icon-    folder.gif   Conference Reports for NATAP  
 
  19th Conference on Retroviruses and
Opportunistic Infections
Seattle, WA March 5 - 8, 2012
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Frailty & Muscle Loss Increase Mortality & Are Common in HIV+
 
 
  from Jules Levin at CROI Live in Seattle. This poster session is a breakthrough in that it is identifying that muscle loss & frailty are fairly common in HIV+ persons & they increase mortality. AND HCV & HBV contribute to frailty in one study below. read this:
 
"Frailty is a significant predictor of mortality among both HIV+ and at-risk IDU....... Impaired functional capacity is strongly associated with lower bone density and lower muscle mass in middle-aged HIV-1+ persons......Co-morbidity Is Predictive of Muscle Strength in HIV+ Veterans: Results from the VACS Index....
 
Overall, 40% of SUN study participants aged ≤50 years with well-controlled HIV infection were pre-frail or frail. The significant association of pre-frailty and frailty with a history of opportunistic infection suggests earlier diagnosis of HIV infection and prevention of opportunistic infections may reduce risk for frailty.......Prevalence of low muscle mass increases with age. The highest prevalence was found in the 41- to 50-year age group. Predictors of FFMi change appear to be associated with age, lipoatrophy recovery, and time. FFMi is associated with all-cause mortality in HIV+ patients, suggesting that this biological entity can provide prognostic information, in HIV+ patients..........We have recently demonstrated that patients with prior exposure to nucleoside analog ARV, which inhibit DNA polymerase-γ, accumulate acquired mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in skeletal muscle, in an apparent acceleration of the process seen in normal aging. Here we explore an in vivo functional correlate in aging HIV+ patients. Abnormalities of resting muscle pH handling have been associated with fatigue and may contribute to functional decline in this patient group."

 
Frailty and Pre-frailty in a Contemporary Cohort of HIV+ Adults

 
Nur Onen*1, P Patel2, J Baker3, L Conley2, J Brooks2, T Bush2, M Kojic4, J Hammer5, E Overton6, and SUN Study Investigators
 
1Washington Univ Sch of Med in St Louis, MO, US; 2CDC, Atlanta, GA, US; 3Hennepin County Med Ctr, Univ of Minnesota, Minneapolis, US; 4Miriam Hosp, Providence, RI, US; 5Denver Infectious Disease Consultants, CO, US; and 6Univ of Alabama at Birmingham, US
 
Background: HIV+ persons can become prematurely pre-frail and frail; however, pre-frailty prevalence and risk factors for both frail and pre-frail states have not been fully elucidated.
 
Methods: Using data from a contemporary prospective observational cohort of HIV+ adults (SUN Study), we determined the percentages of non-frail, pre-frail, and frail participants at the most recent study visit by the respective presence of 0, 1 to 2, and ³3 of 5 established frailty criteria as shown in the table. We evaluated associations with pre-frailty/frailty using logistic regression analysis.
 
Results: Of 308 SUN Study participants assessed-79% men, 58% non-Hispanic white, median age 47 years (interquartile range 41 to 53), 95% on combination ART, median CD4 cell count 650 cells/mm3 (IQR 467 to 799), and 93% HIV RNA <400 copies/mL-57% were non-frail, 38% pre-frail, and 5% frail (61%, 36%, and 4%, respectively, among the 199 [65%] participants aged ≤50 years). Prevalence of frailty criteria are presented in the table; exhaustion and physical inactivity predominated. In multivariate analysis, pre-frail/frail vs non-frail participants were more likely of non-white race/ethnicity (54% vs 33%; adjusted odds ratio 3.24; 95% confidence interval 1.78 to 5.91), to have had an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection (35% vs 15%; aOR 2.55, 95%CI 1.29 to 5.02), to have poorer median perceived health scores on the SF-12 health survey (1, IQR 1 to 2 vs 2, IQR 1 to 3; aOR 2.12, 95%CI 1.49 to 3.03), to have higher median PHQ-9 depression scores (6, IQR 2 to 11 vs 3, IQR 0 to 5; aOR 1.11, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.18) and to be older (median age 48 years, IQR 44 to 54 vs 46 years, IQR 40 to 52; aOR 1.04, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.07). Lower CD4 cell count nadir, female sex, and unemployment were not independently associated with pre-frailty/frailty.
 
Conclusions: Overall, 40% of SUN study participants aged ≤50 years with well-controlled HIV infection were pre-frail or frail. The significant association of pre-frailty and frailty with a history of opportunistic infection suggests earlier diagnosis of HIV infection and prevention of opportunistic infections may reduce risk for frailty. Racial disparities warrant further investigation.
 
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Low Muscle Mass in HIV+ Patients: Prevalence, Predictors, and Clinical Implication
 
Giovanni Guaraldi*1, S Zona1, A Silva2, G Orlando1, F Carli1, A Santoro1, N Crupi2, G Ligabue1, C Mussi1, and L Ferruci3
 
1Univ of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy; 2Hosp de Joaquim Urbano, Porto, Portugal; and 3Natl Inst on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, US
 
Background: In HIV+ patients, muscle mass measured as fat free mass index (FFMi = FFM/h2) in DXA has never been characterized in large epidemiological cohorts. We aimed: to describe the prevalence of low muscle mass using t- and z-score, per age decades, defined as <-2 SD from the mean FFMi for an Italian Caucasian population, respectively, for the same age or in the age strata 30 to 39 years; to identify predictors of FFMi change; and to assess the association between FFMi and all-cause mortality in a large HIV+ cohort.
 
Methods: This observational prospective study included all consecutive patients from 2005 to 2011 who underwent at least 2 DXA scans, performed 1 year apart. Univariate and multivariable longitudinal linear regressions were built to evaluate FFMI change-associated factors. Co-variates included in the models were: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), physical activity; change in leg fat percentage (assessed with DXA), in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and in total adipose tissue of the abdomen (TAT) (assessed with abdominal CT); NRTI, NNRTI, and PI cumulative exposure; CD4 nadir and recovery; vitamin D plasma level; and time between DXA scans. A Cox model was built to predict the impact of FFMi on all cause mortality after adjustment for age and sex.
 
Results: A total of 1696 HIV+ patients (1046 men) were analyzed. Median observation follow-up period was 3.5 years (IQR 2 to 5); 96% of patients were on ART, and during the follow-up period 37 died. BMI change and FFMI change appeared stable over time (β = 0.001, p = 0.111; β = 0.001, p = 0.070, respectively). In men, the prevalence of low muscle mass using t- and z-scores was 0.2% and 8.5%, respectively. In women, the prevalence of low muscle mass using t- and z-scores was 0% and 1.5%, respectively. The highest prevalence of low muscle mass was detected in the 41- to 50-year age group strata (t-score 0.5% and z-score 16%). Predictors of FFMi change were: age (β = -0.01, p = 0.002), change of leg fat percentage (as a surrogate for lipoatrophy recovery) (β = -0.05, p <0.001), and time between DXA scans (β = 0.17, p = 0.013). FFMi was associated with all-cause mortality (HR 0.87, 95%CI 0.78 to 0.98) after adjustment for age and sex.
 
Conclusions: Prevalence of low muscle mass increases with age. The highest prevalence was found in the 41- to 50-year age group. Predictors of FFMi change appear to be associated with age, lipoatrophy recovery, and time. FFMi is associated with all-cause mortality in HIV+ patients, suggesting that this biological entity can provide prognostic information, in HIV+ patients.
 
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Frailty Predicts Mortality in a Cohort of HIV+ and At-risk IDU
 
Damani Piggott*, A Muzaale, S Mehta, T Brown, S Leng, and G Kirk
 
Johns Hopkins Univ, Baltimore, MD, US
 
Background: Frailty, a syndrome of diminished physiologic reserve with increased stressor vulnerability, predicts hospitalization, disability, and mortality in older HIV- adults. We have previously observed a significant association between frailty and HIV+, particularly advanced HIV infection, among injection drug users (IDU). In this study, we evaluated the impact of frailty on mortality in a cohort of aging HIV+ and at-risk IDU.
 
Methods: Frailty was assessed biannually from 2005 to 2008 among current and former IDU in the ALIVE cohorts and was defined by the presence of ³3 of 5 standard criteria: weakness (grip strength), slow gait speed, weight loss, low physical activity, and exhaustion. Cox proportional hazards models with time-varying co-variates were used to estimate the risk (hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals) for all-cause mortality among frail persons relative to their robust counterparts (defined by the absence of any criteria) and to non-frail persons.
 
Results: For 1230 subjects at baseline, the median age was 48 years, 89% were African American, 418 (34%) were female, and 351 (29%) were HIV+. The prevalence of frailty was 9%, while 31% met no frailty criteria. In Cox multivariable analysis of 3365 person-visits, increasing age and HIV status were associated with increased mortality risk. Adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational level, and HIV status, frail persons had a 3.4-fold increased risk of death relative to robust persons (HR 3.42, 95%CI 1.66 to 7.03). In stratified analysis, increased mortality risk with frailty was observed among both HIV- persons (HR 2.91, 95%CI 1.06 to 7.96) and HIV+ persons (HR 4.05, 95%CI 1.39 to 11.8). Controlling for advanced HIV infection (CD4 <350, HIV RNA+), frailty remained a significant predictor of mortality (HR 3.13, 95%CI 1.25 to 7.82). In comparison to non-frail persons, similar associations of frailty with mortality were observed.
 
Conclusions: Frailty is a significant predictor of mortality among both HIV+ and at-risk IDU. Frailty provides prognostic information even when accounting for advanced HIV disease suggesting that standardized assessment may inform prediction of significant clinical endpoints. Further exploration of the biological mechanisms and clinical utility of frailty may aid management of aging HIV+ persons.
 
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Mitochondrial Function in vivo in Aging HIV+ Patients
 
Brendan Payne*1,2, M Trenell2, K Hollingsworth2, J Baxter3, V Lee4, E Wilkins3, A Price1, and P Chinnery2
 
1Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; 2Newcastle Univ, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; 3Northern Manchester Gen Hosp, UK; and 4Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK
 
Background: We have recently demonstrated that patients with prior exposure to nucleoside analog ARV, which inhibit DNA polymerase-γ, accumulate acquired mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in skeletal muscle, in an apparent acceleration of the process seen in normal aging. Here we explore an in vivo functional correlate in aging HIV+ patients.
 
Methods: We recruited older HIV+ patients in clinical care (n = 24; age 48 to 74 years) and age-matched controls (HIV-). Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) was performed using a 3-T scanner. Spectra were obtained from gastrocnemius/soleus at rest and during recovery from brief exercise. Key measures were: adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production during recovery (as Qmax (ADP), maximal rate of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) clearance; τ1/2 (PCr), half-life of phosphocreatine); and pH handling. In HIV+ subjects, comparison was made with cellular mitochondrial function by COX (cytochrome c oxidase) histochemistry of lower-limb muscle biopsy.
 
Results: Basal parameters of ATP metabolism differed between subjects groups: ADP (mean ±SD) HIV+ 10.2±0.7 mM, HIV- 9.5±0.5 mM (p = 0.001); PCr HIV+ 41.0±15.2 mM, HIV- 30.7±2.1 mM (p = 0.003). Furthermore, basal ADP levels in HIV+ subjects correlated with biopsy COX defect (r = 0.45, p = 0.032). In contrast, dynamic measures of ATP production during exercise recovery were similar in HIV+ and control subjects: Qmax (ADP) (mean±SD) HIV+ 26.6±18.6 mM/min, HIV- 23.0±10.2 mM/min; τ1/2 (PCr) HIV+ 29.9±13.4 s, HIV- 27.5±8.3 s. There was more variance seen in the HIV+ than the HIV- group, however no disease or treatment variable was significantly correlated with ATP production rate, nor was cellular COX defect. HIV+ subjects showed disordered pH handling compared with HIV- controls as evidenced by higher basal pH (mean±SD, 7.07±0.03 vs 7.04±0.02, p = 0.001) and post-recovery pH (7.09±0.03 vs 7.06±0.02, p = 0.008) but similar exertional minimum pH (6.98±0.13 vs 7.00±0.03, ns). Resting pH correlated with COX defect (r = 0.42, p = 0.044).
 
Conclusions: The altered basal ATP metabolite levels in HIV+ subjects coupled with preserved dynamic function, despite cellular mitochondrial defects on biopsy, suggests functional compensation to an acquired mtDNA defect, once therapy has been switched to a cleaner agent. Abnormalities of resting muscle pH handling have been associated with fatigue and may contribute to functional decline in this patient group. -----------------------
 
Functional Impairment Is Associated with Low Bone and Muscle Mass in Middle-aged HIV-1+ Persons
 
Kristine Erlandson*, A Allshouse, C Jankowski, S MaWhinney, W Kohrt, and T Campbell Univ of Colorado Denver, Aurora, US
 
Background: Physical function impairment may be accelerated in the presence of osteoporosis, obesity, or sarcopenia. HIV+ persons have early physical impairment, but little is known about the contributions of bone or body composition changes to impairment in persons aging with HIV-1.
 
Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 45- to 65-year-old HIV-1+ subjects who had been on ART >6 months and whose plasma HIV-1 RNA <48 copies/mL. Low functioning (LF) and high functioning (HF) subjects were identified by deficits on both Fried's frailty criteria and the Short Physical Performance Battery and were matched by age, gender, and time since HIV diagnosis. Bone, fat, and muscle were assessed by densitometry. Osteoporosis was defined as T-score ≤-2.5, osteopenia as T-score <-1 but >-2.5, sarcopenia as appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) <5.45 kg/m2 (female) and <7.26 kg/m2 (male). Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF-binding protein (BP)-3 were measured. Stratified logistic regression for categorical variables and linear mixed effects regression for continuous variables were estimated to account for correlation within matched pairs. Body mass index (BMI), tobacco, and nadir CD4+ T cells were adjusted in models of bone loss.
 
Results: We identified 30 LF and matched them to 48 HF subjects; mean age 52.7 years, CD4 T cell 598, 96% HIV-1 viral load <48 copies/mL, 18% female, 77% white, 17% Hispanic. LF and HF were similar in age, duration of ART, tenofovir use, and CD4 T- cells (all p >0.2). LF subjects had significantly lower BMD and T scores at the hip and spine; differences remained significant in multivariate analyses. Although all persons with BMI <18.5 kg/m2 were LF, LF trended toward higher relative body fat content. LF subjects had a greater prevalence of sarcopenia (50% vs 25%, p = 0.04), lower lean mass, and lower IGF-1/IGFBP3.
 
Conclusions: Impaired functional capacity is strongly associated with lower bone density and lower muscle mass in middle-aged HIV-1+ persons. Whether bone or muscle loss is the result of disuse due to impairment, or if low muscle or bone mass, mediated through effects of IGF-1, leads to impairment by progressive weakness or inflammatory pathways remains to be established. Further studies should investigate the role of increased muscle/bone mass and increased IGF-1 on preserving functional independence as persons with HIV age.
 
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Co-morbidity Is Predictive of Muscle Strength in HIV+ Veterans: Results from the VACS Index
 
Krisann Oursler*1, J Tate2, T Gill2, K Crothers3, T Brown4, S Crystal5, J Womack2, D Leaf6, J Sorkin1, A Justice2, and Veterans Aging Cohort Study Project Team
 
1Univ of Maryland Sch of Med and Publ Hlth and VA Maryland Hlthcare System, Baltimore, US; 2Yale Univ Sch of Med and Publ Hlth and VA Connecticut Hlthcare System, New Haven, US; 3Univ of Washington, Seattle, US; 4Johns Hopkins Univ, Baltimore, MD, US; 5Rutgers Univ, New Brunswick, NJ, US; and 6Univ of California, Los Angeles Sch of Med and Greater Los Angeles VA Hlthcare System, US
 
Background: Despite improved survival, HIV+ adults have increased risk for physical disability due to muscle weakness, poor ambulatory function, and low cardiorespiratory fitness. The objective of this study was to determine whether the VACS Index, a comprehensive index of generalized organ injury based on routine clinical laboratory data, is associated with hand-grip and leg-strength, 6-minute walk distance, and cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption, VO2 peak).
 
Methods: HIV+ patients enrolled in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) participated in this cross-sectional study at the Baltimore VA Medical Center from 2004 to 2007. The VACS Index was calculated incorporating hemoglobin, FIB-4, eGFR, hepatitis C infection, CD4 count, HIV-1 viral load, and age; higher score reflected greater co-morbidity. Analyses included nonparametric correlation (Spearman's rank) and linear regression models.
 
Results: We included 2 women and 53 men: 91% African American race, mean age of 52 (SD 7) years. The VACS Index was inversely correlated with hand-grip strength (r = -0.36, p = 0.01) and lower extremity strength (quadriceps, r = -0.45, p <0.01), but was not significantly associated with 6-minute walk distance (r = -0.26, p = 0.07) or VO2 peak (r = -0.13, p = 0.3). A 20-point higher VACS Index score was associated with a 10% lower leg strength (mean 76 newtons; 95%CI -124 to -29; p <0.001; see the figure), which remained significant after adjustment for muscle cross-sectional area (p = 0.04). The VACS Index explained 34% of the variance in specific leg strength. In contrast, an index restricted to CD4 count, viral load, and age did not correlate with any of these measures (p >0.08).
 
Conclusions: In this sample of predominantly African American men ranging in age from 31 to 72 years, the VACS Index was significantly associated with upper and lower extremity strength. The VACS Index may be valuable for identification of patients at high risk for disability due to muscle weakness. Association of Leg Strength with the VACS Index.