Use of viral load surveillance data to assess linkage to care for persons with HIV released from corrections

Abstract

Incarcerated people remain a priority group in efforts to control and reverse the HIV epidemic. Following release, social instability and reengagement in key transmission risk behaviors increase the risk of secondary transmission of HIV. Targeted programs have been developed to facilitate reengagement in care on reentry. Evaluation of the impact of these initiatives requires a systematic, confidential, framework for assessment of linkage to care for persons released from corrections. By linking HIV viral load surveillance data to corrections release data, the time to the first laboratory monitoring service in the community as well as the virologic status can be assessed. Using this method, we linked release data for sentenced individuals released from Massachusetts state correctional facilities in 2012 to HIV surveillance data from the Massachusetts HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program (MHASP) for the years 2012–2013. We identified 41 individuals with HIV released in 2012. Ninety-one percent had identified virologic assessments post release, 41% within 30 days. Thirty-three percent did not have a viral load assessed for more than 90 days and 31% had detectable virus at the time of their initial assessment. Persons with longer incarcerations (> 180 days) were more likely to have suppressed viral load at the time of follow-up (p = 0.05). This work demonstrates the important value of HIV laboratory surveillance data and correctional release data as a tool to assess linkage to care following release from corrections. We encourage jurisdictions to explore utilizing similar methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of the linkage to HIV care after release from incarceration.

Introduction

Incarcerated people remain a priority group in efforts to control and ultimately reverse the HIV epidemic.[1] The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates case rate among persons in corrections, as of 2010, at 146 cases per 10,000 inmates. It has further been estimated previously that 14% of persons with HIV pass through the corrections system annually.[2] Persons with HIV who are incarcerated may be undiagnosed or out of care and off treatment, making periods of incarceration important times to identify these individuals and reconnect them to needed services.[3]

The period before and after incarceration has been shown to be a high-risk time for HIV transmission.[4–7] In the time leading up to incarceration, persons may experience significant social instability leading to gaps in care and in treatment with an estimated 42% and 78% engaged in care and only 1% and 35%[3] with viral suppression on treatment. Following release, social instability and reengagement in key transmission risk behaviors increase the risk of secondary transmission of HIV. Estimates of engagement in care during this time have varied widely from as low as 28% to as high as 96% in some model programs with most surveys showing proportions engaged less than 75%. There is less data regarding the proportions virologically suppressed at follow-up, but a prior survey from CT showed 61% virologically suppressed 12 weeks following release from prison.[8] A multisite study of jail populations showed only 26% virologically suppressed 6 months following release from jail.[9]

Targeted programs have been developed to complement corrections release planning as a means of facilitating reengagement in care for persons with HIV on reentry.[10–12] Evaluation of the impact of these initiatives requires a systematic, confidential, framework for assessment of linkage to care for persons released from corrections.[13] We developed such a framework based on the linkage of corrections release data from the National Corrections Reporting Program and clinical service data from Ryan White funded care providers in the form of the Ryan White client level data reporting.[14, 15] While in many jurisdictions, Ryan White funded service providers are key safety net providers serving people in the post-release period, Medicaid expansion and efforts to enroll patients in Medicaid prerelease may lead to a larger portion of services being provided by non-Ryan White funded care providers. [16–20] The Ryan White reporting files in these jurisdictions may come to include a smaller portion of the services provided to persons with HIV on reentry.

State and CDC viral load surveillance data offer a source of clinical data that is independent of patients’ insurance status. Given that, in most cases, the viral load will be assessed at intake to a clinic, the time to the first viral load assessment in the community as assessed through electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) data may provide an important indicator of the timeliness of linkage to care on release from corrections. Consideration of the use of viral load surveillance for assessing linkage to care and retention in care is just beginning and perceptions of confidentiality concerns and policy barriers may limit its use in many jurisdictions.[21–24] This study is the first use of surveillance viral load and CD4 data and corrections release data to measure effectiveness of linkage to HIV care after release from incarceration.

Methods

Data for sentenced persons released from Massachusetts state correctional facilities formatted for the National Corrections Reporting Program and HIV surveillance data from the Massachusetts HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program (MHASP) were obtained for the years 2012 and 2013. The corrections release dataset included data for all releasees regardless of HIV status and included personal identifiers for linkage as well as the incarceration date and release date. HIV surveillance data included records for all individuals with known HIV diagnosed and reported to the MHASP. The records included identifiers for linkage together with the dates and results for all reported HIV viral load and CD4+ T-cell count assessments in 2012 and 2013.

Data linkage occurred by employing the algorithm used by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) for its Ryan White Services Report (RSR) client-level data. The algorithm creates an encrypted Unique Client Identifier (eUCI) derived from the first and third characters of the first and last name, the full date of birth, and the gender. The hashing algorithm used for encryption is a trap door algorithm that prevents recovery of the source data.[25] This method performed comparably to probabilistic matching in validation studies and has been previously used to assess linkage to care using the corrections release data and client level data reporting from Ryan White funded care providers in Rhode Island and North Carolina.[14, 15]

The corrections data file was transferred to Abt Associates where eUCIs were generated for all names and aliases and the identifiers were removed. An analysis file with eUCIs, incarceration dates and release dates was transferred to the MHASP for linkage. Data linkage between the corrections records and the HIV/AIDS surveillance data was conducted onsite at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) by epidemiologists from the MHASP using Statistical Analysis System(SAS) using an algorithm developed at Abt Associates for prior similar linkage studies.[13, 15] This team was trained in the use of the algorithm to assure fidelity of the matching process. Following record linkage, the eUCIs were replaced with arbitrary identifiers and the dates were masked through addition of a random integer known only to the epidemiologist within MDPH. The generated fully de-identified data set was then transferred from MDPH to the study team for analysis.

The linked data records were summarized by key demographic, clinical- and incarceration-related factors as well as the distribution of viral load and CD4+ T-cell assessments by individual. Duration of incarceration was categorized as less than 180 days or greater than 180 days. CD4+ T-cell results were categorized as: less than 200, 200–500 and greater than 500. Persons with multiple CD4+ T-cell tests were assessed as stable, increasing or decreasing across the measurement period. Records with CD4 percentage without a CD4+ T-cell count were excluded for considerations of CD4 status. The outcomes considered include time to the first HIV viral load assessment in the community after release and virologic status (suppressed or not suppressed) at the first assessment.

Kaplan Meier curves were used to depict the distribution of time to first virologic assessment. All individuals without identified viral load assessments were censored as of the time of the last documented viral load assessment in the dataset which was considered the end of the follow-up period. The log-rank test was used to assess for differences in time to first assessment by key demographic factors including gender, race/ethnicity, HIV exposure mode and duration of incarceration. Differences in virologic status at linkage by the same factors were assessed using Fischer’s exact tests. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata/SE version 14.0.

This protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Boards within the Massachusetts Departments of Public Health and Massachusetts Department of Corrections, Abt Associates, the Miriam Hospital and the Office for Human Research Protections.

Results

A total of 9,657 releases were documented in the NCRP data file. A total of 56 matches were identified between the NCRP data file and the Massachusetts HIV/AIDS surveillance data set. Of these 51 had identified assessments in the community post-release. Forty-eight had multiple assessments. Demographic data for the matched sample are presented in Table 1. Seventy percent were men. Twenty-eight percent were identified as black and 36% were identified as Hispanic. Seventy four percent reported injection drug use (IDU) as part of their exposure mode for HIV acquisition with 63% identifying IDU alone and 11% were reported male to male sexual contact (MSM) and IDU. Two percent were identified as deceased. The median time of incarceration was 474 days with interquartile range of 1115 days (128–1243 days). The median follow-up time for persons released was 490 days with an interquartile range of 207 days.

Table 1. Demographic and incarceration related factors for persons with HIV released from Massachusetts state correctional facilities in 2012.

	n	%
Gender
Male	39	70
Female	17	30
Race/Ethnicity
White (non-Hispanic/Latino)	20	36
Black (non-Hispanic/Latino)	16	28
Hispanic/Latino	20	36
Age Group
25–34	5	9
35–44	15	27
45–54	20	36
> 55–64	16	29
HIV Exposure Mode
Heterosexual	8	14
IDU	35	63
MSM	<5
MSM/IDU	6	11
Other	<5
Status
Not Deceased	55	98
Deceased	1	2

Of the 56 matches, 51 (91%) had identified HIV viral load assessments post-release. Of these 94% had their first virologic assessment within 365 days. Eighty-six percent had more than one virologic assessment in the post-release period. A single individual had an identified CD4 assessment post-release without a viral load assessment. Viral load data during the period of incarceration was available for only 3 out of 56 (5%) whereas CD4 data from during the period of incarceration was available for 33 (56%). The median CD4 count was 330 with interquartile range 421 (123–544). Of the 33 with laboratory assessment in corrections, 27 had follow-up CD4 assessments post-release. Ninety-six percent of these had stable or improved CD4+ T-cell count at the time of assessment post release (see Table 2).

Table 2. Change in CD4 for those who had CD4 count data while in prison and then at a follow up post release.

CD4	No Follow Up	Follow Up Decline	Follow Up Stable	Follow Up Increased
<200	-	0 (0)	4(100)	0 (0)
200–500	2*	0 (0)	9(56)	7 (44)
>500	4*	1 (14)	6 (86)	0 (0)
Overall	6	1 (4)	19 (70)	7 (26)

* includes 1 individual with CD4 percentage post release without an accompanying CD4 count

Forty-one percent overall had their first viral load assessment within 30 days of release. The distribution of time to first service is presented in Fig 1. No significant differences in time to first service were identified by gender, race/ethnicity, HIV transmission risk, or duration of incarceration. Thirty-three percent did not have a viral load assessed for more than 90 days and 31% had detectable virus at the time of their initial assessment (see Table 3). Persons with longer incarcerations (> 180 days) were more likely to have suppressed viral load at the time of follow-up (p = 0.05). No significant differences were found in time to first laboratory assessment or proportion with suppressed viral load at first assessment post-release by race/ethnicity or exposure mode. Women on average linked later than men, although the small number of women in the sample limited the ability to establish statistically significant differences by gender.

Fig 1. Massachusetts state corrections release cohort and matches to HIV viral surveillance data for the 2012.

Table 3. Factors associated with viral load at first service.

	Viral Load
	<200	200–1000	>1000	Fisher’s Exact
	n (%)	n (%)	n (%)
Gender
Male	26 (74.3)	2 (5.7)	7 (20)	0.21
Female	8 (50)	2 (12.5)	6 (37.5)
Race/Ethnicity
White (non-hispanic)	13 (68.4)	2 (10.5)	4 (21.1)	0.75
Black (non-hispanic)	7 (53.8)	1 (7.7)	5 (38.5)
Hispanic	14 (73.7)	1 (5.3)	4 (21)
HIV Risk Factor
Hetero Contact	4 (50)	2 (25)	2 (25)	0.66
IDU	21 (67.7)	2 (6.5)	8 (25.8)
MSM	2 (100)	0 (0)	0 (0)
MSM/IDU	5 (83.3)	0 (0)	1 (16.7)
Other	2 (50)	0 (0)	2 (50)
Time Incarcerated
<180 days	7 (46.7)	3 (20)	5 (33.3)	0.04
More than 180 days	27 (75)	1 (2.8)	8 (22.2)
Time to Care
<30 days	14 (66.7)	3 (14.3)	4 (19)	0.30
30–90 days	10 (76.9)	1 (7.7)	2 (15.4)
>90 days	10 (58.8)	0 (0)	7 (41.2)

Discussion

This work demonstrates the important value of HIV laboratory surveillance data and correctional release data as a tool to assess linkage to care following release from corrections. By linking corrections release data and laboratory surveillance data, we identified 56 individuals with HIV released from a state correctional facility in Massachusetts of whom 91% were identified to have linked to care in the community, as indicated by receipt of a viral load test following release, during 2012 or 2013. Among those who linked to care in the community only 41% did so within 30 days. This is typically the maximum duration of medication provided to persons on release. Detectable viremia was present in 31% of persons assessed, indicating significant gaps in treatment post-release. Notably, however, among those with delays in their first laboratory test greater than 90 days, 59% were suppressed at the time of their first assessment suggesting either that there is incomplete service capture in the surveillance files or patients may have had access to care including medications without viral testing. This can be compared to the overall estimated rate of virologic suppression for persons with HIV in MA of 65% and indicates significant gaps in treatment in the post release period.[26] All individuals were followed for at least one year which was sufficient time to identify linkage for 94% of those who ultimately linked. It is possible that a portion of the 9% not demonstrated to link in 2012 or 2013 may have followed up for care in 2014.

Prior analyses of linkage to care using Ryan White data have suggested that longer periods of incarceration, greater than 180 days, are associated with earlier linkage to care.[15] In this analysis we found that persons incarcerated for less than 180 days were more likely to have detectable virus at their first assessment in the community though there was no difference in time to linkage. Incarceration provides an opportunity for patients to engage in care, including for some the ability to access ancillary mental health or other support services. This ability may be limited in the context of shorter incarcerations. In addition, persons out of care at the time of incarceration may be less likely to achieve HIV viral suppression while incarcerated if the duration of incarceration is short. Given the lack of viral load assessments during incarceration, it was not possible to assess whether or not those with detectable virus were trending down and the observed values were consistent with ongoing antiretroviral therapy.

Using this framework, it is not possible to establish whether an individual’s HIV status was known at the time of incarceration except in cases for which testing was performed during the period of incarceration. In a serosurvey of persons incarcerated in New York City jails in 2006, 13% of individuals identified as HIV positive on the survey had previously reported their status.[27] Notably 25% of individuals were not tested and not known to have been previously diagnosed. Persons of unknown status while incarcerated will be unable to access targeted services to support linkage to care. A viral load test performed in the community following release, could equally represent a diagnostic test performed for persons with concern for acute HIV. Based on previously observed low rates of new HIV diagnoses identified through routine testing in probation and parole, if this occurs, it would likely be a small component of the overall sample.[28] In most states, laboratory surveillance data is coupled with name- based reporting for new diagnoses of HIV and using those records, new diagnoses following release could be specifically identified. There we no instances of this in our sample.

HIV laboratory surveillance data offers significant potential advantages over either practice-based or clinical payer-based data sets. HIV laboratory surveillance datasets are becoming increasingly well developed around the country.[29] In this sample, there remain some indications of incomplete data particularly in the CD4+ T-cell reporting and in the reporting of data for labs collected during the period of incarceration. Though release of this data to outside parties may pose confidentiality concerns, this analysis demonstrates that the data may be confidentially matched as part of program monitoring through effective collaboration between state and federal agencies.

Limitations

This analysis is limited to individuals diagnosed and reported to the HIV surveillance system. For the 9% with no identified viral load testing post release, it is possible that a portion of these linked to care outside of Massachusetts. The 56 individuals can be compared to the estimated population of HIV+ individuals who reside in correctional facilities, which has trended down from 264 in 2008 to 206 in 2010.[30] The 56 HIV+ individuals identified likely encompass a significant portion of those with HIV released during the year. Though this work does not describe the experience of the 9% who do not link to care, the experience of those who ultimately link is likely informative with regard to both facilitators of and barriers to linkage. The information obtained can support development of programs that may equally benefit those currently being lost to care.

The development of systems to ensure the completeness and accuracy of HIV and electronic laboratory surveillance (ELR) data is key to its value for clinical care monitoring. 2012 was the first year in Massachusetts when the full laboratory reporting was implemented and considered complete. The pattern of observed lab monitoring in corrections, specifically individuals for whom CD4+ T-cell testing was performed but no viral load tests were reported, suggest that some gaps may remain. This may be due to the fact that many of the correctional facilities use an external out of state commercial lab that report via paper which caused omission of their laboratory results from the electronic surveillance data. A Massachusetts Department of Health audit of HIV care performed in Massachusetts correctional facilities for the period of August through September notably found that at least one viral load assessment was available for 99 percent of incarcerated persons with HIV and 84% were virologically suppressed.[31] Nationally surveillance programs are continually developing. As states work to improve the integrity and completeness of these reporting systems, the value of ELR/HIV surveillance data as a clinical monitoring tool will continue to rise. Extension of this framework to use with national aggregated data would both provide important information nationally regarding linkage to care on reentry and reduce the concerns for apparent false negative linkage to services received out of state.

Persons released from corrections are at risk for both interruptions in care and poor retention in care. Though this analysis focused on persons released from prison, the value may be even greater when applied to persons released from jails given that they release approximately 10 times the number of persons with HIV in a given year. Longer-term follow-up would be needed to assess patterns of retention in care in this population. Since regular viral load monitoring is standard in the context of HIV care visits, viral load surveillance data would provide an important tool for assessing retention in care and effectiveness of care over time.

Conclusions

A major gap in our system of care for people with HIV occurs at the time of release from incarceration.[32, 33] In order to address this gap, we need a reliable measure of linkage to care following release from incarceration. We describe a system that can be easily replicated in any jurisdiction that has access to correctional data and viral load surveillance data, as well as the ability to analyze the data in a confidential way. This can be used to identify areas of need, and tracked to assess the effectiveness of linkage interventions over time. Routine monitoring of linkage to care, retention in care, and viral suppression following release from corrections would enable an accurate tracking of outcomes across the HIV Care Continuum for this National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) priority population. [1] We encourage jurisdictions to explore utilizing similar methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of the linkage to HIV care after release from incarceration.

Data Availability

The data for this study were deidentified to the greatest extent possible with removal of identifiers and masking of dates. However, retention of demographic factors needed for the analysis makes the data potentially still identifying for patients from specific subgroups which are not highly represented in the population of persons living with HIV and Massachusetts who have been incarcerated. Given these confidentiality concerns, the IRB strictly required that any access to the data but subject to IRB review with appropriate assurances of confidentiality. The study data was retained by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and will be made available with appropriate IRB approval to any individuals wishing to replicate the findings of the study. Data are available from the Massachusetts Department of Health IRB board with permission from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Massachusetts State Department of Corrections. The primary contact for requests for data is Betsey John, Director of HIV and STD Surveillance within the Massachusetts Department of Health. Email: betsey.john@state.ma.us Phone: 617-983-6570. The IRB website which gives instructions regarding submission is: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/admin/dmoa/irb/application-and-review-process.html.

Funding Statement

The primary support for this research came from NIDA grant 1R01DA030778 with additional support provided by NIH grants 2T32DA13911, K24DA022112, and CFAR P30AI042853. The funders provided support in the form of salaries for authors BTM, MC, CS, LS, JDR but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.