RESUMO

The community adherence support group (CASG) was one of the first differentiated service delivery (DSD) models introduced in Mozambique. This study assessed the impact of this model on retention in care, loss to follow-up (LTFU), and viral suppression among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated adults in Mozambique. A retrospective cohort study included CASG-eligible adults enrolled between April 2012 and October 2017 at 123 health facilities in Zambézia Province. Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) was used to allocate CASG members and those who never enrolled in a CASG. Logistic regressions were performed to estimate the impact of CASG membership on 6- and 12-month retention and viral load (VL) suppression. Cox proportional regression was used to model differences in LTFU. Data from 26,858 patients were included. The median age at CASG eligibility was 32 years and 75% were female, with 84% residing in rural areas. A total of 93% and 90% of CASG members were retained in care at 6 and 12 months, respectively, while 77% and 66% non-CASG members were retained during the same periods. The odds of being retained in care at 6 and 12 months were significantly higher among patients receiving ART through CASG support (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.19 [95% confidence interval; CI: 3.79-4.63], p < .001, and aOR = 4.43 [95% CI: 4.01-4.90], p < .001, respectively). Among 7,674 patients with available VL measurements, the odds of being virally suppressed were higher among CASG members (aOR = 1.14 [95% CI: 1.02-1.28], p < .001). Non-CASG members had a significantly higher likelihood of being LTFU (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.45 [95% CI: 3.20-3.73], p < .001). While Mozambique rapidly scales up multi-month drug dispensation as the preferred DSD model, this study emphasizes the continued importance of CASG as an efficacious DSD alternative, especially among patients residing in rural areas, where CASG acceptability is higher.

Assuntos

RESUMO

La enfermedad de Pompe es un desorden neuromuscular autosómico recesivo de baja prevalencia, causado por la deficiencia total o parcial de la enzima alfa glucosidasa ácida (GAA), cuya única terapia de reemplazo enzimático disponible es la alglucosidasa alfa recombinante. Las reacciones adversas asociadas a la infusión se presentan con frecuencia. Se reportan dos casos de desensibilización exitosa con alglucosidasa alfa utilizando protocolos con dosis meta de 20 mg/kg, administrados quincenalmente; el primero de ellos, en una niña con historia de reacción adversa grave a los 15 meses de edad, en quien se utilizó un esquema con una dilución inicial de 1/10.000.000 de 28 pasos y una duración total de 13,1 horas. En el segundo caso, la paciente tuvo una reacción adversa grave a los 4 años de edad, se utilizó el protocolo de 22 pasos, concentración inicial de 1/1.000.000 y duración total de 7,2 horas. Se concluye que en pacientes con enfermedad de Pompe que presentan reacciones adversas durante la terapia de reemplazo enzimático, es posible realizar la desensibilización cada dos semanas con la dosis estándar de 20 mg/kg de forma exitosa, y progresivamente lograr la administración usual de la infusión

Pompe disease is a low prevalence autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder, caused by total or partial deficiency of the acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) enzyme, and its only available enzyme replacement therapy is the recombinant alglucosidase alfa. Infusion-associated adverse reactions occur frequently. Two cases of successful desensitization with alglucosidase alfa using protocols with a target dose of 20 mg/kg administered biweekly are reported; the first was a girl who had a history of serious adverse reaction at the age of 15 months, and undergone to a scheme with an initial dilution of 1/10,000,000 with 28 steps and a total duration of 13.1 hours. In the second case, the patient had a severe adverse reaction at the age of 4 years, a 22-step protocol was used with an initial concentration of 1/1,000,000 and a total duration of 7.2 hours. In conclusion, in patients with Pompe disease who presented adverse reactions during enzyme replacement therapy with alglucosidase alfa, it is possible to perform desensitization every two weeks with the standard dose of 20 mg/kg, and progressively achieve the usual administration of the infusion

Assuntos

RESUMO

Before the 2015 implementation of "Test and Start," the initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) was guided by specific CD4 cell count thresholds. As scale-up efforts progress, the prevalence of advanced HIV disease at ART initiation is expected to decline. We analyzed the temporal trends in the median CD4 cell counts among adults initiating ART and described factors associated with initiating ART with severe immunodeficiency in Zambézia Province, Mozambique. We included all HIV-positive, treatment-naive adults (age ≥ 15 years) who initiated ART at a Friends in Global Health (FGH)-supported health facility between September 2012 and September 2017. Quantile regression and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to ascertain the median change in CD4 cell count and odds of initiating ART with severe immunodeficiency, respectively. A total of 68,332 patients were included in the analyses. The median change in CD4 cell count under "Test and Start" was higher at +68 cells/mm3 (95% CI: 57.5-78.4) compared with older policies. Younger age and female sex (particularly those pregnant/lactating) were associated with higher median CD4 cell counts at ART initiation. Male sex, advanced age, WHO Stage 4 disease, and referrals to the health facility through inpatient provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC) were associated with higher odds of initiating ART with severe immunodeficiency. Although there were reassuring trends in increasing median CD4 cell counts with ART initiation, ongoing efforts are needed that target universal HIV testing to ensure the early initiation of ART in men and older patients.

Assuntos