Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40435167›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Association between virtual visits and health outcomes of people living with HIV: A cross-sectional study.

Nadia Rehman, Lawrence Mbuagbaw, Dominik Mertz, Giulia M Muraca, Aaron Jones, Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Nadia RehmanDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0174-1527
Lawrence MbuagbawDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5855-5461
Dominik MertzDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Giulia M MuracaDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Aaron JonesDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVirtual care has been integrated as a modality of care in Ontario, yet its effectiveness for people living with HIV remains largely unexplored.

objectivesWe aimed to determine the association of visit modality (virtual, in-person, or both) on adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), viral load, and quality of life (QoL) in people living with HIV in Ontario, Canada.

methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the 2022 Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study (OCS), collected during the COVID-19 pandemic when virtual visits were first introduced. Participants were grouped into three categories based on the mode of care: virtual, in-person, or a combination of both. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires and medical records, with viral load data linked to Public Health Ontario Laboratories (PHOL). Logistic regression was used to examine the outcomes of optimal ART adherence and viral load suppression, and linear regression was used for quality of life (mental and physical) outcomes.

resultsIn 2022, 1930 participants accessed HIV care in the OCS. Among them, 19.0% received virtual care, 45.6% received in-person care, and 34.3% received care through virtual and in-person modalities. The median age of the participants was 55 years (IQR: 45-62). In the multivariable logistic regression model, virtual care was associated with an increased likelihood of optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.70) and an increased likelihood of achieving viral load suppression (AOR 1.67, 95% CI:1.03, 2.63). Moreover, combined virtual and in-person care is associated with an improved mental quality of life compared to in-person care (Adjusted Mean difference (MD) - 0.960, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.87).

conclusionThis study suggests virtual care is positively associated with adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral suppression within this context. However, future research is necessary to establish causality and to assess the long-term effects of virtual care.

Indexed as

HIV InfectionsTelemedicineAdultAnti-HIV AgentsCOVID-19Cross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMedication AdherenceMiddle AgedOntarioQuality of LifeViral LoadAnti-HIV Agents

Identifiers

PMID40435167
PMCPMC12118912

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.