Characterisation of HBV and co-infection with HDV and HIV through spatial transcriptomics.

Background And Aims: The intrahepatic processes associated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), especially in the context of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and HIV co-infection, require a better understanding. Spatial transcriptomics can provide new insights into the complex intrahepatic biological processes, guiding new personalised treatments. Our aim is to evaluate this method characterising the intrahepatic transcriptional landscape, cellular composition and biological pathways in liver biopsy samples from patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HDV or HIV co-infection.

Factors associated with bacterial sexually transmitted infections among people of South Asian ethnicity in England.

Objectives: Despite being the largest ethnic minority group in England, South Asians have historically had low levels of utilisation of sexual health services (SHS) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses, although recent data suggests this may be changing. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with a bacterial STI diagnosis among South Asians attending SHS in England.

Methods: Using data from the GUMCAD STI Surveillance system, a descriptive analysis of South Asians attending SHS in England in 2019 was carried out.

The influence of immunodeficiency, disease features, and patient characteristics on survival in plasmablastic lymphoma.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma associated with immunodeficiency, characterized by uncertain treatment approaches and an unfavorable prognosis. We conducted a multicenter, international, retrospective cohort study, aiming to characterize the clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of patients with PBL. Data were collected from 22 institutions across 4 countries regarding patients diagnosed with PBL between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2020.

Experiences of initiating rapid antiretroviral therapy among people newly diagnosed with HIV in East London: a qualitative study.

Objectives: We aimed to explore the experiences of people who initiated rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 7 days of HIV diagnosis, as part of routine care in London.

Methods: Using purposive sampling, 18 in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted between December 2020 and September 2021 with people who started rapid ART at Barts Health NHS Trust. Participants aged 22-69 years included 15 cisgender men and three cisgender women.

Confronting the consequences of racism, xenophobia, and discrimination on health and health-care systems.

Racism, xenophobia, and discrimination are key determinants of health and equity and must be addressed for improved health outcomes. We conclude that far broader, deeper, transformative action is needed compared with current measures to tackle adverse effects of racism on health. To challenge the structural drivers of racism and xenophobia, anti-racist action and other wider measures that target determinants should implement an intersectional approach to effectively address the causes and consequences of racism within a population.

The Prevalence and Patterns of Menopausal Symptoms in Women Living with HIV.

Increasing numbers of women with HIV are experiencing menopause. We use data from a large, representative sample of women with HIV to describe the prevalence and clustering of menopausal symptoms amongst pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women using hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis. Of the 709 women included, 21.

Ethnic disparities in hospitalisation and hospital-outcomes during the second wave of COVID-19 infection in east London.

It is unclear if changes in public behaviours, developments in COVID-19 treatments, improved patient care, and directed policy initiatives have altered outcomes for minority ethnic groups in the second pandemic wave. This was a prospective analysis of patients aged ≥ 16 years having an emergency admission with SARS-CoV-2 infection between 01/09/2020 and 17/02/2021 to acute NHS hospitals in east London. Multivariable survival analysis was used to assess associations between ethnicity and mortality accounting for predefined risk factors.

Obesity in women living with HIV aged 45-60 in England: An analysis of the PRIME study.

Objectives: Menopause contributes to weight gain in women. We explored factors associated with obesity in women with HIV aged 45-60 years.

Methods: The present study is an analysis of cross-sectional questionnaire and clinic data from the Positive Transitions Through the Menopause (PRIME) Study.

Patterns of mental health symptoms among women living with HIV ages 45-60 in England: associations with demographic and clinical factors.

Objective: We aimed to describe the prevalence of various mental health symptoms according to menopausal status (pre, peri, post) among women living with HIV ages 45-60 in England, and to identify groups of women with similar general and menopause-related mental health symptoms. We then investigated demographic predictors of group-membership and group differences in HIV-related care outcomes (antiretroviral therapy adherence, HIV clinic attendance, CD4-count, and last HIV viral load).

Methods: An analysis of cross-sectional data from the Positive Transitions through Menopause study, an observational study of the health and well-being impacts of menopause on 869 women with HIV aged 45-60 years.

Association between health-related quality of life and menopausal status and symptoms in women living with HIV aged 45-60 years in England: An analysis of the PRIME study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life between mid-life women with HIV and the general population and to investigate the association between health-related quality of life and menopausal (1) status and (2) symptoms among women with HIV.

Methods: Cross-sectional data of women with HIV aged 45-60 years from the Positive Transitions Through the Menopause Study. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Euroqol questionnaire with utility scores categorizing health as perfect (score = 1.

Association of pregnancy with engagement in HIV care among women with HIV in the UK: a cohort study.

Background: Women with HIV face challenges in engaging in HIV care post partum. We aimed to examine changes in engagement in HIV care through clinic attendance before, during, and after pregnancy, compared with matched women with HIV who had never had a recorded pregnancy.

Methods: In this cohort study, we describe changes in engagement in HIV care before, during, and after pregnancy among women with HIV from the UK Collaborative HIV Cohort (CHIC) study from 25 HIV clinics in the UK with a livebirth reported to the National Surveillance of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2017.

Menopausal status, age and management among women living with HIV in the UK.

Background: There is currently little evidence exploring menopausal status, age at last menstrual period (LMP) and management of menopause among women living with HIV aged 45-60 years in England.

Methods: Socio-demographic, lifestyle and clinical data were collected through a self-completed cross-sectional survey. Longitudinal CD4 count and viral load data were available from linkage to clinical records, if consent was provided.

Differences in HIV clinical outcomes amongst heterosexuals in the United Kingdom by ethnicity.

Objective: We investigated differences in clinical outcomes in heterosexual participants, by ethnicity in the UK Collaborative HIV Cohort Study from 2000 to 2017.

Design: Cohort analysis.

Methods: Logistic/proportional hazard regression assessed ethnic group differences in CD4+ cell count at presentation, engagement-in-care, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiation, viral suppression and rebound.

Ethnic inequalities in mental health and socioeconomic status among older women living with HIV: results from the PRIME Study.

Objectives: Women living with HIV in the UK are an ethnically diverse group with significant psychosocial challenges. Increasing numbers are reaching older age. We describe psychological and socioeconomic factors among women with HIV in England aged 45-60 and explore associations with ethnicity.

Ethnicity and outcomes in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 infection in East London: an observational cohort study.

Objective: To describe outcomes within different ethnic groups of a cohort of hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. To quantify and describe the impact of a number of prognostic factors, including frailty and inflammatory markers.

Setting: Five acute National Health Service Hospitals in east London.

Associations of menopausal age with virological outcomes and engagement in care among women living with HIV in the UK.

Women ageing with HIV undergo sex-specific changes. There is limited evidence available with regards to how the menopause impacts HIV outcomes. To investigate whether menopausal age is associated with engagement-in-care (EIC), viral load (VL) suppression and rebound among women living with HIV.