Outcomes of Patients with HIV Lost to Follow-Up in Sub-Saharan Africa

More than 40% had died or had stopped antiretroviral therapy.

Retention in HIV care is critical to achieving long-term viral suppression. But, in many settings, it is the step along the care continuum with the greatest attrition.

Now, researchers have conducted a meta-analysis of nine studies that included 7377 patients with HIV infection from eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa who had started antiretroviral therapy (ART) but were subsequently lost to follow-up (LTFU).

Four years after their last clinic visit, 22% of patients had died, 23% had stopped antiretroviral therapy (ART) but were living, 15% had transferred to another clinic, and 9% remained on ART; outcomes of the remaining 32% were unknown. Unknown outcomes were associated with longer intervals between the time patients were LTFU and when …

Reviewing Author

Wendy S. Armstrong, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNIH Therapeutics and Prevention Data Safety Monitoring Board

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Board of Internal Medicine Infectious Diseases Subspecialty Board (member), Infectious Diseases Society of America (Vice President)

Wendy S. Armstrong, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNIH Therapeutics and Prevention Data Safety Monitoring Board

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Board of Internal Medicine Infectious Diseases Subspecialty Board (member), Infectious Diseases Society of America (Vice President)

Outcomes of Patients with HIV Lost to Follow-Up in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Reviewing Author