Impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on viral suppression for young adults living with perinatally acquired HIV infection

Abstract

ABSTRACT We compared virological and immunological outcomes for young adults with perinatally-acquired HIV infection (YAPaHIV) in the year preceding, and year of, UK SARS-CoV-2 lockdown restrictions, in a service that maintained face-to-face appointments. Retrospective single-centre cohort analysis from; Period 1(P1) twelve months before the first national lockdown – 23rd March 2019–23rd March 2020, period 2(P2) twelve months of varied restrictions – 24th March 2020–24th March 2021. Data collected from electronic records included age, ethnicity, sex, HIV viral load (VL) (suppression ≤ 200 copies/ml), CD4 count (cells/μL), clinical events, and appointment frequency/modality. Descriptive analysis was comparative between periods. Of 177 YAPaHIV: 56% were female, 86.9% were black, median age at lockdown 23 years (IQR: 21–27). One individual was lost to follow up and excluded from subsequent analysis. 147/176 (83.5%) had a suppressed VL in P1 compared with 156/176 (88.6%) in P2. Of those detectable, median VL was 3200 copies/ml (IQR: 925–36500) in P1, and 911copies/ml (IQR: 317–52300) in P2. In P1, median CD4 was 675 (IQR: 447–845.25). 32(18%) had a CD4 < 350 (median 216.5 [IQR: 94.25–269.75]). 110 (59.5%) had a CD4 count in P2, median 551.5cells/μL (IQR: 329.25–761.25). Thirty one had CD4 < 350 (median 202 [IQR: 134.5–296]). Maintaining face-to-face appointments for vulnerable patients, with remote consultation for stable patients, maintained high levels of care engagement and suppression in a YAPaHIV cohort despite pandemic restrictions.