Background Among the 1.2 million people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States, 25% are coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The availability of effective direct acting antivirals (DAAs) makes the goal of HCV elimination feasible, but implementation requires improvements to the HCV treatment cascade, especially linkage to and initiation of treatment in underserved populations. Methods In this retrospective review, a cohort of patients receiving care at a hospital-based HIV clinic in New Haven, Connecticut (January 1, 2014–March 31, 2017) with chronic HCV infection not previously treated with DAAs were followed longitudinally. Patients were referred to a colocated multidisciplinary team. Standardized referral and treatment algorithms and electronic medical record templates were developed, monthly meetings were held, and a registry was created to review progress. Results Of 173 patients, 140 (80.9%) were 50–70 years old, 115 (66.5%) were male, 99 (57.2%) were African American, 43 (24.9%) were white, and 23 (13.3%) were Hispanic. Comorbidities included the following: cirrhosis (25.4%), kidney disease (17.3%), mental health issues (60.7%), alcohol abuse (30.6%), and active drug use (54.3%). Overall, 161 (93.1%) were referred, 147 (85%) were linked, 122 (70.5%) were prescribed DAAs, and 97 (56.1%) had sustained viral response at 12 weeks posttreatment or cure (SVR12). Comparison between those with SVR12 and those unsuccessfully referred, linked, or treated, showed that among those not engaged in HCV care, there was a higher proportion of younger (mean age 54.2 vs 57 years old, P = .022), female patients (P = .001) and a higher frequency of missed appointments. Conclusions Establishing a colocated HCV clinic within an HIV clinic resulted in treatment initiation in 70.5% of patients and SVR12 in 56.1%. This success in a hard-to-treat population is a model for achieving microelimination goals set by the World Health Organization.
Background Late diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and represents a serious public health concern. Methods A retrospective medical record review was conducted on 188 patients with newly diagnosed HIV at a large academic center’s HIV clinic from 1/2010 to 12/2019. Patient demographic data, HIV staging, and response to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) as measured by HIV viral suppression at 12 weeks (HIV RNA < 50 copies) were collected. Bivariate analyses were applied to compare patients ≥50 years old to those < 50 years old. Results Over two-thirds of the older patients with a new diagnosis of HIV presented with a CD4 count < 200, or an AIDS-defining illness. Though not statistically significant, this same group also had a delay to viral suppression with only 59% achieving viral suppression after 12-weeks of cART initiation. Conclusions This study suggests that older patients are presenting to care with advanced stages of HIV, and may also have a delay in achieving viral suppression after cART initiation. Future studies should aim to target HIV testing and treatment strategies for this at-risk older adult group.
Background The Ryan White (RW) program funds medical and other support services for low-income persons with HIV, significantly improving progress along the HIV care continuum. Although the program has shown overall improvements in achievement of viral suppression, the relative contributions of changes in clinical practice and RW service components to the optimization of the HIV care continuum, particularly for those with new HIV diagnoses, remain unknown. Methods The target population was patients with recent HIV diagnoses who received care at RW-funded clinics in the greater New Haven area between 2009-2018. Client data were extracted from the RW-funded database, CAREWare, and the electronic medical record. Primary outcomes included time between HIV diagnosis and first HIV primary care (PC) visit, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, and viral suppression (VS). Results There were 386 eligible patients. Between 2009-2018, the median number of days from HIV diagnosis to first PC visit decreased from 58.5 to 8.5 days, and ART initiation decreased from 155 to 9 days. In 2018, 86% of participants achieved viral suppression within one year, compared to 2.5% in 2009. Patients who initiated single-tablet ART and integrase inhibitor-containing regimens were more likely to reach viral suppression within one year (p < 0.001). Receipt of medical case management services was also associated with achieving viral suppression (p < .001). Conclusions Longitudinal improvements over ten years in ART initiation and viral suppression were observed due to clinical advances and their effective implementation through the RW comprehensive care model. Further study of the essential components promoting these outcomes is needed.
BackgroundOf the 1.2 M persons living with HIV in the United States, about 25% are co-infected with HCV. Even with the availability of highly effective direct antiviral agents (DAAs), the goal of HCV elimination requires improvements to the HCV treatment cascade, especially linkage to and initiation of treatment in underserved populations. We have implemented a co-located HCV clinic within our HIV clinic to circumvent barriers to HCV treatment.MethodsBetween March 1, 2012 to April 30, 2017, all co-infected patients with chronic HCV infection (defined as positive HCV PCR) at Nathan Smith Clinic (HIV Clinic in New Haven, CT) were referred for consultation to the HCV co-infection clinic. This clinic was staffed by three physicians (additional HCV training), one physician assistant, one registered nurse and had access to a specialty pharmacy. Regular team meetings were held to review progress and treatment outcomes of patients who were initiated on DAAs. Relevant demographic, HIV and HCV parameters and clinic process data were abstracted and analyzed.ResultsOf the 174 total co-infected patients, 85% were born between 1946 and 1964; 66% were males and 56% were African Americans. Comorbidities included: cirrhosis (67%); mental health problems (61%); active alcohol (31%); active substance use (56%). The majority (n = 109, 63%) had HCV genotype 1. In terms of treatment cascade: 157 (90%) were referred to DAA prescriber, 140 (80%) were linked to DAA prescriber, and 102 (59%) started DAA therapy. Of the patients who started treatment, 84 (82%) had documented SVR12, 1 (1%) failed, 4 (4%) were awaiting SVR12 documentation, 7(7%) were on therapy, 4(4%) stopped therapy early, and 2 (2%) were lost to follow-up. There were no re-infections. After initial uptake in referrals and treatment initiation, a plateau was reached.ConclusionEstablishing a co-located HCV clinic within an HIV clinic has been successful in facilitating pre-treatment evaluation with overall SVR achieved in 48% of co-infected patients which compares favorably to published national HCV treatment cascades in mono-infected patients. Additional patient and provider barriers to completing clinic-wide HCV elimination are being analyzed. New approaches for promoting engagement in care are needed.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.
BackgroundThere are 36.7 million persons living with HIV globally and 1.1 million in the United States with additional ~45,000 new diagnosis annually. One in six newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons is older than 50 years of age. It is estimated that 45% of the US HIV population is over 50 years old and more than 10% are older than 60 years. HIV is more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage in older adults. Therefore there is a need to better understand the characteristics, staging of the disease, and response to treatment in older HIV-infected adults, in order to provide an effective treatment and prevention approach.MethodsA retrospective medical record review of all newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients was conducted at a single academic center HIV ambulatory clinic from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2015. Patients demographics, age group, HIV staging, and response to antiretroviral treatment (ART) measured by HIV viral suppression at 12 weeks (HIV RNA <50 copies), and change in CD4 count were collected. Bivariate analysis was conducted comparing two groups of HIV-infected patients: younger group (age <50 years) and older group (age 50 years and older).ResultsFrom 2010 to 2015, 130 newly diagnosed HIV patients were enrolled in the clinic. Thirty-one (23.8%) were 50 years or older and of those 12 (38.7%) were 60 years and older. Older patients group were more likely to have AIDS defining illness at the time of diagnosis, compared with the younger group [19 (61.3%) vs. 29 (29.3%), respectively]. Of those eight (42%) were older than 60 years. Compared with the younger group, the majority of the HIV-infected patients in the older group who were on ART (61.5%) did not achieve HIV viral suppression at 12 weeks. However, both groups accomplished immune reconstitution with an increase in CD4 cell count in older and younger groups (mean CD4 count = 132 and 200 cell/dl, respectively). More than 80% of patients in both groups were on an integrase inhibitor ART-based regimen.ConclusionHIV-infected patients 50 years and older are more likely to present late to care, and to have a delay in HIV viral suppression compared with younger patient group. These findings are alarming and require emphasize on early HIV diagnosis. More data are required to understand the immune response to cART.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.
Background: Concussion is a common injury among children and adolescents, with a growing body of literature supporting a variety of diagnostic and treatment modalities. Recovery is variable and depends on multiple factors that can be evaluated through a clinic visit: a thorough history, physical examination, and use of the Post-concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS). Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with overall recovery from concussion in children and adolescents in the clinical setting. It was hypothesized that the presence of 1 of a number of pre- or postinjury characteristics will be associated with poor concussion recovery. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of adolescents and children aged 6 to 17 years with a diagnosis of concussion who were evaluated at a single sports medicine center between January 2015 and December 2019. Cases were categorized into recovered (PCSS <7) and poorly recovered (PCSS ≥7) cohorts based on the last PCSS scores during clinical follow-ups for concussion management. Results: Of the 162 charts reviewed, 110 cases met inclusion criteria. Significant statistical differences were found between the recovered and poorly recovered cohorts regarding mean days from injury to last clinic visit, previous migraine diagnosis, and emergency room (ER) visit before the first clinic visit ( P < .01 for all). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the most predictive factors associated with poorer recovery were having an ER visit before the first clinic evaluation ( P = .01) and previous migraine diagnosis ( P = .04). Conclusion: While many factors may contribute to overall recovery from concussion in pediatric populations, our study suggested that a history of migraine and an ER visit before clinic evaluation may be associated with poor recovery of concussive symptoms.
BackgroundIt is estimated that 1,295 per 100,000 are people living with HIV (PLWH) in New Haven, which is the second highest rate of HIV prevalence in Connecticut. Since 2009, New Haven has established the Ryan White (RW) HIV Care Continuum. The main goals of HIV care are early linkage to care, ART initiation, and HIV viral suppression. This study is designed to understand the trends and outcomes in newly diagnosed PLWH in New Haven County.MethodsThis study is a retrospective medical record review of all newly diagnosed RW eligible PLWH from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018. The data were collected in REDCap database and included demographics, HIV risk factor, presence of mental health and/or substance abuse disorder, date of diagnosis, date of initial visit, and ART initiation. Health outcomes such as AIDS at diagnosis and rate of viral suppression were evaluated. The data were then analyzed to show the trends over 10 years.ResultsFrom January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018 there were 420 newly diagnosed RW PLWH. Sixty-seven percent of those were male, 56% were non-white, 47% self-identified as Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), and 41% were heterosexual. Twenty-nine percent had AIDS-defining condition at the time of the diagnosis. Thirty-four percent of the 420 patients had a mental health and/or substance use disorder; 53% of those were MSM and 51% were non-white. Over the 10-year period, it was noted that the duration between date of HIV diagnosis and linkage to care as well as ART initiation decreased. This decline was associated with a substantial increase in viral suppression. The average time between the dates of HIV diagnosis and initial visit decreased from 269 days in 2009 to 13 days in 2018. Moreover, the average time between the dates of diagnosis and ART initiation dropped from 308 days in 2009 to 15 days in 2018. The 1-year HIV viral suppression rate subsequently doubled from 44% in 2009 to 87% in 2018 (P < 0.01).ConclusionThe Ryan White HIV Care Continuum Model with emphasis on early linkage to care and ART initiation can have a significant impact on HIV viral suppression at a community level for newly diagnosed patients. Another important observation in this study was the alarming high rate of AIDS at diagnosis, which highlights the need for universal HIV testing, and early diagnosis. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.
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