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Published on: October 31, 2010
[Early diagnosis and prevention of comorbidities among HIV-infected patients: the Orchestra Saint-Antoine Program]
L Fonquernie1, S Clozel, J-P Vincensini
1Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, hôpital Saint-Antoine, université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie-Paris-VI, APHP, 184, 75012 Paris, France. laurent.fonquernie@sat.ap-hop-paris.fr
Insights
The Saint-Antoine Orchestra Program improved HIV patient care by enhancing comorbidity management and prevention. This initiative assessed and refined professional practices for better clinical outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) management.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
- Clinical Medicine
Context:
- The Saint-Antoine Orchestra Program was initiated in December 2004 to address the comprehensive care needs of HIV-infected patients.
- The program focused on critical areas including cardiovascular risk, gynecological health, HBV vaccination, sexual health, STI prevention, and treatment adherence.
Purpose:
- To enhance the clinical management of HIV-infected patients through improved access to care, prevention strategies, and early diagnosis of comorbidities.
- To refine professional practices in managing HIV and associated health conditions.
Summary:
- The program evaluated 1959 HIV patients, identifying significant comorbidities such as cardiovascular risk factors (42% with two or more), suboptimal gynecological screening, and incomplete HBV serology.
- Initial assessments revealed challenges in therapeutic adherence and sexual health discussions, highlighting areas for targeted intervention.
- The program utilized patient information dissemination, a computerized chart with alerts, and specialist referral recommendations to improve care.
Impact:
- The program provided a framework for assessing and improving the prevention and management of comorbidities in HIV patients.
- It facilitated a better understanding of the prevalence of risk factors and screening deficits within the HIV population.
- The initiative aimed to optimize clinical practices, leading to potentially better health outcomes for individuals living with HIV.
Objectives:
The Saint-Antoine Orchestra Program aims at improving the clinical management of HIV-infected patients through access to care, prevention and early diagnosis of comorbidities.
Methods:
The program was initiated in December 2004 on the whole database. The following topics were concerned: cardiovascular risk factors, gynecological follow-up, anti-HBV vaccinal coverage, sexuality and prevention of STIs, therapeutic adherence and counsels to travelers. The program included several actions: diffusion of information to patients, development of a computerized chart (alert pop-ups), individualized prescription advice and recommendations for specialist referral.
Results:
The program was applied to 1959 patients whose initial characteristics were: mean age: 43+/-10 years; ratio M/W: 1466/493; European origin: 69%; sub-Saharan: 19%; mean duration of HIV infection: 9.3+/-6 years; naïve of antiretrovirals: 14%; mean CD4+count: 494+/-277/mm(3); HIV viral load inferior to 50 cp/ml: 62%. Among 1347 patients for whom cardiovascular risk factors were completely informed, 42% had two or more factors. In particular, 31% of them were smokers, 7% had an arterial pressure superior to 140/90 mmHg and 11% had LDL-cholesterolemia superior to 4.1 mmol/l. Among 1448 untreated patients, 70% were initially considered as adherent. Half of the concerned women had neither cervical smear nor mammography up to date. Among 67% patients with an informed complete HBV serology, 27% were seronegative among which 310 (86%) were eligible for the vaccine. Problems of sexual difficulties or prevention were initially discussed for 11% of patients. Among them, 14% had a problem of prevention and 148 (66%) recognized sexual difficulties.
Conclusion:
The initiation of the Saint-Antoine Orchestra program has provided a unique opportunity to assess and improve the prevention and management of comorbidities in HIV patients. Also, this program aimed to improve professional practices.
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