Background: HIV clinicians report low confidence and satisfaction prescribing chronic opioid therapy (COT). We hypothesized that the Targeting Effective Analgesia in Clinics for HIV (TEACH) intervention [a system-level improvement to increase guideline concordant care for COT] would improve satisfaction, confidence, and trust among PWH and their clinicians. Methods: We conducted a two-arm, unblinded cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the TEACH intervention. Clinicians were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either the TEACH intervention (an IT-enabled nurse care manager, opioid education, academic detailing, and access to addiction specialists) or usual care. Outcomes were the following: clinician satisfaction (primary); confidence prescribing COT; patient satisfaction with COT; and trust in clinician. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted using linear and logistic regression models. Results: Clinicians (n=41) were randomized and their 114 patients assessed. At 12 months, the adjusted mean difference in satisfaction with COT was 1.11 points for intervention vs control clinicians (Scale 1–10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.04–2.26, p=0.06). The adjusted mean confidence with prescribing COT was 1.01 points higher among intervention clinicians (Scale 1–10; 95% CI: 0.05–1.96, p=0.04). There were no significant differences in patient satisfaction with COT (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.17, 95% CI: 0.50–2.76, p=0.72) or trust in provider (AOR 1.63, 95% CI: 0.65–4.09, p=0.30). Conclusions: TEACH did not significantly affect prescriber satisfaction, patient satisfaction with pain management or patient trust; however, it did improve prescriber confidence. TEACH is a promising strategy to improve provider prescribing of COT for PWH without adverse patient satisfaction or trust in provider.

Background Long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (LAI-ART) represents the next innovation in HIV therapy. Pre-implementation research is needed to develop effective strategies to ensure equitable access to LAI-ART to individuals living with HIV. Methods We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with providers and staff affiliated with HIV clinics in San Francisco, Chicago, and Atlanta to understand barriers to and facilitators of LAI-ART implementation. Participants also completed a short survey about implementation intentions. FGDs were held via video conference, recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed using domains associated with the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results Between September 2020 and April 2021, we led 10 FDGs with 49 participants, of whom ~60% were prescribing providers. Organizational readiness for implementing change was high, with 85% agreeing to being committed to figuring out how to implement LAI-ART. While responses were influenced by the unique inner and outer resources available in each setting, several common themes, including implementation mechanisms, dominated: (1) optimism and enthusiasm about LAI-ART was contingent on ensuring equitable access to LAI-ART; (2) LAI-ART shifts the primary responsibility of ART adherence from the patient to the clinic; and (3) existing clinic systems require strengthening to meet the needs of patients with adherence challenges. Current systems in all sites could support the use of LAI-ART in a limited number of stable patients. Scale-up and equitable use would be challenging or impossible without additional personnel. Participants outlined programmatic elements necessary to realize equitable access including centralized tracking of patients, capacity for in-depth, hands-on outreach, and mobile delivery of LAI-ART. Sites further specified unknown logistical impacts on implementation related to billing/payer source as well as shipping and drug storage. Conclusions Among these HIV care sites, clinic readiness to offer LAI-ART to a subset of patients is high. The main challenges to implementation include concerns about unequal access and a recognition that strengthening the clinic system is critical.

Background: Medical marijuana is legal in 29 US states and the District of Columbia: both HIV and chronic pain are "approved conditions" for receipt. Chronic pain is common among people living with HIV (PLWH). We anticipate PLWH will question their providers about medical marijuana for chronic pain. We examined marijuana use and its associations with pain, opioid dose, and HIV viral suppression among PLWH receiving chronic opioid therapy. Methods: PLWH prescribed chronic opioid therapy were recruited into the Targeting Effective Analgesia in Clinics for HIV cohort. The main exposure variable was any past 12-month marijuana use. The primary outcomes were (1) opioid misuse (≥9 on the Current Opioid Misuse Measure) and (2) opioid dose (morphine equivalent daily dose). HIV viral load (VL) suppression (<200 copies/L) and pain severity and interference using the Brief Pain Inventory were exploratory outcomes. Results: Participants (n = 166) were men (65%), Black (72%), and had an undetectable VL (89%). We found no significant association between current marijuana use and opioid misuse, opioid dose, or pain. Current marijuana use was associated with 3.03 times the odds of having a detectable VL (95% odds ratio: 1.11-8.31, P = 0.03) while controlling for depressive symptoms and other substance use.Discussion: We did not detect an association between marijuana use and opioid misuse behaviors, opioid dose, or pain. In an exploratory analysis, current marijuana use was associated with 3× greater odds of having a detectable VL. This study provides insights into potential consequences of marijuana use among PLWH with chronic pain.

Background: Specialty pharmacy (SP) provides timely medication delivery to patients and seeks to improve patient adherence through monthly pharmacist medication therapy management (MTM). Patients living with HIV/AIDS have both high cost medications and complex disease states and thus will benefit from SP. We report on the outcome of HIV therapy after 3 years of a pilot SP ina southern inner city RW funded clinic. Methods: This is a single center retrospective chart review of patients at our clinic who were enrolled in the SP from 6/3/13–5/1/16 for at least 6 months. Baseline demographic characteristics and HIV markers (CD4, viral load) were collected. Outcomes of interest were: change in CD4 count, percent with viral suppression (VS), emergency room (ER) and hospital admission usage, as well as percent of scheduled providers’ appointment kept. Each individual had the same follow up time before and after SP initiation. Bivariate analysis compared outcomes preSP and during SP using Chi-square or Fisher exact tests for categorical and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables. Results: During the 3-year period, there were 212 individuals referred to SP, of which 170 participated in the program. There were 92(54%) men, 136(80%) black. The median age was 48.3 years (IQR: 28.5–56.3). The average duration of follow up pre and during SP was 22.1(IQR: 16.5–27) months. In terms of insurance, 69(40%) had Medicare, 22(13%) had Medicaid, 22(13%) had private insurance, 54(32%) received AIDS drug Assistance Program (ADAP), and 3(2%) had Ryan White. Patients resided an average distance from the clinic of 17.4(IQR: 8.8–25) miles. The respective outcomes before and during SP were: CD4: 350(IQR: 181–551) vs. 413(IQR: 263–611 cells/mL (P < 0.0001), VS in 78 ± 30% vs. 91 ± 20% (P < 0.0001). The proportion of patients with emergency room usage or hospital admissions was 68(40%) vs. 49(29%) (P = 0.036). There was no difference in the rate of kept providers’ appointment (66.6 %(IQR: 53.8–78.6%) vs. 63.8 %(50-77%) (P = 0.19). There was no reported death during the follow –up period. Conclusion: This pilot SP program at the RW clinic showed statistically significant improvement of CD4 count and VS, as well as 40 % decrease in odds of using ER or hospital admission. Further studies are needed to determine whether SP is beneficial to people living with HIV/AIDS in other settings.

Objective:To assess the performance of an adapted American Diabetes Association (ADA) risk score and the concise Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINRISC) for predicting type 2 diabetes development in women with and at risk of HIV infection.Design:Longitudinal analysis of the Women's Interagency HIV Study.Methods:The women's Interagency HIV Study is an ongoing prospective cohort study of women with and at risk for HIV infection. Women without prevalent diabetes and 3-year data on fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, self-reported diabetes medication use, and self-reported diabetes were included. ADA and FINRISC scores were computed at baseline and their ability to predict diabetes development within 3 years was assessed [sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) curve].Results:A total of 1111 HIV-positive (median age 41, 60% African American) and 454 HIV-negative women (median age 38, 63% African-American) were included. ADA sensitivity did not differ between HIV-positive (77%) and HIV-negative women (81%), while specificity was better in HIV-negative women (42 vs. 49%, P = 0.006). Overall ADA discrimination was suboptimal in both HIV-positive [AUROC = 0.64 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.70)] and HIV-negative women [AUROC = 0.67 (95% CI: 0.57, 0.77)]. FINRISC sensitivity and specificity did not differ between HIV-positive (72 and 49%, respectively) and HIV-negative women (86 and 52%, respectively). Overall FINRISC discrimination was suboptimal in HIV-positive [AUROC = 0.68 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.75)] and HIV-negative women [AUROC = 0.78 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.90)].Conclusion:Model performance was suboptimal in women with and at risk of HIV, while greater misclassification was generally observed among HIV-positive women. HIV-specific risk factors known to contribute to diabetes risk should be explored in these models.

We describe HIV providers’ opioid prescribing practices and assess whether belief that chronic opioid therapy (COT) keeps people living with HIV (PLWH) engaged in care is associated with differences in these practices among providers from two HIV clinics. We conducted logistic regression to evaluate the association between the belief that COT keeps PLWH engaged in care and at least one component of guideline-recommended care (i.e., urine drug tests, treatment agreements, and/or prescription monitoring program use). The sample included 41 providers with a median age of 42 years, 63% female, 37% non-white. Routine adherence to guideline-recommended practices was: 34% urine drug tests, 27% treatment agreements, and 17% prescription monitoring program. Over half [54%] agreed that COT keeps PLWH engaged in care. There was no significant association between belief that COT keeps PLWH engaged in care and routinely providing any recommended COT care component (aOR 2.38; 95% CI 0.65–8.73). Most HIV providers do not routinely follow guidelines for opioid prescribing. We observed a positive association between belief that COT keeps PLWH engaged in care and following any guideline-recommended prescribing practices, although the result was not statistically significant. Interventions are needed to improve guideline-concordant care for COT by HIV providers.

Background: Rapid entry programs (REPs) improve time to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation (TAI) and time to viral suppression (TVS). We assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a REP in a large HIV clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, serving a predominately un- or underinsured population. Methods: The Rapid Entry and ART in Clinic for HIV (REACH) program was implemented on May 16, 2016. We performed a retrospective cohort study with the main independent variable being period of enrollment: January 1, 2016, through May 15, 2016 (pre-REACH); May 16, 2016, through July 31, 2016 (post-REACH). Included individuals were HIV-infected and new to the clinic with detectable HIV-1 RNA. Six-month follow-up data were collected for each participant. Survival analyses were conducted for TVS. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate secondary outcomes: attendance at first clinic visit, viral suppression, TAI, and time to first attended provider visit. Results: There were 117 pre-REACH and 90 post-REACH individuals. Median age (interquartile range [IQR]) was 35 (25-45) years, 80% were male, 91% black, 60% men who have sex with men, 57% uninsured, and 44% active substance users. TVS decreased from 77 (62-96) to 57 (41-70) days (P < .0022). Time to first attended provider visit decreased from 17 to 5 days, and TAI from 21 to 7 days (P < .0001), each remaining significant in adjusted models. Conclusions: This is the largest rapid entry cohort described in the United States and suggests that rapid entry is feasible and could have a positive impact on HIV transmission at the population level.

In a setting of universal health care access, we compared diabetes control between Caucasians and African Americans (AA) living with HIV. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from a cohort study among military members living with HIV and diabetes. Using adjusted logistic regression models, we compared proportions of Caucasians and AA meeting the following diabetes treatment goals: hemoglobin A1c <7.0%, blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mm Hg, low density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL, and not smoking. We included 107 Caucasian (mean age 37 years) and 126 AA (mean age 33 years) participants. A similar proportion of Caucasians and AA were prescribed diabetes (∼60%) and BP (∼80%) medications. Yet, more Caucasians met the BP treatment goal (77% [54%, 90%]) than AA (61% [36%, 82%]). Thus, more Caucasians met the combined A1c, BP, and cholesterol goals for diabetes control (25% [10%, 49%]) than AA (13% [5%, 31%]). Despite having equal access to health care, AA in this study have poorer diabetes control than Caucasians.

Background: Public health information exchanges (HIEs) link real-time surveillance and clinical data and can help to re-engage out-of-care people with HIV (PWH). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of out-of-care PWH who generated an HIE alert in the Grady Health System (GHS) Emergency Department (ED) between January 2017 and February 2018. Alerts were generated for PWH who registered in the GHS ED without Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) CD4 or HIV-1 RNA in the prior 14 months. The alert triggered a social work (SW)–led re-linkage effort. Multivariate logistic regression analyses used HIE-informed SW re-linkage efforts as the independent variable, and linkage to care and 3- and 6-month viral suppression (HIV-1 RNA < 200 c/mL) as primary outcomes. Patients admitted to the hospital were excluded from primary analysis. Results: One hundred forty-seven out-of-care patients generated an alert. Ninety-eight were included in the primary analysis (mean age [SD], 41 ± 12 years; 70% male; 93% African American), and 20 received the HIE-informed SW intervention. Sixty percent of patients receiving the intervention linked to care in 6 months, compared with 35% who did not. Patients receiving the intervention were more likely to link to care (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99–2.68) and no more likely to achieve viral suppression (aRR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.50–4.46) than those who did not receive the intervention. Conclusions: An HIE-informed, SW-led intervention systematically identified out-of-care PWH and may increase linkage to care for this important population. HIEs create an opportunity to intervene with linkage and retention strategies.

Background: Gains in life expectancy through optimal control of HIV infection with antiretroviral therapy (ART) may be threatened if other comorbidities, such as diabetes, are not optimally managed. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) from 2001, 2006, and 2015. We estimated the proportions of HIV-positive and HIV-negative women with diabetes who were engaged in care and achieved treatment goals (hemoglobin A1c [A1c] <7.0%, blood pressure [BP] <140/90 mmHg, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol <100 mg/dL, not smoking) and viral suppression. Repeated-measures models were used to estimate the adjusted prevalence of achieving each diabetes treatment goal at each time point, by HIV status. Results: We included 486 HIV-positive and 258 HIV-negative women with diabetes. In 2001, 91.8% visited a health care provider, 60.7% achieved the A1c target, 70.5% achieved the BP target, 38.5% achieved the LDL cholesterol target, 49.2% were nonsmokers, 23.3% achieved combined ABC targets (A1c, BP, and cholesterol), and 10.9% met combined ABC targets and did not smoke. There were no differences by HIV status, and patterns were similar in 2006 and 2015. Among HIV-positive women, viral suppression increased from 41% in 2001 to 87% in 2015 compared with 8% and 13% achieving the ABC goals and not smoking. Viral suppression was not associated with achievement of diabetes care goals. Conclusions: Successful management of HIV is outpacing that of diabetes. Future studies are needed to identify factors associated with gaps in the HIV-diabetes care continuum and design interventions to better integrate effective diabetes management into HIV care.