Treatment Seeking Nitrous Oxide Users in Addiction Care: A Comparison with Cocaine Users on Clinical and Treatment Characteristics.

Introduction: Over the past decade, frequent use of large quantities of nitrous oxide (N2O) has become more common in the Netherlands. Although N2O poses several negative health consequences for a subgroup of problematic N2O users, there is a lack of knowledge on what characterizes these intensive users. This study therefore aims to provide the demographic and substance use characteristics and experiences during treatment of treatment seeking problematic N2O users and to compare this with a matched group of treatment-seeking problematic cocaine users.

Clinical detoxification of bromazolam using diazepam: a case report.

An increasing number of new psychoactive substances (NPS), such as designer benzodiazepines, are becoming available on the recreational drug market. These are new unregistered substances and thereby an attempt to evade legislation. Often there is very limited clinical information available regarding these NPS, which could result in undesirable clinical outcomes in the management of intoxications, dependencies and withdrawals following NPS use.

Long-term evolution of comorbidities and their disease burden in individuals with and without HIV as they age: analysis of the prospective AGEIV cohort study.

Background: People with HIV generally have more ageing-associated comorbidities than those without HIV. We aimed to establish whether the difference in comorbidities and their disease burden changes with ageing.

Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal cohort study, we assessed comorbidities commonly associated with ageing every 2 years in 596 HIV-positive and 550 HIV-negative participants.

One in 10 Virally Suppressed Persons With HIV in The Netherlands Experiences ≥10% Weight Gain After Switching to Tenofovir Alafenamide and/or Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor.

Background: We determined the frequency of and factors associated with ≥10% weight gain and its metabolic effects in virally suppressed people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) from the Dutch national AIDS Therapy Evaluation in the Netherlands (ATHENA) cohort switching to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and/or integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI).

Methods: We identified antiretroviral therapy-experienced but TAF/INSTI-naive PWH who switched to a TAF and/or INSTI-containing regimen while virally suppressed for >12 months. Individuals with comorbidities/comedication associated with weight change were excluded.

Generally rare but occasionally severe weight gain after switching to an integrase inhibitor in virally suppressed AGEhIV cohort participants.

Objectives: Recent studies have reported disproportionate weight gain associated with integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) initiation in antiretroviral therapy(ART)-naive people with HIV (PWH), particularly among black women. We investigated if HIV-positive AGEhIV participants with suppressed viremia switching to INSTI-containing ART experienced more weight gain compared to HIV-positive virally-suppressed non-switching and HIV-negative controls.

Methods: In the AGEhIV cohort, standardized weight measurements were performed biennially.

Changes in lung function among treated HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals: analysis of the prospective AGEIV cohort study.

Background: The AGEIV cohort study is a prospective cohort study evaluating the occurrence of age-related comorbidities in people living with and without HIV. We previously reported a lower forced vital capacity (FVC) in HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative participants in those without heavy smoking exposure at time of enrolment in the AGEIV cohort study. In this study we evaluate longitudinal changes in spirometry indices in the same AGEIV cohort accounting for smoking behaviour and other risk factors.

Frequency, Risk Factors, and Mediators of Frailty Transitions During Long-Term Follow-Up Among People With HIV and HIV-Negative AGEhIV Cohort Participants.

Background: We previously demonstrated a higher prevalence of frailty among AGEhIV-cohort participants with HIV (PWH) than among age- and lifestyle-comparable HIV-negative participants. Furthermore, frailty was associated with the development of comorbidities and mortality. As frailty may be a dynamic state, we evaluated the frequency of transitions between frailty states, and explored which factors were associated with transition toward frailty in this cohort.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Negative Men Who Have Sex With Men Have Higher CD8+ T-Cell Counts and Lower CD4+/CD8+ T-Cell Ratios Compared With HIV-Negative Heterosexual Men.

Background: We previously reported T-cell senescence to be similar in people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) with suppressed viremia (predominantly men who have sex with men [MSM]) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative otherwise comparable controls but greater than in healthy blood donors. This led us to compare CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts and CD4+/CD8+ ratios between HIV-negative MSM and men who only have sex with women (MSW) and relate observed differences in behavioral factors and infectious exposures, including cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Methods: In 368 HIV-negative MSM and 72 HIV-negative MSW, T lymphocyte phenotyping was performed 3 times biennially.

Frailty Is Associated With Mortality and Incident Comorbidity Among Middle-Aged Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Positive and HIV-Negative Participants.

Background: Frailty is associated with mortality and morbidity in the general geriatric population, but less is known about its impact among the aging but generally younger population with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods: The impact of frailty on all-cause mortality during 6 years of follow-up and incident comorbidity during 4 years of follow-up was assessed among 598 HIV-positive and 550 comparable HIV-negative participants aged ≥ 45 years of the AGEhIV Cohort Study. Frailty encompasses 5 domains; weight loss, low physical activity, exhaustion, decreased grip strength, and slow gait speed.

Patterns of Co-occurring Comorbidities in People Living With HIV.

Background: The aims of this study were to identify common patterns of comorbidities observed in people living with HIV (PLWH), using a data-driven approach, and evaluate associations between patterns identified.

Methods: A wide range of comorbidities were assessed in PLWH participating in 2 independent cohorts (POPPY: UK/Ireland; AGEIV: Netherlands). The presence/absence of each comorbidity was determined using a mix of self-reported medical history, concomitant medications, health care resource use, and laboratory parameters.

Reduced Forced Vital Capacity Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Middle-Aged Individuals.

Background: Pulmonary function impairments are more common among people living with HIV (PLWH), as are contributing risk behaviors. To understand the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection independent of risk behaviors, pulmonary function was evaluated in lifestyle-comparable HIV-infected and -uninfected AGEhIV cohort participants.

Methods: Prevalence of obstructive lung disease in 544 HIV-infected and 529 HIV-uninfected participants was determined using spirometry.

Hookworm with hypereosinophilia: atypical presentation of a typical disease.

We describe a 55-year-old man returning from the Philippines infected with a hookworm, the novel bacterium Laribacter hongkongensis, and a Blastocystis hominis and presenting with both gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms. The high eosinophilia caused by the hookworm infection resulted in both gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, resembling a hypereosinophilic syndrome.