Analysis of serious non‐AIDS events among HIV‐infected adults at Latin American sites

Objective

Acquired immune deficiency appears to be associated with serious non‐AIDS (SNA)‐defining conditions such as cardiovascular disease, liver and renal insufficiency and non‐AIDS‐related malignancies. We analysed the incidence of, and factors associated with, several SNA events in the LATINA retrospective cohort.

Materials and methods

Cases of SNA events were recorded among cohort patients. Three controls were selected for each case from cohort members at risk. Conditional logistic models were fitted to estimate the effect of traditional risk factors as well as HIV‐associated factors on non‐AIDS‐defining conditions.

Results

Among 6007 patients in follow‐up, 130 had an SNA event (0.86 events/100 person‐years of follow‐up) and were defined as cases (40 with cardiovascular events, 54 with serious liver failure, 35 with non‐AIDS‐defining malignancies and two with renal insufficiency). Risk factors such as diabetes, hepatitis B and C virus coinfections and alcohol abuse showed an association with events, as expected. The last recorded CD4 T‐cell count prior to index date (P=0.0056, with an average difference of more than 100 cells/μL) and area under the CD4 cell curve in the year previous to index date (P=0.0081) were significantly lower in cases than in controls. CD4 cell count at index date was significantly associated with the outcome after adjusting for risk factors.

Conclusions

The incidence and type of SNA events found in this Latin American cohort are similar to those reported in other regions. We found a significant association between immune deficiency and the risk of SNA events, even in patients under antiretroviral treatment.     

Update Experience of Surgery for Acute Limb Ischaemia in a District General Hospital – Are We Getting Any Better?

INTRODUCTION

The aims of this study were to audit results of a 10-year experience of surgery for acute limb ischaemia (ALI) in terms of limb salvage and mortality rates, and to compare results with a historical published series from our unit.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All emergency operations performed during the period 1993–2003 were identified from theatre registers and patient notes reviewed to determine indications for, and outcome of, surgery. Data were compared to a similar cohort who underwent surgery from 1980 to 1990.

RESULTS

There was a 33% increase in workload from 87 to 116 patients between the two time periods. The number of patients with idiopathic ALI reduced (24% versus 4%; P < 0.05), and there were fewer smokers (71% versus 39%; P < 0.05) and a greater number of claudicants (17% versus 35%; P < 0.05) in those treated from 1993–2003. Latterly, more patients underwent pre-operative heparinisation (33% versus 80%; P < 0.05), received prophylactic antibiotics (14% versus 63%; P < 0.05), and had anaesthetic presence in theatre (46% versus 88%; P < 0.05). There was also a reduction in local anaesthetic procedures (80% versus 41%; P < 0.05). Despite increased pre-operative (15% versus 47%; P < 0.05) and on-table imaging (0% versus 16%; P < 0.05) technical success did not improve. Whilst complication rates were identical at 62%, there were fewer cardiovascular complications in the recent cohort. The 30-day mortality rate for embolectomy fell from 45% to 33%. Multivariate analysis revealed age > 70 years, prolonged symptom duration, ASA score ≥ III, lack of prophylactic antibiotics, absence of an anaesthetist, and operations performed under local anaesthetic to be associated with increased risk of mortality. Factors adversely affecting limb salvage included prolonged duration from symptom onset to operation, and a history of claudication or smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite improvements in pre- and peri-operative management, arterial embolectomy/thrombectomy remains a procedure with a high morbidity and mortality. Further attempts to improve outcome must be directed at early diagnosis and referral as delay from symptom onset to surgery is a major determinant of outcome.     

Choosing event‐driven and daily HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis – data from two European PrEP demonstration projects among men who have sex with men

IntroductionDaily and event‐driven PrEP are both efficacious in reducing the risk for HIV infection. However, the practice of event‐driven PrEP (edPrEP) is less well studied, in particular when provided as an alternative to daily PrEP. We studied regimen preferences and switches, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence.MethodsWe analysed pooled data from two prospective cohort studies among MSM: Be‐PrEP‐ared, Belgium and AMPrEP, the Netherlands. In both projects, participants could choose between daily and edPrEP at three‐monthly study visits, when they were also screened for sexually transmitted infections including hepatitis C (HCV). We assessed the proportion choosing each regimen, and the determinants of choosing edPrEP at baseline. Additionally, we compared the incidence rates (IRs) of HCV, syphilis and chlamydia or gonorrhoea between regimens using Poisson regression. The study period was from 3 August 2015 until 24 September 2018.Results and discussionWe included 571 MSM, of whom 148 (25.9%) chose edPrEP at baseline. 31.7% of participants switched regimen at least once. After 28 months, 23.5% used edPrEP. Older participants (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.38 per 10 years, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15 to 1.64) and those unemployed (aOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.75) were more likely to initially choose edPrEP. IR of HCV and syphilis did not differ between regimens, but the IR of chlamydia/gonorrhoea was higher among daily users (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.35 to 1.94).ConclusionsA quarter of participants chose edPrEP at baseline and at 28 months this proportion was similar. Although the IR of HCV and syphilis were similar in the two regimens, the lower incidence of chlamydia and gonorrhoea among edPrEP users may suggest that less frequent STI testing of this group could be considered.     

Extensive cerebral white matter abnormality without clinical symptoms: a new hereditary condition?

A 30-year-old father and his 2 sons with slight hyperkinesia and mildly dysmorphic features and their close relatives were examined clinically and with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neurophysiological and biochemical examinations were normal; however, brain MRI of the father and sons revealed extensive cerebral white matter changes. No radiological progression could be detected at a 13-year follow-up examination of the father, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the father at the age of 30 years was normal. MRI findings in the relatives were normal, suggesting an autosomal dominant syndrome due to a new mutation in the father.     

Scandinavian Fellowship for Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine: statement on oral pathology and oral medicine in the European Dental Curriculum

J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39 : 800–e1 Background: For many years, dentists have migrated between the Scandinavian countries without an intentionally harmonized dental education. The free movement of the workforce in the European Union has clarified that a certain degree of standardization or harmonization of the European higher education acts, including the dental education, is required. As a result of the Bologna process, the Association for Dental Education in Europe and the thematic network DentEd have generated guidelines in the document ‘Profile and Competences for the European Dentist’ (PCD). This document is meant to act as the leading source in revisions of dental curricula throughout Europe converging towards a European Dental Curriculum. In order to render the best conditions for future curriculum revisions providing the best quality dentist we feel obliged to analyse and comment the outlines of oral pathology and oral medicine in the PCD. Methods: The representatives agreed upon definitions of oral pathology and oral medicine, and competences in oral pathology and oral medicine that a contemporary European dentist should master. The competences directly related to oral pathology and oral medicine were identified, within the PCD. Results: The subject representatives suggested eighteen additions and two rewordings of the PCD, which all were substantiated by thorough argumentation. Perspectives: Hopefully, this contribution will find support in future revisions of the PCD in order to secure the best quality dental education.