Spatial and spatio-temporal distribution of women living with HIV mortality in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from 2007 to 2017.

Objetive: To present some factors related to the mortality rates of WLHIV in the city of Porto Alegre-RS.

Methods: This is a spatial and spatio-temporal analysis of ecological data about all women monitored by the health care services for the vertical transmission (VT) of HIV, between 2007 and 2017, residing in the city that died during the period. The units of analysis were the 17 sanitary districts of the city.

First and second COVID-19 waves in Brazil: A cross-sectional study of patients' characteristics related to hospitalization and in-hospital mortality.

Background: Background The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was more aggressive in Brazil compared to other countries around the globe. Considering the Brazilian peculiarities, we analyze the in-hospital mortality concerning socio-epidemiological characteristics of patients and the health system of all states during the first and second waves of COVID-19.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of hospitalized patients with positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil.

Factors associated with HIV care and treatment cascade in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2014-2017: A cross-sectional study.

In 2018, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) had some of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in Brazil, and we did not find any studies about the HIV care and treatment cascade (HCTC) related to this state. We aimed to estimate the indicators of HCTC of RS, Brazil, and associated factors. A cross-sectional study with all people living with HIV (PLWH) in RS between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2017 was conducted using a national database which registers all HIV notifications, CD4 and viral load laboratory data and antiretroviral therapy (ART) usage in the public health system.

Impact of Raltegravir or Efavirenz on Cell-Associated Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Systemic Inflammation in HIV-1/Tuberculosis Coinfected Adults Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: In view of the fast viremia decline obtained with integrase inhibitors, we studied the respective effects of initiating efavirenz (EFV) or raltegravir (RAL)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) levels and inflammation biomarkers in the highly inflammatory setting of advanced HIV-1 disease with tuberculosis (TB) coinfection.

Methods: We followed cell-associated HIV-1 DNA, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), soluble CD14 and D-Dimer levels for 48 weeks after ART initiation in the participants to the ANRS12-180 REFLATE-TB study. This phase II open-label randomized study included ART-naive people with HIV and TB treated with rifampicin to receive RAL 400 mg twice daily (RAL400), RAL 800 mg twice daily (RAL800) or EFV 600 mg QD with tenofovir and lamivudine.

Social inequalities in the use of contraceptives in adult women from Southern Brazil.

Objective: To describe the contraceptive methods used by adult women and the associated socioeconomic and demographic factors.

Methods: Population-based cross-sectional study with 20 to 49-year-old women from São Leopoldo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, in 2015. Three outcomes were considered to analyze the association with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics: use of oral contraceptive pills, tubal ligation and male condom.

Pharmacotherapeutic profile of users and expenditure on high-cost drugs in São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, 2014.

Objective: to describe the pharmacotherapeutic profile of users of the Specialized Program for Pharmaceutical Assistance, and to measure the expenditure on the most prevalent and the most expensive medications.

Methods: descriptive study conducted in São Leopoldo-RS, Brazil, with secondary data regarding information about requests accepted in 2014, through administrative proceedings; delivery notes of the State Health Department/RS were used to assess the costs.

Results: 1,528 users were included in the study, mostly women (56.

Effect of characteristics of pharmacotherapy on non-adherence in chronic cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Introduction: Cardiovascular medications are effective in prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD); however, medication non-adherence contributes to morbidity and mortality.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to summarise the evidence regarding the relationship between characteristics of drug therapy (pharmacotherapy) and medication non-adherence in the CVD population.

Methods: Systematic searches in PubMed, LILACS, Academic Search and CINAHL databases for observational studies that enrolled adults with CVD were performed, from January 1960 to December 2015.

[HIV and syphilis coinfection in pregnancy and vertical HIV transmission: a study based on epidemiological surveillance data].

Objective: To estimate the rate of HIV and syphilis coinfection among pregnant women living in Porto Alegre, Brazil, as well as the association of coinfection with vertical HIV transmission and socioeconomic variables.

Method: This analytical retrospective cross-sectional study employed data from the regular epidemiological surveillance system for the period from 2010 to 2013. Data were obtained regarding pregnant women with HIV and exposed children, syphilis in pregnancy, and congenital syphilis.

Strategies to prevent HIV transmission to serodiscordant couples.

Introduction: The use antiretroviral reduces the sexual transmission of HIV, expanding interventions for serodiscordant couples.

Objective: This article aims to review the use of antiretroviral and other prevention interventions among serodiscordant couples and to analyze its use in Brazil.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed through the MEDLINE database and bases included in the Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde.

[Cost-effectiveness in health in Brazil: a systematic review].

A systematic review was performed with the aim of describing the landscape and evolution of cost-effectiveness studies in health in Brazil. The search for articles on cost-effectiveness was performed in the main electronic health databases. The review identified 83 cost-effectiveness studies conducted nationwide.

The HIV-Brazil cohort study: design, methods and participant characteristics.

Background: The HIV-Brazil Cohort Study was established to analyze the effectiveness of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and the impact of this treatment on morbidity, quality of life (QOL) and mortality. The study design, patients' profiles and characteristics of cART initiation between 2003 and 2010 were described.

Methodology/principal Findings: Since 2003, the HIV-Brazil Cohort has been following HIV-infected adults receiving cART at 26 public health care facilities, using routine clinical care data and self-reported QOL questionnaires.

Raltegravir for the treatment of patients co-infected with HIV and tuberculosis (ANRS 12 180 Reflate TB): a multicentre, phase 2, non-comparative, open-label, randomised trial.

Background: Concurrent treatment of HIV and tuberculosis is complicated by drug interactions. We explored the safety and efficacy of raltegravir as an alternative to efavirenz for patients co-infected with HIV and tuberculosis.

Methods: We did a multicentre, phase 2, non-comparative, open-label, randomised trial at eight sites in Brazil and France.

Co-circulation HIV-1 subtypes B, C, and CRF31_BC in a drug-naïve population from Southernmost Brazil: analysis of primary resistance mutations.

In Southernmost Brazil HIV-1 subtypes B, C, and CRF31_BC co-circulates and, since 1996 with the implementation of free access to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART), this epidemic is under a quite characteristic selective pressure. The profile of mutations and polymorphisms in the protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT) genes of HIV-1 from untreated patients living in Porto Alegre, Southernmost Brazil were evaluated in order to identify the subtypes and circulating drug resistant genotypes. Blood samples from 99 HIV-1 positive drugs-naïve patients were collected from 2006 to 2007 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Human T lymphotropic virus type I/II infection: prevalence and risk factors in individuals testing for HIV in counseling centers from Southern Brazil.

Objective: The objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence and to investigate risk factors for human T lymphotropic virus type I/II (HTLV I/II) infection among subjects who tested for HIV at three counseling centers in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Methods: The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in which subjects screened for HIV were tested for HTLV. Socioeconomic and demographic data, social and sexual behavior, history of having been breastfed, and past blood transfusion or drug use were gathered with a standardized questionnaire.

Prevalence of and risk factors for HIV infection in individuals testing for HIV at counseling centers in Brazil.

Background: Risk factors for HIV infection have been scarcely studied in developing countries.

Goal: The goal was to examine the seroprevalence and the risk factors for HIV infection among individuals submitting to voluntary and anonymous testing at counseling and testing centers in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Study Design: In this cross-sectional study HIV infection was diagnosed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and indirect immunofluorescence.