Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research

Viral Suppression and Discontinuation Rates have Improved in HIV Patients with Modern Antiretroviral Therapies

Abstract

Patrick Hamel, Ashley M Yu, Sarwat Khan, Daniel J Corsi and Curtis Cooper

Objective: Rates and determinants of first-line antiretroviral (ARV) discontinuation or change in prescribed regimen were assessed between old (pre-2006) and modern (post-2006) era stratified by dosing frequency [(once daily (QD) versus twice or more daily (BID+)]. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. All adult HIV patients initiating ARVs from January 1995-November 2015 were included. Patients were stratified by old- or modern-era and by dosing frequency. The primary outcome was rate of ARV therapy discontinuation or change in initial regimen. The secondary outcome was reason for discontinuation. Results: 1,127 patients were included from the old (n=621) and modern era (n=506). Modern-era patients were more likely to receive QD regimens (p<0.001) and had increased viral suppression at the last recorded testing than oldera patients (70.9% vs. 43.2%, p<0.001). Modern-era and QD patients had better adherence and treatment duration. Patients on integrase inhibitor (INSTI)- and NNRTI-based therapy had longer treatment durations and better ARV adherence. Risk factors for treatment switch or discontinuation included old-era therapy, IDU and PI+NRTI treatment. Older ages and immigrants were less likely to discontinue therapy. Common reasons for treatment discontinuation included changing treatments to improve regimen profile, gastrointestinal side effects, and neuropsychological issues. Conclusion: In patients initiating first-line ARV, risk of discontinuation or regimen changes has diminished in the modern-era with QD, INSTI- or NNRTI-based regimens. More attention to high risk patients including IDU is advised in attempts to improve outcomes. These findings provide ‘real world’ support for current clinical practice guidelines.