Systemic inflammation and the increased risk of inflamm-aging and age-associated diseases in people living with HIV on long-term suppressive antiretroviral therapy
This study evaluates the levels of systemic inflammation to better understand the risk of age-associated diseases in PLHIV on long-term suppressive ART using a large number of biomarkers of inflammation and immune activation. This study found that there is still a large amount of inflammation in those who are on ART as in those who were untreated.
Clusterization of co-morbidities and multi-morbidities among persons living with HIV: a cross-sectional study
Co-morbidities and multi-morbidities are extremely prevalent in people living with HIV. More than 50% of PLHW were multi-morbid and about 30% had three or more comorbidities. Those living with HIV are much more at risk of dying or living with more than one disease.
Oral Microbiome in HIV-Infected Women: Shifts in the Abundance of Pathogenic and Beneficial Bacteria Are Associated with Aging, HIV Load, CD4 Count, and Antiretroviral Therapy
The study looked at 16S rDNA-based pyrosequencing to compare the salivary microbiome in three groups: (1) Chronically HIV-infected women >50 years of age (aging); (2) HIV-infected women <35 years of age (young adult); and (3) HIV-uninfected age-matched women.
Patient and provider perceptions of a comprehensive care program for HIV-positive adults over 50 years of age: The formation of the Golden Compass HIV and aging care program in San Francisco
People living with HIV (PLWH) are living longer, developing comorbidities and aging-related syndromes. New care models are needed to address the combined burden and complexity of HIV and its comorbidities in this group. The goal of this study is to describe qualitative data from patients and providers that informed the development of a comprehensive care model for older PLWH.
Come as You Are: Improving Care Engagement and Viral Load Suppression Among HIV Care Coordination Clients with Lower Mental Health Functioning, Unstable Housing, and Hard Drug Use
The findings of this study suggest that there is a connection between support to address psychosocial barriers and greater improvement on indicators along the HIV continuum. The findings also aid as evidence to the role of Care Coordination in increasing health and survival opportunities among those who are at the highest risk for suboptimal HIV health outcomes.
Factors associated with social deprivation among older persons living with HIV
Social deprivation is a comorbidity that many older people living with HIV face. The study analyzed the relationship between people living with HIV and social deprivation. Social deprivation was not related to HIV status but showed that OPWH that suffered from social deprivation received little support from social workers.
Short-term effectiveness of HIV care coordination among persons with recent HIV diagnosis or history of poor HIV outcomes
Researchers aimed to better understand how Care Coordination Programs (CCP) affect PLWH by having one group that was a part of a CCP and another that wasn’t. After 12-months individuals, viral loads before and after the study were compared. It was found that those in the CCP who had been recently diagnosed benefited the greatest from the program, so it is hypothesized that CCPs help with the initial hurdles of accessing and adhering to ART.
Reconciling the evaluation of co-morbidities among HIV care patients in two large data systems: the Medical Monitoring Project and CFAR Network of Integrated Clinical Systems
Data on persons with HIV and their burden of disease is poor and varies from one database to another. A study was performed utilizing two large databases, MMP and CNICS. The results displayed that each database can provide reliable data to monitor HIV co-morbidities in the US.
A continuum of HIV care describing mortality and loss to follow-up: a longitudinal cohort study
A cross-sectional study assessed how effective it was for those on HIV meds to not transmit to others, along with how high the loss to follow-up was in various HIV programs. They found that there was a high loss of follow-up in HIV care programs, but it highlighted the need for intervention as well as an increase in rates of viral suppression.
Using registry data to construct a comparison group for programmatic effectiveness evaluation: the New York City HIV care coordination program
To gauge and improve the effectiveness of care coordination programs, researchers looked at CCP evaluations of individuals with HIV. Oftentimes just looking at pre and post-program evaluations do not consider external events in a CCP participant’s life, which has an impact on the effectiveness of the program. Researchers suggest keeping a registry of possible events in the patient’s life. This way, care coordinators can be continuous and mindful of the patient’s circumstances.
