Ethical considerations in the treatment of infertility in women with human immunodeficiency virus infection.
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Ethics, Medical↗
Biomedical subjects
H Minkoff
Publications and source records attributed to H Minkoff.
Effect of HIV infection on menstrual cycle length.
HIV serostatus and menstrual function were examined using prospectively collected menstrual data from 802 HIV-seropositive and 273 HIV-seronegative women, ages 20 to 44, enrolled in two cohort studies of HIV infection in North American women. The associations between HIV serostatus and the probabilities of having a cycle lasting >40 days (n = 541 cycles), >90 days (n = 67 cycles), <18 days (n = 316 cycles) and mean length and variability of 18 to 40 day cycles (n = 3,634) were assessed. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, body mass index, and substance use, seropositivity increased the odds of having a very short cycle (< 18 days, odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-2.11) and a very long cycle (>90 days, OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.68-2.58) slightly, although the latter CIs include one. Seropositivity did not increase the odds of having a moderately long cycle (>40 days, OR, 1.14) or affect mean cycle length or variability (beta, 0.30 +/- 0.20; between-woman standard deviation [SD], 2.2 days [HIV-seronegative] and 1.9 days [HIV-seropositive]; within-woman SD, 3.5 days for both). Although seropositivity may slightly increase the probability of very short cycles, HIV serostatus has little overall effect on amenorrhea, menstrual cycle length, or variability. Among HIV-seropositive women, higher viral loads and lower CD4+ counts were associated with increased cycle variability and polymenorrhea.
Adult↗
The relationship of maternal position to the results of brief nonstress tests: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether maternal posture (left lateral recumbent vs semi-Fowler position) had any effect on nonstress test results when the test was performed for a shortened period (10 minutes). STUDY DESIGN: In this randomized clinical trial of 108 patients with singleton pregnancies at 32 to 42 weeks' gestation, patients were randomly assigned to a "sitting first" (semi-Fowler position) or a "supine first" (left lateral recumbent position) group at the initial visit. The order of position was alternated at subsequent visits. Ten minutes of fetal heart rate monitoring was performed in each position at each visit. Computer analysis of the nonstress test was used to interpret each 10-minute segment for reactivity. Statistical analyses were performed on the paired nonstress test unit (sitting and supine). RESULTS: There were no adverse clinical outcomes among the participants. Logistic regression analysis showed that both the sequence of the nonstress test and the position were significant and independent factors related to nonstress test reactivity. Tests performed during the second 10 minutes and tests performed with the patient in the semi-Fowler position were more likely to have reactive results. CONCLUSION: The semi-Fowler position is a superior position for conducting a nonstress test in a short period. Use of this position could decrease the need for prolonged monitoring, thus leading to a more time-effective evaluation of patients at risk.
Female↗
Heterosexual transmission of hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV-1 in a sample of inner city women.
BACKGROUND: To clarify the role of heterosexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and to identify associated risk factors. GOAL: To compare risk factors with infection among women with HCV, HIV-1, and hepatitis B virus (HBV). STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of the prevalence of HCV, HIV-1, and HBV in a sample of 599 sexually active, nontransfused, inner-city women with no evidence of intravenous drug use. RESULTS: The prevalence of HCV was 1.6%, compared with 2.0% for HIV-1 and 18.8% for HBV; 75% of women infected with HCV were also infected with HIV-1 or HBV (P < 0.001). Women engaging in very high-risk sexual behavior were 14.2 times more likely to have HCV than other women (95% CI, 1.8-642.5). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemic of HCV may be facilitated by high-risk sexual behavior. The relatively high prevalence of HCV suggests the need for more widespread screening among inner-city females.
Adolescent↗
Maternal levels of plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA and the risk of perinatal transmission. Women and Infants Transmission Study Group.
BACKGROUND: The importance of plasma levels of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA in pregnant women in relation to the other factors known to influence the risk of transmission of infection to their infants is incompletely defined. We studied the relation of maternal plasma HIV-1 RNA levels to the risk of perinatal transmission and the timing of transmission. METHODS: We measured plasma HIV-1 RNA serially in 552 women with HIV-1 infection who had singleton pregnancies. The status of infection in their infants was assessed by culture of blood and further classified as early (if a culture of blood obtained within the first two days of life was positive) or late (if a culture of blood obtained in the first seven days of life was negative but subsequent cultures were positive). The rates of transmission at various levels of maternal plasma HIV-1 RNA were analyzed by tests for trend, with adjustment for covariates by stratification and logistic regression. RESULTS: Increasing geometric mean levels of plasma HIV-1 RNA were associated with increasing rates of transmission: the rate was 0 percent among women with less than 1000 copies per milliliter (0 of 57), 16.6 percent among women with 1000 to 10,000 copies per milliliter (32 of 193), 21.3 percent among women with 10,001 to 50,000 copies per milliliter (39 of 183), 30.9 percent among women with 50,001 to 100,000 copies per milliliter (17 of 55), and 40.6 percent among women with more than 100,000 copies per milliliter (26 of 64) (P<0.001). The treatment status of one woman was unknown. The highest rate of transmission was among women whose plasma HIV-1 RNA levels exceeded 100,000 copies per milliliter and who had not received zidovudine (19 of 30 women, 63.3 percent). Neither higher HIV-1 RNA levels early in pregnancy nor higher levels late in pregnancy were associated with the timing of infection in the infants. CONCLUSIONS: In pregnant women with HIV-1 infection the level of plasma HIV-1 RNA predicts the risk but not the timing of transmission of HIV-1 to their infants.
Adult↗
Incidence and risk factors for heterosexually acquired HIV in an inner-city cohort of women: temporal association with pregnancy.
BACKGROUND: A growing proportion of AIDS cases in the United States are due to heterosexual transmission of HIV, particularly in women. The risk of heterosexually acquired HIV was prospectively studied in a cohort of inner-city women with no history of parenteral drug use. METHODS: Study participants were evaluated at 6-month intervals for the presence of HIV antibody, sexually transmitted diseases, self-reported sexual behavior, and drug use by self-report and urine screening. RESULTS: Of 449 initially HIV-negative women who were seen at least once in follow-up, 4 seroconverted to HIV, with a cumulative incidence of 2.4% at 30 months. Risk factors for HIV seroconversion included nonparenteral drug use (p < .02) and anal intercourse (p < .01). Sexually transmitted diseases were not associated with HIV, although the power to detect such an association was limited. In addition, 3 of 4 seroconverters became pregnant, yielding a rate of 55.5 pregnancies/100 person-years of follow-up compared with a rate of 11.1 pregnancies/100 person-years of follow-up in nonseroconverters (p < .03). CONCLUSION: The incident rate of heterosexually acquired HIV in this inner-city U.S. cohort of women who were not using parenteral drugs is comparable with that reported in some developing countries where heterosexually acquired HIV is endemic. Most seroconversions appeared related to risk behavior seen in association with nonparenteral drug use. The previously unreported association of incident HIV infection with pregnancy in this cohort may be related to either behavioral or biologic factors.
Adult↗
Cervical dysplasia on cervicovaginal Papanicolaou smear among HIV-1-infected pregnant and nonpregnant women. Women and Infants Transmission Study.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) on cervicovaginal Papanicolaou (Pap) smear among women infected with HIV-1 and their pregnancy status, and historical and clinical factors. METHODS: Study enrollment Pap smears of 452 pregnant and 126 nonpregnant HIV-infected women had cytologic evaluation. The rates of SIL were compared with pregnancy status, immunosuppression, presence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and demographic features. RESULTS: Rates of low grade SIL were similar for pregnant and nonpregnant HIV-1-infected women (17% and 23.8%, respectively; p = .09). Of them, 12 women, 9 pregnant and 3 nonpregnant, had high grade SIL. None had invasive cervical cancer. Low CD4 percentage (odds ratio, [OR] = 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-7.3) and inflammation (OR = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.8-4.3) were associated with SIL. An association between herpes simplex and SIL (OR = 3.3; 95% CI, 1.1-9.5) was less certain due to clinical diagnosis and low prevalence of herpes simplex (17 of 456 women). CONCLUSIONS: Pap smears for a cohort of HIV-infected pregnant and nonpregnant women revealed a high prevalence of LGSIL but a low prevalence of HGSIL and no cases of cervical cancer. Although pregnancy may not affect the rate of Pap smear abnormalities, SIL is associated with immunosuppression, cervical inflammation, and herpes simplex. Closer surveillance of HIV-1-infected women with these risk factors may be warranted.
Adolescent↗
Cervicovaginal human papillomavirus infection in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV)-positive and high-risk HIV-negative women.
BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with precancerous cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions commonly seen among women infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV). We characterized HPV infection in a large cohort of HIV-positive and HIV-negative women participating in the Women's Interagency HIV Study to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for cervicovaginal HPV infection in HIV-positive women. METHODS: HIV-positive (n = 1778) and HIV-negative (n = 500) women were tested at enrollment for the presence of HPV DNA in a cervicovaginal lavage specimen. Blood samples were tested for HIV antibody status, level of CD4-positive T cells, and HIV RNA load (copies/mL). An interview detailing risk factors was conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Compared with HIV-negative women, HIV-positive women with a CD4+ cell count of less than 200/mm3 were at the highest risk of HPV infection, regardless of HIV RNA load (odds ratio [OR] = 10.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.32-14.04), followed by women with a CD4+ count greater than 200/mm3 and an HIV RNA load greater than 20,000 copies/mL (OR = 5.78; 95% CI = 4.17-8.08) and women with a CD4+ count greater than 200/mm3 and an HIV RNA load less than 20,000 copies/mL (OR = 3.12; 95% CI = 2.36-4.12), after adjustment for other factors. Other risk factors among HIV-positive women included racial/ethnic background (African-American versus Caucasian, OR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.19-2.28), current smoking (yes versus no; OR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.20-1.99), and younger age (age < 30 years versus > or = 40 years; OR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.23-2.49). CONCLUSIONS: Although the strongest risk factors of HPV infection among HIV-positive women were indicators of more advanced HIV-related disease, other factors commonly found in studies of HIV-negative women, including racial/ethnic background, current smoking, and age, were important in HIV-positive women as well.
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
Obstetric and newborn outcomes in a cohort of HIV-infected pregnant women: a report of the women and infants transmission study.
OBJECTIVE: To determine obstetric and neonatal outcomes in a cohort of HIV-infected pregnant women and to assess whether HIV-related immunosuppression increases the risk of adverse outcomes of pregnancy. METHODS: Between 1989 and 1994, interview, physical examination, laboratory, and medical record data were prospectively collected from HIV-infected pregnant women and on their newborns. Factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcome and HIV disease status were correlated with pregnancy outcome using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 634 women delivered after 24 weeks of gestation. Preterm birth, low birth weight, and small-for-gestational-age neonates occurred in 20.5%, 18.9%, and 24.0% of pregnancies, respectively. Factors associated with low birth weight were CD4 percentage <14%, history of adverse pregnancy outcome, pediatric HIV infection, bleeding during pregnancy, and Trichomonas infection. Preterm birth was associated with CD4 percentage <14%, a history of adverse pregnancy outcome, and bleeding during pregnancy. Being small for gestational age was associated with maternal hard drug use during pregnancy, Trichomonas infection, history of adverse pregnancy outcome, and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Adverse pregnancy outcomes are common for HIV-infected women and are associated with low maternal CD4 percentage and pediatric HIV infection. Preterm birth, low birth weight, and small-for-gestational-age ranking, however, are also associated with previously recognized sociodemographic and obstetric factors that are not unique to HIV infection.
Adult↗
Hepatitis C: screening in pregnancy.
Hepatitis C virus infection, which is far more prevalent than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, can lead to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic failure, and death. Like HIV-1, hepatitis C is transmitted parenterally, sexually, and from mother to infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended that all children born to women who are infected with hepatitis C virus or have risk factors for infection be screened for hepatitis C. Most infected women are asymptomatic and unaware of their infection, so routine prenatal testing is needed to fully meet that goal. We do not believe that current data justify universal testing, but we believe it is time for all obstetricians to test selectively based on risk factors.
Female↗
Changes in immune activation markers during pregnancy and postpartum.
Changes in CD4 + cell levels and other immune parameters have been reported to occur during pregnancy but the timing of these alterations and their relationship to changes in immune function have not been well characterized. In addition, the influence of sociodemographic, obstetric, and other covariates on these relationships is largely unknown. We measured three immune activation markers, soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2Ralpha), soluble CD8 antigen (sCD8), and neopterin during pregnancy and postpartum in 170 HIV-1-seronegative women enrolled in the Mothers and Infants Cohort Study. Ante-partum and postpartum changes in these markers were examined using multivariable longitudinal random effects models. Neopterin levels began to rise well before delivery and were in decline by 2 months postpartum. sIL-2Ralpha and sCD8 levels increased at or near delivery and peaked by 2 months postpartum. After adjustment for other variables, the peak in sIL-2Ralpha was greater among women with pre-term than full-term deliveries (P = 0.05). All three markers were higher in whites than non-whites and in 'hard' drug users than non-users (P < or = 0.001 for each). After adjustment for these and other variables, hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositivity was associated with higher levels of sCD8 and neopterin (P < or = 0.001 for each) but not sIL-2Ralpha (P = 0.27). These longitudinal data indicate that a state of broad immune activation develops at or near delivery. A number of maternal variables appear to influence the magnitude of these changes.
Adult↗
Mandatory HIV testing of infants and rates of follow-up care.
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Adult↗
The case for rapid HIV testing during labor.
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AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
Prevalence, risk factors, and accuracy of cytologic screening for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women with the human immunodeficiency virus.
OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of cervical cytology in women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), risk factors for abnormal cytology in HIV-infected and uninfected women, and risk factors for histologic diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in HIV-infected women. METHODS: Methods included a cross-sectional analysis of cervical cytology, colposcopic impression, and histology in 248 HIV-infected women and multivariate analyses of risk factors for abnormal cytology in 253 HIV-infected and 220 uninfected women and risk factors for CIN in 186 HIV-infected women. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of cytology for all CIN grades were 0.60 and 0.80 and, for high-grade CIN, 0.83 and 0.74. The prevalence of abnormal cytology was 32.9% in HIV-infected and 7.6% in HIV-negative women. Independent risk factors for abnormal cytology were immunodeficiency [odds ratio (OR) 8-17, P < 0.001] and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (OR = 5, P < 0.001). The prevalence of CIN on histology was 32% in HIV-infected women, and the only independent risk factor for CIN was oncogenic HPV type (OR = 5, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Given the high prevalence of abnormal cytology and CIN in HIV-infected women, cytologic screening has significant limitations. Both immunodeficiency and type of HPV infection are important risk factors.
Adult↗
A longitudinal study of human papillomavirus carriage in human immunodeficiency virus-infected and human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected women.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the relationship of human immunodeficiency virus serostatus to carriage of oncogenic human papillomavirus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 268 human immunodeficiency virus-infected and 265 human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected women were seen every 6 months, at which time they had laboratory tests performed including a CD4 count. Human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Statistical methods included Kaplan-Meier and Cox's proportional hazard models. RESULTS: The prevalence at baseline of any human papillomavirus type was 73% and 43% among human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive and seronegative women, respectively (p < 0.0001) and of oncogenic types was 32.5% and 17.0% (p < 0.001). The prevalence of oncogenic human papillomavirus was higher in women with CD4 counts <200 mm3 (p < 0.001). The rate of detection of new oncogenic human papillomavirus per 100 patient years of follow-up in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive women was almost three times higher than among human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative women (p < 0.01). The rate of loss of an oncogenic human papillomavirus was higher in the human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative women but the difference was not significant. The relative risk of a human immunodeficiency virus-infected woman who did not initially have a specific type of oncogenic human papillomavirus having one detected during follow-up was 6.6 times greater than among human immunodeficiency virus-negative women (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive women are more likely to have newly detectable oncogenic types of human papillomavirus at follow-up and to show persistent carriage of oncogenic types of human papillomavirus types. Among human immunodeficiency virus-infected women, those with higher CD4 counts were more likely to have a newly detected oncogenic human papillomavirus during follow-up.
CD4 Lymphocyte Count↗
Reproductive health hospitalizations among women with human immunodeficiency virus infections.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine types of inpatient admissions among human immunodeficiency virus-infected women both before and after the human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis, so that we might outline opportunities for intervention. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 292 human immunodeficiency virus-infected women were interviewed about the reproductive history and prior hospitalizations. A reproductive health hospitalization was defined as either an obstetric admission or a gynecologic admission. Other admissions were categorized as either human immunodeficiency virus related, possibly human immunodeficiency virus related, or not human immunodeficiency virus related. Assignments were made independently by two human immunodeficiency virus specialists. If there was a conflict, a third reviewer was used. RESULTS: In the 10 years before study entry 44.4% of women had at least one obstetric admission, 30.4% had at least one gynecologic admission, 3.1% had at least one human immunodeficiency virus-related admission, 18.1% had at least one admission that was possibly human immunodeficiency virus related, and 13.3% had at least one admission that was not human immunodeficiency virus related. Overall, 226 (77%) women had been admitted to the hospital; of these, 201 (69%) had been admitted for reproductive health reasons. Similar patterns were seen in the year before diagnosis and the time after diagnosis. Reproductive health admissions were more common among women who were younger, who used drugs, and who had higher CD4+ cell counts. CONCLUSION: Women with human immunodeficiency virus infection are often admitted to hospitals for reproductive health reasons before and after the human immunodeficiency virus status is known. Clinicians providing reproductive health care must be actively engaged in efforts to reduce the heterosexual and perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, to identify human immunodeficiency virus-infected women early in the course of the disease, and to provide ongoing care to human immunodeficiency virus-infected women.
Adult↗
The influence of pregnancy on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection: antepartum and postpartum changes in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viral load.
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine the influence of pregnancy on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viral load by measuring human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ribonucleic acid levels during pregnancy and post partum. STUDY DESIGN: One or more plasma or serum specimens obtained before and during the third trimester, and at 2, 12, and 24 months post partum were available for 160 human immunodeficiency virus type 1-seropositive women enrolled in the Mothers and Infants Cohort Study between January 1986 and January 1991. All specimens were frozen and stored at -70 degrees C until analyzed in batch for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ribonucleic acid by polymerase chain reaction. A multivariate longitudinal random effects model was developed to examine changes in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ribonucleic acid levels over time. RESULTS: Overall, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ribonucleic acid levels rose significantly during the study period, particularly during the second year post partum (mean, 0.09 log per year; 95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 0.15 logs per year; p = 0.005). However, the mean slope during pregnancy was not significantly different from zero (p = 0.65). CONCLUSION: Pregnancy had little immediate effect on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viral load in most human immunodeficiency virus type 1-seropositive women.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
The relationship of cocaine use and human immunodeficiency virus serostatus to incident sexually transmitted diseases among women.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in a group of heterosexual women as a function of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus and to ascertain the effect of crack cocaine use on these relationships. STUDY DESIGN: At baseline, 445 HIV type 1 (HIV-1) seronegative and 232 seropositive women were provided interviews ascertaining demographic and behavioral risk factors. All participants were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis at baseline and at 6-month intervals. RESULTS: HIV serostatus was not related to STD incidence. Although HIV-positive women reported more condom use than did HIV-negative women (P < .01), only 65% reported using them consistently. Increases in the frequency of crack cocaine use, measured on a 4-point scale, were positively associated with rates of new STDs (relative risk [RR] = 1.23, P < .01). Crack cocaine use was also associated with greater numbers of sexual partners and less consistent condom use. The relationship between HIV status and the probability of acquiring an STD was not influenced by frequency of crack use. CONCLUSION: Women infected with HIV or who use crack cocaine are at risk for transmitting HIV and acquiring other STDs. Whether women are infected with or at risk for HIV, programs are needed to prevent and treat crack addiction. Interventions should target high-risk sexual practices among both female crack users and women living with HIV.
Adult↗