Alain Amstutz
A5025026528- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
- Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Ethics in Clinical Research
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
- HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials
- Diabetes Management and Education
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
- Global Health and Epidemiology
- Health and Medical Research Impacts
- Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
- Advanced Causal Inference Techniques
University Hospital of Basel
2016-2025
University of Basel
2018-2025
University of Oslo
2024-2025
Oslo University Hospital
2024-2025
University of Bristol
2024-2025
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
2018-2023
Careers Europe
2021
<h3>Importance</h3> The discontinuation of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) raises ethical concerns and often wastes scarce research resources. epidemiology discontinued RCTs, however, remains unclear. <h3>Objectives</h3> To determine the prevalence, characteristics, publication history RCTs to investigate factors associated with RCT due poor recruitment nonpublication. <h3>Design Setting</h3> Retrospective cohort based on archived protocols approved by 6 ethics committees in Switzerland,...
Home-based HIV testing is a frequently used strategy to increase awareness of status in sub-Saharan Africa. However, with referral health facilities, less than half those who test positive link care and initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART).To determine whether offering same-day home-based ART patients improves linkage viral suppression rural, high-prevalence setting Africa.Open-label, 2-group, randomized clinical trial (February 22, 2016-September 17, 2017), involving 6 facilities northern...
Abstract In settings where access to expert echocardiography is limited, focused echocardiography, combined with artificial intelligence (AI)-supported analysis, may improve diagnosis and monitoring of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Sixteen nurses/nurse-assistants without prior experience in underwent a 2-day hands-on intensive training learn how assess parasternal long axis views (PLAX) using an inexpensive hand-held ultrasound device Lesotho, Southern Africa. Loops were stored on...
To investigate the planning of subgroup analyses in protocols randomised controlled trials and agreement with corresponding full journal publications.Cohort trial subsequent publications.Six research ethics committees Switzerland, Germany, Canada.894 involving patients approved by participating between 2000 2003 515 publications.Of 894 trials, 252 (28.2%) included one or more planned analyses. Of those, 17 (6.7%) provided a clear hypothesis for at least analysis, 10 (4.0%) anticipated...
Background We previously found that 25% of 1,017 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) approved between 2000 and 2003 were discontinued prematurely, 44% remained unpublished at a median 12 years follow-up. aimed to assess decade later (1) whether rates completion publication have increased; (2) the extent which nonpublished RCTs can be identified in trial registries; (3) association reporting quality protocols premature discontinuation or nonpublication RCTs. Methods findings included 326 RCT...
To investigate the prevalence of discontinuation and nonpublication surgical versus medical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to explore risk factors for RCTs.Trial has significant scientific, ethical, economic implications. date, RCTs is unknown.All RCT protocols approved between 2000 2003 by 6 ethics committees in Canada, Germany, Switzerland were screened. Baseline characteristics collected and, if published, full reports retrieved. Risk early slow recruitment explored using...
For HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART), the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends routine viral load (VL) monitoring. We report cascade of care in with unsuppressed VL after introduction monitoring a district Lesotho.In Butha-Buthe 12 clinics (11 rural, 1 hospital) send samples for testing to laboratory. included data from patients aged ≥15 years Dec 1, 2015 November 2018. As per WHO guidelines <1000 copies/mL are considered suppressed, those ≥1000copies/mL...
There are no recent data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVDRFs) in Lesotho. This study aims to assess CVDRFs and their determinants. We conducted a household-based, cross-sectional survey among adults ≥18 y age 120 randomly sampled clusters two districts. Among 6061 participants, 52.2% were female median was 39 (interquartile range 27-58). The overall overweight, diabetes, elevated blood pressure (BP) tobacco use 39.9%, 5.3%, 21.6% 24.9%, respectively. 34.6% had none,...
Abstract Background The global mpox outbreak which started in May 2022 was caused by a novel clade IIb variant of the virus (MPXV). It differed from traditional Western and Central Africa disease transmission patterns clinical presentation. Methods To address need for detailed virologic data, we conducted an observational cohort study (MOSAIC) during 2022-July 2023 individuals with confirmed MPXV infection enrolled six European Countries. Case-management decisions were left to attending...
<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Background</bold>. Pain and its associated disorders are among the most common causes of disability contributors to healthcare costs globally. is understudied in Africa there no data on high-impact chronic pain from this region. In a population-based survey Lesotho, Southern Africa, we assessed prevalence unspecified pain, their determinants. <bold>Method</bold>. We conducted household-based, cross-sectional adults ≥18 years old 120 randomly sampled villages...
Purpose The prospective Viral load Cohort North-East Lesotho (VICONEL) aims to support clinical management and generate scientific evidence inform HIV care. Specifically, VICONEL allows for the monitoring of treatment outcomes health system performance, encompasses a biobank further research with routinely collected blood plasma samples consenting participants provides valuable framework nested observational interventional studies. Participants captures routine viral test results alongside...
Objective The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) promotes academic excellence through competitive selection of study proposals and rigorous evaluation feasibility, but completion status publication history SNSF-supported randomised clinical trials (RCTs) remain unclear. main objectives were to review all healthcare RCTs supported by the SNSF for trial discontinuation non-publication, investigate potential risk factors due poor recruitment compare findings other not SNSF. Design We...
Background Little is known about publication agreements between industry and academic investigators in trial protocols the consistency of these with corresponding statements publications. We aimed to investigate (i) existence types protocols, (ii) completeness reporting subsequent publications, (iii) frequency co-authorship by employees. Methods Findings used a retrospective cohort randomized clinical trials (RCTs) based on archived approved six research ethics committees 13 January 2000 25...
Abstract Objectives Since 2018, the World Health Organization has recommended dolutegravir (DTG)‐containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) for most people living with HIV. Country programmes across Africa have subsequently transitioned from other, mostly nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐based ART to DTG‐based ART. This study aims assess virological impact of programmatic transitioning in Lesotho. Methods The prospective Dolutegravir Real‐Life Lesotho (DO‐REAL) cohort...
T-cell response plays an important role in SARS-CoV-2 immunogenicity. For people living with HIV (PWH) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients there is limited evidence on the reliability of commercially available tests. We assessed 173 blood samples from 81 participants (62 35 PWH; 111 46 SOT [lung kidney]) two commercial Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRA; IGRA by Euroimmun, Roche). The between tests was judged as low (Cohen’s kappa [κ] = 0.20; overall percent agreement [OPA]...
Abstract INTRODUCTION Limited research has examined dementia prevalence and associated factors in Lesotho. This study investigates the METHODS A survey Lesotho included 1738 participants screened for potential with a focus on modifiable factors. Associations were evaluated using logistic regression models. RESULTS The median age was 66 years, 54.83% women. of 4.89%. Those depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39–11.30), ≥ 75 (aOR: 2.68, CI:...