Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
J Int AIDS Soc. 1 December 2024; Volume 27 (Issue 12); e26387.; DOI:10.1002/jia2.26387
Tekpa G, Inikoutiyo J, Yonli C, Noguera C, Lujwiro PP, et al.
J Int AIDS Soc. 1 December 2024; Volume 27 (Issue 12); e26387.; DOI:10.1002/jia2.26387
INTRODUCTION
The retention in care of patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a cornerstone for preventing AIDS‐associated morbidity and mortality, as well as further transmission of HIV. Adherence to ART poses particular challenges in conflict‐affected settings like the Central African Republic (CAR). The study objective was to estimate the rate of lost‐to‐follow‐up (LTFU) and determine factors associated with LTFU among patients living with HIV under ART in CAR.
METHODS
A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using data from patients being managed at 42 representative ART dispensing sites (i.e. management of ≥200 patients) in the seven health regions of CAR which started ART between January 2019 to September 2021 and followed up to December 2021. The outcome of LTFU was defined as a failure of a patient to attend a scheduled ART refill appointment for at least 90 days from the last appointment. Patients were censored at the first LTFU event.
RESULTS
A total of 6844 patients enrolled in ART care were included in the analysis, of whom 67.5% were females. The mean age (standard deviation) was 35.3 years (10.5). Forty‐two per cent (n = 2874/6844) had an LTFU event during the follow‐up period. However, 23.2% (n = 666/2874) returned to care after LTFU. Overall retention in antiretroviral care at 12 months was 64.2% (CI 63.0−65.5), which ranged from 76.1% in the capital to 48.2% in the inner country region. Risk factors related to LTFU were being male (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.33; CI 1.1−1.5), age < 25 (aHR 1.46; CI 1.1−1.9), living in regions outside the capital (aHR 1.83; CI 1.6−2.3) and undernutrition (aHR 1.13; CI 1.0−1.3).
CONCLUSIONS
Retention to care in CAR is suboptimal, especially in the inner country. Our results underline the difficulties involved in retaining patients in ART in complex settings, the interplay between poor retention, social unrest, stigma, food insecurity and HIV epidemic control, and the need for tailored programming and interventions like differentiated treatment strategies and complementary food provision.
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Southern African Journal of HIV medicine. 1 March 2012
Andrieux-Meyer I, Clayden P, Collins S, Geffen N, Goemaere E, et al.
Southern African Journal of HIV medicine. 1 March 2012
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
JAMA. 6 August 2008; Volume 300 (Issue 5); 530-539.; DOI:10.1001/jama.300.5.530
Boulle A, van Cutsem G, Cohen K, Hilderbrand K, Mathee S, et al.
JAMA. 6 August 2008; Volume 300 (Issue 5); 530-539.; DOI:10.1001/jama.300.5.530
CONTEXT
Rifampicin-based antitubercular therapy reduces the plasma concentrations of nevirapine and efavirenz. The virological consequences of these interactions are not well described.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of concomitant efavirenz- or nevirapine-based combination antiretroviral therapy and rifampicin-based antitubercular therapy.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Cohort analysis of prospectively collected routine clinical data in a community-based South African antiretroviral treatment program. Antiretroviral treatment-naive adults enrolled between May 2001 and June 2006 were included in the analysis, and were followed up until the end of 2006.
INTERVENTIONS
Patients starting antiretroviral therapy with or without concurrent antitubercular therapy received either efavirenz or nevirapine at standard doses. Patients developing tuberculosis while taking antiretroviral therapy that included nevirapine were either changed to efavirenz or continued taking nevirapine.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Viral load of 400 copies/mL or more after 6, 12, and 18 months of antiretroviral therapy; time to the first viral load of 400 copies/mL or more; time to confirmed virological failure (2 consecutive values > or = 5000 copies/mL); time to death; and time to treatment-limiting toxicity were assessed.
RESULTS
The analysis included 2035 individuals who started antiretroviral therapy with efavirenz (1074 with concurrent tuberculosis) and 1935 with nevirapine (209 with concurrent tuberculosis). There were no differences in time to death or substitution of either antiretroviral drug for toxicity with and without concurrent tuberculosis. Patients starting nevirapine with concurrent tuberculosis were at a higher risk of elevated viral load most notably at 6 months (16.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.6%-23.5%) than those without tuberculosis (8.3%; 95% CI, 6.7%-10.0%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.4; and in the combined estimate, adjusted OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.6). In the time-to-event analysis of confirmed virological failure (2 consecutive values of > or = 5000 copies/mL), patients starting nevirapine with concurrent tuberculosis developed virological failure sooner (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.7). There were no differences between patients starting efavirenz with and without concurrent tuberculosis (adjusted OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8-1.5 [combined estimate] and adjusted HR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6-2.0, respectively). There was no difference in time to virological rebound in patients free of tuberculosis and those developing tuberculosis during follow-up while taking nevirapine (adjusted HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.5-2.0) or efavirenz (adjusted HR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.4-1.7).
CONCLUSION
In this cohort study, virological outcomes were inferior when nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy was commenced while taking antitubercular treatment (vs without concurrent tuberculosis) but comparable when starting efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy (vs without concurrent tuberculosis) or when tuberculosis developed while taking established nevirapine- or efavirenz-based therapies.
Rifampicin-based antitubercular therapy reduces the plasma concentrations of nevirapine and efavirenz. The virological consequences of these interactions are not well described.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of concomitant efavirenz- or nevirapine-based combination antiretroviral therapy and rifampicin-based antitubercular therapy.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Cohort analysis of prospectively collected routine clinical data in a community-based South African antiretroviral treatment program. Antiretroviral treatment-naive adults enrolled between May 2001 and June 2006 were included in the analysis, and were followed up until the end of 2006.
INTERVENTIONS
Patients starting antiretroviral therapy with or without concurrent antitubercular therapy received either efavirenz or nevirapine at standard doses. Patients developing tuberculosis while taking antiretroviral therapy that included nevirapine were either changed to efavirenz or continued taking nevirapine.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Viral load of 400 copies/mL or more after 6, 12, and 18 months of antiretroviral therapy; time to the first viral load of 400 copies/mL or more; time to confirmed virological failure (2 consecutive values > or = 5000 copies/mL); time to death; and time to treatment-limiting toxicity were assessed.
RESULTS
The analysis included 2035 individuals who started antiretroviral therapy with efavirenz (1074 with concurrent tuberculosis) and 1935 with nevirapine (209 with concurrent tuberculosis). There were no differences in time to death or substitution of either antiretroviral drug for toxicity with and without concurrent tuberculosis. Patients starting nevirapine with concurrent tuberculosis were at a higher risk of elevated viral load most notably at 6 months (16.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.6%-23.5%) than those without tuberculosis (8.3%; 95% CI, 6.7%-10.0%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.4; and in the combined estimate, adjusted OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.6). In the time-to-event analysis of confirmed virological failure (2 consecutive values of > or = 5000 copies/mL), patients starting nevirapine with concurrent tuberculosis developed virological failure sooner (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.7). There were no differences between patients starting efavirenz with and without concurrent tuberculosis (adjusted OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8-1.5 [combined estimate] and adjusted HR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6-2.0, respectively). There was no difference in time to virological rebound in patients free of tuberculosis and those developing tuberculosis during follow-up while taking nevirapine (adjusted HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.5-2.0) or efavirenz (adjusted HR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.4-1.7).
CONCLUSION
In this cohort study, virological outcomes were inferior when nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy was commenced while taking antitubercular treatment (vs without concurrent tuberculosis) but comparable when starting efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy (vs without concurrent tuberculosis) or when tuberculosis developed while taking established nevirapine- or efavirenz-based therapies.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
AIDS. 5 September 2003; Volume 17 (Issue 13); 1995-1997.; DOI: 10.1097/00002030-200309050-00023
Tassie JM, Szumilin E, Calmy A, Goemaere E
AIDS. 5 September 2003; Volume 17 (Issue 13); 1995-1997.; DOI: 10.1097/00002030-200309050-00023
We describe the short-term results of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in seven projects in low and middle income countries. A total of 743 adults were included, and clinical, immunological and virological responses were analysed. At 6 months, outcomes were similar to those observed in western countries, and the probability of remaining on treatment was 94%. The challenge now is to extend access to HAART to the millions in urgent need.
Journal Article > ReviewFull Text
Int J Epidemiol. 20 May 2016; Volume 46 (Issue 2); e21.; DOI:doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyw057
Stinson K, Goemaere E, Coetzee D, van Cutsem G, Hilderbrand K, et al.
Int J Epidemiol. 20 May 2016; Volume 46 (Issue 2); e21.; DOI:doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyw057
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
AIDS. 1 September 2003; DOI:10.1097/01.aids.0000076325.42412.a1
Tassie JM, Szumilin E, Calmy A, Goemaere E
AIDS. 1 September 2003; DOI:10.1097/01.aids.0000076325.42412.a1
We describe the short-term results of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in seven projects in low and middle income countries. A total of 743 adults were included, and clinical, immunological and virological responses were analysed. At 6 months, outcomes were similar to those observed in western countries, and the probability of remaining on treatment was 94%. The challenge now is to extend access to HAART to the millions in urgent need.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
PLOS One. 17 February 2010; Volume 5 (Issue 2); DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0009183
Chu KM, Boulle AM, Ford NP, Goemaere E, Asselman V, et al.
PLOS One. 17 February 2010; Volume 5 (Issue 2); DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0009183
BACKGROUND: The majority of antiretroviral treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa are scaling up antiretroviral treatment using a fixed dose first-line antiretroviral regimen containing stavudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine. One of the primary concerns with the use of this regimen is nevirapine-associated hepatotoxicity. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Study participants were 1809 HIV-infected, antiretroviral naïve adults initiating nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy between November 2002 and December 2006. The primary outcome was early hepatotoxicity. Secondary outcomes were associations with hepatotoxicity and mortality at six months. The cumulative proportion of early hepatotoxicity ranged from 1.0-2.0% giving an incidence-rate at 102 days of 3.6-7.6 per 100 person-years. Median time to hepatotoxicity was 32 (IQR 28-58) days. At 12 weeks, only 8% of patients had alanine aminotransferase monitoring at all the time-points recommended by national guidelines. No association was found between age, gender, baseline CD4 count, concurrent tuberculosis infection, prior participation in a prevention of mother-to-child-transmission program, or baseline weight and early hepatotoxicity. There was no association between early hepatotoxicity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative proportion of early hepatotoxicity in nevirapine based antiretroviral therapy was low in this resource-constrained setting. Hepatotoxicity was not associated with mortality. Frequent routine monitoring of alanine aminotransferase proved difficult to implement in this public sector primary care programme. Focused monitoring in the first month may be a more cost-effective and pragmatic option in settings with limited resources. Correlation with clinical signs and symptoms may allow future alanine aminotransferase testing to be dictated by clinical criteria.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1 April 2014; Volume 18 (Issue 4); 441-448.; DOI:10.5588/ijtld.13.0742
Cox HS, Hughes J, Daniels J, Azevedo VD, McDermid C, et al.
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1 April 2014; Volume 18 (Issue 4); 441-448.; DOI:10.5588/ijtld.13.0742
SETTING: Khayelitsha, South Africa, a peri-urban township with high burdens of tuberculosis (TB), drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
OBJECTIVE: To describe case detection and patient outcomes in a community-based DR-TB programme.
DESIGN: DR-TB management was integrated into primary health care in Khayelitsha from 2007 onwards. Implementation was incremental, and included training and clinician support, counselling and home visits, tuberculous infection control, a local in-patient service, and routine monitoring. Patients received treatment rapidly through their local clinic, and were only hospitalised if clinically unwell.
RESULTS: DR-TB case notification (any rifampicin resistance) increased from 28 per 100 000 population per year (2005–2007) to 55/100 000/year in 2009–2011 (72% HIV-infected). From 2008 to 2011, 754 patients received treatment (86% of those diagnosed). The median time between diagnostic sputum and treatment decreased over the years of implementation to 27 days in 2011 (P < 0.001). Treatment success was 52% in 2010, with 31% default, 13% death and 4% treatment failure. Two-year survival was 65%, with poorer survival in those with HIV (HR 2.0, 95%CI 1.4–2.8), second-line drug resistance (HR 3.3, 95%CI 2.2–4.8), and diagnosis in earlier programme years (HR 1.4, 95%CI 1.1–2.0).
CONCLUSION: Community-based DR-TB management is feasible, and contributes to improved case detection, reduced treatment delay and improved survival. Treatment outcomes remain poor, highlighting the poor efficacy, tolerability and lengthy duration of current treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To describe case detection and patient outcomes in a community-based DR-TB programme.
DESIGN: DR-TB management was integrated into primary health care in Khayelitsha from 2007 onwards. Implementation was incremental, and included training and clinician support, counselling and home visits, tuberculous infection control, a local in-patient service, and routine monitoring. Patients received treatment rapidly through their local clinic, and were only hospitalised if clinically unwell.
RESULTS: DR-TB case notification (any rifampicin resistance) increased from 28 per 100 000 population per year (2005–2007) to 55/100 000/year in 2009–2011 (72% HIV-infected). From 2008 to 2011, 754 patients received treatment (86% of those diagnosed). The median time between diagnostic sputum and treatment decreased over the years of implementation to 27 days in 2011 (P < 0.001). Treatment success was 52% in 2010, with 31% default, 13% death and 4% treatment failure. Two-year survival was 65%, with poorer survival in those with HIV (HR 2.0, 95%CI 1.4–2.8), second-line drug resistance (HR 3.3, 95%CI 2.2–4.8), and diagnosis in earlier programme years (HR 1.4, 95%CI 1.1–2.0).
CONCLUSION: Community-based DR-TB management is feasible, and contributes to improved case detection, reduced treatment delay and improved survival. Treatment outcomes remain poor, highlighting the poor efficacy, tolerability and lengthy duration of current treatment.
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Bull World Health Organ. 1 July 2015; Volume 93 (Issue 7); 491-497.; DOI:10.2471/BLT.14.138925
Cox HS, Furin J, Mitnick CD, Daniels C, Cox V, et al.
Bull World Health Organ. 1 July 2015; Volume 93 (Issue 7); 491-497.; DOI:10.2471/BLT.14.138925
Approximately half a million people are thought to develop multidrug-resistant tuberculosis annually. Barely 20% of these people currently receive recommended treatment and only about 10% are successfully treated. Poor access to treatment is probably driving the current epidemic, via ongoing transmission. Treatment scale-up is hampered by current treatment regimens, which are lengthy, expensive, poorly tolerated and difficult to administer in the settings where most patients reside. Although new drugs provide an opportunity to improve treatment regimens, current and planned clinical trials hold little promise for developing regimens that will facilitate prompt treatment scale-up. In this article we argue that clinical trials, while necessary, should be complemented by timely, large-scale, operational research that will provide programmatic data on the use of new drugs and regimens while simultaneously improving access to life-saving treatment. Perceived risks - such as the rapid development of resistance to new drugs - need to be balanced against the high levels of mortality and transmission that will otherwise persist. Doubling access to treatment and increasing treatment success could save approximately a million lives over the next decade.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Lancet. 14 May 2014 (Issue 9944); DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60162-8
Rangaka MX, Wilkinson RJ, Boulle AM, Glynn JR, Fielding K, et al.
Lancet. 14 May 2014 (Issue 9944); DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60162-8
Antiretroviral therapy reduces the risk of tuberculosis, but tuberculosis is more common in people with HIV than in people without HIV. We aimed to assess the effect of isoniazid preventive therapy on the risk of tuberculosis in people infected with HIV-1 concurrently receiving antiretroviral therapy.