ABSTRACT
Background. Effectively interrupting the source of transmission is a critical step in ending the HIV epidemic. COMEBACK (NCT04519970) is a 48-week single-center study in Chicago implemented in September 2020, with its main objectives to reengage lost-to-care patients and rapidly reinitiate ART to promote VS and favorable PROs. Methods. Adults off ART >=2 weeks, without history of significant B/F/TAF resistance or renal impairment, were rapidly started on B/F/TAF upon reengagement after same day collection of baseline labs and PROs. A retention screening assessment was used to stratify participants into case management (CM) tiers: Minimal, Moderate, or Advanced. An acuity assessment tool was adapted to determine whether participants needed additional support based on retention and VS. Currently, 80 of the expected 100 subjects are enrolled and 55 have reached the 24-week timepoint. Baseline and 6-month endpoints were analyzed for these participants. Results. At baseline (N=55), median age was 34 years (range, 24-62), with 92.6% Black and 72.2% cisgender male. Median CD4+ was 338 cells/mm3, with a median viral load 7,402copies/mL, (range, < 40-333,350, 16.3% VS). Median time off ART was 2.6 months (range, 0.5-243). For CM, participants were stratified into Minimal (71%) and Moderate (29%) tiers;none were identified as Advanced. Table 1 reflects tier shifts through 24 weeks. Shifts inCMintensity differs from the HIV adherence self-efficacy PRO completed within 24 weeks, indicating that at least 50% underestimated their need to integrate and maintain adherence to ART treatment. Forty of 55 participants (72.7%) were retained-in-care at 6 months, with VS in 61.8% (N=34/55) by intention-to-treat and 85% (N=34/40) by observed analysis. No resistance to B/F/TAF was detected through 6 months. Note: The table reflects patients retained on study at their week 24 endpoint. Conclusion. VS was high for participants retained-in-care, but lapses in retention and shifts toward more intense CM were likely due to social determinants of health challenges, including incarceration, housing insecurity, and COVID-19-related disruptions in healthcare.
ABSTRACT
During lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals have experienced poor sleep quality and sleep regularity, changes in lifestyle behaviours, and heightened depression and anxiety. However, the inter-relationship and relative strength of those behaviours on mental health outcomes is still unknown. We collected data between 12 May and 15 June 2020 from 1048 South African adults (age: 32.76 ± 14.43 years; n = 767 female; n = 473 students) using an online questionnaire. Using structural equation modelling, we investigated how insomnia symptoms, sleep regularity, exercise intensity/frequency and sitting/screen-use (sedentary screen-use) interacted to predict depressive and anxiety-related symptoms before and during lockdown. We also controlled for the effects of sex and student status. Irrespective of lockdown, (a) more severe symptoms of insomnia and greater sedentary screen-use predicted greater symptoms of depression and anxiety and (b) the effects of sedentary screen-use on mental health outcomes were mediated by insomnia. The effects of physical activity on mental health outcomes, however, were only significant during lockdown. Low physical activity predicted greater insomnia symptom severity, which in turn predicted increased depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Overall, relationships between the study variables and mental health outcomes were amplified during lockdown. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining physical activity and reducing sedentary screen-use to promote better sleep and mental health.