Should we measure quality of life among people with HIV? A multicentre survey of physicians' opinions in Spain.

Objectives: We assessed the opinions of physicians caring for people with HIV (PWH) from the multicentre Spanish CoRIS cohort regarding the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: We designed an online self-administered questionnaire comprising 27 structured questions across four domains: (i) sociodemographic and clinical data; (ii) usefulness of measuring HRQoL; (iii) information, training and resource needed; and (iv) whether and how HRQoL should be measured. Physicians completed the questionnaire between April and June 2023.

The HIV-1 reservoir landscape in persistent elite controllers and transient elite controllers.

BACKGROUNDPersistent controllers (PCs) maintain antiretroviral-free HIV-1 control indefinitely over time, while transient controllers (TCs) eventually lose virological control. It is essential to characterize the quality of the HIV reservoir in terms of these phenotypes in order to identify the factors that lead to HIV progression and to open new avenues toward an HIV cure.METHODSThe characterization of HIV-1 reservoir from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed using next-generation sequencing techniques, such as full-length individual and matched integration site proviral sequencing (FLIP-Seq; MIP-Seq).

Role of previous systemic antibiotic therapy on the probability of recurrence after an initial episode of infection treated with vancomycin.

Objectives: To investigate the role of previous antibiotic therapy in the risk of recurrence after a infection (CDI) treated with vancomycin.

Methods: Multicentre observational study. Patients with a CDI episode achieving clinical cure with oral vancomycin and followed up 8 weeks were included.

Weight changes after first-line antiretroviral initiation in a cohort of HIV-positive patients in Southern Spain (CAPOTA study).

Background: Obesity among persons living with HIV (PLWH) has increased and weight gain after antiretroviral therapy (ART) can lead to metabolic disorders and impact survival. Our objective was to analyze weight and metabolic changes in HIV näive patients after 48 weeks of ART.

Methods: Observational, retrospective, multicentered cohort study comprising naïve-patients who started tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine/elvitegravir/cobicistat (TAF/FTC/EVG/c) or abacavir/lamivudine/dolutegravir (ABC/3TC/DTG), with no change in treatment for 48 weeks.

Severe immunosuppression is related to poorer immunogenicity to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines among people living with HIV.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 available vaccines among people living with HIV (PLWH) after a complete vaccination scheme, and determine predictors of seroconversion.

Methods: This multicentre prospective cohort study included 420 PLWH who had received a standard immunization, either with mRNA or adenoviral-vectored COVID-19 vaccines. Antibody response was evaluated within 1 to 2 months after the last dose of the vaccine with a quantitative determination of antitrimeric spike protein-specific IgG antibodies and IgG neutralizing antibodies.

Acute hepatitis C virus infection and direct-acting antiviral drugs: Perfect combination to eliminate the epidemic?

Early diagnosis and treatment of incident cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is fundamental to eliminate HCV in HIV-positive patients. From January 2016 to December 2019, we attended 40 episodes of acute HCV infection (AHC) in 35 subjects (9 reinfections) who were coinfected with HIV. The patients were treated with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) in seven hospitals in Andalusia, Spain.

A Pandemic within Other Pandemics. When a Multiple Infection of a Host Occurs: SARS-CoV-2, HIV and .

By the middle of 2021, we are still immersed in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The concurrence of this new pandemic in regions where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) infections possess the same epidemiological consideration, has arisen concerns about the prognosis, clinical management, symptomatology, and treatment of patients with triple infection. At the same time, healthcare services previously devoted to diagnosis and treatment of TB and HIV are being jeopardized by the urgent need of resources and attention for COVID-19 patients.

Hepatitis C and HIV combined screening in primary care: A cluster randomized trial.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV are major causes of worldwide disease. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a combined screening programme, which included a risk-assessment questionnaire and rapid tests for point-of-care diagnosis, on screening and new diagnosis rates. This prospective, cluster randomized study was carried out in primary care.

CD4:CD8 T-cell ratio changes in people with HIV receiving antiretroviral treatment.

Background: Cofactors associated with persistently abnormal CD4:CD8 T-cell ratio in people with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) might change over time as the population of people with HIV ages or as new ART drugs become available. The main objective of our study was to determine the long-term associations of baseline factors, including the CD4 T-cell count and ratio, with ratio normalization (≥1). In addition to this, we explored whether the ratio remained associated with the risk of both AIDS and non-AIDS events among individuals on suppressive ART.

Impact of a structured HIV testing program in a hospital emergency department and a primary care center.

Introduction: HIV testing guidelines are poorly implemented in most clinical settings. The best screening strategy and healthcare scenario are still unknown. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of a structured HIV testing intervention (DRIVE), compared to HIV testing as routinely performed in clinical practice, in two different clinical settings: a primary care center and an emergency department.

Outcome of an HIV education program for primary care providers: Screening and late diagnosis rates.

Background: Late HIV diagnosis remains one of the challenges in combating the epidemic. Primary care providers play an important role in screening for HIV infection. Our study aims to evaluate the relationship between knowledge and barriers to HIV testing and screening outcomes.

Symtuza (DRV/c/FTC/TAF) in the management of treatment-naive HIV-patients.

The management of HIV infection is based on the administration of lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). Single-tablet regimens (STR) reduce pill burden and maximise long-term adherence. Cobicistat-boosted darunavir with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide co-formulation (DRV/c/FTC/TAF), with trade name Symtuza, is the first STR based on a protease inhibitor (PI).

Development and Validation of an HIV Risk Exposure and Indicator Conditions Questionnaire to Support Targeted HIV Screening.

The aim of our study was to develop a Spanish-structured HIV risk of exposure and indicator conditions (RE&IC) questionnaire. People attending to an emergency room or to a primary clinical care center were offered to participate in a prospective, 1 arm, open label study, in which all enrolled patients filled out our developed questionnaire and were HIV tested. Questionnaire accuracy, feasibility, and reliability were evaluated.

Use of maraviroc in patients with undetectable viral load: efficacy, tolerance and predictors of viral response in MARAVIROC-cohort study.

Introduction: No controlled clinical trials had studied the role of maraviroc (MRV) in fully suppressed patients (1).

Materials And Methods: MRV-cohort is an observational, retrospective, multicentric (27 sites) large cohort study of patients starting MRV in clinical practice under different circumstances, with at least 48 weeks of follow-up. For the present analysis we selected all those patients starting with an HIV-RNA<50 copies/mL.

Comparison of routine versus targeted HIV testing strategies: coverage and estimated missed infections in emergency room and primary care centre.

Introduction: Different HIV Testing Strategies (TS) and clinical care settings had not been face to face evaluated (1). We compared coverage, Newly Diagnosed HIV Infection (NDHI) and Estimated Missing HIV Infections (MHI) in Hospital Emergency Room (HER) and Primary Care Center (PCC), in DRIVE study (Spanish acronym of HIV infection Rapid Diagnosis) and in clinical practice the year before DRIVE.

Materials And Methods: In DRIVE study, 18-60 years old, non-HIV-infected population visiting an HER or a PCC were proposed both a structured risk practices and clinical conditions questionnaire (RP&CC-Q) and a rapid HIV test.

Incremental cost per newly diagnosed HIV infection (NDHI): routine (RTS), targeted (TTS), and current clinical practice testing strategies (CPTS).

Introduction: Although RTS as HIV Diagnosis was considered cost effectiveness [1], overall budget may be unaffordable for some countries. We explore Incremental cost per NDHI associated with different TS.

Materials And Methods: From a health care perspective, using direct costs and Euros currency, we calculated budget and cost per NDHI of RTS (all patients were tested), TTS (Universal risk practices and clinical conditions-RP&CC - only positive were tested), and CPTS (Only patients physicians considered were tested).

[Factors that influence interdepartmental referrals between Surgical Departments and Internal Medicine].

Introduction: To analyse the long term outcome of the age and comorbidity of patients admitted to Surgical Departments, the number of referrals to Internal Medicine made by these Departments, and to assess whether there are seasonal variations and the call/reject effect.

Material And Methods: We compared the age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and the number of referrals made by Traumatology, General Surgery and Urology of patients discharged in 2000, with those discharged in 2007. Seasonal variations and the call/reject effect were studied by analysing all the interdepartmental referrals made by all the surgical departments from the year 2000 to 2007.