Cohort Of HIV-infected Adolescents Research Articles

Sleep Profile and Self-Reported Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Vertically HIV-Infected Adolescents on cART

Background Sleep quality (SQ) data in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pediatric population are scarce. Our main objective was to assess SQ in our cohort and to determine the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on sleep in a cohort of HIV-infected adolescents on cART. Materials and Methods The SQ was assessed through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NS) were recorded using an auto-administered questionnaire. To determine the antiretroviral (ARV) impact of efavirenz (EFV) on SQ, patients on EFV versus protease inhibitors-based regimens were compared. Results Forty-six patients were evaluated (median age: 16 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 10.8, 17)). Age at the start of ART: 1.3 years (0.4, 5.2); 23.9% showed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) category. Median CD4 at baseline was 656 (550, 808) cells/mm3; 91.3% had viral load <50 copies/mL. Median time on cART was 11.3 years (7.5, 15.2). Fifty-two percent of the patients were on EFV-based regimen. No differences were found in clinical and immunovirological variables although patients on EFV were older and were exposed for a longer time to ARV. Poor SQ was found in 26.1% of patients. Most frequent complaints were: sleep disturbances (76.1%), sleep latency (63%), and daytime dysfunction (54.3%). Similarly, there were no significant differences in NS between both treatment groups according to patients' reports but were significantly more common in bad sleepers. Patients on EFV-based regimen were more likely to repeat one or more school grades after the adjustment for age at evaluation and nadir CD4 percentage (odds ratio [OR]: 14.421, confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.207–172.249, p = 0.035). Conclusions Sleep complaints and NS are common among our cohort of HIV adolescents on long-term cART and interestingly, not only in those who were receiving EFV.

Health outcomes and the transition experience of HIV-infected adolescents after transfer to adult care in Québec, Canada.

BackgroundLittle is known on outcomes after transition to adult care among adolescents with perinatal HIV infection. Though there is data from other chronic pediatric diseases suggesting increased morbidity and mortality following transfer to adult care, this has not well been studied among the first wave of survivors of perinatal HIV infection. The primary objective of this study was to determine outcomes after transition to adult care among a cohort of HIV-infected adolescents in Québec, Canada. Secondary objectives were to document participant experiences with the transition process, identify barriers to successful transition, and potential changes to improve the transition process.MethodsClinic records were reviewed to identify all perinatally-infected youth who transitioned from the Centre Maternel et Infantile sur le Sida pediatric HIV clinic (Montreal) at age 18 to an adult care provider between 1999 and 2012. Transitioned patients were contacted using last available patient or parental listed phone number on hospital record, internet based telephone directory, or social media. A standardized questionnaire was administered by telephone or in-person interview, and copies of current medical records obtained from treating physicians.ResultsForty-five patients were transferred between 1999 and 2012, among whom 25 consented to the study, eight were lost to follow-up, eight refused participation, and four were deceased. Overall 76 % of patients remained engaged in care, defined by at least one physician visit within 6 months of the interview. Over 50 % reported difficulty with adherence to their current drug regimens. At one-year post-transfer, there was a decrease in the proportion of patients with CD4 count >500 cells/mm3 from 64 to 29 %, and a statistically significant decrease in absolute CD4 count (mean 370 vs 524 cells/mm3, p = 0.04.). The majority (92 %) of participants felt that 18 was too young an age to transfer to adult care, and provided suggestions for improving the transition process.ConclusionsThis group of perinatally-infected youth remained engaged in care after transition, however difficulties with adherence and assuming responsibility for their own care were identified as issues in their post-transition care. The high rate of mortality among them and the changes to their health status post-transition suggest that further work is necessary to document the health outcomes of this group in larger, more diverse cohort settings.

Factors Associated with Insulin Resistance among Children and Adolescents Perinatally Infected with HIV-1 in the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study

Background/Aims: Because of prior inconsistent findings, we studied a large cohort of HIV-infected children to determine: (1) prevalence of insulin resistance (IR); (2) anthropometric and clinical correlates of IR, and (3) concomitant abnormalities of glucose tolerance. Methods: The study population consisted of 451 children from the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study. The outcome of interest was HOMA-IR. Covariates included demographic, metabolic, growth, body composition, HIV laboratory tests, and treatment characteristics. Children meeting triggers for IR underwent oral glucose tolerance tests and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurements. Results: Among 402 children with glucose and insulin measurements, 15.2% had IR of whom 79% were pubertal. IR was associated with higher alanine aminotransferase, body mass index, and nadir CD4%, Tanner stage 5, and ever having received amprenavir. Of those with IR, three had impaired fasting glucose (IFG), three impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), one IFG and IGT, none diabetic glucose tolerance, and three HbA1c between 6.1 and 6.5%. Conclusion: In our cohort of HIV-infected adolescents, we observed a 15.2% prevalence of IR more closely linked to obesity than any other variable. This finding mirrors the high prevalence of obesity-mediated IR in American youth. However, associations with CD4 count and use of protease inhibitors may indicate some effect of HIV and/or its treatment.

Characteristics of HIV Infected Adolescents in Latin America: Results from the NISDI Pediatric Study

HIV-infected adolescents are a heterogeneous population; source of infection, immunodeficiency severity and antiretroviral (ARV) experience vary. Here, we describe youth followed in an observational study at Latin American sites of the NICHD International Site Development Initiative (NISDI). The NISDI pediatric protocol is an ongoing prospective cohort study that collects demographic, clinical, immunologic, virologic and medication data. Youth were enrolled at 15 sites in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico between 2002 and 2006. HIV-infected subjects aged 12-21 years at the time of enrollment were analyzed. Data from 120 HIV-infected youth were analyzed. Sixty-nine (58%) had acquired HIV through vertical transmission (VT); 51(42%) via horizontal transmission (HT). Twenty-eight percent of the VT group were not diagnosed until they were ≥10 years of age. Ninety-one percent of the VT group and 46% of the HT were receiving ARV at enrollment. Modes of HT included sexual (ST), blood product transfusion (BPT) and unknown (U). Severe immunodeficiency was frequent (21%) in the ST group. Low BMI was frequent in the VT and BPT sub-groups. Utilization of HAART increased over the course of the study, but viral suppression was present in only 38% of the VT group and 37% of the HT group at study end. This cohort of HIV-infected adolescents in Latin America displayed a diverse epidemiologic pattern. Care providers must be prepared to address the diverse needs and challenges of this population. The levels of virologic suppression achieved were inadequate. Further research into appropriate interventions for this population is urgently needed.

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-INFECTED ADOLESCENTS: THE FIRST 50 PATIENTS IN A NEW YORK CITY PROGRAM

This study identifies a large cohort of HIV-infected adolescents cared for in a multidisciplinary program. Since the subjects were selected because of their risk of HIV-infection, differences between the HIV-positive and -negative groups were minimized. Rates of STDs, drug use, and prior sexual abuse were much higher in both groups than those reported in population-based studies of adolescents; thus, behavior profiles can play a role in identifying high-risk adolescents. In adolescents, sexual behavior and sexual identity are often not the same, and thus AIDS prevention programs designed for the homosexual community are often not recognized as relevant by adolescents engaging in same-sex encounters. Virtually all HIV-positive females in this study apparently contracted HIV through heterosexual intercourse. None of the females were able to consistently convince their partners to use a condom. The majority of the HIV-positive adolescents reported more than 10 life-time sexual partners. There was a strong association between crack/cocaine use and increased numbers of sexual partners, termed "survival-sex." Traditional safer-sex messages are unlikely to reach teens attempting to survive on the street. Comprehensive drug treatment programs must be developed as a component of HIV prevention in adolescents. Medically, 80% of seropositive adolescents were asymptomatic by history and physical, yet by CD4 counts, nearly half were eligible for antiretroviral treatment. Adequate referral sources for comprehensive medical care should be linked to HIV counseling and testing programs for youth. After being informed of their seropositivity, most adolescents assumed they were going to die within a year. With a realistic message of hope, many of the adolescents were able to make positive changes in their lives, and the HIV infection became an organizing force in their lives.