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Validation of the Viral Load Testing Criteria – an algorithm for targeted viral load testing in HIV-positive adults receiving antiretroviral therapy

Thorman, Johannes ; Björkman, Per LU orcid ; Tesfaye, Fregenet LU ; Jeylan, Asiya ; Balcha, Taye Tolera LU and Reepalu, Anton LU orcid (2019) In Tropical Medicine & International Health 24(3). p.356-362
Abstract

Objectives: Restricted capacity for viral load (VL) testing is a major obstacle for antiretroviral therapy (ART) programmes in high-burden regions. Algorithms for targeted VL testing could help allocate laboratory resources rationally. We validated the performance of the Viral Load Testing Criteria (VLTC), an algorithm with satisfactory performance in derivation (sensitivity 91%, specificity 43%). Methods: HIV-positive adults who had been receiving first-line ART for ≥12 months at three Ethiopian public ART clinics were included. Healthcare providers collected data on variables of the VLTC: current CD4 count, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and self-reported treatment interruption. VL testing was performed in parallel. Performance of... (More)

Objectives: Restricted capacity for viral load (VL) testing is a major obstacle for antiretroviral therapy (ART) programmes in high-burden regions. Algorithms for targeted VL testing could help allocate laboratory resources rationally. We validated the performance of the Viral Load Testing Criteria (VLTC), an algorithm with satisfactory performance in derivation (sensitivity 91%, specificity 43%). Methods: HIV-positive adults who had been receiving first-line ART for ≥12 months at three Ethiopian public ART clinics were included. Healthcare providers collected data on variables of the VLTC: current CD4 count, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and self-reported treatment interruption. VL testing was performed in parallel. Performance of the algorithm for identification of patients with VL ≥ 1000 copies/ml was evaluated. Results: Of 562 patients (female 62%, median ART duration 92 months), 33 (6%) had VL ≥ 1000 copies/ml. Sensitivity for the VLTC was 85% (95% CI, 68–95), specificity 60% (95% CI, 55–64), positive predictive value 12% (95% CI, 10–14) and negative predictive value 98% (95% CI, 97–99). Use of the algorithm would reduce the number of VL tests required by 57%. Misclassification occurred in 5/33 (15%) of subjects with VL ≥ 1000 copies/ml. Conclusion: In validation, the VLTC performed similarly well as derivation. Use of the VLTC may be considered for targeted VL testing for ART monitoring in high-burden regions.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
algorithm, antiretroviral therapy, HIV, resource-limited settings, viral load, virological failure
in
Tropical Medicine & International Health
volume
24
issue
3
pages
356 - 362
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • pmid:30624826
  • scopus:85060641854
ISSN
1360-2276
DOI
10.1111/tmi.13201
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
86c0a213-3c41-4e33-96d1-91f874c4f1a4
date added to LUP
2019-02-06 15:09:18
date last changed
2024-05-14 01:50:36
@article{86c0a213-3c41-4e33-96d1-91f874c4f1a4,
  abstract     = {{<p>Objectives: Restricted capacity for viral load (VL) testing is a major obstacle for antiretroviral therapy (ART) programmes in high-burden regions. Algorithms for targeted VL testing could help allocate laboratory resources rationally. We validated the performance of the Viral Load Testing Criteria (VLTC), an algorithm with satisfactory performance in derivation (sensitivity 91%, specificity 43%). Methods: HIV-positive adults who had been receiving first-line ART for ≥12 months at three Ethiopian public ART clinics were included. Healthcare providers collected data on variables of the VLTC: current CD4 count, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and self-reported treatment interruption. VL testing was performed in parallel. Performance of the algorithm for identification of patients with VL ≥ 1000 copies/ml was evaluated. Results: Of 562 patients (female 62%, median ART duration 92 months), 33 (6%) had VL ≥ 1000 copies/ml. Sensitivity for the VLTC was 85% (95% CI, 68–95), specificity 60% (95% CI, 55–64), positive predictive value 12% (95% CI, 10–14) and negative predictive value 98% (95% CI, 97–99). Use of the algorithm would reduce the number of VL tests required by 57%. Misclassification occurred in 5/33 (15%) of subjects with VL ≥ 1000 copies/ml. Conclusion: In validation, the VLTC performed similarly well as derivation. Use of the VLTC may be considered for targeted VL testing for ART monitoring in high-burden regions.</p>}},
  author       = {{Thorman, Johannes and Björkman, Per and Tesfaye, Fregenet and Jeylan, Asiya and Balcha, Taye Tolera and Reepalu, Anton}},
  issn         = {{1360-2276}},
  keywords     = {{algorithm; antiretroviral therapy; HIV; resource-limited settings; viral load; virological failure}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{356--362}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Tropical Medicine & International Health}},
  title        = {{Validation of the Viral Load Testing Criteria – an algorithm for targeted viral load testing in HIV-positive adults receiving antiretroviral therapy}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/tmi.13201}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/tmi.13201}},
  volume       = {{24}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}