{"id":2694,"date":"2020-03-12T17:56:29","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T14:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/capa-ct\/?page_id=2694"},"modified":"2025-02-15T11:35:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-15T08:35:27","slug":"diagnosis-and-treatment-of-non-communicable-diseases-and-geriatric-syndromes-in-the-hiv-ageing-population-in-sub-saharan-africa-hasa-project","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/diagnosis-and-treatment-of-non-communicable-diseases-and-geriatric-syndromes-in-the-hiv-ageing-population-in-sub-saharan-africa-hasa-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes in the HIV ageing population in sub-Saharan Africa (HASA Project)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"content_image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2910\" src=\"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Banner-1900x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1900\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Banner-1900x300.jpg 1900w, https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Banner-1900x300-300x47.jpg 300w, https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Banner-1900x300-768x121.jpg 768w, https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Banner-1900x300-1024x162.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1900px) 100vw, 1900px\" \/><\/div>\n<div id=\"content_top_header\">\n<h3>Diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes in the HIV ageing population in sub-Saharan Africa (HASA Project)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"content_body\">\n<p><strong>Title<\/strong> : Diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes in the HIV aging population in sub-Saharan Africa (HASA).<br \/>\n<strong>Number<\/strong> : TMA2017GSF-1936<br \/>\n<strong>Type<\/strong> : GSK-EDCTP senior fellowship<br \/>\n<strong>PI\/Fellow<\/strong> : Castelnuovo Barbara<\/p>\n<p>This work proposed to establish a cohort of older people living with HIV in Uganda, screen the participants and follow them up for 3 years for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and geriatric syndromes. This proposal also aimed to create capacity for research and training in geriatric medicine<\/p>\n<p><strong>The specific objectives were<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Specific Aim 1.\u00a0 To establish a cohort of aging patients \u226560 years (Geriatric cohort) in order to capture NCD endpoints and their risk factors:<\/p>\n<p>Specific Aim 2. To measure physical function using the Short Performance Physical Battery, muscle strength, (Gait speed and assessment of grip strength with handheld dynamometry), frailty phenotype, and history of falls.<\/p>\n<p>Specific Aim 3. To form a group of established clinicians and researchers with interest in HIV and NCDs and HIV and geriatric medicine support 2 master and 1 PhD students.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WORKED PERFORMED <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Research study<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><u>Enrolment <\/u><\/p>\n<p>The study participants were recruited from the Adult HIV Clinic of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), which is a centre of excellence for HIV care and treatment since 2004.\u00a0 ART is provided and monitored according to updated WHO guidelines. Generally, response to ART is monitored by annual viral load testing only; safety laboratory results (e.g. renal and liver function) are not routinely performed. Ultimately, 500 patients were enrolled in the HASA cohort.<\/p>\n<p><u>Study Procedures at enrolment and follow up (years 1 to 3)<\/u><\/p>\n<p>Hypertension was diagnosed if patient were on medications or average blood pressure of two readings was \u2265140\/90 mmHg. Diabetes was considered if on antidiabetic medication and if elevated blood glucose (non-fasting \u2265 11.1 mmol\/L or fasting \u2265 7 mmol\/L) in the presence of symptoms. If elevated values in someone asymptomatic; a repeat fasting blood sugar was done on a subsequent day to confirm the diagnosis. Cardiovascular risk was calculated using World Health Organization (WHO)\/International Society of Hypertension (ISH) charts for region Africa taking in consideration risk by gender, age, systolic blood pressure, smoking and diabetes mellitus.<\/p>\n<p>Frailty was assessed using the Fried frailty phenotype through five criteria. namely, unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, slowness in walking speed, weakness in grip strength, and reduced physical activity, and participants were classified as robust, prefrail, or frail. Co-medication was defined as the number of concomitant non ART drugs prescribed for at least three month. Sarcopenia was assessed using the European Working Group criteria on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2). Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) with the addition of 1 point if \u2264 12 years of education. Cognitive impairment was defined as a score \u2264 24 (lowered from 26 to account for cultural differences). Depression screening was performed using the Patient Health Questionnaires PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 and categorised as minimal mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and categorised as normal, at risk of malnutrition, or malnourished. Urinary incontinence was assessed by asking the participants about the frequency, amount, and circumstances under which they leak urine. Bone mineral density was assessed using quantitative calcaneal ultrasound which was validated in our population.<\/p>\n<p>Laboratory tests are performed annually at the IDI Core Laboratory which is certified by the College of America pathologists. These include CD4 count, HIV viral load, serum creatinine, urine dip stick and lipid profile if deemed at risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) using the WHO risk prediction charts, which have been validated in our population. Depending on the findings, patients may be prescribed drugs, or counselled on health and dietary habits. Blood samples are stored at every visit; packed cells (at enrolment only, one aliquot), plasma and serum (at enrolment and at follow up, two aliquots each).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overview of the results<\/strong> (outputs, achievements) and their exploitation and dissemination<\/p>\n<p><strong>Results or the research study<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The median age was 64 years, time on ART 15 years, and 81.9% were still on first-line ART. Generally, the majority of the participants were at advanced stage diseases at ART start (76% in WHO stage III and IV) and with low CD4 count (159<strong>, <\/strong>cells\/\u00b5L, interquartile range (IQR) 74-235), but experienced a good immune recovery with a median CD4 count of 645 cells\/\u00b5L (462-850) at cohort enrolment. Viral suppression was exceptionally high at 99.6% using the WHO recommended cut-off 1,000 copies\/ml, and at 92.2% using a more stringent cut-off of 50 copies\/ml. We found high prevalence (50.1%) of hypertension, impaired renal function (46.2%), and diabetes (14%) and with no substantial differences across gender.<\/p>\n<p>More women were living below the poverty line of 1$\/day (43.2% versus 19.8%). A higher proportion of women reported symptoms of arthritis (27.1%) as compared to men (5.1%,), and had more than one non-communicable diseases (38.1 versus 22.7%). While 13.1% of the women were classified as frail as compared to 5.1% of the men and had lower physical (57% of women had high physical function compare to 73.4% men) function, more women (93%) had no sarcopenia compared to men (86%). We also found a higher proportion of women with osteoporosis (32.9%), any degree of cognitive impairment (83.2%), and history of falls (48.8%) as compared to men.\u00a0 While we did not observe differences in the overall functional status more men preserved the ability of going shopping (94.5% versus 88.1%) and more women were able to prepare meals as compared to men (96.7% versus 89.4%).<\/p>\n<p>Women, older participants, those with no education or primary education, underweight participants, those with 2 or more NCDs and WHO stage III\u2013IV had a higher mean number of geriatric syndromes. [1].<\/p>\n<p>Overall, we observed a good quality of life (using the WHOQOL-OLD tool). People with better quality of life were male, and had higher income. More people with lower quality of life had depression, of geriatric syndromes, malnutrition and low physical function [2].<\/p>\n<p>We also found higher kidney function impairment among older PLWH compared to those without; 33.1% had kidney function impairment versus 12.9% among people without HIV. The prevalence of proteinuria among PLWH versus people without HIV was 43.9% versus 19.4% [3].<\/p>\n<p><strong>Research capacity building outputs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We supported 2 master and 1 PhD students in the areas of HIV, NCDs and 7 additional research fellowships, of which 3 Glocal fellowships and 2 CFAR awards.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dissemination <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Blogs and other not peer reviewed publications<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Blog Promoting health aging in Africa . The AIDS society of Africa <a href=\"https:\/\/www.saafrica.org\/pages\/2023\/06\/09\/promoting-healthy-aging-and-independence-for-older-individuals-living-with-hiv-the-fourth-95\/\">https:\/\/www.saafrica.org\/pages\/2023\/06\/09\/promoting-healthy-aging-and-independence-for-older-individuals-living-with-hiv-the-fourth-95\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Article (the daily moniotr) Addressing the needs of older epople with HIV and frailty <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monitor.co.ug\/uganda\/oped\/commentary\/address-needs-of-older-people-with-frailty-hiv-4214668\">https:\/\/www.monitor.co.ug\/uganda\/oped\/commentary\/address-needs-of-older-people-with-frailty-hiv-4214668<\/a><\/li>\n<li>INTEREST conference 2022 Invited talk on HIV and aging in sub-Saharan Africa (Castelnuovo). Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7GoVD5IYXEM\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7GoVD5IYXEM<\/a><\/li>\n<li>INTEREST conference 2023\u00a0 Invited talk on HIV and aging in sub-Saharan Africa (Castelnuovo). Available at<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TxumzfymL5Y\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TxumzfymL5Y<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Blog on HIV and aging Cambridge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cph.cam.ac.uk\/news\/blogs\/urgency-address-needs-older-people-frailty-and-hiv\">https:\/\/www.cph.cam.ac.uk\/news\/blogs\/urgency-address-needs-older-people-frailty-and-hiv<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Blog on HIV and aging IDI <a href=\"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/promoting-healthy-aging-and-independence-for-older-individuals-living-with-hiv\/\">https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/promoting-healthy-aging-and-independence-for-older-individuals-living-with-hiv\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Publications\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Mbabazi P, Banturaki G, Naikoba S, Nasuuna EM, Manabe YC, Greene M, Castelnuovo B. Sex Differences in the Prevalence of Geriatric Syndromes Among Older People Living with HIV Attending an Urban Outpatient Clinic in Kampala, Uganda. HIV AIDS (Auckl). 2024 Nov 26;16:455-465. doi: 10.2147\/HIV.S489598. PMID: 39619619; PMCID: PMC11608049.<\/li>\n<li>Senkoro E, Mbabazi P, Banturaki G, Naikoba S, Castelnuovo B. The impact of geriatric syndromes on quality of life among older people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda. Front Public Health. 2024 Jan 23;12:1306151. doi: 10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1306151. PMID: 38322125; PMCID: PMC10845335.<\/li>\n<li>Ssemasaazi AJ, Kalyesubula R, Manabe YC, Mbabazi P, Naikooba S, Ssekindi F, Nasuuna E, Byakika-Kibwika P, Castelnuovo B. Higher prevalence of kidney function impairment among older people living with HIV in Uganda. BMC Nephrol. 2024 Sep 27;25(1):321. doi: 10.1186\/s12882-024-03761-1. PMID: 39334034; PMCID: PMC11428404.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><!--The study proposal aims to build capacity for the detection and care of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes the geriatric HIV positive population in sub-Saharan Africa.\n\nHIV infected individuals are at higher risk of \u201cnon AIDS\u201d complications such as multiple non-communicable diseases; non-communicable diseases also often increase with age.  Additionally, HIV infection itself seems to be associated to an accelerated aging process, due to multiple factors such as chronic inflammation and long term drug exposure.\nWithin this proposal a cohort of HIV positive aging patients \u226560 years (Geriatric cohort) will be established in order to capture non communicable diseases, and their risk factors. Participants of the geriatric cohort will be screened for hypertension, cardio vascular disease (annual ECG screening), respiratory disease (peak flow meter screening and spirometry), renal disease (proteinuria and creatinine clearance), and cancers (complete skin evaluation, pap smear, faecal occult blood, breast exam) (Aim 1).\n\nAdditionally, the participants of the cohort will be evaluated for geriatric syndromes through the measurement of physical function using the Short Performance Physical Battery, muscle strength, (Gait speed and assessment of grip strength with handheld dynamometry), frailty phenotype, and history of falls (Aim 3).\nThe third aim of this proposal is to establish a wider capacity for the detection and care of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes. We intend to form a group of established clinicians and researchers in the area of HIV and various NDCs with interest in HIV and NCDs and HIV and geriatric medicine. This group will meet monthly to provide peer to peer mentorship in the format of case presentations, journal clubs, research results presentations. This group will also be linked to a network of international experts in the field through quarterly teleconferences, and will foster and support the translation and exchange of new knowledge on HIV and aging to multiple stakeholders including community, academia and policy makers. Aim 3 will also support 2 master and 1 PhD students in the areas of HIV, NCDs and aging.\n\nTo ensure sustainability of the work proposed in this application, this group will also start working on 2 grants proposals to be submitted in year 3 and 4, when the fellow and the group are expected to have acquired more skills in research on HIV and non-communicable diseases. The description of geriatric syndromes will constitute the foundation to generate ideas and research questions for future grants in Geriatric medicine. \n\n<strong>Work performed<\/strong>  \nDuring the first year a research protocol has been developed and submitted to the regulatory authority for ethical review and clearance. Additionally, Standard Operating Procedures, data collection forms, counselling guides for prevention of non-communicable diseases were developed. The PhD scholar was recruited and through a partnership with the University of Turin she is currently placed in Turin for training \nDuring the second year procurement of study items was completed, 2 additional staff (study nurses) were recruited. From March to June 2020 enrolment of new participants was stopped by the National regulators for all research studies due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The database was competed as well as procurement and the study started enrolling.\n\nDuring the 3rd year we were able to complete the enrolment of the planned 500 patients, and we have started the year 1 follow up. \nWe complete data cleaning for the enrolment visit, performed 2 analyses, submitted 2 abstracts and drafted 2 manuscripts \n\n<strong>Impact  <\/strong>\nThrough this proposal we aim to introduce and evaluate another model of integration of care, i.e. integration of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes screening and treatment. This represents a great opportunity for the Institute, which in the past has influenced and inspired other programs to adopt IDI models of care. Moreover, we believe that this study potentially will open the door for HIV medicine in the country. \nMembers of IDI are also part of the National Committee working on the HIV National guidelines and therefore we will work with our colleagues to influence the committee and introduce NCD and geriatric care in the context of HIV medicine --><\/p>\n<p><!--The study proposal aims to build capacity for the detection and care of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes the geriatric HIV positive population in sub-Saharan Africa.\nHIV infected individuals are at higher risk of \u201cnon AIDS\u201d complications such as multiple non-communicable diseases; non-communicable diseases also often increase with age.  Additionally, HIV infection itself seems to be associated to an accelerated aging process, due to multiple factors such as chronic inflammation and long term drug exposure.\n\nWithin this proposal a cohort of HIV positive aging patients \u226560 years (Geriatric cohort) is being established in order to capture non communicable diseases, and their risk factors. Participants enrolment started in December 2020 \nParticipants of the geriatric cohort are being screened for hypertension, cardio vascular disease (annual ECG screening), respiratory disease (peak flow meter screening and spirometry), renal disease (proteinuria and creatinine clearance), and cancers (complete skin evaluation, pap smear, faecal occult blood, breast exam) (Aim 1).\nAdditionally, the participants of the cohort are evaluated for geriatric syndromes through the measurement of physical function using the Short Performance Physical Battery, muscle strength, (Gait speed and assessment of grip strength with handheld dynamometry), frailty phenotype, and history of falls (Aim 3).\n\nThe third aim of this proposal is to establish a wider capacity for the detection and care of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes. We intend to form a group of established clinicians and researchers in the area of HIV and various NDCs with interest in HIV and NCDs and HIV and geriatric medicine. This group will meet monthly to provide peer to peer mentorship in the format of case presentations, journal clubs, research results presentations. This group will also be linked to a network of international experts in the field through quarterly teleconferences, and will foster and support the translation and exchange of new knowledge on HIV and aging to multiple stakeholders including community, academia and policy makers. Aim 3 will also support 2 master and 1 PhD students in the areas of HIV, NCDs and aging. The PhD student, Phoebe Mbabazi, has been recruited and she is also acting as study coordinator for the Geriatric cohort. \n\nTo ensure sustainability of the work proposed in this application, this group will also start working on 2 grants proposals to be submitted in year 3 and 4, when the fellow and the group are expected to have acquired more skills in research on HIV and non-communicable diseases. The description of geriatric syndromes will constitute the foundation to generate ideas and research questions for future grants in Geriatric medicine.--><\/p>\n<p><!--<strong>Number :<\/strong> TMA2017GSF-1936\n<strong>Type   :<\/strong> GSK-idimake_edctp senior fellowship\n<strong>PI\/Fellow:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/edctp\/dr-barbara-castelnuovo\/\">Castelnuovo Barbara<\/a>\n\nThe study proposal aims to build capacity for the detection and care of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes the geriatric HIV positive population in sub-Saharan Africa.\nHIV infected individuals are at higher risk of \u201cnon AIDS\u201d complications such as multiple non-communicable diseases; non-communicable diseases also often increase with age.  Additionally, HIV infection itself seems to be associated to an accelerated aging process, due to multiple factors such as chronic inflammation and long term drug exposure.\n\nWithin this proposal a cohort of HIV positive aging patients \u226560 years (Geriatric cohort) will be established in order to capture non communicable diseases, and their risk factors. Participants of the geriatric cohort will be screened for hypertension, cardio vascular disease (annual ECG screening), respiratory disease (peak flow meter screening and spirometry), renal disease (proteinuria and creatinine clearance), and cancers (complete skin evaluation, pap smear, faecal occult blood, breast exam) (Aim 1).\nAdditionally, the participants of the cohort will be evaluated for geriatric syndromes through the measurement of physical function using the Short Performance Physical Battery, muscle strength, (Gait speed and assessment of grip strength with handheld dynamometry), frailty phenotype, and history of falls (Aim 3).\n\nThe third aim of this proposal is to establish a wider capacity for the detection and care of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes. We intend to form a group of established clinicians and researchers in the area of HIV and various NDCs with interest in HIV and NCDs and HIV and geriatric medicine. This group will meet monthly to provide peer to peer mentorship in the format of case presentations, journal clubs, research results presentations. This group will also be linked to a network of international experts in the field through quarterly teleconferences, and will foster and support the translation and exchange of new knowledge on HIV and aging to multiple stakeholders including community, academia and policy makers. Aim 3 will also support 2 master and 1 PhD students in the areas of HIV, NCDs and aging.\n\nTo ensure sustainability of the work proposed in this application, this group will also start working on 2 grants proposals to be submitted in year 3 and 4, when the fellow and the group are expected to have acquired more skills in research on HIV and non-communicable diseases. The description of geriatric syndromes will constitute the foundation to generate ideas and research questions for future grants in Geriatric medicine.--><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!----- End content_body ---><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes in the HIV ageing population in sub-Saharan Africa (HASA Project) Title : Diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes in the HIV aging population in sub-Saharan Africa (HASA). Number : TMA2017GSF-1936 Type : GSK-EDCTP senior fellowship PI\/Fellow : Castelnuovo Barbara This work proposed to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2694"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2694"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2992,"href":"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2694\/revisions\/2992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/idi.mak.ac.ug\/edctp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}