Category Archives: Co-morbidities
Choosing between dual and three-drug antiretroviral therapy in aging and comorbid people with HIV: A narrative review
The widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV infection into a chronic condition, with life expectancy of people with HIV (PWH) approaching that of the general population when...
Facilitators and barriers to cervical cancer screening among women living with HIV: A systematic review of qualitative studies
BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that 58% of new cervical cancer cases worldwide occur among women living with HIV. However, compared with HIV-negative women, this population has significantly poorer access to healthcare...
Dysregulated metabolism in people living with HIV in the modern ART-era: A systematic review of targeted metabolomics studies
HIV remains a significant public health issue, with 1.3 million new infections and 630,000 deaths annually, and 40.8 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally in 2024. Although antiretroviral therapy...
The gut-immune axis in treated HIV infection: From mucosal damage to chronic inflammation and therapeutic opportunities—A clinician-oriented narrative review
Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic disease. However, people living with HIV (PLWH) experience a 16-year reduction in comorbidity-free life expectancy compared to HIV-negative individuals,...
Exploring the potential of cognitive intra-individual variability in HIV care and research in adults with HIV: A concept analysis
Cognitive intraindividual variability (IIV) refers to the variability in one’s ability to sustain consistent cognitive performance. This phenomenon is linked to the emergence of cognitive impairment and dementia. The aim...
Determinants of cardiovascular disease risk among LGBTQ+ populations: A systematic review of empirical evidence
BACKGROUND: Understanding the multifactorial drivers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in LGBTQ+ populations is critical to advancing equitable cardiovascular care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and synthesize empirical evidence on factors influencing...
Integrated care models for HIV, diabetes and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of effectiveness, implementation and real-world applicability
Background Sub-Saharan Africa faces a syndemic of HIV and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes and hypertension. Integrated care models have been promoted to improve service efficiency and patient outcomes; however,...
Temporal shifts in antiretroviral therapy regimens and metabolic outcomes in people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Introduction Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV has led to dramatically reduced mortality and improved life expectancy. This achievement is accompanied by a higher risk for metabolic and...
Oral health education interventions for people living with HIV: A scoping review of delivery approaches and reported outcomes
Background People living with HIV (PLWH) experience a high burden of oral diseases that can impair daily function and affect adherence to HIV care. Oral health education has the potential...
Hypertension among people living with HIV (PLHIV) compared with people without HIV (PWoH): A systematic review with meta-analysis
Introduction Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor and has increased among people living with HIV. However, evidence on its association with HIV status remains inconsistent. This systematic review aimed...
Prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in HIV-infected children from sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is an emerging non-communicable complication among children living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where paediatric HIV burden remains high. However,...
