TY - JOUR
T1 - Loss to followup in HIV-infected patients from Asia-pacific region
T2 - Results from TAHOD
AU - Zhou, Jialun
AU - Tanuma, Junko
AU - Chaiwarith, Romanee
AU - Lee, Christopher K.C.
AU - Law, Matthew G.
AU - Kumarasamy, Nagalingeswaran
AU - Phanuphak, Praphan
AU - Chen, Yi Ming A.
AU - Kiertiburanakul, Sasisopin
AU - Zhang, Fujie
AU - Vonthanak, Saphonn
AU - Ditangco, Rossana
AU - Pujari, Sanjay
AU - Choi, Jun Yong
AU - Parwati Merati, Tuti
AU - Yunihastuti, Evy
AU - Li, Patrick C.K.
AU - Kamarulzaman, Adeeba
AU - Nguyen, Van Kinh
AU - Thuy Pham, Thi Thanh
AU - Lim, Poh Lian
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - This study examined characteristics of HIV-infected patients in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database who were lost to follow-up (LTFU) from treatment and care. Time from last clinic visit to 31 March 2009 was analysed to determine the interval that best classified LTFU. Patients defined as LTFU were then categorised into permanently LTFU (never returned) and temporary LTFU (re-entered later), and these groups compared. A total of 3626 patients were included (71% male). No clinic visits for 180 days was the best-performing LTFU definition (sensitivity 90.6%, specificity 92.3%). During 7697 person-years of follow-up, 1648 episodes of LFTU were recorded (21.4 per 100-person-years). Patients LFTU were younger (P = 0.002), had HIV viral load ≥500 copies/mL or missing (P = 0.021), had shorter history of HIV infection (P = 0.048), and received no, single- or double-antiretroviral therapy, or a triple-drug regimen containing a protease inhibitor (P < 0.001). 48% of patients LTFU never returned. These patients were more likely to have low or missing haemoglobin (P < 0.001), missing recent HIV viral load (P < 0.001), negative hepatitis C test (P = 0.025), and previous temporary LTFU episodes (P < 0.001). Our analyses suggest that patients not seen at a clinic for 180 days are at high risk of permanent LTFU, and should be aggressively traced.
AB - This study examined characteristics of HIV-infected patients in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database who were lost to follow-up (LTFU) from treatment and care. Time from last clinic visit to 31 March 2009 was analysed to determine the interval that best classified LTFU. Patients defined as LTFU were then categorised into permanently LTFU (never returned) and temporary LTFU (re-entered later), and these groups compared. A total of 3626 patients were included (71% male). No clinic visits for 180 days was the best-performing LTFU definition (sensitivity 90.6%, specificity 92.3%). During 7697 person-years of follow-up, 1648 episodes of LFTU were recorded (21.4 per 100-person-years). Patients LFTU were younger (P = 0.002), had HIV viral load ≥500 copies/mL or missing (P = 0.021), had shorter history of HIV infection (P = 0.048), and received no, single- or double-antiretroviral therapy, or a triple-drug regimen containing a protease inhibitor (P < 0.001). 48% of patients LTFU never returned. These patients were more likely to have low or missing haemoglobin (P < 0.001), missing recent HIV viral load (P < 0.001), negative hepatitis C test (P = 0.025), and previous temporary LTFU episodes (P < 0.001). Our analyses suggest that patients not seen at a clinic for 180 days are at high risk of permanent LTFU, and should be aggressively traced.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84873877453&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1155/2012/375217
DO - 10.1155/2012/375217
M3 - Article
C2 - 22461979
AN - SCOPUS:84873877453
SN - 2090-1240
VL - 2012
JO - AIDS Research and Treatment
JF - AIDS Research and Treatment
M1 - 375217
ER -
