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BackgroundInformation regarding the impact of substance use on the timing of entry into HIV care is lacking. Better understanding of this relationship can help guide approaches and policies to improve HIV testing and linkage.MethodsWe examined the effect of specific substances on stage of HIV disease at entry into care in over 5000 persons with HIV (PWH) newly enrolling in care. Substance use was obtained from the AUDIT-C and ASSIST instruments. We examined the association between early entry into care and substance use (high-risk alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine/crack, illicit opioids, marijuana) using logistic and relative risk regression models adjusting for demographic factors, mental health symptoms and diagnoses, and clinical site.ResultsWe found that current methamphetamine use, past and current cocaine and marijuana use was associated with earlier entry into care compared with individuals who reported no use of these substances.ConclusionEarly entry into care among those with substance use suggests that HIV testing may be differentially offered to people with known HIV risk factors, and that individuals with substances use disorders may be more likely to be tested and linked to care due to increased interactions with the healthcare system.

BackgroundIt is unknown whether gaining inpatient health care coverage had an effect on hospitalization rates among persons with HIV (PWH) after implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2014.MethodsHospitalization data from 2015 were obtained for 1634 adults receiving longitudinal HIV care at 3 US HIV clinics within the HIV Research Network. All patients were engaged in care and previously uninsured and supported by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program in 2013. We evaluated whether PWH who transitioned to either Medicaid or private insurance in 2014 tended to have a change in hospitalization rate compared with PWH who remained uncovered and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program supported. Analyses were performed by negative binomial regression with robust standard errors, adjusting for gender, race/ethnicity, age, HIV risk factor, CD4 count, viral load, clinic site, and 2013 hospitalization rate.ResultsAmong PWH without inpatient health care coverage in 2013, transitioning to Medicaid [adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.26, (0.71, 2.23)] or to private insurance [0.48 (0.18, 1.28)] in 2014 was not associated with 2015 hospitalization rates, after accounting for demographics, HIV characteristics, and prior hospitalization rates. The factors significantly associated with higher hospitalization rates include age 55-64, CD4 400 copies/mL, and 2013 hospitalization rate.ConclusionsAcquiring inpatient coverage was not associated with a change in hospitalization rates. These results provide some evidence to allay the concern that acquiring inpatient coverage would lead to increased inpatient utilization.

BackgroundThe clinical management of low-level viremia (LLV) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of blips and LLV with virologic failure.MethodsWe enlisted patients who newly enrolled into the HIV Research Network between 2005 and 2015, had HIV-1 RNA more than 200 copies/ml, and were either antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive or ART-experienced and not on ART. Patients were included who achieved virologic suppression (≤50 on two consecutive viral loads) and had at least two viral loads following suppression. Blips and LLV (≥2 consecutive >51 copies/ml) were categorized separately into three categories: no blips/LLV, 51-200, 201-500. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess association between rates of blips/LLV and virologic failure (two consecutive >500).ResultsThe 2795 patients were mostly male (75.4%), black (50.3%), and MSM (52.9%). Median age was 38 years old (interquartile range 29-48). Most patients (88.8%) were ART-naive at study entry. Overall, 283 (10.1%) patients experienced virologic failure. A total of 152 (5.4%) patients experienced LLV to 51-200 and 110 (3.9%) patients experienced LLV to 201-500. Both LLV 51-200 [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.83 (1.10,3.04)] and LLV 201-500 [aHR 4.26 (2.65,6.86)] were associated with virologic failure. In sensitivity analysis excluding ART-experienced patients, the association between LLV 51 and 200 and virologic failure was not statistically significant.ConclusionLLV between 201 and 500 was associated with virologic failure, as was LLV between 51 and 200, particularly among ART-experienced patients. Patients with LLV below the current Department of Health and Human Services threshold for virologic failure (persistent viremia ≥200) may require more intensive monitoring because of increased risk for virologic failure.

Objective: People with HIV (PWH) are at an increased risk for cognitive impairment as they age compared to their HIV-negative counterparts. Lifestyle factors can have protective effects on cognitive outcomes among PWH. However, little work has examined diet quality and cognitive function in PWH. Examining the association between diet quality and cognitive function among PWH is particularly important given this population's increased risk for both poor diet quality and cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between diet and cognitive function in aging PWH. Participants and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Birmingham, Alabama and Cleveland, Ohio. Eighty-six PWH (mean age 56 years) completed standard triple-pass 24-hour diet recalls and a neurocognitive assessment. Partial Pearson's correlations were conducted between diet variables and global neurocognitive function T scores, adjusting for total calories, sex, and education level. Results: Overall diet quality of the sample was poor. The overall sample presented with low Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores, high glycemic index, twice the goal amount for saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and inadequate consumption of several nutrients typically associated with cognitive health including omega-3 fatty acids, dietary protein, fiber, Vitamin D, Zinc, and several B-vitamins. Greater total calories per day (r=0.28, p<0.05), greater percentage of total calories of SFAs (r=0.26, p<0.01), and lower glycemic index (r=-0.24, p<0.05) were associated with better cognition. Higher intake of several individual fatty acids, particularly SFAs, were associated with better cognition (correlations ranging from 0.23 to 0.31). Higher intakes of phosphorus (r=0.29, p<0.01), magnesium (r=0.25, p<0.05), and potassium (r=0.22, p<0.05) were associated with better cognition. Higher grams/day of several amino acids were associated with better cognition (correlations ranging from 0.22 to 0.27). Conclusions: In a sample with overall poor diet quality not meeting recommended guidelines, findings suggest that being nourished in itself is associated with better cognitive function. Associations with several individual nutrients may inform potential intervention targets to protect brain health in PWH. Further, targeting food insecurity in interventions may have downstream effects on cognition in PWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has rapidly expanded; as of the end of 2010, an estimated 6.6 million people are receiving ART in low-income and middle-income countries. Few reports have focused on the experiences of rural health centers or the use of community health workers. We report clinical and programatic outcomes at 24 months for a cohort of patients enrolled in a community-based ART program in southeastern Rwanda under collaboration between Partners In Health and the Rwandan Ministry of Health.A retrospective medical record review was performed for a cohort of 1041 HIV+ adult patients initiating community-based ART between June 1, 2005, and April 30, 2006. Key programatic elements included free ART with direct observation by community health worker, tuberculosis screening and treatment, nutritional support, a transportation allowance, and social support. Among 1041 patients who initiated community-based ART, 961 (92.3%) were retained in care, 52 (5%) died and 28 (2.7%) were lost to follow-up. Median CD4 T-cell count increase was 336 cells per microliter [interquartile range: (IQR): 212-493] from median 190 cells per microliter (IQR: 116-270) at initiation.A program of intensive community-based treatment support for ART in rural Rwanda had excellent outcomes in 24-month retention in care. Having committed to improving access to HIV treatment in sub-Saharan Africa, the international community, including country HIV programs, should set high programmatic outcome benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]