Background and aims Liver disease in people living with HIV co-infected with hepatitis C virus is a source of morbidity and mortality in Russia. HIV accelerates liver fibrosis in the setting of HCV co-infection and alcohol use. Zinc deficiency is common among people living with HIV and may be a factor that facilitates the underlying mechanisms of liver fibrosis. We investigated the association between zinc deficiency and advanced liver fibrosis in a cohort of HIV/HCV co-infected persons reporting heavy drinking in Russia. Methods This is a secondary data analysis of baseline data from 204 anti-retroviral treatment naïve HIV/HCV co-infected Russians with heavy drinking that were recruited into a clinical trial of zinc supplementation. The primary outcome of interest in this cross-sectional study was advanced liver fibrosis. Zinc deficiency, the main independent variable, was defined as plasma zinc <0.75 mg/L. Exploratory analyses were performed examining continuous zinc levels and fibrosis scores. Analyses were conducted using multivariable regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Results The prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis was similar for those with zinc deficiency compared to those with normal zinc levels, (27.7% vs. 23.0%, respectively). We did not detect an association between zinc deficiency and advanced liver fibrosis in the adjusted regression model (aOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.62–2.61, p = 0.51) nor in exploratory analyses. Conclusions In this cohort of Russians with HIV/HCV co-infection, who are anti-retroviral treatment naïve and have heavy alcohol use, we did not detect an association between zinc deficiency or zinc levels and advanced liver fibrosis.

Objectives. To determine the impact of improvements in housing and HIV clinical parameters on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in persons with HIV infection experiencing homelessness. Methods. This prospective cohort study took place in 9 US sites. Local efforts sought to improve HIV and housing status. Longitudinal data analyses determined the impact of changes in housing status, HIV suppression, and CD4 cell counts on HRQOL at 12 months, measured as mental and physical component summary scores. Results. Among 909 participants enrolled from 2013 to 2016, 75.1% were homeless, 51.6% did not have HIV suppression, and 23.6% had a CD4 count less than 200 cells per cubic millimeter. Median mental and physical component summary scores were 35.4 and 38.9, respectively. These 5 parameters all improved by 6 months. In multivariate modeling, maintaining or achieving stable housing predicted higher PCS at 12 months, but CD4 count and HIV suppression improvements did not. Improvements in housing, CD4 count, and HIV suppression did not predict mental component score at 12 months. Conclusions. Housing and HIV treatment are necessary but not sufficient to improve HRQOL in this challenging population. The high prevalence of socioeconomic and mental health needs we found support the call for patient-centered comprehensive care.