PurposeNational initiatives, such as the UK Improving Access to Psychological Therapies program (IAPT), demonstrate the feasibility of conducting empirical mental health assessments on a large scale, and similar initiatives exist in other countries. However, there is a lack of international consensus on which outcome domains are most salient to monitor treatment progress and how they should be measured. The aim of this project was to propose (1) an essential set of outcome domains relevant across countries and cultures, (2) a set of easily accessible patient-reported instruments, and (3) a psychometric approach to make scores from different instruments comparable.MethodsTwenty-four experts, including ten health outcomes researchers, ten clinical experts from all continents, two patient advocates, and two ICHOM coordinators worked for seven months in a consensus building exercise to develop recommendations based on existing evidence using a structured consensus-driven modified Delphi technique.ResultsThe group proposes to combine an assessment of potential outcome predictors at baseline (47 items: demographics, functional, clinical status, etc.), with repeated assessments of disease-specific symptoms during the treatment process (19 items: symptoms, side effects, etc.), and a comprehensive annual assessment of broader treatment outcomes (45 items: remission, absenteeism, etc.). Further, it is suggested reporting disease-specific symptoms for depression and anxiety on a standardized metric to increase comparability with other legacy instruments. All recommended instruments are provided online (www.ichom.org).ConclusionAn international standard of health outcomes assessment has the potential to improve clinical decision making, enhance health care for the benefit of patients, and facilitate scientific knowledge.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11136-017-1659-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Although many HIV-infected people treated in Kampala, Uganda, have advanced HIV disease, the majority of patients who received antiretroviral therapy experienced viral suppression and clinical benefit. Because of the frequent use of nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor-based therapy, the majority of resistance was against this drug class. In resource-limited settings, initiation of therapy with a potent, durable regimen, accompanied by stable drug supplies, will optimize the likelihood of viral suppression.

Introduction Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has changed the course of HIV/AIDs by enabling patients to live longer, raising concern of the co- existence of HIV with other chronic illnesses, notably non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are on the rise in developing countries and evidence shows higher occurrence among people living with HIV (PLHIV). In Uganda, the burden of NCDs among PLHIV remains largely unquantified. Objective To determine the prevalence of hypertension, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, renal impairment, asthma, cardiomyopathy and multi-morbidity among HIV positive patients, receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy at Joint Clinical Research Centre, Lubowa, Uganda. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 387 systematically sampled patients, receiving ART at the Joint Clinical Research Centre, Lubowa, between March and April 2017. The study used data extracted from routine care patient files to identify individuals with non-communicable diseases. Prevalence of the NCDs was estimated and reported with 95% confidence intervals. Prevalence was also reported at various levels of socio- demographic, behavioural and clinical factors. Results The overall prevalence of having at least one NCD was 20.7% (95% CI: 16.7–24.5). The prevalence of hypertension was 12.4% (95% CI: 9.1–15.7), osteoporosis 6.5% (95% CI: 4.0–8.9), diabetes mellitus 4.7% (95% CI: 2.6–6.8), renal impairment 1.6% (95% CI: 0.3–2.8), asthma 1.6% (95% CI: 0.3–2.8), and cardiomyopathy 1.3% (95% CI: 0.2–2.4). Prevalence of multi-morbidity was 4.7% (95% CI: 2.6–6.8). Prevalence was significantly higher among older participants, widowed participants and individuals with an opportunistic infection. Conclusion Non-communicable diseases are common among people living with HIV. There is need to encourage early diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases in PLHIV in Uganda.

BackgroundImmunological markers (CD4 count) are used in developing countries to decide on initiation of antiretroviral therapy and monitor HIV/AIDS disease progression. HIV is an incurable chronic illness, making quality of life paramount. The direct relationship between quality of life and CD4 count is unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between change in CD4 count and quality of life measures in a Ugandan cohort of people living with HIV.MethodsWe prospectively assessed quality of life among 1274 HIV patients attending an HIV clinic within a national referral hospital over a period of 6 months. Quality of life was measured using an objective measure, the Medical Outcomes Study HIV health survey summarized as Physical Health Score and Mental Health Score and a subjective measure, the Global Person Generated Index. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data. The primary predictor variable was change in CD4 count, and the outcome was quality of life scores. We controlled for sociodemographic characteristics, clinical factors and behavioral factors. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted to assess patient perception of quality of life and factors influencing quality of life.ResultsOf the 1274 patients enrolled 1159 had CD4 count at baseline and six months and 586 (51 %) received antiretroviral therapy. There was no association found between change in CD4 count and quality of life scores at univariate and multivariate analysis among the study participants whether on or not on antiretroviral therapy. Participants perceived quality of life as happiness and well-being, influenced by economic status, psychosocial factors, and health status.ConclusionsClinicians and policy makers cannot rely on change in immunological markers to predict quality of life in this era of initiating antiretroviral therapy among relatively healthy patients. In addition to monitoring immunological markers, socioeconomic and psychosocial factors should be underscored in management of HIV patients.

BackgroundThe goal of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is to suppress viral replication, reduce morbidity and mortality, and improve quality of life (QoL). For resource-limited settings, the World Health Organization recommends a first-line regimen of two-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors and one non-nucleoside transcriptase inhibitor (nevirapine (NVP) or efavirenz (EFV)). There are few data comparing the QoL impact of NVP versus EFV. This study assessed the change in QoL and factors associated with QoL among HIV patients receiving ART regimens based on EFV or NVP.MethodsWe enrolled 640 people with HIV eligible for ART who received regimens including either NVP or EFV. QoL was assessed at baseline, three months and six months using Physical Health Summary (PHS) and Mental Health Summary (MHS) scores and the Global Person Generated Index (GPGI). Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations, with ART regimen as the primary exposure, to identify associations between patient and disease factors and QoL.ResultsQoL increased on ART. The mean QoL scores did not differ significantly for regimens based on NVP versus EFV during follow-up for MHS and GPGI regardless of CD4 stratum and for PHS among patients with a CD4 count >250 cells/μL. The PHS-adjusted β coefficients for ART regimens based on EFV versus NVP by CD4 count strata were as follows: −1.61 (95 % CI −2.74, −0.49) for CD4 count <100 cells/μL; 0.82 (0.22, 1.43) for CD4 count 101–250 cells/μL; and −1.33 (−5.66, 3.00) for CD4 count >250 cells/μL. The corresponding MHS-adjusted β coefficients were as follows: −0.39 (−1.40, 0.62) for CD4 < 100 cells/μL; 0.16 (−0.66, 0.98) for CD4 count 101–250 cells/μL; and −0.75 (−2.01, 0.51) for CD4 count >250 cells/μL. The GPGI-adjusted odds ratios for EFV versus NVP were 0.51 (0.25, 1.04) for CD4 count <100 cells/μL, 0.98 (0.60, 1.58) for CD4 count 101–250 cells/μL, 1.39 (0.66, 2.90) for CD4 > 250 cells/μL. QoL improved among patients on EFV over the 6-month follow-up period (MHS p < 0.001; PHS p = 0.04, p = 0.028). Overall, patients with depression (PHS p < 0.001; GPGI p < 0.001) had lower scores and women had lower MHS (on NVP, p = 0.001). Other factors associated with lower QoL included alcohol use, low education level and advanced HIV disease.ConclusionsART improves QoL. The results support use of either NVP or EFV. Patients initiating ART should be assessed for depression and managed appropriately. Women may require extra support to improve their QoL.