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Psychology, Health & Medicine 2015HIV treatment requires lifelong adherence to medication regimens that comprise inconvenient scheduling, adverse side effects, and lifestyle changes. Antiretroviral... (Review)
Review
HIV treatment requires lifelong adherence to medication regimens that comprise inconvenient scheduling, adverse side effects, and lifestyle changes. Antiretroviral adherence and treatment fatigue have been inextricably linked. Adherence in HIV-infected populations has been well investigated; however, little is known about treatment fatigue. This review examines the current state of the literature on treatment fatigue among HIV populations and provides an overview of its etiology and potential consequences. Standard systematic research methods were used to gather published papers on treatment fatigue and HIV. Five databases were searched using PRISMA criteria. Of 1557 studies identified, 21 met the following inclusion criteria: (a) study participants were HIV-infected; (b) participants were prescribed antiretroviral medication; (c) the article referenced treatment fatigue; (d) the article was published in a peer-reviewed journal; and (e) text was available in English. Only seven articles operationally defined treatment fatigue, with three themes emerging throughout the definitions: (1) pill burden; (2) loss of desire to adhere to the regimen; and (3) nonadherence to regimens as a consequence of treatment fatigue. Based on these studies, treatment fatigue may be defined as "decreased desire and motivation to maintain vigilance in adhering to a treatment regimen among patients prescribed long-term protocols." The cause and course of treatment fatigue appear to vary by developmental stage. To date, only structured treatment interruptions have been examined as an intervention to reduce treatment fatigue in children and adults. No behavioral interventions have been developed to reduce treatment fatigue. Further, only qualitative studies have examined treatment fatigue conceptually. Studies designed to systematically assess treatment fatigue are needed. Increased understanding of the course and duration of treatment fatigue is expected to improve adherence interventions, thereby improving clinical outcomes for individuals living with HIV.
Topics: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; HIV Infections; Humans; Medication Adherence
PubMed: 25110152
DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2014.945601 -
PloS One 2017It is unclear whether the treatment of an HIV infection with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) affects intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes. In this paper, we... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
It is unclear whether the treatment of an HIV infection with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) affects intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes. In this paper, we report the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis performed to summarize the effects of HAART on the prognosis of critically ill HIV positive patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A bibliographic search was performed in 3 databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus) to identify articles that investigated the use of HAART during ICU admissions for short- and long-term mortality or survival. Eligible articles were selected in a staged process and were independently assessed by two investigators. The methodological quality of the selected articles was evaluated using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) tool.
RESULTS
Twelve articles met the systematic review inclusion criteria and examined short-term mortality. Six of them also examined long-term mortality (≥90 days) after ICU discharge. The short-term mortality meta-analysis showed a significant beneficial effect of initiating or maintaining HAART during the ICU stay (random effects odds ratio 0.53, p = 0.02). The data analysis of long-term outcomes also suggested a reduced mortality when HAART was used, but the effect of HAART on long-term mortality of HIV positive critically ill patients remains uncertain.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis suggests improved survival rates for HIV positive patients who were treated with HAART during their ICU admission.
Topics: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Critical Illness; HIV Infections; Humans
PubMed: 29065165
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186968 -
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... Oct 2016Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people who inject drugs (PWID) frequently encounter barriers accessing and remaining on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Some... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people who inject drugs (PWID) frequently encounter barriers accessing and remaining on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Some studies have suggested that opioid substitution therapy (OST) could facilitate PWID's engagement with HIV services. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of concurrent OST use on ART-related outcomes among HIV-infected PWID.
METHODS
We searched Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, Global Health, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Social Policy and Practice databases for studies between 1996 to November 2014 documenting the impact of OST, compared to no OST, on ART outcomes. Outcomes considered were coverage and recruitment onto ART, adherence, viral suppression, attrition from ART, and mortality. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects modeling, and heterogeneity assessed using Cochran Q test and I(2) statistic.
RESULTS
We identified 4685 articles, and 32 studies conducted in North America, Europe, Indonesia, and China were included. OST was associated with a 69% increase in recruitment onto ART (hazard ratio [HR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-2.15), a 54% increase in ART coverage (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.17-2.03), a 2-fold increase in adherence (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.41-3.26), and a 23% decrease in the odds of attrition (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, .63-.95). OST was associated with a 45% increase in odds of viral suppression (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.21-1.73), but there was limited evidence from 6 studies for OST decreasing mortality for PWID on ART (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, .65-1.25).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the use of OST, and its integration with HIV services, to improve the HIV treatment and care continuum among HIV-infected PWID.
Topics: Anti-Retroviral Agents; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Buprenorphine; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; HIV Infections; Humans; Medication Adherence; Methadone; Odds Ratio; Opiate Substitution Treatment; Publication Bias; Substance-Related Disorders; Treatment Outcome; Viral Load
PubMed: 27343545
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciw416 -
Pathogens and Global Health Feb 2017Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection and can be a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients. This study evaluated the rate... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection and can be a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients. This study evaluated the rate of relapse associated with pyrimethamine-based maintenance therapy (i.e. secondary prophylaxis) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDs treated prior to and after the common use (i.e. 1996) of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (pre-HAART and post-HAART, respectively). PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were searched to 6 June 2016 using search terms: pyrimethamine, Daraprim, Fansidar, Metakelfin, Fansimef, 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-ethyl-2,4-pyrimidinediamine, encephalitis, cerebral, toxoplasmosis, toxoplasmic, and gondii. Single-arm cohort, retrospective, and randomized studies were included. Twenty-six studies with 1,596 patients were included in the analysis; twenty pre-HAART (n = 1,228) studies and six post-HAART (n = 368) were performed. Pooled proportions test for pyrimethamine-based therapy from pre-HAART studies indicated a relapse rate of 19.2% and 18.9% from the fixed-effects and random-effects models, respectively. The relapse rate in the post-HAART studies was 11.1% (fixed and random effects). Continuous therapy was suggestive of lower incidence of relapse compared with intermittent therapy in the pre-HAART era (range, 18.7 to 17.3% vs. 20.9 to 25.6%, respectively). These findings indicate that the likelihood of relapse associated with pyrimethamine-based therepy in patients with HIV and TE decreased after the introduction of HAART to approximately 11%. The findings have important implications as relapse may affect a patient's disease severity and prognosis, increase utilization of health care resources, and result in additional health care expenditure.
Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Anti-HIV Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Humans; Infectious Encephalitis; Pyrimethamine; Recurrence; Secondary Prevention; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral
PubMed: 28090819
DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2016.1273597 -
AIDS and Behavior Jan 2017HIV disclosure can help people living with HIV to access social support, enhance antiretroviral adherence, facilitate engagement in care and reduce unprotected sex.... (Review)
Review
HIV disclosure can help people living with HIV to access social support, enhance antiretroviral adherence, facilitate engagement in care and reduce unprotected sex. Given interpersonal risks associated with HIV disclosure, however, anxiety about sharing one's status is common. To investigate anxiety about HIV disclosure in HIV-positive populations, we conducted a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies, with 119 studies included. The review demonstrated that perceived interpersonal risks are associated with HIV disclosure and outlined evidence of associations with anxiety, fear and worry. We present a new cognitive model of HIV disclosure anxiety adapted from clinical theories of health and social anxiety, consistent with evidence from the review. The model attempts to explain the development and maintenance of anxiety in individuals whose functioning is most affected by concerns about sharing their status. Implications for helping people living with HIV struggling with significant levels of anxiety about HIV disclosure are discussed.
Topics: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Anxiety; Fear; HIV Infections; Humans; Medication Adherence; Models, Psychological; Self Disclosure; Social Stigma; Social Support; Unsafe Sex
PubMed: 27406227
DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1453-3 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2017Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of illness and death in HIV-positive children living in areas of high TB prevalence. We know that isoniazid prophylaxis prevents... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of illness and death in HIV-positive children living in areas of high TB prevalence. We know that isoniazid prophylaxis prevents TB in HIV-negative children following TB exposure, but there is uncertainty related to its role in TB preventive treatment in HIV-positive children.
OBJECTIVES
To summarise the effects of TB preventive treatment versus placebo in HIV-positive children with no known TB contact on active TB, death, and reported adverse events.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase and two trial registers up to February 2017.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included trials of HIV-positive children with and without known TB exposure, randomized to receive TB preventive treatment or placebo.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently used the study selection criteria, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. We assessed effects using risk, incidence rate and hazard ratios and assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE.
MAIN RESULTS
We included three trials, involving 991 participants, below the age of 13 years, from South Africa and Botswana. Children were randomized to isoniazid prophylaxis or placebo, given daily or three times weekly. The median length of follow-up ranged from 5.7 to 34 months; some were on antiretroviral therapy (ART).In HIV-positive children not on ART, isoniazid prophylaxis may reduce the risk of active TB (hazard ratio (HR) 0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11 to 0.87; 1 trial, 240 participants, low certainty evidence), and death (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.95; 1 trial, 240 participants, low certainty evidence). One trial (182 participants) reported number of children with laboratory adverse events, which was similar between the isoniazid prophylaxis and placebo groups. No clinical adverse events were reported.In HIV-positive children on ART, we do not know if isoniazid prophylaxis reduces the risk of active TB (risk ratio (RR) 0.76, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.14; 3 trials, 737 participants, very low certainty evidence) or death (RR 1.45, 95% CI 0.78 to 2.72; 3 trials, 737 participants, very low certainty evidence). Two trials (714 participants) reported number of clinical adverse events and three trials (795 participants) reported number of laboratory adverse events; for both categories, the number of adverse events were similar between the isoniazid prophylaxis and placebo groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Isoniazid prophylaxis given to all children diagnosed with HIV may reduce the risk of active TB and death in HIV-positive children not on ART in studies from Africa. For children on ART, no clear benefit was detected. .
Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Anti-HIV Agents; Antitubercular Agents; Child; HIV Infections; Humans; Incidence; Isoniazid; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
PubMed: 28850172
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006418.pub3 -
The Lancet. HIV Jan 2017Although lifelong combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for all individuals with HIV, few data exist for pregnancy outcomes associated with ART... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Although lifelong combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for all individuals with HIV, few data exist for pregnancy outcomes associated with ART initiation before conception. We assessed adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with ART initiated before conception compared with that of ART started after conception.
METHODS
We did a systematic review of studies from low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, LILACS, MEDLINE, Toxline, Web of Knowledge, and WHO Global Index Medicus and trials in progress (International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) for randomised trials, quasi-randomised trials, and prospective cohort studies done between Jan 1, 1980, and June 1, 2016, in which timing of ART initiation in pregnant women living with HIV was reported. We used the risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% CIs as the primary measure to assess the association between the selected outcomes and ART initiation before conception versus after conception. We used a random-effects model to pool risk ratios.
FINDINGS
We included 11 studies with 19 189 mother-infant pairs. Women who started ART before conception were significantly more likely to deliver preterm (pooled RR 1·20, 95% CI 1·01-1·44) or very preterm (1·53, 1·22-1·92), or to have low-birthweight infants (1·30, 1·04-1·62) than were those who began ART after conception. Few data exist for neonatal mortality. The risk of very low birthweight, small for gestational age, severe small for gestational age, stillbirth, and congenital anomalies did not differ significantly between women who were taking ART before conception and those who began ART after conception.
INTERPRETATION
The benefits of ART for maternal health and prevention of perinatal transmission outweigh risks, but data for the extent and severity of these risks are scarce and of low quality. As use of ART before conception rapidly increases globally, monitoring for potential adverse pregnancy outcomes will be crucial.
FUNDING
WHO.
Topics: Anti-HIV Agents; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Birth Weight; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Infant; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; International Cooperation; Mothers; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Prospective Studies; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 27864000
DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3018(16)30195-3 -
International Journal of Infectious... May 2016People who inject drugs are at high risk of HIV infection but often face barriers in accessing medical care including access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Evidence is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
People who inject drugs are at high risk of HIV infection but often face barriers in accessing medical care including access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Evidence is available about the effectiveness of opioid agonist therapy on drug dependency and risk behaviors. However, it remains scattered regarding access to ART among HIV-positive people who inject drugs. We conducted a systematic review to examine the association of opioid agonist therapy with ART initiation among HIV-positive people who inject drugs.
METHODS
We searched the literature for evidence from seven databases. We conducted a narrative synthesis and meta-analysis to examine the association of opioid agonist therapy with ART initiation.
RESULTS
Five out of 2,901 identified studies met the inclusion criteria. Three out of five studies reported that, HIV-positive people receiving opioid agonist therapy initiated ART more than those not receiving opioid agonist therapy. In meta-analysis, opioid agonist therapy was associated with ART initiation among HIV positive people who inject drugs (pooled odds ratio: 1.68; 95% confidence interval: 1.03-2.73).
CONCLUSIONS
Opioid agonist therapy is positively associated with ART initiation among HIV-positive people who inject drugs. It is important to scale up opioid agonist therapy among people who inject drugs to improve their ART initiation.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Drug Users; HIV Infections; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Medication Adherence; Opioid-Related Disorders; Substance Abuse, Intravenous
PubMed: 27044520
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.03.022 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2023The rate of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections globally is alarming. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves the quality of life among this group... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The rate of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections globally is alarming. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves the quality of life among this group of patients, ARTs are associated with risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Moreover, virally suppressed patients still experience immune activation associated with HIV migration from reservoir sites. Statins are widely recommended as therapeutic agents to control ART-related CVD; however, their impacts on the cluster of differentiation (CD)4 count and viral load are inconsistent. To assess the effect of statins on markers of HIV infections, immune activation and cholesterol, we thoroughly reviewed evidence from randomised controlled trials. We found 20 relevant trials from three databases with 1802 people living with HIV (PLHIV) on statin-placebo treatment. Our evidence showed no significant effect on CD4 T-cell count standardised mean difference (SMD): (-0.59, 95% confidence intervals (CI): (-1.38, 0.19), = 0.14) following statin intervention in PLHIV on ART. We also found no significant difference in baseline CD4 T-cell count (SD: (-0.01, 95%CI: (-0.25, 0.23), = 0.95). Our findings revealed no significant association between statins and risk of viral rebound in PLHIV with undetectable viral load risk ratio (RR): (1.01, 95% CI: (0.98, 1.04), = 0.65). Additionally, we found a significant increase in CD8CD38HLA-DR T-cells (SMD (1.10, 95% CI: (0.93, 1.28), < 0.00001) and CD4CD38HLA-DR T-cells (SMD (0.92, 95% CI: (0.32, 1.52), = 0.003). Finally, compared to placebo, statins significantly reduced total cholesterol (SMD: (-2.87, 95% CI: (-4.08, -1.65), < 0.0001)). Our results suggest that the statin lipid-lowering effect in PLHIV on ART may elevate immune activation without influencing the viral load and CD4 count. However, due to the limited evidence synthesised in this meta-analysis, we recommend that future powered trials with sufficient sample sizes evaluate statins' effect on CD4 count and viral load, especially in virally suppressed patients.
Topics: Humans; HIV Infections; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Quality of Life; HIV-1; HLA-DR Antigens; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cholesterol; Viral Load
PubMed: 37174188
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095668 -
PloS One 2014We aimed to characterize the antiretroviral therapy (ART) cascade among female sex workers (FSWs) globally. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
We aimed to characterize the antiretroviral therapy (ART) cascade among female sex workers (FSWs) globally.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and MEDLINE in March 2014 to identify studies reporting on ART uptake, attrition, adherence, and outcomes (viral suppression or CD4 count improvements) among HIV-infected FSWs globally. When possible, available estimates were pooled using random effects meta-analyses (with heterogeneity assessed using Cochran's Q test and I2 statistic).
RESULTS
39 studies, reporting on 21 different FSW study populations in Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Central America and the Caribbean, were included. Current ART use among HIV-infected FSWs was 38% (95% CI: 29%-48%, I2 = 96%, 15 studies), and estimates were similar between high-, and low- and middle-income countries. Ever ART use among HIV-infected FSWs was greater in high-income countries (80%; 95% CI: 48%-94%, I2 = 70%, 2 studies) compared to low- and middle-income countries (36%; 95% CI: 7%-81%, I2 = 99%, 3 studies). Loss to follow-up after ART initiation was 6% (95% CI: 3%-11%, I2 = 0%, 3 studies) and death after ART initiation was 6% (95% CI: 3%-11%, I2 = 0%, 3 studies). The fraction adherent to ≥95% of prescribed pills was 76% (95% CI: 68%-83%, I2 = 36%, 4 studies), and 57% (95% CI: 46%-68%, I2 = 82%, 4 studies) of FSWs on ART were virally suppressed. Median gains in CD4 count after 6 to 36 months on ART, ranged between 103 and 241 cells/mm3 (4 studies).
CONCLUSIONS
Despite global increases in ART coverage, there is a concerning lack of published data on HIV treatment for FSWs. Available data suggest that FSWs can achieve levels of ART uptake, retention, adherence, and treatment response comparable to that seen among women in the general population, but these data are from only a few research settings. More routine programme data on HIV treatment among FSWs across settings should be collected and disseminated.
Topics: Anti-HIV Agents; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Patient Compliance; Sex Work
PubMed: 25265158
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105645