Hypertension and HIV infection.

As persons living with HIV infection (PLWH) live longer, primary health care and comorbidity issues have come to the forefront. The diagnosis and treatment of hypertension can affect a number of other comorbid conditions, including metabolic syndrome, lipid abnormalities, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Literature specific to hypertension and HIV is limited and most often presented in theory-based, rather than empirically based, articles, with hypertension-specific information presented in small sections of articles on cardiovascular disease. A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate current research evidence to determine prevalence of hypertension in PLWH and its association with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV-related and traditional risk factors. Evidence surrounding the cause and effect of HIV and ART on hypertension is conflicting and inconclusive; however, the importance of hypertension diagnosis and treatment is clear. Evidence supports use of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of Hypertension Guidelines when treating PLWH.

Can lay health workers promote better medical self-management by persons living with HIV? An evaluation of the Positive Choices program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Positive Choices (PC), a program that employed lay health workers to motivate antiretroviral adherence among persons living with HIV with coverage from Indiana's high-risk insurance pool. METHODS: Four hundred and forty nine participants living in the greater Indianapolis area were randomly allocated to treatment (n = 91) or control (n = 358) groups and followed for one year. RESULTS: Compared to control subjects, PC subjects were more likely to adhere to HIV medications (medication possession ratio adherence ≥ 0.95, OR = 1.83, p = 0.046), and to achieve undetectable viral load (<50 copies/mL, OR = 2.01, p = 0.011) in the 12 months following introduction of PC. There were no significant differences observed between groups in any of self-reported health status indicators. CONCLUSION: Estimates suggest that PC clients were 16% more likely to have undetectable viral loads than clients in standard care. The incremental program cost was approximately $10,000 for each additional person who achieved an undetectable viral load. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: As persons living with HIV experience greater longevity and healthcare reform expands coverage to these high-risk populations, greater demands will be placed on the HIV-care workforce. Results suggest lay health workers may serve as effective adjuncts to professional care providers.