External Validation of Serologic Scores for the Detection of Liver Steatosis Among People With HIV.

Background: Fatty liver index (FLI) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI) are serologic scores used to detect liver steatosis. However, their diagnostic performance in people with HIV (PWH) remains unclear. We performed an external validation of FLI and HSI in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) related changes in BMI and risk of diabetes: a prospective study from the RESPOND cohort consortium.

Background: With integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) use associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and BMI increases associated with higher diabetes mellitus (DM) risk, this study explored the relationship between INSTI/non-INSTI regimens, BMI changes, and DM risk.

Methods: RESPOND participants were included if they had CD4, HIV RNA, and ≥ 2 BMI measurements during follow up. Those with prior DM were excluded.

Weight, Anthropometric and Metabolic Changes After Discontinuing Antiretroviral Therapy Containing Tenofovir Alafenamide in People With HIV.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART)-related weight gain is of particular concern in people with HIV (PWH). Although weight gain was observed among PWH receiving tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), little is known about the potential reversibility after TAF discontinuation. We evaluated weight and metabolic changes 12 months after TAF discontinuation in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Diagnosis and Therapy of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Observational Study and Medical Audit.

Background: Despite advances in therapy, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several studies conducted in different countries have reported suboptimal adherence to the guidelines. However, there are currently no available data on adherence to CAP guidelines specifically in Switzerland.

Brief Report: Decreased Physical Activity and Prolonged Sitting Time Are Associated With Liver Steatosis in People With HIV.

Background: Physical activity (PA) regulates intrahepatic storage of fat and reduces the risk of liver steatosis. Given our limited understanding of the pathogenesis of metabolic complications in people with HIV (PWH), it remains unclear whether evidence from the general population can be extrapolated to PWH. We investigated the association between PA and liver steatosis in a single site of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Incidence of sexually transmitted infections and association with behavioural factors: Time-to-event analysis of a large pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) cohort.

Objectives: Our objective was to obtain long-term data on the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their association with behavioural factors after widespread pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation.

Methods: This was a time-to-event analysis of a national PrEP cohort in Switzerland (SwissPrEPared study). Participants were people without HIV interested in taking PrEP with at least two STI screening visits.

Pharmacists' approaches to vaccination consultations in Switzerland: a qualitative study comparing the roles of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and biomedicine.

Background: Many community pharmacies in Switzerland provide complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches in addition to providing biomedical services, and a few pharmacies specialise in CAM. A common perception is that CAM providers are sceptical towards, or opposed to, vaccination.

Objectives: Key objectives of this study are to examine the potential roles of biomedically oriented and CAM-specialised pharmacists regarding vaccine counselling and to better understand the association between vaccine hesitancy and CAM.

Antiretroviral Drug Exposure and Response in Obese and Morbidly Obese People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): A Study Combining Modelling and Swiss HIV Cohort Data.

Background: Obesity is increasingly prevalent among people with HIV (PWH) and can possibly result in suboptimal antiretroviral drug (ARV) exposure and response. However, this has not been thoroughly evaluated given that obese PWH are underrepresented in clinical trials. We performed virtual trials using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling combined with observed clinical data to provide ARV dosing guidance in obese individuals.

Association of a Polygenic Risk Score With Osteoporosis in People Living With HIV: The Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Background: Bone mineral density (BMD) loss may be accelerated in people with HIV (PLWH). It is unknown whether a polygenic risk score (PRS) is associated with low BMD in PLWH.

Methods: Swiss HIV Cohort Study participants of self-reported European descent underwent ≥2 per-protocol dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements ≥2 years apart (2011-2020).

Impact of Integrase Inhibitors on Cardiovascular Disease Events in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Starting Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. We investigated the impact of starting INSTI-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) on CVD events among treatment-naïve people with human immunodeficiency virus using a target trial framework, which reduces the potential for confounding and selection bias.

Methods: We included Swiss HIV Cohort Study participants who were ART-naïve after May 2008, when INSTIs became available in Switzerland.

Epigenetic ageing accelerates before antiretroviral therapy and decelerates after viral suppression in people with HIV in Switzerland: a longitudinal study over 17 years.

Background: Accelerated epigenetic ageing can occur in untreated HIV infection and is partially reversible with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). We aimed to make a long-term comparison of epigenetic ageing dynamics in people with HIV during untreated HIV infection and during suppressive ART.

Methods: In this longitudinal study, conducted over 17 years in HIV outpatient clinics in Switzerland, we applied 5 established epigenetic age estimators (epigenetic clocks) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in Swiss HIV Cohort Study participants before or during suppressive ART.

Leukocyte Count and Coronary Artery Disease Events in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PWH) have increased cardiovascular risk. Higher leukocyte count has been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) events in the general population. It is unknown whether the leukocyte-CAD association also applies to PWH.

Health Care Professionals' Interest in Vaccination Training in Switzerland: A Quantitative Survey.

Health care professionals (HCPs) play an important role for patients' vaccination decisions. To counsel patients/clients appropriately, HCPs need current factual knowledge about vaccines and strong communication skills. We conducted an online survey with physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and midwives in Switzerland (01.

Factors Associated With Liver Steatosis in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Contemporary Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: Given the impact of new antiretroviral drugs on weight and metabolic parameters, their potential contribution to the development of liver steatosis is of concern. We investigated the determinants of liver steatosis in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS).

Methods: Between 2019 and 2021, we measured liver stiffness and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) using transient elastography in consecutive SHCS participants at Bern University Hospital.

Anticholinergic and Sedative Medications Are Associated With Neurocognitive Performance of Well Treated People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Background: We previously showed that anticholinergic (ACH) medications contribute to self-reported neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in elderly people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). The current cross-sectional study further evaluated the effect of ACH and sedative drugs on neurocognitive function in PWH who underwent comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation.

Methods: A medication review was performed in PWH enrolled in the prospective Neurocognitive Assessment in Metabolic and Aging Cohort within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Polygenic Risk Scores for Prediction of Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease in Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): The Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Background: In people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH), individual polygenic risk scores (PRSs) are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) events. Whether PRSs are associated with subclinical CAD is unknown.

Methods: In Swiss HIV Cohort Study participants of European descent, we defined subclinical CAD as presence of soft, mixed, or high-risk plaque (SMHRP) on coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography, or as participants in the top tertile of the study population's coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, using noncontrast CT.

Parental and provider vaccine hesitancy and non-timely childhood vaccination in Switzerland.

Objective: Although medical providers are a trusted vaccination information source for parents, they do not universally support vaccination. Complementary medicine (CM) providers are particularly likely to hold vaccine hesitant (VH) views, and VH parents often consult with them. Little research compares VH of parents and providers, and if and how each is associated with uptake of recommended childhood vaccines.

Parents' vaccination information seeking, satisfaction with and trust in medical providers in Switzerland: a mixed-methods study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to better understand parental trust in and satisfaction with information sources and medical providers regarding decision making about childhood vaccines.

Setting: The study was part of a Swiss national research programme investigating vaccine hesitancy and underimmunisation.

Participants: We conducted qualitative interviews with 37 providers and 30 parents, observed 34 vaccination consultations, and then conducted quantitative surveys with 130 providers (both complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) oriented and biomedically oriented) and 1390 parents.

Women with HIV transitioning through menopause: Insights from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS).

Objectives: We aimed to assess prevalence and age at menopause, identify factors associated with early menopause and explore the provision and utilization of healthcare in women living with HIV in Switzerland.

Methods: This was a retrospective Swiss HIV Cohort Study analysis from January 2010 to December 2018. Descriptive statistics to characterise the population and menopause onset.

Impact of Latent Tuberculosis on Diabetes.

While an increased risk of active and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in people with type-2 diabetes (DM) has been demonstrated, it is less well characterized whether LTBI is associated with an increased risk of developing DM. We investigated the link between LTBI and DM in people living with HIV in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study via time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models. We found that LTBI significantly increased the risk of developing DM (HR = 1.

Healthcare professional and professional stakeholders' perspectives on vaccine mandates in Switzerland: A mixed-methods study.

Background: There currently are no mandatory vaccines in Switzerland. However, Swiss federal legislation allows for vaccination mandates in settings where the risk of transmission to vulnerable groups is high, such as healthcare professionals (HCPs) working with vulnerable patients. Since HCPs are trusted information sources, a priority population for COVID-19 vaccination, and potentially subjected to mandates, we investigated HCP perspectives on mandates.

HPV vaccine awareness, knowledge and information sources among youth in Switzerland: a mixed methods study.

Objectives: We aimed to provide a detailed characterisation of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine awareness, knowledge and information sources in the HPV vaccine decision-making process of youth, both male and female, in Switzerland.

Design: With a mixed-method study design, we conducted quantitative questionnaires and qualitative interviews, which lasted 20-45 min.

Setting And Participants: We recruited participants, 15-26 years of age, in physicians' offices, in a local sexual health clinic, and during military enlistment.

"Vaccination needs to be easy for the people, right ?": a qualitative study of the roles of physicians and pharmacists regarding vaccination in Switzerland.

Objective: Vaccination in pharmacies has been a key component of national vaccination strategies to facilitate vaccination access. Qualitative data on the perspectives of professional stakeholders on vaccination in pharmacies and on the professional relations of pharmacists with physicians regarding increasing immunisation rates is limited. We conducted a qualitative study in Switzerland.