under an alternative comparator assuming expanded use of GeneXpert MTB/RIF ('Xpert') for TB diagnosis. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates qualitatively similar results in a setting like Kenya, which also has a generalised HIV epidemic, but a lower burden of HIV/TB coinfection. Amongst limitations of this analysis, we do not address the cost or cost-effectiveness of future tests. Our model neglects drug resistance and focuses on the country-level epidemic, thus ignoring subnational variations in HIV and TB burden. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that LAM tests could have an important effect in averting TB deaths amongst PLHIV with advanced disease. However, achieving population-level impact on the TB epidemic, even in high-HIV-burden settings, will require future LAM tests to have sufficient performance to be deployed more broadly than in HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Ricks
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Claudia M. Denkinger
- Center of Infectious Disease, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Timothy B. Hallett
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nimalan Arinaminpathy
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Kerschberger B, Schomaker M, Jobanputra K, Kabore SM, Teck R, Mabhena E, Mthethwa-Hleza S, Rusch B, Ciglenecki I, Boulle A. HIV programmatic outcomes following implementation of the 'Treat-All' policy in a public sector setting in Eswatini: a prospective cohort study. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25458. [PMID: 32128964 PMCID: PMC7054447 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Treat-All policy - antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation irrespective of CD4 cell criteria - increases access to treatment. Many ART programmes, however, reported increasing attrition and viral failure during treatment expansion, questioning the programmatic feasibility of Treat-All in resource-limited settings. We aimed to describe and compare programmatic outcomes between Treat-All and standard of care (SOC) in the public sectors of Eswatini. METHODS This is a prospective cohort study of ≥16-year-old HIV-positive patients initiated on first-line ART under Treat-All and SOC in 18 health facilities of the Shiselweni region, from October 2014 to March 2016. SOC followed the CD4 350 and 500 cells/mm3 treatment eligibility thresholds. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to describe crude programmatic outcomes. Multivariate flexible parametric survival models were built to assess associations of time from ART initiation with the composite unfavourable outcome of all-cause attrition and viral failure. RESULTS Of the 3170 patients, 1888 (59.6%) initiated ART under Treat-All at a median CD4 cell count of 329 (IQR 168 to 488) cells/mm3 compared with 292 (IQR 161 to 430) (p < 0.001) under SOC. Although crude programme retention at 36 months tended to be lower under Treat-All (71%) than SOC (75%) (p = 0.002), it was similar in covariate-adjusted analysis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.06, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.23). The hazard of viral suppression was higher for Treat-All (aHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.23), while the hazard of viral failure was comparable (Treat-All: aHR 0.89, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.49). Among patients with advanced HIV disease (n = 1080), those under Treat-All (aHR 1.13, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.44) had a similar risk of an composite unfavourable outcome to SOC. Factors increasing the risk of the composite unfavourable outcome under both interventions were aged 16 to 24 years, being unmarried, anaemia, ART initiation on the same day as HIV care enrolment and CD4 ≤ 100 cells/mm3 . Under Treat-All only, the risk of the unfavourable outcome was higher for pregnant women, WHO III/IV clinical stage and elevated creatinine. CONCLUSIONS Compared to SOC, Treat-All resulted in comparable retention, improved viral suppression and comparable composite outcomes of retention without viral failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Kerschberger
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini.,Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael Schomaker
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT - University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Kiran Jobanputra
- The Manson Unit, Médecins Sans Frontières, London, United Kingdom
| | - Serge M Kabore
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Roger Teck
- The Manson Unit, Médecins Sans Frontières, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edwin Mabhena
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | - Barbara Rusch
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Iza Ciglenecki
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Boulle
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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11
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Dorward J, Sookrajh Y, Gate K, Khubone T, Mtshaka N, Mlisana K, Ngobese H, Yende‐Zuma N, Garrett N. HIV treatment outcomes among people with initiation CD4 counts >500 cells/µL after implementation of Treat All in South African public clinics: a retrospective cohort study. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25479. [PMID: 32319203 PMCID: PMC7174836 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The World Health Organisation recommends to Treat All people with HIV, irrespective of CD4 count. However, people with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL may be asymptomatic and therefore less motivated to adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART). We aimed to assess whether people initiated with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL had worse treatment outcomes compared to those initiated at lower CD4 counts. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study among non-pregnant adults initiating ART at eight public clinics in South Africa between September 2016, when Treat All was implemented, and August 2017. We assessed whether initiation CD4 count >500 cells/µL was associated with the outcomes of attrition (death, lost to follow-up or treatment interruption >180 days), and viraemia >1000 copies/mL, by twelve months using Cox proportional hazards and Poisson regression models. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Among 4952 patients initiating ART, the median age was 32.4 years (interquartile range (IQR) 27.2 to 39.7), 58.9% were women and 30.3% had an initiation CD4 count >500 cells/µL. After twelve months, 3382 (68.3%) were retained in care, 303 (6.1%) had transferred to another clinic, 1010 (20.4%) were lost to follow-up, 232 (4.7%) had a treatment interruption >180 days and 25 (0.5%) were known to have died. Overall, 1267 experienced attrition at a median time of 91 days (IQR 23 to 213), with 302 of these (23.8%) experiencing attrition immediately after their ART initiation visit. Among those in care at twelve months with viral load results, 4.6% had viraemia. In multivariable analysis, the hazard of attrition was similar between patients newly eligible for ART with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL compared to those with CD4 ≤500 cells/µL (adjusted hazard ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90 to 1.17). The risk of viraemia was lower among patients with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL compared to those with CD4 ≤500 cells/µL (adjusted risk ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.92). CONCLUSIONS After implementation of Treat All in South African public clinics, we found that patients newly eligible for ART with initiation CD4 counts >500 cells/µL had comparable or better outcomes compared to those with lower CD4 counts. These finding support ongoing implementation of Treat All in our setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jienchi Dorward
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Yukteshwar Sookrajh
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Kelly Gate
- Bethesda HospitalUbomboSouth Africa
- Department of Family MedicineUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Thokozani Khubone
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Nomsa Mtshaka
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Koleka Mlisana
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- National Health Laboratory ServiceJohannesburgSouth Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Hope Ngobese
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Nonhlanhla Yende‐Zuma
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Nigel Garrett
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Discipline of Public Health MedicineSchool of Nursing and Public HealthUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
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12
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Kaplan S, Nteso KS, Ford N, Boulle A, Meintjes G. Loss to follow-up from antiretroviral therapy clinics: A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies in South Africa from 2011 to 2015. South Afr J HIV Med 2019; 20:984. [PMID: 31956435 PMCID: PMC6956684 DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v20i1.984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background South Africa has the largest antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme in the world. To optimise programme outcomes, it is critical that patients are retained in care and that retention is accurately measured. Objectives To identify all studies published in South Africa from 2011 to 2015 that used loss to follow-up (LTFU) as an indicator or outcome to describe the variation in definitions and to estimate the proportion of patients lost to care across studies. Method All studies published between 01 January 2011 and October 2015 that included loss to follow-up or default from ART care in a South African cohort were included by use of a broad search strategy across multiple databases. To be included, the cohort had to include any patient ART data, including follow-up time, from 01 January 2010. Two authors, working independently, extracted data and assessed risk of bias from all manuscripts. Meta-analysis was performed for studies stratified by the same loss to follow-up definition. Results Forty-eight adult, 15 paediatric and 4 pregnant cohorts were included. Median cohort size was 3737; follow-up time ranged from 9 weeks to 5 years. Meta-analysis did not reveal an important difference in LTFU estimates in adult cohorts at 1 year between loss to follow-up defined as 3 months (11.0%, n = 4; 95% CI 10.7% – 11.2%) compared with 6 months (12.0%, n = 4; 95% CI 11.8% – 12.2%). Only two cohorts reported reliable LTFU estimates at 5 years: this was 25.1% (95% CI 24.8% – 25.4%). Conclusion South Africa should standardise a LTFU definition. This would aid in monitoring and evaluation of ART programmes, with the broader goal of improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Kaplan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Katleho S Nteso
- Medical Care Development International, Maseru, Lesotho, South Africa.,School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nathan Ford
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew Boulle
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Graeme Meintjes
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Kariminia A, Law M, Davies M, Vinikoor M, Wools‐Kaloustian K, Leroy V, Edmonds A, McGowan C, Vreeman R, Fairlie L, Ayaya S, Yotebieng M, Takassi E, Pinto J, Adedimeji A, Malateste K, Machado DM, Penazzato M, Hazra R, Sohn AH. Mortality and losses to follow-up among adolescents living with HIV in the IeDEA global cohort collaboration. J Int AIDS Soc 2018; 21:e25215. [PMID: 30548817 PMCID: PMC6291755 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We assessed mortality and losses to follow-up (LTFU) during adolescence in routine care settings in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium. METHODS Cohorts in the Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Central, and South America, and sub-Saharan Africa (Central, East, Southern, West) contributed data, and included adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) enrolled from January 2003 and aged 10 to 19 years (period of adolescence) while under care up to database closure (June 2016). Follow-up started at age 10 years or the first clinic visit, whichever was later. Entering care at <15 years was a proxy for perinatal infection, while entering care ≥15 years represented infection acquired during adolescence. Competing risk regression was used to assess associations with death and LTFU among those ever receiving triple-drug antiretroviral therapy (triple-ART). RESULTS Of the 61,242 ALHIV from 270 clinics in 34 countries included in the analysis, 69% (n = 42,138) entered care <15 years of age (53% female), and 31% (n = 19,104) entered care ≥15 years (81% female). During adolescence, 3.9% died, 30% were LTFU and 8.1% were transferred. For those with infection acquired perinatally versus during adolescence, the four-year cumulative incidences of mortality were 3.9% versus 5.4% and of LTFU were 26% versus 69% respectively (both p < 0.001). Overall, there were higher hazards of death for females (adjusted sub-hazard ratio (asHR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 to 1.33), and those starting treatment at ≥5 years of age (highest asHR for age ≥15: 8.72, 95% CI 5.85 to 13.02), and in care in mostly urban (asHR 1.40, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.75) and mostly rural settings (asHR 1.39, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.87) compared to urban settings. Overall, higher hazards of LTFU were observed among females (asHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.17), and those starting treatment at age ≥5 years (highest asHR for age ≥15: 11.11, 95% CI 9.86 to 12.53), in care at district hospitals (asHR 1.27, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.37) or in rural settings (asHR 1.21, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.29), and starting triple-ART after 2006 (highest asHR for 2011 to 2016 1.84, 95% CI 1.71 to 1.99). CONCLUSIONS Both mortality and LTFU were worse among those entering care at ≥15 years. ALHIV should be evaluated apart from younger children and adults to identify population-specific reasons for death and LTFU.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew Law
- The Kirby InstituteUNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Mary‐Ann Davies
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and ResearchUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | | | | | | | - Andrew Edmonds
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | | | | | - Lee Fairlie
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV InstituteJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Samuel Ayaya
- Moi University College of Health SciencesEldoretKenya
| | | | | | - Jorge Pinto
- Federal University of Minas GeraisBelo HorizoneBrazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Rohan Hazra
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Annette H Sohn
- TREAT Asia/amfARThe Foundation for AIDS ResearchBangkokThailand
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Hendrickson CJ, Pascoe SJS, Huber AN, Moolla A, Maskew M, Long LC, Fox MP. "My future is bright…I won't die with the cause of AIDS": ten-year patient ART outcomes and experiences in South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2018; 21:e25184. [PMID: 30318848 PMCID: PMC6186968 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION South Africa is moving into a new era of HIV treatment with "treat all" policies where people may be on treatment for most of their lives. We need to understand treatment outcomes and facilitators of long-term antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence and retention-in-care in the South African context. In one of the first studies to investigate long-term treatment outcomes in South Africa, we aimed to describe ten-year patient outcomes at a large public-sector HIV clinic in Johannesburg and explore patient experiences of the treatment programme over this time in order to ascertain factors that may aid or hinder long-term adherence and retention. METHODS We conducted a cohort analysis (n = 6644) and in-depth interviews (n = 24) among HIV-positive adults initiating first-line ART between April 2004 and March 2007. Using clinical records, we ascertained twelve-month and ten-year all-cause mortality and loss to follow-up (LTF). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify baseline predictors of attrition (mortality and LTF (>3 months late for the last scheduled visit)) at twelve months and ten years. Twenty-four patients were purposively selected and interviewed to explore treatment programme experiences over ten years on ART. RESULTS Excluding transfers, 79.5% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 78.5 to 80.5) of the cohort were alive, in care at twelve months dropping to 35.1% (95% CI: 33.7 to 36.4) at ten years. Over 44% of deaths occurred within 12 months. Ten-year all-cause mortality increased, while LTF decreased slightly, with age. Year and age at ART initiation, sex, nationality, baseline CD4 count, anaemia, body mass index and initiating regimen were predictors of ten-year attrition. Among patients interviewed, the pretreatment clinic environment, feelings of gratitude and good fortune, support networks, and self-efficacy were facilitators of care; side effects, travel and worsening clinical conditions were barriers. Participants were generally optimistic about their futures and were committed to continued care. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the complexities of long-term chronic HIV treatment with declining all-cause mortality and increasing LTF over ten years. Barriers to long-term retention still present a significant challenge. As more people become eligible for ART in South Africa under "treatment for all," new healthcare delivery challenges will arise; interventions are needed to ensure long-term programme successes continue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl J Hendrickson
- Department of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesHealth Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Sophie J S Pascoe
- Department of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesHealth Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Amy N Huber
- Department of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesHealth Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Aneesa Moolla
- Department of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesHealth Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Mhairi Maskew
- Department of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesHealth Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Lawrence C Long
- Department of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesHealth Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
| | - Matthew P Fox
- Department of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesHealth Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
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