Conference Material > Slide Presentation
Sen S, Krishnan S
MSF Scientific Days Asia. 8 November 2024
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Health Sci Rep. 17 February 2023; Volume 6 (Issue 2); e1119.; DOI:doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1119
Swe TM, Johnson DC, Mar HT, Thit P, Homan T, et al.
Health Sci Rep. 17 February 2023; Volume 6 (Issue 2); e1119.; DOI:doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1119
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
In Myanmar, public sector treatment programs for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were nonexistent until June 2017. WHO highlights the importance of simplification of HCV service delivery through task-shifting among health workers and decentralization to the primary health care level. Between November 2016 and November 2017, a study was conducted to describe the epidemiological data and real-world outcomes of treating HIV/HCV coinfected patients with generic direct acting antiviral (DAA) based regimens in the three HIV clinics run by nonspecialist medical doctors in Myanmar.
METHODS
HCV co-infection among people living with HIV (PLHIV) from two clinics in Yangon city and one clinic in Dawei city was screened by rapid diagnostic tests and confirmed by testing for viral RNA. Nonspecialist medical doctors prescribed sofosbuvir and daclatasvir based regimens (with or without ribavirin) for 12 or 24 weeks based on the HCV genotype and liver fibrosis status. Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12) was assessed to determine cure.
RESULTS
About 6.5% (1417/21,777) of PLHIV were co-infected with HCV. Of 864 patients enrolled in the study, 50.8% reported history of substance use, 27% history of invasive medical procedures and 25.6% history of incarceration. Data on treatment outcomes were collected from 267 patients of which 257 (96.3%) achieved SVR12, 7 (2.6%) failed treatment, 2 (0.7%) died and 1 (0.4%) became loss to follow-up.
CONCLUSION
The study results support the integration of hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment with DAA-based regimens into existing HIV clinics run by nonspecialist medical doctors in a resource-limited setting. Epidemiological data on HIV/HCV co-infection call for comprehensive HCV care services among key populations like drug users and prisoners in Yangon and Dawei.
In Myanmar, public sector treatment programs for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were nonexistent until June 2017. WHO highlights the importance of simplification of HCV service delivery through task-shifting among health workers and decentralization to the primary health care level. Between November 2016 and November 2017, a study was conducted to describe the epidemiological data and real-world outcomes of treating HIV/HCV coinfected patients with generic direct acting antiviral (DAA) based regimens in the three HIV clinics run by nonspecialist medical doctors in Myanmar.
METHODS
HCV co-infection among people living with HIV (PLHIV) from two clinics in Yangon city and one clinic in Dawei city was screened by rapid diagnostic tests and confirmed by testing for viral RNA. Nonspecialist medical doctors prescribed sofosbuvir and daclatasvir based regimens (with or without ribavirin) for 12 or 24 weeks based on the HCV genotype and liver fibrosis status. Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12) was assessed to determine cure.
RESULTS
About 6.5% (1417/21,777) of PLHIV were co-infected with HCV. Of 864 patients enrolled in the study, 50.8% reported history of substance use, 27% history of invasive medical procedures and 25.6% history of incarceration. Data on treatment outcomes were collected from 267 patients of which 257 (96.3%) achieved SVR12, 7 (2.6%) failed treatment, 2 (0.7%) died and 1 (0.4%) became loss to follow-up.
CONCLUSION
The study results support the integration of hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment with DAA-based regimens into existing HIV clinics run by nonspecialist medical doctors in a resource-limited setting. Epidemiological data on HIV/HCV co-infection call for comprehensive HCV care services among key populations like drug users and prisoners in Yangon and Dawei.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1 January 2023; Volume 27 (Issue 1); 34-40.; DOI:10.5588/ijtld.22.0324
Zeng C, Mitnick CD, Hewison CCH, Bastard M, Khan PY, et al.
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 1 January 2023; Volume 27 (Issue 1); 34-40.; DOI:10.5588/ijtld.22.0324
BACKGROUND
The WHO provides standardized outcome definitions for rifampicin-resistant (RR) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB. However, operationalizing these definitions can be challenging in some clinical settings, and incorrect classification may generate bias in reporting and research. Outcomes calculated by algorithms can increase standardization and be adapted to suit the research question. We evaluated concordance between clinician-assigned treatment outcomes and outcomes calculated based on one of two standardized algorithms, one which identified failure at its earliest possible recurrence (i.e., failure-dominant algorithm), and one which calculated the outcome based on culture results at the end of treatment, regardless of early occurrence of failure (i.e., success-dominant algorithm).
METHODS
Among 2,525 patients enrolled in the multi-country endTB observational study, we calculated the frequencies of concordance using cross-tabulations of clinician-assigned and algorithm-assigned outcomes. We summarized the common discrepancies.
RESULTS
Treatment success calculated by algorithms had high concordance with treatment success assigned by clinicians (95.8 and 97.7% for failure-dominant and success-dominant algorithms, respectively). The frequency and pattern of the most common discrepancies varied by country.
CONCLUSION
High concordance was found between clinician-assigned and algorithm-assigned outcomes. Heterogeneity in discrepancies across settings suggests that using algorithms to calculate outcomes may minimize bias.
The WHO provides standardized outcome definitions for rifampicin-resistant (RR) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB. However, operationalizing these definitions can be challenging in some clinical settings, and incorrect classification may generate bias in reporting and research. Outcomes calculated by algorithms can increase standardization and be adapted to suit the research question. We evaluated concordance between clinician-assigned treatment outcomes and outcomes calculated based on one of two standardized algorithms, one which identified failure at its earliest possible recurrence (i.e., failure-dominant algorithm), and one which calculated the outcome based on culture results at the end of treatment, regardless of early occurrence of failure (i.e., success-dominant algorithm).
METHODS
Among 2,525 patients enrolled in the multi-country endTB observational study, we calculated the frequencies of concordance using cross-tabulations of clinician-assigned and algorithm-assigned outcomes. We summarized the common discrepancies.
RESULTS
Treatment success calculated by algorithms had high concordance with treatment success assigned by clinicians (95.8 and 97.7% for failure-dominant and success-dominant algorithms, respectively). The frequency and pattern of the most common discrepancies varied by country.
CONCLUSION
High concordance was found between clinician-assigned and algorithm-assigned outcomes. Heterogeneity in discrepancies across settings suggests that using algorithms to calculate outcomes may minimize bias.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Int Health. 1 November 2022; Volume 15 (Issue 4); ihac069.; DOI:10.1093/inthealth/ihac069
Mesic A, Homan T, Lenglet AD, Thit P, Mar HT, et al.
Int Health. 1 November 2022; Volume 15 (Issue 4); ihac069.; DOI:10.1093/inthealth/ihac069
BACKGROUND
The burden of advanced HIV disease (AHD) and predictors of outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV) re-engaging in care are not well known.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of PLHIV who re-engaged in care after being lost to follow-up (LFU), from 2003 to 2019, in Myanmar. We calculated the incidence rates of attrition after re-engagement and performed Cox regression to identify risk factors for attrition.
RESULTS
Of 44 131 PLHIV who started antiretroviral treatment, 12 338 (28.0%) were LFU at least once: 7608 (61.6%) re-engaged in care, 4672 (61.4%) with AHD at re-engagement. The death and LFU rates were 2.21-fold (95% CI 1.82 to 2.67) and 1.46-fold (95% CI 1.33 to 1.61) higher among patients who re-engaged with AHD (p>0.001). Death in patients who re-engaged with AHD was associated with male sex (adjusted HR [aHR] 2.63; 95% CI 1.31 to 5.26; p=0.006), TB coinfection (aHR 2.26; 95% CI 1.23 to 4.14; p=0.008) and sex work (aHR 7.49, 95% CI 2.29 to 22.52; p<0.001). History of intravenous drug use was identified as a predictor of being LFU.
CONCLUSIONS
Re-engagement in HIV care in Myanmar is frequent and those who re-engage carry a high burden of AHD. As AHD at re-engagement is associated with higher attrition rates, implementation of differentiated interventions that enable earlier linkage to care and prompt identification and management of AHD in this population is necessary.
The burden of advanced HIV disease (AHD) and predictors of outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV) re-engaging in care are not well known.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of PLHIV who re-engaged in care after being lost to follow-up (LFU), from 2003 to 2019, in Myanmar. We calculated the incidence rates of attrition after re-engagement and performed Cox regression to identify risk factors for attrition.
RESULTS
Of 44 131 PLHIV who started antiretroviral treatment, 12 338 (28.0%) were LFU at least once: 7608 (61.6%) re-engaged in care, 4672 (61.4%) with AHD at re-engagement. The death and LFU rates were 2.21-fold (95% CI 1.82 to 2.67) and 1.46-fold (95% CI 1.33 to 1.61) higher among patients who re-engaged with AHD (p>0.001). Death in patients who re-engaged with AHD was associated with male sex (adjusted HR [aHR] 2.63; 95% CI 1.31 to 5.26; p=0.006), TB coinfection (aHR 2.26; 95% CI 1.23 to 4.14; p=0.008) and sex work (aHR 7.49, 95% CI 2.29 to 22.52; p<0.001). History of intravenous drug use was identified as a predictor of being LFU.
CONCLUSIONS
Re-engagement in HIV care in Myanmar is frequent and those who re-engage carry a high burden of AHD. As AHD at re-engagement is associated with higher attrition rates, implementation of differentiated interventions that enable earlier linkage to care and prompt identification and management of AHD in this population is necessary.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
PLOS One. 29 July 2022; Volume 17 (Issue 7); e0271910.; DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0271910
Mesic A, Decroo T, Mar HT, Jacobs BKM, Thandar MP, et al.
PLOS One. 29 July 2022; Volume 17 (Issue 7); e0271910.; DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0271910
INTRODUCTION
Despite HIV viral load (VL) monitoring being serial, most studies use a cross-sectional design to evaluate the virological status of a cohort. The objective of our study was to use a simplified approach to calculate viraemic-time: the proportion of follow-up time with unsuppressed VL above the limit of detection. We estimated risk factors for higher viraemic-time and whether viraemic-time predicted mortality in a second-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) cohort in Myanmar.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who received second-line ART for a period >6 months and who had at least two HIV VL test results between 01 January 2014 and 30 April 2018. Fractional logistic regression assessed risk factors for having higher viraemic-time and Cox proportional hazards regression assessed the association between viraemic-time and mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to illustrate survival probability for different viraemic-time categories.
RESULTS
Among 1,352 participants, 815 (60.3%) never experienced viraemia, and 172 (12.7%), 214 (15.8%), and 80 (5.9%) participants were viraemic <20%, 20–49%, and 50–79% of their total follow-up time, respectively. Few (71; 5.3%) participants were ≥80% of their total follow-up time viraemic. The odds for having higher viraemic-time were higher among people with a history of injecting drug use (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.30–3.10, p = 0.002), sex workers (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.11–4.00, p = 0.02) and patients treated with lopinavir/ritonavir (vs. atazanavir; aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.12–2.10, p = 0.008). Viraemic-time was strongly associated with mortality hazard among those with 50–79% and ≥80% viraemic-time (aHR 2.92, 95% CI 1.21–7.10, p = 0.02 and aHR 2.71, 95% CI 1.22–6.01, p = 0.01). This association was not observed in those with viraemic-time <50%.
CONCLUSIONS
Key populations were at risk for having a higher viraemic-time on second-line ART. Viraemic-time predicts clinical outcomes. Differentiated services should target subgroups at risk for a higher viraemic-time to control both HIV transmission and mortality.
Despite HIV viral load (VL) monitoring being serial, most studies use a cross-sectional design to evaluate the virological status of a cohort. The objective of our study was to use a simplified approach to calculate viraemic-time: the proportion of follow-up time with unsuppressed VL above the limit of detection. We estimated risk factors for higher viraemic-time and whether viraemic-time predicted mortality in a second-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) cohort in Myanmar.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who received second-line ART for a period >6 months and who had at least two HIV VL test results between 01 January 2014 and 30 April 2018. Fractional logistic regression assessed risk factors for having higher viraemic-time and Cox proportional hazards regression assessed the association between viraemic-time and mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to illustrate survival probability for different viraemic-time categories.
RESULTS
Among 1,352 participants, 815 (60.3%) never experienced viraemia, and 172 (12.7%), 214 (15.8%), and 80 (5.9%) participants were viraemic <20%, 20–49%, and 50–79% of their total follow-up time, respectively. Few (71; 5.3%) participants were ≥80% of their total follow-up time viraemic. The odds for having higher viraemic-time were higher among people with a history of injecting drug use (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.30–3.10, p = 0.002), sex workers (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.11–4.00, p = 0.02) and patients treated with lopinavir/ritonavir (vs. atazanavir; aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.12–2.10, p = 0.008). Viraemic-time was strongly associated with mortality hazard among those with 50–79% and ≥80% viraemic-time (aHR 2.92, 95% CI 1.21–7.10, p = 0.02 and aHR 2.71, 95% CI 1.22–6.01, p = 0.01). This association was not observed in those with viraemic-time <50%.
CONCLUSIONS
Key populations were at risk for having a higher viraemic-time on second-line ART. Viraemic-time predicts clinical outcomes. Differentiated services should target subgroups at risk for a higher viraemic-time to control both HIV transmission and mortality.
Conference Material > Video
Nasser H, Jha Y, Keane G, Carreño C, Mental Health Working Group
MSF Scientific Days International 2022. 10 June 2022; DOI:10.57740/z68q-6865
Conference Material > Slide Presentation
Nasser H, Jha Y, Keane G, Carreño C, Mental Health Working Group
MSF Scientific Days International 2022. 10 May 2022; DOI:10.57740/74t1-zq11
Conference Material > Abstract
Nasser H, Jha Y, Keane G, Carreño C, Mental Health Working Group
MSF Scientific Days International 2022. 9 May 2022; DOI:10.57740/n1mm-y210
INTRODUCTION
In December 2019, following a request from MSF’s intersectional working group for mental health and psychosocial services, MSF’s telemedicine (TM) services team implemented a full-time psychiatrist based in Amman, Jordan. This was in the context of a global shortage of mental health (MH) clinicians, and rapidly increasing demand for MSF to provide MH care. This specialist’s main responsibility was to deliver psychiatric training and supervision using WHO’s MH global action plan intervention guide (mhGAP-IG). Prior to implementation, psychiatric training was delivered face-to-face by national and international psychiatrists in the field, or if this was not operationally possible, patients with MH conditions went untreated or were managed with advice provided by distance. We hoped that intervention would improve MSF clinician capacity, therefore increasing access to quality care for patients with MH conditions across all projects and in particular those settings where it had not previously been feasible.
METHODS
Intervention impact was assessed by analysing the total number of countries and projects where support was provided, the number of clinicians trained, and the number of supervision sessions provided. Analysis was supplemented through analysis of 15 structured interviews with stakeholders, including clinicians (8), activity managers (4), section mental health advisors (4) and the TM psychiatrist.
ETHICS
This work met the requirements for exemption from MSF Ethics Review Board review, and was conducted with permission from Clair Mills, former Medical Director, Operational Centre Paris, MSF, and Sebastien Spenser, former Medical Director, Operational Centre Brussels, MSF.
RESULTS
A total of 13 MSF projects across eight countries received TM support in 2020. mhGAP-IG training was provided online to 39 clinicians, followed by 123 supervision sessions. Structured interviews demonstrated delivery of mhGAP-IG training online in MSF projects, with adherence to MSF guidelines. Improved capacity building was reported, with clinicians observed to have greater clinical confidence and being considered more likely to provide MH assessment and care. Impact in terms of increased volume of patient care was difficult to analyse, partly related to restrictions and activity alterations occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CONCLUSION
Ongoing challenges requiring future consideration include ensuring adequate information technology infrastructure (internet connection, access to adequate communication equipment, broader use of secure platforms such as Siilo) and standardised approaches to supervision. Future analyses could consider impact on quality of care, for example by measuring secondary outcomes such as MH activity and default rates. This project continues; we propose it comprises an innovative way to improve access to patient care and to provide clinician learning and development.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
None declared.
In December 2019, following a request from MSF’s intersectional working group for mental health and psychosocial services, MSF’s telemedicine (TM) services team implemented a full-time psychiatrist based in Amman, Jordan. This was in the context of a global shortage of mental health (MH) clinicians, and rapidly increasing demand for MSF to provide MH care. This specialist’s main responsibility was to deliver psychiatric training and supervision using WHO’s MH global action plan intervention guide (mhGAP-IG). Prior to implementation, psychiatric training was delivered face-to-face by national and international psychiatrists in the field, or if this was not operationally possible, patients with MH conditions went untreated or were managed with advice provided by distance. We hoped that intervention would improve MSF clinician capacity, therefore increasing access to quality care for patients with MH conditions across all projects and in particular those settings where it had not previously been feasible.
METHODS
Intervention impact was assessed by analysing the total number of countries and projects where support was provided, the number of clinicians trained, and the number of supervision sessions provided. Analysis was supplemented through analysis of 15 structured interviews with stakeholders, including clinicians (8), activity managers (4), section mental health advisors (4) and the TM psychiatrist.
ETHICS
This work met the requirements for exemption from MSF Ethics Review Board review, and was conducted with permission from Clair Mills, former Medical Director, Operational Centre Paris, MSF, and Sebastien Spenser, former Medical Director, Operational Centre Brussels, MSF.
RESULTS
A total of 13 MSF projects across eight countries received TM support in 2020. mhGAP-IG training was provided online to 39 clinicians, followed by 123 supervision sessions. Structured interviews demonstrated delivery of mhGAP-IG training online in MSF projects, with adherence to MSF guidelines. Improved capacity building was reported, with clinicians observed to have greater clinical confidence and being considered more likely to provide MH assessment and care. Impact in terms of increased volume of patient care was difficult to analyse, partly related to restrictions and activity alterations occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CONCLUSION
Ongoing challenges requiring future consideration include ensuring adequate information technology infrastructure (internet connection, access to adequate communication equipment, broader use of secure platforms such as Siilo) and standardised approaches to supervision. Future analyses could consider impact on quality of care, for example by measuring secondary outcomes such as MH activity and default rates. This project continues; we propose it comprises an innovative way to improve access to patient care and to provide clinician learning and development.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
None declared.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Trop Med Int Health. 1 January 2008; Volume 13 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1111/j.1365-3156.2007.01978.x
Guthmann JP, Pittet A, Lesage A, Imwong M, Lindegardh N, et al.
Trop Med Int Health. 1 January 2008; Volume 13 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1111/j.1365-3156.2007.01978.x
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of chloroquine in the treatment of Plasmodium vivax malaria in in Dawei District, southern Myanmar. METHODS: Enrolled patients at Sonsinphya clinic >6 months of age were assessed clinically and parasitologically every week for 28 days. To differentiate new infections from recrudescence, we genotyped pre- and post-treatment parasitaemia. Blood chloroquine was measured to confirm resistant strains. RESULTS: Between December 2002 and April 2003, 2661 patients were screened, of whom 252 were included and 235 analysed. Thirty-four per cent (95% CI: 28.1-40.6) of patients had recurrent parasitaemia and were considered treatment failures. 59.4% of these recurrences were with a different parasite strain. Two (0.8%) patients with recurrences on day 14 had chloroquine concentrations above the threshold of 100 ng/ml and were considered infected with chloroquine resistant parasites. 21% of failures occurred during the first 3 weeks of follow-up: early recurrence and median levels of blood chloroquine comparable to those of controls suggested P. vivax resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Plasmodium vivax resistance to chloroquine seems to be emerging in Dawei, near the Thai-Burmese border. While chloroquine remains the first-line drug for P. vivax infections in this area of Myanmar, regular monitoring is needed to detect further development of parasite resistance.
Conference Material > Video
Kalon S, Iyer AS, Zarli K
MSF Scientific Days Asia 2021. 25 August 2021