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Suba MI, Abu-Awwad SA, Rosca O, Turaiche MM, Hogea B, Abu-Awwad A, Nitu R, Lazureanu VE. Assessment of Gastrointestinal Adverse Effects during the First Six Months of "Biktarvy" Antiretroviral Therapy: Age-Related Patterns and Their Relation with Changes of 5 kg Weight Loss/Gain in the Initial Treatment Period. Diseases 2023; 12:3. [PMID: 38275565 PMCID: PMC10814213 DOI: 10.3390/diseases12010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The battle against HIV has led to the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART), including BIKTARVY®, which combines three potent agents. However, concerns about gastrointestinal side effects during the early phases of treatment have emerged, potentially impacting patient adherence and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective cohort study, conducted over four years in Romania, examined 222 patients initiated on BIKTARVY® therapy. Data were collected from electronic medical records, and stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to ensure data accuracy and relevance. Statistical analysis was performed to assess age-related patterns in gastrointestinal symptoms and their relation with significant weight loss. RESULTS This study revealed significant differences in the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms between age groups, with older patients experiencing more symptoms. Notably, diarrhea did not exhibit a statistically significant age-related difference. Furthermore, weight loss exceeding 5 kg was more common in older patients. Of the patients who continued BIKTARVY® therapy, 84.9% showed an increase in CD4 cell counts, and most expressed satisfaction with treatment. CONCLUSION Understanding age-related patterns and gastrointestinal side effects of BIKTARVY® is crucial for optimizing HIV patient care. Future research should aim to corroborate and expand upon these findings, potentially leading to improved therapeutic approaches in the ongoing fight against HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina-Ianca Suba
- Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Dr. Victor Babeș Infectious Diseases and Pneumophthisiology Hospital Timisoara, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Simona-Alina Abu-Awwad
- Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- “Pius Brinzeu” Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Bld Liviu Rebreanu, No. 156, 300723 Timisoara, Romania; (B.H.); (A.A.-A.); (R.N.)
| | - Ovidiu Rosca
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (O.R.); (V.E.L.)
| | - Mirela-Mădălina Turaiche
- Methodological and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Bogdan Hogea
- “Pius Brinzeu” Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Bld Liviu Rebreanu, No. 156, 300723 Timisoara, Romania; (B.H.); (A.A.-A.); (R.N.)
- Department XV, Discipline of Orthopedics-Traumatology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Profesor Universitar Doctor Teodor Șora Research Centre, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ahmed Abu-Awwad
- “Pius Brinzeu” Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Bld Liviu Rebreanu, No. 156, 300723 Timisoara, Romania; (B.H.); (A.A.-A.); (R.N.)
- Department XV, Discipline of Orthopedics-Traumatology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Profesor Universitar Doctor Teodor Șora Research Centre, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Razvan Nitu
- “Pius Brinzeu” Emergency Clinical County Hospital, Bld Liviu Rebreanu, No. 156, 300723 Timisoara, Romania; (B.H.); (A.A.-A.); (R.N.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Voichita Elena Lazureanu
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (O.R.); (V.E.L.)
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Abstract
Drug--drug interactions (DDIs) have been a clinical challenge in HIV medicine for over two decades. The newer antiretroviral drugs (ARTs) have significantly fewer DDIs than protease inhibitors and boosted integrase inhibitors (INSTIs). The lower propensity of such newer antiretrovirals (e.g. unboosted integrase inhibitors; doravirine) to cause DDIs, has been largely offset by the ageing cohort of patients with multiple comorbidities, who are taking multiple chronic medicines. Furthermore, the introduction of newly marketed drugs into clinical practice needs to be closely monitored, as the new drugs may be perpetrators of DDIs, leading to a potential change in the efficacy or toxicity of the coadministered antiretrovirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phumla Z Sinxadi
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Saye H Khoo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool
| | - Marta Boffito
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
- Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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