Category Archives: Engagement and Care Cascade
Viral load monitoring for people living with HIV in the era of test and treat: progress made and challenges ahead—A systematic review
BACKGROUND: In 2016, we conducted a systematic review to assess the feasibility of treatment monitoring for people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low and middle-income countries...
The effect of antiretroviral therapy with high central nervous system penetration on HIV-related cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Chronic complications are a significant concern for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) infection. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are prevalent in PLWHA. Yet, the efficacy of medications that penetrate the central...
Risk of hepatitis C reinfection following successful therapy among people living with HIV: A global systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression
Background: The benefits of direct-acting antivirals towards the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people living with HIV are decreased when individuals are reinfected with HCV following treatment. We aimed...
Strategies to improve HIV care outcomes for people with HIV who are out of care
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of five intervention strategies: patient navigation, appointment help/alerts, psychosocial support, transportation/appointment accompaniment, and data-to-care on HIV care outcomes among persons...
Voluntary counseling and testing, antiretroviral therapy access, and HIV-related stigma: Global progress and challenges
To date, about 37 million people are living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and an estimated 680,000 people have died from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) related illnesses globally....
Public availability of HIV-1 drug resistance sequence and treatment data: A systematic review
HIV-1 pol sequences from antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive and ART-experienced people living with HIV-1 are fundamental to understanding the genetic correlates and epidemiology of HIV-1 drug resistance (HIVDR). To assess the public availability...
The global landscape of the burden of depressive symptoms/major depression in individuals living with HIV/AIDS and its effect on antiretroviral medication adherence: An umbrella review
BACKGROUND: People living with HIV/AIDS have a higher rate of depression/depressive symptoms and this highly affects antiretroviral medication adherence. Therefore, much stronger evidence weighing the burden of depressive symptoms/major depression...
Treatments for AIDS/HIV-related Kaposi sarcoma: A systematic review of the literature
BACKGROUND: Treatment guidelines are not well established in AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (KS). OBJECTIVE: We aim to review the evidence on efficacy of treatments for AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma. METHODS: We searched...
Risk of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome with integrase inhibitors versus other classes of antiretrovirals: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials
Background: Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (InSTIs) decrease HIV plasma viral load faster than other antiretroviral classes. More rapid viral load decline has been associated with higher risk of immune reconstitution inflammatory...
Exploring barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence among pregnant women: A scoping literature review
BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is one of the most effective ways of preventing HIV-related maternal mortality. However, the rates of retention in care and long-term adherence remain extremely low. OBJECTIVE:...
A systematic review of factors critical for HIV health literacy, ART adherence and retention in care in the U.S. for racial and ethnic minorities
Despite advances in antiretroviral treatment (ART), the HIV epidemic persists in the United States (U.S.), with inadequate adherence to treatment and care a major barrier to ending the epidemic. Health...