Since 2018, all patients accessing HIV care are asked to complete a self assessment of their cognitive and psychological wellbeing when attending their first clinical appointment of the year. A retrospective note review was undertaken... more
Since 2018, all patients accessing HIV care are asked to complete a self assessment of their cognitive and psychological wellbeing when attending their first clinical appointment of the year. A retrospective note review was undertaken for HIV patients who had been assessed using the MOCA screening tool during 2018. MOCA did not identify any patient that required onward referral for further neurocognitive assessment. High levels of confounding factors were prevalent across the demographics screened, as identified in many previous cohorts This raises the question whether addressing confounders before performing the MoCA would limit the number of evaluations required in an already overstretched service.
Objectives: The objective of the 1st European AIDS Clinical Society meeting on Standard of Care in Europe was to raise awareness of the European scenario and come to an agreement on actions that could be taken in the future. Methods:... more
Objectives: The objective of the 1st European AIDS Clinical Society meeting on Standard of Care in Europe was to raise awareness of the European scenario and come to an agreement on actions that could be taken in the future. Methods: Data-driven presentations were given on specific topics followed by interactive panel discussions. Results: In Eastern European countries, the epidemic is largely driven by injecting drug use, in contrast with Western Europe where the infection mainly occurs through heterosexual contact. A high proportion of people living with HIV remain unaware of their infection. Substantial differences exist in Eastern Europe and Central Asia with respect to treatment coverage, regimen availability and continuity of drug supply. In 2012, tuberculosis case notification rates were 5–10 times higher in Eastern Europe compared with Western Europe, with an alarming proportion of newly diagnosed multi-drug-resistant cases. Hepatitis C is widespread in selected geographical areas and risk groups. Conclusions: The key conclusion from the meeting was that a high-priority group of actions could be identified, including: increasing HIV awareness and testing, improving training for health care providers, ensuring equitable patient access to treatments and diagnostics for HIV and comorbidities, and implementing best practices in infection control and treatment of HIV-infected patients coinfected with tuberculosis and hepatitis C virus, for whom direct acting antiviral treatment. should be considered.
