Dataset Information

Physicians' patient base composition and mortality among people living with HIV who initiated antiretroviral therapy in a universal care setting.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To assess the impact of physicians' patient base composition on all-cause mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who initiated highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Design

Observational cohort study from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2013.

Setting

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS' (BC-CfE) Drug Treatment Program, where HAART is available at no cost.

Participants

PLHIV aged ≥ 19 who initiated HAART in BC in the HAART Observational Medical Evaluation and Research (HOMER) Study.

Outcome measures

All-cause mortality as determined through monthly linkages to the BC Vital Statistics Agency.

Statistical analysis

We examined the relationships between patient characteristics, physicians' patient base composition, the location of the practice, and physicians' experience with PLHIV and all-cause mortality using unadjusted and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

A total of 4 445 PLHIV (median age = 42, Q1, Q3 = 34-49; 80% male) were eligible for our study. Patients were seen by 683 prescribing physicians with a median experience of 77 previously treated PLHIV in the past 2 years (Q1, Q3 = 23-170). A multivariable Cox model indicated that the following factors were associated with all-cause mortality: age (aHR = 1.05 per 1-year increase, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.06), year of HAART initiation (2004-2007: aHR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.53 to 0.81, 2008-2011: aHR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.35 to 0.61, Ref: 2000-2003), CD4 cell count at baseline (aHR = 0.88 per 100-unit increase in cells/mm³, 95% CI = 0.82 to 0.94), and < 95% adherence in first year on HAART (aHR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.88 to 2.76). In addition, physicians' patient base composition, specifically, the proportion of patients who have a history of injection drug use (aHR = 1.11 per 10% increase in the proportion of patients, 95% CI = 1.07 to 1.15) or Indigenous ancestry (aHR = 1.07 per 10% increase , 95% CI = 1.03-1.11) and being a patient of a physician who primarily serves individuals outside of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority region (aHR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.47) were associated with mortality.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that physicians with a higher proportion of individuals who face potential barriers to care may need additional supports to decrease mortality among their patients. Future research is required to examine these relationships in other settings and to determine strategies that may mitigate the associations between the composition of physicians' patient bases and survival.

SUBMITTER: Allan B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6475242 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Physicians' patient base composition and mortality among people living with HIV who initiated antiretroviral therapy in a universal care setting.

Allan Beverly B Closson Kalysha K Collins Alexandra B AB Kibel Mia M Pan Shenyi S Cui Zishan Z McLinden Taylor T Parashar Surita S Lima Viviane Dias VD Chia Jason J Yip Benita B Barrios Rolando R Montaner Julio S G JSG Hogg Robert S RS

BMJ open 20190320 3

<h4>Objectives</h4>To assess the impact of physicians' patient base composition on all-cause mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who initiated highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in British Columbia (BC), Canada.<h4>Design</h4>Observational cohort study from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2013.<h4>Setting</h4>BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS' (BC-CfE) Drug Treatment Program, where HAART is available at no cost.<h4>Participants</h4>PLHIV aged ≥ 19 who initiated HAART in BC ...[more]

PMID: 30898806

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Project description:BackgroundDespite 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.ObjectivesTo 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 methodsWe 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 criteriaWe 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 analysisTwo 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 resultsWe 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' conclusionsRCTs 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.

Project description:BackgroundThe widespread availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced mortality and improved life expectancy for people living with HIV (PLWH). However, even with HIV-1 suppression, chronic immune activation and elevated inflammation persist and have been linked to a pro-inflammatory gut microbiome composition and compromised intestinal barrier integrity. PLWH in urban versus rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa experience differences in environmental factors that may impact the gut microbiome and immune system, in response to ART, yet this has not previously been investigated in these groups. To address this, we measured T cell activation/exhaustion/trafficking markers, plasma inflammatory markers, and fecal microbiome composition in PLWH and healthy participants recruited from an urban clinic in the city of Harare, Zimbabwe, and a district hospital that services surrounding rural villages. PLWH were either ART naïve at baseline and sampled again after 24 weeks of first-line ART and the antibiotic cotrimoxazole or were ART-experienced at both timepoints.ResultsAlthough expected reductions in the inflammatory marker IL-6, T-cell activation, and exhaustion were observed with ART-induced viral suppression, these changes were much more pronounced in the urban versus the rural area. Gut microbiome composition was the most highly altered from healthy controls in ART experienced PLWH, and characterized by both reduced alpha diversity and altered composition. However, gut microbiome composition showed a pronounced relationship with T cell activation and exhaustion in ART-naïve PLWH, suggesting a particularly significant role for the gut microbiome in disease progression in uncontrolled infection. Elevated immune exhaustion after 24 weeks of ART did correlate with both living in the rural location and a more Prevotella-rich/Bacteroides-poor microbiome type, suggesting a potential role for rural-associated microbiome differences or their co-variates in the muted improvements in immune exhaustion in the rural area.ConclusionSuccessful ART was less effective at reducing gut microbiome-associated inflammation and T cell activation in PLWH in rural versus urban Zimbabwe, suggesting that individuals on ART in rural areas of Zimbabwe may be more vulnerable to co-morbidity related to sustained immune dysfunction in treated infection. Video Abstract.

Project description:BackgroundIn Nepal, since 2004, 19,388 people living with HIV (PLHIV) have been enrolled on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The aim of this study was to measure mortality rate and to identify predictors of mortality in adult (≥15 years) PLHIV who initiated ART between 2004 and 2013 in five large ART centers of Nepal.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study of 3,799 (60.5% male) adult PLHIV uses secondary data collected from standard ART registers. Time from ART initiation (baseline) to death or censoring (loss to follow-up or December 31, 2013) was assessed. Mortality rates per 100 person-years were calculated. Kaplan-Meier models were used to estimate the probability of mortality over time. Predictors of mortality were determined using Cox-regression models.ResultsThe overall mortality rate was 6.98 (95% CI: 6.46-7.54) per 100 person-years, 4.11 (95% CI: 3.53-4.79) in females and 9.14 (95% CI: 8.36-9.99) in males. Mortality rates were higher in early months after ART initiation, particularly in the first three months. Baseline predictors of mortality were ART center, male gender (adjusted HR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.69-2.57), residence outside the ART district (AHR = 1.45, 95% CI:1.19-1.76), World Health Organization clinical stage III (AHR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.13-2.46) and IV (AHR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.45-3.36), bedridden <50% time in the last month (AHR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.52-2.41), bedridden >50% time in the last month (AHR = 3.82, 95% CI: 2.95-4.94), lower bodyweight/kg (AHR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03-1.05), CD4 count <150 cell/mm3 (AHR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.05-4.34) and treatment not switched to second-line regimen (AHR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.35-6.90).ConclusionsMortality rates were higher soon after ART initiation, particularly in males and gradually decreased over time. Poor baseline clinical characteristics were significantly associated with higher mortality. Increased ART coverage with decentralization of sites to lower levels including community dispensing, differentiated and improved service delivery and initiation of ART at a less advanced disease stage may reduce early mortality.

Project description:BackgroundMobile communication has been found to improve antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among people living with HIV. In an ongoing randomized clinical trial, 2 mobile communication strategies (ie, sending SMS text messages and real-time medication monitoring [RTMM]) were used to improve adherence to ART among people living with HIV in Tanzania. We noticed remarkable discrepancies between self-reported adherence and adherence recorded by SMS text messaging or RTMM among some of the first trial participants.ObjectiveOur objective was to describe these cases and the observed discrepancies in more detail, to serve as a useful illustration of some of the challenges in using mobile health in resource-limited settings.MethodsIn an ongoing randomized trial, adults living with HIV from two HIV treatment centers in Tanzania who were suspected of low levels of adherence were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive (1) SMS text message reminders, (2) an RTMM device, or (3) no additional intervention to standard HIV care. During bimonthly study visits, the participants self-reported their level of adherence, received feedback about their level of adherence based on SMS text messaging or RTMM, and discussed strategies to overcome adherence problems with nurses providing HIV care. For the purpose of this report, we selected people living with HIV who had completed 5 follow-up visits and consistently reported more than 95% adherence, while SMS text messaging or RTMM recorded lower than 75% adherence. The participants were invited for a short, face-to-face in-depth interview to explore reasons for this discrepancy.ResultsAt the time of this analysis, 26 participants had completed follow-up. Six of these evidenced the above-mentioned discrepancies, with an average adherence of 46% based on SMS text messaging or RTMM, while self-reported adherence was 98%. Five of these 6 participants insisted that their adherence to ART was good, with 4 reporting that their adherence to properly using the monitoring device was low. Three participants mentioned concerns about involuntary disclosure of HIV status as a main reason for low adherence to using the device. Two participants were still depending on other reminder cues despite receiving SMS text message or RTMM reminders. Poor network coverage caused low adherence in 1 participant.ConclusionsPsychosocial barriers were reported as importantly contributing to low adherence, both with respect to use of ART and proper use of the adherence-monitoring device. This case series illustrates that when introducing new digital adherence monitoring technology, researchers should consider psychosocial barriers and distinguish between adherence to device use and adherence to treatment.Trial registrationPan African Clinical Trials Registry PACTR201712002844286; https://tinyurl.com/y98q4p3l.

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Project description:BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related disruptions in healthcare services and clinical outcomes have been predicted and documented. However, little is known about how antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have manifested amidst the 'Undetectable = Untransmittable' campaign initiative. Using a patient's viral load as a proxy for medication adherence, our study aimed to determine the adherence to ART on first-line medications among adult people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHIV) at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia during the pandemic.MethodsThis was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Secondary data of PLWHIV registered to receive ART from the Adult Infectious Disease Centre was extracted from the SmartCare® electronic health record system to constitute a resultant data set that this study used. The data extraction form was used to extract values of dependent (ART adherence measured by viral load detectability) and independent variables and imported them into the statistical analysis tool, STATA version 16.1 MP. Descriptive statistics of individual characteristics, testing for associations using Pearson's chi-square test, and stratified and combined multivariable logistic regression were performed.ResultsOf the 7,281 adult PLWHIV included in this study, 9.0% (95% CI 8.3-9.6%) were virally detectable. Estimates of the odds ratios of detectable viral load remained significantly higher among adult PLWHIV who were initiated on ART after the U=U campaign was launched in Zambia and were on a monthly 2.51 (1.31-9.03) or 6-monthly 4.75 (3.52-6.41) dispensing of a dolutegravir-based regimen and those on 6-monthly dispensing of an efavirenz-based regimen 4.67 (2.16-10.08) compared to their counterparts. Overall estimates showed us the same picture 4.14 (3.22-5.31), having adjusted for all other predictor variables.ConclusionWe found that a high proportion of people with detectable viral load in the study population, irrespective of medication refill interval and type of regimen, was concentrated among adult PLWHIV who started treatment during the COVID-19 epidemic waves, as compared to those who started treatment before the pandemic. This observed disparity suggests the inherent impact of the pandemic on the adherence to ART among adult PLWHIV in Lusaka, Zambia. This further illustrates how exposed program responses are to external shocks, especially in already weakened health systems, and the need to create program response buffers and resilient program-specific strategies to minimize the effect of external disruptions.

Dataset Information

Physicians' patient base composition and mortality among people living with HIV who initiated antiretroviral therapy in a universal care setting.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Outcome measures

Statistical analysis

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Physicians' patient base composition and mortality among people living with HIV who initiated antiretroviral therapy in a universal care setting.

Similar Datasets

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