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...
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...
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,...
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,...
Prevalence of Hypertension, Diabetes, Obesity, and High Cholesterol Among Older People Living With HIV: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION: Metabolic comorbidities are significant health challenges for older people living with HIV (PLHIV). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize existing evidence and provide the pooled prevalence of...
Body Image and Its Associated Factors among People Living with HIV: A Scoping Review and Implications for Integrated Care
People living with HIV (PLWH) face unique biopsychosocial challenges due to both infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART), one of which is body image disruption. This study comprehensively reviewed relevant studies...
Exercise as a preventive and therapeutic strategy for non-communicable diseases in people living with HIV: Evidence, mechanisms and clinical implications
OBJECTIVE: To synthesise evidence on exercise for preventing and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among HIV clients, emphasising sub-Saharan Africa. DESIGN: Narrative review. DATA SOURCES: Meta-analyses, randomised trials, cohort studies, mechanistic...
