Browsing by Author "Mensah E"

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    Association of cardiovascular disease risk with liver steatosis and fibrosis in people with HIV in low- and middle-income countries.
    (2025-Jan-01) Kuniholm MH; Murenzi G; Shumbusho F; Brazier E; Plaisy MK; Mensah E; Wandeler G; Riebensahm C; Chihota BV; Samala N; Diero L; Semeere AS; Chanyachukul T; Borse R; Nguyen DTH; Perazzo H; Lopez-Iniguez A; Castilho JL; Maruri F; Jaquet A
    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and liver steatosis and fibrosis among people with HIV (PLWH) at least 40 years of age on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). DESIGN: We used cross-sectional behavioral and clinical data collected during study enrollment visits in 2020-2022 for the Sentinel Research Network of International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (SRN of IeDEA). METHODS: Ten-year CVD risk was calculated using 2019 WHO nonlaboratory and laboratory models. Transient elastography was used to assess liver disease. Presence of steatosis and significant fibrosis were defined by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) at least 248 dB/m and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) at least 7.1 kPa, respectively. Participants with viral hepatitis, hazardous alcohol consumption, and unsuppressed HIV viral load were excluded from the analysis. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios, adjusting for study site, CD4 +  T cell count, stavudine and didanosine exposure, and in models stratified by sex and geographic region. RESULTS: There were 1750 participants from nine LMIC. Median CVD risk was 3% for both nonlaboratory and laboratory-based models. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for steatosis and significant fibrosis associated with laboratory CVD risk (≥10 vs. <5%) were OR = 1.83 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.21-2.76; P  = 0.004] and OR = 1.62 (95% CI = 0.85-3.07; P  = 0.14), respectively. Associations of CVD risk with steatosis were stronger in men and among participants at study sites outside Africa. CONCLUSION: Higher CVD risk was associated with steatosis but not with significant fibrosis in PWH in our LMIC cohort.
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    Comorbidities and HIV-related factors associated with mental health symptoms and unhealthy substance use among older adults living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study.
    (2025-Mar) Ross JL; Rupasinghe D; Chanyachukul T; Crabtree Ramírez B; Murenzi G; Kwobah E; Mureithi F; Minga A; Marbaniang I; Perazzo H; Parcesepe A; Goodrich S; Chimbetete C; Mensah E; Maruri F; Thi Hoai Nguyen D; López-Iñiguez A; Lancaster K; Byakwaga H; Tlali M; Plaisy MK; Nimkar S; Moreira R; Anastos K; Semeere A; Wandeler G; Jaquet A; Sohn A
    INTRODUCTION: People with HIV (PWH) are vulnerable to mental health and substance use disorders (MSDs), but the extent to which these are associated with other non-communicable diseases in ageing PWH populations remains poorly documented. We assessed comorbidities associated with symptoms of MSD among PWH ≥40 years in the Sentinel Research Network (SRN) of the International epidemiology Database to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA). METHODS: Baseline data collected between June 2020 and September 2022, from 10 HIV clinics in Asia, Latin America and Africa contributing to the SRN, were analysed. Symptoms of MSDs and comorbidities were assessed using standardized questionnaires, anthropometric and laboratory tests, including weight, height, blood pressure, glucose, lipids, chronic viral hepatitis and liver transient elastography. HIV viral load, CD4 count and additional routine clinical data were accessed from participant interview or medical records. HIV and non-HIV clinical associations of mental illness symptoms and unhealthy substance use were analysed using logistic regression. Mental illness symptoms were defined as moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score >9), moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 >9) or probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-5 >32). Unhealthy substance use was defined as ASSIST score >3, or AUDIT ≥7 for women (≥8 for men). RESULTS: Of 2614 participants assessed at baseline study visits, 57% were female, median age was 50 years, median CD4 was 548 cells/mm CONCLUSIONS: Improved integration of MSD and comorbidity services in HIV clinical settings, and further research on the association between MSD and comorbidities, and care integration among older PWH in low-middle-income countries, are required.
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    Protocol for an evaluation of the initiation of an integrated longitudinal outpatient care model for severe chronic non-communicable diseases (PEN-Plus) at secondary care facilities (district hospitals) in 10 lower-income countries.
    (2024-Jan-30) Adler AJ; Wroe EB; Atzori A; Bay N; Bekele W; Bhambhani VM; Nkwiro RB; Boudreaux C; Calixte D; Chiwanda Banda J; Coates MM; Dagnaw WW; Domingues K; Drown L; Dusabeyezu S; Fenelon D; Gupta N; Ssinabulya I; Jain Y; Kalkonde Y; Kamali I; Karekezi C; Karmacharya BM; Koirala B; Makani J; Manenti F; Mangwiro A; Manuel B; Masiye JK; Goma FM; Mayige MT; McLaughlin A; Mensah E; Salipa NM; Mutagaywa R; Mutengerere A; Ngoga G; Patiño M; Putoto G; Ruderman T; Salvi D; Sesay S; Taero F; Tostão E; Toussaint S; Bukhman G; Mocumbi AO
    INTRODUCTION: The Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions-Plus (PEN-Plus) is a strategy decentralising care for severe non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including type 1 diabetes, rheumatic heart disease and sickle cell disease, to increase access to care. In the PEN-Plus model, mid-level clinicians in intermediary facilities in low and lower middle income countries are trained to provide integrated care for conditions where services traditionally were only available at tertiary referral facilities. For the upcoming phase of activities, 18 first-level hospitals in 9 countries and 1 state in India were selected for PEN-Plus expansion and will treat a variety of severe NCDs. Over 3 years, the countries and state are expected to: (1) establish PEN-Plus clinics in one or two district hospitals, (2) support these clinics to mature into training sites in preparation for national or state-level scale-up, and (3) work with the national or state-level stakeholders to describe, measure and advocate for PEN-Plus to support development of a national operational plan for scale-up. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Guided by Proctor outcomes for implementation research, we are conducting a mixed-method evaluation consisting of 10 components to understand outcomes in clinical implementation, training and policy development. Data will be collected through a mix of quantitative surveys, routine reporting, routine clinical data and qualitative interviews. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol has been considered exempt or covered by central and local institutional review boards. Findings will be disseminated throughout the project's course, including through quarterly M&E discussions, semiannual formative assessments, dashboard mapping of progress, quarterly newsletters, regular feedback loops with national stakeholders and publication in peer-reviewed journals.