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Top 5 Most-Viewed HIV Content of 2022
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This year’s most-viewed HIV content focused on disparities in HIV care, an emerging nonepidemic Kaposi sarcoma subtype, and the need for more research on hepatitis B endurance.
The top 5 most-viewed content on HIV in 2022 explored the role of hepatitis B in HIV treatment response, promising outcomes for a nonepidemic Kaposi sarcoma subtype, pre-exposure prophylaxia (PrEP) uptake disparities in the uptake of PrEP, and more.
Here is the most viewed HIV content of 2022.
5. Dr Anchalee Avihingsanon: We Need More Study on Hep B Endurance in PLWH
The ALLIANCE trial, run by principal investigator Anchalee Avihingsanon, MD, PhD, HIV-NAT, of the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, analyzed the effects of treatment-naïve people who have comorbid HIV (PLWH)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) to a triplet medication regimen. She describes that no difference was found between treatment groups for HIV in the trial’s end points, but that a difference was seen for HBV at 48 weeks. The viral lock for hepatitis B was “very high,” indicating that a response to the treatment may take longer. She concludes by saying that more research is needed to improve hepatitis B treatment response for the population.
4. Emerging Nonepidemic Kaposi Sarcoma Subtype Shows Favorable Outcomes According to Study
An emerging fifth subtype of Kaposi sarcoma (KS), nonepidemic KS, sarcoma was identified in study results presented by Weill Cornell Medical College in June of 2022. This type of KS was studied in men who have sex with men, who are not living with HIV, and who have no other identified reasons for immunodeficiency. People with nonepidemic KS whose disease required recurrent treatment had a 5- year progression-free survival (PFS) of 39%; at 10 years, this had risen to and 83%. Previous data illustrate 65% of men presented with PFS after 10 years, according to Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program data.
3. Drop in HIV PrEP Prescriptions, New Users Observed During COVID-19 Pandemic
According to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases in January 2022, PrEP prescriptions decreased by 22% and new PrEP users decreased by 25% after COVID-19 was declared a national emergency in the United States. Individual state data varied, but states with the highest number of PrEP prescriptions before the COVID-19 pandemic experienced at least a 35% decrease. The researchers called for inclusion of HIV prevention services in anticipation of later emergencies.
2. HIV, HCV Testing Availability Stagnates Despite Growing Number of Substance Use Treatment Facilities
According to a study published in February by JAMA, substance use disorder treatment facilities providing medication for opioid use disorder opened by the thousands between 2017 and 2020, while the number of those that provided HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing barely changed. The authors of the study cited that HIV outbreaks and the recent increase of HCV cases stem from the US opioid crisis with opioid use disorder treatment linked to better HIV/HCV treatment findings.
1. Analysis Predicts Continued Disparities in PrEP Uptake
A study published in Health Affairs in March, using 2019 data, found sizeable disparities in the adoption of PrEP for people enrolled in California Medicaid, particularly Black individuals. In terms of state PrEP users, California has the most users, but fell to 10th place for PrEP uptake per capita during 2019. The article concluded with the researchers asking for a call to action to lower HIV disparities and encourage PrEP use and reduce disparities.
