COVID-19 Infection Outcomes and Testing Outreach Efforts Among People Living With HIV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Abstract

Introduction: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence and severity of COVID-19 co-infection in people living with HIV (PLWH) has been an area of investigative research. Clinic databases of PLWH provide opportunities to investigate outcomes of COVID-19 co-infection and efficacy of outreach efforts, which are integral to patient care during health crises.

Methods: All PLWH over 18 years of age who receive care at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Adult Infectious Disease Clinic and who had a COVID-19 test performed during May 2020 through March 2021 were included for analysis. All patients received an individualized phone call with COVID-19 testing education and information. Automated data collection and manual chart review were used to acquire information on demographics, outreach efforts, COVID-19 testing results, and COVID-19 clinical course.

Results: Four hundred sixty-two COVID-19 tests completed on 793 PLWH were included, with 40 (8.7%) positive tests and 422 (91.3%) negative tests on a predominantly young, male, and virally suppressed cohort. Most patients had mild to moderate COVID-19 infection (20/27, 74.07%), with 1 patient requiring hospitalization and zero deaths. Three hundred fourteen (39.59%) patients accepted outreach for COVID-19 testing; 171 were tested in our health system, with 72 of those tests occurring within 2 weeks. Outreach efforts demonstrated a statistically significant increase in COVID-19 testing (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: In this largely young, male, virally suppressed cohort of PLWH, most COVID-19 co-infections were associated with mild to moderate disease severity, with 1 hospitalization and zero deaths. Individualized patient outreach efforts were associated with a significant increase in COVID-19 testing, most of which occurred after a single phone call. This outreach process could have utility in other public health arenas, though may be limited by larger patient populations.