Age-related clonal hematopoiesis and HIV infection are associated with geriatric outcomes: The ARCHIVE study.

While HIV infection and clonal hematopoiesis (CH) have been linked with inflammatory dysregulation and an increased risk of aging-related comorbidities, their relationship with clinical geriatric syndromes has not been well defined. In the Age-related Clonal Haematopoiesis in an HIV Evaluation Cohort (ARCHIVE) study (NCT04641013), we measure associations between HIV and CH and geriatric syndromes. Of 345 participants (176 with HIV and 169 without HIV), 23% had at least one mutation associated with CH: 27% with HIV and 18% without HIV (p = 0.

HIV treatment outcomes after 10 years on ART in the TREAT Asia Observational Database (TAHOD) and Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD).

Background: Increasing numbers of people with HIV have received prolonged antiretroviral therapy (ART). We assessed long-term immunological and survival outcomes among people with HIV from Asia (TAHOD) and Australia (AHOD).

Methods: People with HIV receiving ART for ≥10 years were included.

The Use of Long-term Antibiotics for Suppression of Bacterial Infections.

Suppressive antibiotic therapy is prescribed when a patient has an infection that is presumed to be incurable by a defined course of therapy or source control. The cohort receiving suppressive antibiotic therapy is typically highly comorbid and the infections often involve retained prosthetic material. In part due to a lack of clear guidelines regarding the use of suppressive antibiotics, and in part due to the complex nature of the infections in question, patients are often prescribed suppressive antibiotics for extremely long, if not indefinite, courses.

The burden of skin and soft tissue, bone and joint infections in an Australian cohort of people who inject drugs.

Introduction: There are currently limited data regarding the clinical and economic significance of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and bone and joint infections in Australian people who inject drugs (PWID).

Methods: Retrospective cohort study in adult PWID admitted to Monash Health, a large heath care network with six hospitals in Victoria, Australia. Inpatients were identified using administrative datasets and International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) coding for specific infection-related conditions.

Changes in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk over time among people living with HIV.

Objective: To describe changes in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk over time among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Methods: We used data from the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) and the Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD). Five-year ASCVD risk was calculated using the D:A:D equation.

Long-term antibiotic prescribing in the community: 6 years of Australian national data.

Background: Prolonged or indefinite courses of antibiotics are sometimes prescribed for suppression of chronic infection, prophylaxis, and noninfective indications. Little is known about long-term prescribing practices in the community. In Australia, 75% of outpatient prescribing is funded through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), a government program for subsidized medications.

Successful expanded clinic network collaboration and patient tracing for retention in HIV care.

Background: There are more than 7,800 people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Victoria, Australia. Crucial in maximising the individual and population level benefits from antiretroviral therapy (ART) is understanding how to achieve patient retention in care and the factors that drive it. This study was an expansion of a 2015 assessment of HIV-care retention in Victoria, which sought out to determine whether the inclusion of a broader range of HIV-healthcare sites would yield more accurate estimates of retention in HIV-care.

Physical function limitation among gay and bisexual men aged ≥55years with and without HIV: findings from the Australian Positive and Peers Longevity Evaluation Study (APPLES).

Background: As people living with HIV now have a life expectancy approaching that of the general population, clinical care focuses increasingly on the management and prevention of comorbidities and conditions associated with aging. We aimed to assess the prevalence of physical function (PF) limitation among gay and bisexual men (GBM) and determine whether HIV is associated with severe PF limitation in this population.

Methods: We analysed cross-sectional data from GBM aged ≥55years in the Australian Positive and Peers Longevity Evaluation Study who completed a self-administered survey on health and lifestyle factors.

Under-utilisation of cardioprotective glucose-lowering medication in diabetics living with HIV.

Diabetes is an increasingly common co-morbidity in people living with HIV (PLWH). Given new evidence demonstrating cardiovascular benefits of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA) in diabetic patients, we reviewed medical charts of 262 PLWH at Monash Health through a 1-year retrospective cohort study to determine the rates of their use. Prevalence of diabetes was 13.

Outcomes in Medicare-ineligible people living with human immunodeficiency virus in a large healthcare network in Melbourne 2004-2019.

Australia has approximately 1.6 million Medicare-ineligible residents, of whom around 450 are living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). We examined the outcomes in a cohort of 50 Medicare-ineligible patients presenting to our hospital network over a 15-year period: 31 women (62%) and 19 men.

Congenital asplenia study: clinical and laboratory characterisation of adults with congenital asplenia.

Congenital asplenia is a rare disorder commonly associated with other visceral and cardiac congenital anomalies. Isolated congenital asplenia is even less common than syndromic forms. The risk of severe bacterial infections associated with asplenia is the most concerning clinical implication and carries a significant mortality risk.

Long-Term Outcomes in Patients on Life-Long Antibiotics: A Five-Year Cohort Study.

Background: Little is known about the impacts at an individual level of long-term antibiotic consumption. We explored health outcomes of long-term antibiotic therapy prescribed to a cohort of patients to suppress infections deemed incurable.

Methods: We conducted a 5-year longitudinal study of patients on long-term antibiotics at Monash Health, a metropolitan tertiary-level hospital network in Australia.

Integrating Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Programs Within Community Mental Health.

Conventional models of health care for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) underserve people with serious mental illness. In a 6-month proof-of-concept study, colocated HCV care coordination was assessed within community mental health settings. The program, which relied on referrals to a visiting hepatologist and was augmented by a part-time nurse practitioner, received 18 referrals for HCV management.

Hepatitis C virus in people with serious mental illness: an analysis of the care cascade at a tertiary health service with a pilot 'identify and treat' strategy.

Background: People with serious mental illness (SMI) are underserved from a hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and treatment perspective.

Aims: To examine the HCV care cascade in people with SMI and to pilot a supported HCV treatment integration programme.

Methods: HCV prevalence was retrospectively analysed from 4492 consecutive individuals admitted to a tertiary hospital mental health service between January 2017 and December 2018.