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ABSTRACT: Abstract While the Internet has the potential to educate persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), websites may contain inaccurate information and increase the risk of nonadherence with antiretroviral therapy (ART). The objectives of our study were to determine the extent to which PLWHA engage in Internet health information seeking behavior (IHISB) and to determine whether IHISB is associated with ART adherence. We conducted a survey of adult, English-speaking HIV-infected patients at four HIV outpatient clinic sites in the United States (Baltimore, Maryland; Detroit, Michigan; New York, and Portland, Oregon) between December 2004 and January 2006. We assessed IHISB by asking participants how much information they had received from the Internet since acquiring HIV. The main outcome was patient-reported ART adherence over the past three days. Data were available on IHISB for 433 patients, 334 of whom were on ART therapy. Patients had a mean age of 45 (standard error [SE] 0.45) years and were mostly male (66%), African American (58%), and had attained a high school degree (73%). Most (55%) reported no IHISB, 18% reported some, and 27% reported "a fair amount" or "a great deal." Patients who reported higher versus lower levels of IHISB were significantly younger, had achieved a higher level of education, and had higher medication self-efficacy. In unadjusted analyses, higher IHISB was associated with ART adherence (odds ratio [OR], 2.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-6.94). This association persisted after adjustment for age, gender, race, education, clinic site, and medication self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.76, 95% CI 1.11-6.87). Our findings indicate that IHISB is positively associated with ART adherence even after controlling for potentially confounding variables. Future studies should investigate the ways in which Internet health information may promote medication adherence among PLWHA.
AIDS patient care and STDs 06/2011; 25(7):445-9. · 2.68 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to estimate the influence of substance use on the quality of patient-provider communication during HIV clinic encounters. Patients were surveyed about unhealthy alcohol and illicit drug use and rated provider communication quality. Audio-recorded encounters were coded for specific communication behaviors. Patients with vs. without unhealthy alcohol use rated the quality of their provider's communication lower; illicit drug user ratings were comparable to non-users. Visit length was shorter, with fewer activating/engaging and psychosocial counseling statements for those with vs. without unhealthy alcohol use. Providers and patients exhibited favorable communication behaviors in encounters with illicit drug users vs. non-users, demonstrating greater evidence of patient-provider engagement. The quality of patient-provider communication was worse for HIV-infected patients with unhealthy alcohol use but similar or better for illicit drug users compared with non-users. Interventions should be developed that encourage providers to actively engage patients with unhealthy alcohol use.
AIDS and Behavior 05/2011; 15(4):832-41. · 3.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Smoking is highly prevalent among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and associated with adverse outcomes including malignancy and cardiovascular disease. Information and communication technology (ICT) may be effective in disseminating cessation interventions among PLWHA. This study examines the prevalence of ICT use among 492 PLWHA attending an urban clinic and characteristics associated with ICT use. Participants completed a survey of demographics, smoking status, and ICT use. Factors associated with ICT use were examined with logistic regression. Overall, 63% of participants smoked with 73% of smokers owning their own cell phone. Use of other modalities was lower, with 48% of smokers reporting any internet use, 39% text messaging, and 31% using email. Higher education was associated with the use of all modalities. Cell phone interventions may have the broadest reach among PLWHA, though with almost half using the internet, this may also be a low-cost means of delivering cessation interventions.
AIDS and Behavior 03/2011; 16(2):383-8. · 3.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Geographic location may be related to the receipt of quality HIV health care services. Clinical outcomes and health care utilization were evaluated in rural, urban, and peri-urban patients seen at high-volume US urban-based HIV care sites.
Zip codes for 8773 HIV patients followed in 2005 at seven HIV Research Network sites were categorized as rural (population <10,000), peri-urban (10,000-100,000), and urban (>100,000). Clinical and demographic characteristics, inpatient and outpatient (OP) utilization, AIDS-defining illness rates, receipt of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), opportunistic infection (OI) prophylaxis usage, and virologic suppression were compared among patients, using χ(2) tests for categorical variables, t-tests for means, and logistic regression for HAART utilization.
HIV-infected rural (n=170) and peri-urban (n=215) patients were less likely to be Black or Hispanic than urban HIV patients. Peri-urban subjects were more likely to report MSM as their HIV risk factor than rural or urban subjects. Age, gender, CD4 or HIV-RNA distribution, virologic suppression, HAART usage, or OI prophylaxis did not differ by geographic location. In multivariate analysis, rural and peri-urban patients were less likely to have four or more annual outpatient visits than urban patients. Rural patients were less likely to receive HAART if they were Black. Overall, geographic location (as defined by home zip code) did not affect receipt of HAART or OI prophylaxis.
Although demographic and health care utilization differences were seen among rural, peri-urban, and urban HIV patients, most HIV outcomes and medication use were comparable across geographic areas. As with HIV care for urban-dwelling patients, areas for improvement for non-urban HIV patients include access to HAART among minorities and injection drug users.
AIDS Care 03/2011; 23(8):971-9. · 1.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: HIV-infected drug users are at higher risk of non-adherence and poor treatment outcomes than HIV-infected non-drug users. Prior work from our group and others suggests that directly administered antiretroviral therapy (DAART) delivered in opioid treatment programs (OTPs) may increase rates of viral suppression.
We are conducting a randomized trial comparing DAART to self-administered therapy (SAT) in 5 OTPs in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants and investigators are aware of treatment assignments. The DAART intervention is 12 months. The primary outcome is HIV RNA < 50 copies/mL at 3, 6, and 12 months. To assess persistence of any study arm differences that emerge during the active intervention, we are conducting an 18-month visit (6 months after the intervention concludes). We are collecting electronic adherence data for 2 months in both study arms. Of 457 individuals screened, a total of 107 participants were enrolled, with 56 and 51 randomly assigned to DAART and SAT, respectively. Participants were predominantly African American, approximately half were women, and the median age was 47 years. Active use of cocaine and other drugs was common at baseline. HIV disease stage was advanced in most participants. The median CD4 count at enrollment was 207 cells/mm3, 66 (62%) had a history of an AIDS-defining opportunistic condition, and 21 (20%) were antiretroviral naïve.
This paper describes the rationale, methods, and baseline characteristics of subjects enrolled in a randomized clinical trial comparing DAART to SAT in opioid treatment programs.
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00279110.
BMC Infectious Diseases 02/2011; 11:45. · 3.12 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Alcohol use is prevalent among HIV-infected people and is associated with lower antiretroviral adherence and high-risk sexual and injection behaviors. We sought to determine factors associated with alcohol use among HIV-infected women engaged in clinical care and if baseline alcohol use was associated with time to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and death in this population.
In an observational clinical cohort, alcohol consumption at the initial medical visit was examined and categorized as heavy, occasional, past, or no use. We used multinomial logistic regression to test preselected covariates and their association with baseline alcohol consumption. We then examined the association between alcohol use and time to cART and time to death using Kaplan-Meier statistics and Cox proportional hazards regression.
Between 1997 and 2006, 1030 HIV-infected women enrolled in the cohort. Assessment of alcohol use revealed occasional and hazardous consumption in 29% and 17% of the cohort, respectively; 13% were past drinkers. In multivariate regression, heavy drinkers were more likely to be infected with hepatitis C than nondrinkers (relative risk ratios [RRR] 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-3.44) and endorse current drug (RRR 3.51, 95% CI 2.09-5.91) and tobacco use (RRR 3.85 95% CI 1.81-8.19). Multivariable Cox regression adjusting for all clinical covariates demonstrated an increased mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.40, 95% CI 1.00-1.97, p < 0.05) among heavy drinkers compared to nondrinkers but no delays in cART initiation (1.04 95% CI 0.81-1.34)
Among this cohort of HIV-infected women, heavy alcohol consumption was independently associated with earlier death. Baseline factors associated with heavy alcohol use included tobacco use, hepatitis C, and illicit drug use. Alcohol is a modifiable risk factor for adverse HIV-related outcomes. Providers should consistently screen for alcohol consumption and refer HIV-infected women with heavy alcohol use for treatment.
Journal of Women s Health 02/2011; 20(2):279-86. · 1.57 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in persons co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C.
HIV/HCV co-infected study participants (n=179) were recruited into a prospective cohort and underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) within 1 year of a liver biopsy. Fibrosis staging was evaluated according to the METAVIR system. Osteoporosis was defined as a T-score ≤-2.5. Z-scores at the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine were used as the primary outcome variables to assess the association between degree of liver disease, HIV-related variables, and BMD.
The population was 65% male, 85% Black with mean age 50.3 years. The prevalence of osteoporosis either at the total hip, femoral neck, or lumbar spine was 28%, with 5% having osteoporosis of the total hip, 6% at the femoral neck, 25% at the spine. The mean Z-scores (standard deviation) were -0.42 (1.01) at the total hip, -0.16 (1.05) at the femoral neck, and -0.82 (1.55) at the lumbar spine. In multivariable models, controlled HIV replication (HIV RNA <400 copies/ml vs. ≥400 copies/ml) was associated with lower Z-scores (mean ± standard error) at the total hip (-0.44 ± 0.17, p = 0.01), femoral neck (-0.59 ± 0.18, p = 0.001), and the spine (-0.98 ± 0.27, p = 0.0005). There was no association between degree of liver fibrosis and Z-score.
Osteoporosis was very common in this population of predominately African-American HIV/HCV co-infected patients, particularly at the spine. Lower BMD was associated with controlled HIV replication, but not liver disease severity.
Journal of Hepatology 02/2011; 55(4):770-6. · 9.26 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We sought to evaluate whether cultural distance between patients and providers was associated with quality of care for people living with HIV/AIDS, and whether cultural distance helped explain racial/ethnic disparities in HIV care.
We surveyed 437 patients and 45 providers at 4 HIV clinics in the U.S. We examined the association of patients' perceived cultural distance from their providers with patient ratings of healthcare quality, trust in provider, receipt of antiretroviral therapy, medication adherence, and viral suppression. We also examined whether racial/ethnic disparities in these aspects of HIV care were mediated by cultural distance.
Greater cultural distance was associated with lower patient ratings of healthcare quality and less trust in providers. Compared to white patients, nonwhites had significantly lower levels of trust, adherence, and viral suppression. Adjusting for patient-provider cultural distance did not significantly affect any of these disparities (p-values for mediation >.10).
Patient-provider cultural distance was negatively associated with perceived quality of care and trust but did not explain racial/ethnic disparities in HIV care.
Bridging cultural differences may improve patient-provider relationships but may have limited impact in reducing racial/ethnic disparities, unless coupled with efforts to address other sources of unequal care.
Patient Education and Counseling 02/2011; 85(3):e278-84. · 2.31 Impact Factor
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Richard D Moore
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ABSTRACT: The epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States has changed significantly over the past 30 years. HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is currently a disease of greater demographic diversity, affecting all ages, sexes, and races, and involving multiple transmission risk behaviors. At least 50,000 new HIV infections will continue to be added each year; however, one-fifth of persons with new infections may not know they are infected, and a substantial proportion of those who know they are infected are not engaged in HIV care. Barriers to early engagement in care may be specific to a demographic group. In this paper, the current epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in the United States is reviewed in order to understand the challenges, successes, and best practices for removing the barriers to effective diagnosis and receipt of HIV care within specific demographic groups.
Clinical Infectious Diseases 01/2011; 52 Suppl 2:S208-13. · 9.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: HIV infection is a disease associated with chronic inflammation and immune activation. Antiretroviral therapy reduces inflammation, but not to levels in comparable HIV-negative individuals. The HMG-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) inhibit several pro-inflammatory processes and suppress immune activation, and are a logical therapy to assess for a possible salutary effect on HIV disease progression and outcomes.
Eligible patients were patients enrolled in the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort who achieved virologic suppression within 180 days of starting a new highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen after January 1, 1998. Assessment was continued until death in patients who maintained a virologic suppression, with right-censoring of their follow-up time if they had an HIV RNA > 500 copies/ml. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess statin use as a time-varying covariate, as well as other demographic and clinical factors.
A total of 1538 HIV-infected patients fulfilled eligibility criteria, of whom 238 (15.5%) received a statin while taking HAART. There were 85 deaths (7 in statin users, 78 in non-users). By multivariate Cox regression, statin use was associated with a relative hazard of 0.33 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.76; P = 0.009) after adjusting for CD4, HIV-1 RNA, hemoglobin and cholesterol levels at the start of HAART, age, race, HIV risk group, prior use of ART, year of HAART start, NNRTI vs. PI-based ART, prior AIDS-defining illness, and viral hepatitis coinfection. Malignancy, non-AIDS-defining infection and liver failure were particularly prominent causes of death.
Statin use was associated with significantly lower hazard of dying in these HIV-infected patients who were being effectively treated with HAART as determined by virologic suppression. Our results suggest the need for confirmation in other observational cohorts, and if confirmed, the need for a clinical trial of statin use in HIV infection.
PLoS ONE 01/2011; 6(7):e21843. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Drug use and receipt of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were assessed in HIV-infected persons from the Comprehensive Care Center (CCC; Nashville, TN) and Johns Hopkins University HIV Clinic (JHU; Baltimore, MD) between 1999 and 2005.
Participants with and without injection drug use (IDU) history in the CCC and JHU cohorts were evaluated. Additional analysis of persons with history of IDU, non-injection drug use (NIDU), and no drug use from CCC were performed. Activity of IDU and NIDU also was assessed for the CCC cohort. HAART use and time on HAART were analyzed according to drug use category and site of care.
1745 persons were included from CCC: 268 (15%) with IDU history and 796 (46%) with NIDU history. 1977 persons were included from JHU: 731 (35%) with IDU history. Overall, the cohorts differed in IDU risk factor rates, age, race, sex, and time in follow-up. In multivariate analyses, IDU was associated with decreased HAART receipt overall (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: [0.45-0.84] and OR = 0.58, 95% CI: [0.46-0.73], respectively for CCC and JHU) and less time on HAART at JHU (0.70, [0.55-0.88]), but not statistically associated with time on HAART at CCC (0.78, [0.56-1.09]). NIDU was independently associated with decreased HAART receipt (0.62, [0.47-0.81]) and less time on HAART (0.66, [0.52-0.85]) at CCC. These associations were not altered significantly whether patients at CCC were categorized according to historical drug use or drug use during the study period.
Persons with IDU history from both clinic populations were less likely to receive HAART and tended to have less cumulative time on HAART. Effects of NIDU were similar to IDU at CCC. NIDU without IDU is an important contributor to HAART utilization.
PLoS ONE 01/2011; 6(4):e18462. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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Matthew M Cousins,
Oliver Laeyendecker,
Geetha Beauchamp,
Ronald Brookmeyer,
William I Towler,
Sarah E Hudelson,
Leila Khaki,
Beryl Koblin,
Margaret Chesney, Richard D Moore,
Gabor D Kelen,
Thomas Coates,
Connie Celum,
Susan P Buchbinder,
George R Seage,
Thomas C Quinn,
Deborah Donnell,
Susan H Eshleman
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ABSTRACT: Cross-sectional assessment of HIV incidence relies on laboratory methods to discriminate between recent and non-recent HIV infection. Because HIV diversifies over time in infected individuals, HIV diversity may serve as a biomarker for assessing HIV incidence. We used a high resolution melting (HRM) diversity assay to compare HIV diversity in adults with different stages of HIV infection. This assay provides a single numeric HRM score that reflects the level of genetic diversity of HIV in a sample from an infected individual.
HIV diversity was measured in 203 adults: 20 with acute HIV infection (RNA positive, antibody negative), 116 with recent HIV infection (tested a median of 189 days after a previous negative HIV test, range 14-540 days), and 67 with non-recent HIV infection (HIV infected >2 years). HRM scores were generated for two regions in gag, one region in pol, and three regions in env.
Median HRM scores were higher in non-recent infection than in recent infection for all six regions tested. In multivariate models, higher HRM scores in three of the six regions were independently associated with non-recent HIV infection.
The HRM diversity assay provides a simple, scalable method for measuring HIV diversity. HRM scores, which reflect the genetic diversity in a viral population, may be useful biomarkers for evaluation of HIV incidence, particularly if multiple regions of the HIV genome are examined.
PLoS ONE 01/2011; 6(11):e27211. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Hepatic steatosis is a common histologic finding in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), although little is known about its natural history. We prospectively examined the natural history of steatosis in patients coinfected with HIV and HCV who attended an urban HIV clinic.
The study cohort consisted of 222 coinfected patients (87% black, 94% with HCV genotype 1 infection) who had at least 2 liver biopsies performed between 1993 and 2008. Biopsy specimens were scored by a single pathologist; samples were classified as having trivial (<5% of hepatocytes affected) or significant (>5%) levels of fat (steatosis). We characterized progression to significant levels of fat among patients whose first biopsy samples had no or trivial levels of fat, and regression among those with significant fat, using logistic regression.
Initial biopsy specimens from most patients (88%) had no or trivial amounts of fat. Among second biopsy samples, 74% had no or trivial fat and 13% had significant amounts of fat. The strongest risk factors for progression of steatosis were alcohol abuse and overweight/obesity; cumulative exposure to antiretroviral therapy between biopsies and high counts of CD4(+) T cells were associated with reduced progression of steatosis. Among the 28 patients whose initial biopsy specimen had significant fat levels, most (75%) regressed.
Antiretroviral therapy and high counts of CD4(+) T cells are associated with reduced progression of steatosis in patients coinfected with HIV and HCV. Efforts to diagnose and prevent steatosis should focus on persons with a high body mass index and excessive alcohol intake.
Gastroenterology 12/2010; 140(3):809-17. · 11.68 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The delivery of HIV healthcare historically has been expensive. The most recent national data regarding HIV healthcare costs were from 1996-1998. We provide updated estimates of expenditures for HIV management.
We performed a cross-sectional review of medical records at 10 sites in the HIV Research Network, a consortium of high-volume HIV care providers across the United States. We assessed inpatient days, outpatient visits, and prescribed antiretroviral and opportunistic illness prophylaxis medications for 14 691 adult HIV-infected patients in primary HIV care in 2006. We estimated total care expenditures, stratified by the median CD4 cell count obtained in 2006 (≤50, 51-200, 201-350, 351-500, >500 cells/μl). Per-unit costs of care were based on Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) data for inpatient care, discounted average wholesale prices for medications, and Medicare physician fees for outpatient care.
Averaging over all CD4 strata, the mean annual total expenditures per person for HIV care in 2006 in three sites was US $19 912, with an interquartile range from US $11 045 to 22 626. Average annual per-person expenditures for care were greatest for those with CD4 cell counts 50 cell/μl or less (US $40 678) and lowest for those with CD4 cell counts more than 500 cells/μl (US $16 614). The majority of costs were attributable to medications, except for those with CD4 cell counts 50 cells/μl or less, for whom inpatient costs were highest.
HIV healthcare in the United States continues to be expensive, with the majority of expenditures attributable to medications. With improved HIV survival, costs may increase and should be monitored in the future.
AIDS (London, England) 11/2010; 24(17):2705-15. · 4.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A large proportion of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection enter care late in the HIV disease course. Late entry can increase expenditures for care.
To estimate direct medical care expenditures for HIV patients as a function of disease status at initial presentation to care. Late entry is defined as initial CD4 test result ≤ 200 cells/mm3, intermediate entry as initial CD4 counts >200, and ≤ 500 cells/mm3; and early entry as initial CD4 count >500.
The study included 8348 patients who received HIV primary care and who were newly enrolled between 2000 and 2006 at one of 10 HIV clinics participating in the HIV Research Network.
We reviewed medical record data from 2000 to 2007. We estimated costs per outpatient visit and inpatient day, and monthly medication costs (antiretroviral and opportunistic illness prophylaxis). We multiplied unit costs by utilization measures to estimate expenditures for inpatient days, outpatient visits, HIV medications, and laboratory tests. We analyzed the association between cumulative expenditures and initial CD4 count, stratified by years in care.
Late entrants comprised 43.1% of new patients. The number of years receiving care after enrollment did not differ significantly across initial CD4 groups. Mean cumulative treatment expenditures ranged from $27,275 to $61,615 higher for late than early presenters. After 7 to 8 years in care, the difference was still substantial.
Patients who enter medical care late in their HIV disease have substantially higher direct medical treatment expenditures than those who enter at earlier stages. Successful efforts to link patients with medical care earlier in the disease course may yield cost savings.
Medical care 11/2010; 48(12):1071-9. · 3.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Screening HIV-infected men for gonorrhoea (GC) and chlamydia (CT) may decrease HIV transmission and reduce the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease in female partners. This study determined GC/CT testing rates in a clinical HIV cohort before and after 2003 when the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines for GC/CT screening.
First GC/CT testing episodes were identified for all men enrolling in a Baltimore HIV clinic from 1999 to 2007. Multivariate Cox and logistic regression were used to assess clinical and demographic factors associated with being tested and with having a positive result.
Among 1110 men, the rate of GC/CT testing upon clinic enrollment increased from 4.0% prior to 2003 to 16.5% afterwards, and the rate of ever being tested increased from 34.2% to 49.1% (p<0.001 for both comparisons). Among men with same sex contact, 10% of first testing episodes included extragenital sites. Among the 342 men ever-tested, 5.2% had positive results on first testing. Predictors of testing included enrolling after 2003, younger age, frequent visits and black race. Predictors of a positive test result included CD4 count ≥ 200 cells/mm(3) and younger age.
GC/CT testing rates among men increased substantially after the 2003 guidelines but remain low. Disseminating existing evidence for GC/CT screening and promoting operational interventions to facilitate it are warranted.
Sexually transmitted infections 11/2010; 86(6):481-4. · 2.18 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Previous studies describe decreased prostate cancer risk in HIV-infected men. In the United States, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is common and increases the detection of prostate cancer. We evaluated whether the prostate cancer deficit among men with AIDS reflects differential PSA screening.
Data from the U.S. HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study were used to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for prostate cancer, comparing men with AIDS (N = 287,247) to the general population. Furthermore, we estimated PSA testing rates in the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort.
Prostate cancer rates increased over time in the general population and, beginning in the 1990s, were consistently higher than among men with AIDS. Men with AIDS had the same prostate cancer risk as the general population in the pre-PSA era (<1992, SIR = 1.00), but significantly reduced risk during the PSA era overall (1992-2007, SIR = 0.50) and across age, race, HIV risk group, antiretroviral therapy era, and CD4 counts. Local and regional stage prostate cancer risk was lower among men with AIDS (SIRs, 0.49 and 0.14, respectively), but distant stage cancer risk did not differ (SIR = 0.85). Among HIV-infected men ≥40 years old, PSA testing was uncommon (18.7% per year), but increased 2.4-fold from 2000 to 2008, after age adjustment.
Prostate cancer risk was decreased by 50% among men with AIDS compared with the general population. This deficit was limited to the PSA era and early stage cancers.
Our findings suggest that the prostate cancer deficit in HIV-infected men is largely due to differential PSA screening.
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 11/2010; 19(11):2910-5. · 4.12 Impact Factor
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Sandra W Cardoso,
Beatriz Grinsztejn,
Luciane Velasque,
Valdilea G Veloso,
Paula M Luz,
Ruth K Friedman,
Mariza Morgado,
Sayonara R Ribeiro,
Ronaldo I Moreira,
Jeanne Keruly, Richard D Moore
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ABSTRACT: Studies on the long-term safety and tolerability of HAART are scarce in developing countries. HAART has been universally available in Brazil since 1997, providing a unique opportunity to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for HAART discontinuation or modification. We analyzed retrospective data from 670 treatment-naive patients followed at the HIV cohort of Evandro Chagas Clinical Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who first received HAART between January 1996 and December 2006. Our four outcomes of interest were treatment failure (TF-MOD), short-term toxicity (ST-MOD), long-term toxicity (LT-MOD), and overall modification/discontinuation (MOD, composed of TF-MOD, ST-MOD, LT-MOD, and other reasons). Risk factors were assessed using Cox's proportional hazards regression. Incidences of MOD, ST-MOD, LT-MOD, and TF-MOD were 28.3, 24.0, 4.0, and 5.6 per 100 persons-years, respectively. MOD was observed in 69% of the patients; 40% of the MODs were toxicity related. The risk of MOD in the first year of treatment was 32% (95% CI: 28.3-35.5%); the median time from HAART initiation to MOD was 14 months (IQR: 3.0-29.5). The most frequent reasons for ST-MOD were gastrointestinal; women had a higher hazard for ST-MOD. Metabolic toxicity was the most frequent reason for LT- MOD, particularly dislipidemia and lipodystrophy. Increased hazard of TF-MOD was observed among those with lower CD4(+) lymphocyte counts (<200 cells/mm(3)). Our results indicate that toxicities can compromise adherence and thus impact future treatment options. This is especially relevant in the context of limited access to second and third line treatment regimens.
AIDS research and human retroviruses 08/2010; 26(8):865-74. · 2.18 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Despite an increased risk for cervical cytologic abnormalities, HIV-infected women frequently miss their gynecology appointments. We examined barriers to adherence with gynecologic care in an urban HIV clinic.
We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 200 women receiving gynecologic services in an urban HIV clinic, followed by focus groups. Primary outcomes included (1) missed gynecology appointments and (2) receipt of a Pap smear in the previous year. Independent variables included sociodemographic characteristics, child care responsibilities, substance use, depressive symptoms, social support, interpersonal violence, CD4 count, and HIV-1 RNA. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to examine associations between independent variables and outcomes. We then held two focus groups designed to gather opinions on and increase our understanding of the key findings from the survey.
Of 200 women, 69% missed at least one gynecology appointment, and 22% had no Pap smear in the past year. In logistic regression, moderate (odds ratio [OR] 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-6.7) and severe (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3-7.5) depressive symptoms and past-month substance use (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-5.3) were associated with missing an appointment in the prior year. An education level of less than high school (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.6) compared with high school diploma or greater was associated with not having a Pap smear in the previous year. When analyses were limited to women with a cervix (n = 166), moderate (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.7) and severe (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0-6.3) depressive systems remained significantly associated with missing a gynecology appointment in the previous year and age >50 (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9), an HIV-1 RNA > 50 (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9), and education level less than high school (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.5) were associated with not having a Pap smear in the past 12 months. Qualitative analysis of the focus group data suggested that fear, inclement weather, and forgetting appointments may contribute to missed gynecology appointments.
Gynecologic healthcare is underused among HIV-infected women. We found that depressive symptoms, substance use, fear of the gynecologic examination, and simply forgetting about the appointment may be barriers to gynecologic care. Interventions targeting these barriers may improve use of gynecologic care among this population.
Journal of Women s Health 08/2010; 19(8):1511-8. · 1.57 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Mistrust among African Americans is often considered a potential source of racial disparities in HIV care. We sought to determine whether greater trust in one's provider among African-American patients mitigates racial disparities. We analyzed data from 1,104 African-American and 201 white patients participating in a cohort study at an urban, academic HIV clinic between 2005 and 2008. African Americans expressed lower levels of trust in their providers than did white patients (8.9 vs. 9.4 on a 0-10 scale; p < 0.001). African Americans were also less likely than whites to be receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) when eligible (85% vs. 92%; p = 0.02), to report complete ART adherence over the prior 3 days (83% vs. 89%; p = 0.005), and to have a suppressed viral load (40% vs. 47%; p = 0.04). Trust in one's provider was not associated with receiving ART or with viral suppression but was significantly associated with adherence. African Americans who expressed less than complete trust in their providers (0-9 of 10) had lower ART adherence than did whites (adjusted OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.25-0.66). For African Americans who expressed complete trust in their providers (10 of 10), the racial disparity in adherence was less prominent but still substantial (adjusted OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.95). Trust did not affect disparities in receipt of ART or viral suppression. Our findings suggest that enhancing trust in patient-provider relationships for African-American patients may help reduce disparities in ART adherence and the outcomes associated with improved adherence.
AIDS patient care and STDs 07/2010; 24(7):415-20. · 2.68 Impact Factor
