Impact of antiretroviral dosing frequency and pill burden on adherence among newly diagnosed, antiretroviral-naive HIV patients

Viral load suppression and its predictor among HIV seropositive people who receive enhanced adherence counseling at public health institutions in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. Retrospective follow-up study

BACKGROUND

For those HIV seropositive people with high viral loads, the World Health Organization recommends more counseling before changing ART regimens. A high viral load can lead to increased HIV transmission and lower survival rates. Clients with viral loads above 1000 copies/mL should receive enhanced adherence counseling for 3-6 months before switching. Despite enhanced adherence counseling programs, most countries struggle with viral load suppression. Little is known about viral load suppression in Ethiopia and the research area after counseling.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess viral load suppression and its predictors among HIV-positive individuals receiving enhanced adherence counseling in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2022.

METHODS

An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among randomly selected 546 clients on Enhanced Adherence Counseling at public health facilities in Bahir Dar city. The Epicollect5 mobile application was used to collect the data, which was then exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. A Log-Binomial regression model was fitted for each explanatory variable. Variables having a p-value <0.25 in bivariate analysis were entered into a multivariable Log-Binomial regression model. Finally, an adjusted risk ratio with a 95% confidence interval and a p-value <0.05 was used to measure the strength of the prediction.

RESULTS

Following enhanced adherence counseling, 312 (57.1%) people had their viral load suppressed. Absence of recurrent OI (ARR 1.40; CI 1.03-1.91), EAC stay less than 3 months (ARR 1.54; CI 1.19-1.99), EAC stay 3-6 months (ARR 1.38; CI 1.12-1.69), once-daily ARV dose regimen (ARR 1.28; CI 1.03-1.58), baseline viral load of 2879.00 copies/ml (ARR 1.30, CI 1.06-1.60), being orthodox Tewahido Christian (ARR 0.37; CI 0.18-0.75) were significant predictors of viral load suppression after Enhanced Adherence Counseling.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Most importantly, this study found that most people had suppressed viral loads after receiving enhanced adherence counseling. Significant predictors of viral load suppression included recurrent OI, length of stay on EAC, daily ARV dosing regimen, baseline viral load, and religion. Clients with a high baseline viral load and those who experience recurring opportunistic infections should get extra care during EAC sessions.

Patient perspectives of antiretroviral pharmacy services: A cross-sectional cohort study

BACKGROUND

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains the main predictor of sustained HIV virologic suppression for people with HIV (PWH). Mail-order pharmacy services are often offered to patients as an alternative option to traditional pharmacy services. Some payers mandate ART to be dispensed from specific mail-order pharmacies regardless of patient choice complicating ART adherence for patients affected by social disparities. Yet, little is known about patient perspectives regarding mail-order mandates.

METHODS

Eligible patients of the HIV program at University of Nebraska Medical Center with experience receiving ART from both a local and mail-order pharmacy were invited to complete a 20-question survey with three core sections: experiences/perspectives on local and mail-order pharmacy settings; pharmacy attributes rankings; and pharmacy preference. Paired t-tests and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the agreement scores of pharmacy attributes.

RESULTS

Sixty patients (N = 146; 41.1%) responded to the survey. Mean age was 52 years. Most were male (93%) and White (83%). The majority of participants were on ART for HIV treatment (90%) and 60% were using mail-order pharmacies for their prescription services. Significant scoring differences (p<0.05) were observed for all pharmacy attributes favoring local pharmacies. Refilling ease was the most important attribute noted. More respondents (68%) preferred local pharmacies versus mail-order pharmacies. Payer associated mail-order pharmacy mandates were experienced by 78% with half believing the mandates impacted their medical care negatively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort study, respondents preferred local pharmacies compared to mail-order pharmacy for ART prescription services and noted ease of refilling as the most important pharmacy attribute. Two-thirds of respondents believed mail-order pharmacy mandates negatively affected their health. Insurance payers should consider the removal of mail-order pharmacy mandates to allow patient choice of pharmacy, which may help remove barriers to ART adherence and improve long-term health outcomes.

Adherence to anti-retroviral therapy, decisional conflicts, and health-related quality of life among treatment-naïve individuals living with HIV: a DEARS-J observational study

BACKGROUND

Supporting people living with HIV using anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is important due to the requirement for strict medication adherence. To date, no data from longitudinal studies evaluating adherence by treatment-naïve people living with HIV are currently available. We investigated the adherence of treatment-naïve people living with HIV over time and examined the relationships among decisional conflicts, adherence, and health-related quality of life (HRQL).

METHODS

The survey items included adherence (visual analogue scale [VAS]), decisional conflict (decisional conflict scale [DCS]), and HRQL (Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey [MOS-HIV]). The DCS and MOS-HIV scores and the VAS and MOS scores were collected electronically at the ART initiation time point and at 4-, 24-, and 48-week post-treatment time points.

RESULTS

A total of 215 participants were enrolled. The mean DCS score was 27.3 (SD, 0.9); 23.3% of participants were in the high-score and 36.7% in the low-score groups. The mean adherence rates at 4, 24, and 48 weeks were 99.2% (standard error [SE], 0.2), 98.4% (SE, 0.4), and 96.0% (SE, 1.2), respectively. The least-square means of the MOS-HIV for the DCS (high vs. low scores) were 64.4 vs. 69.2 for general health perceptions and 57.7 vs. 64.0 for HRQL, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Adherence among treatment-naïve people living with HIV was maintained at a higher level, and HRQL tended to improve with ART. People with high levels of decisional conflict tended to have lower HRQL scores. Support for people living with HIV during ART initiation may be related to HRQL.

Medication adherence with fixed-dose versus free-equivalent combination therapies: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: We conducted a large-scale meta-analysis and subgroup analysis to compare the effect of fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapy with that of free-equivalent combination (FEC) therapy on medication adherence. Methods: Studies published in Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and Embase up to May 2022 were identified according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary assessed outcomes were the medication possession ratio (MPR) and proportion of days covered (PDC). We investigated the probability of being adherent to the prescribed treatment (MPR or PDC ≥80%) or the average estimate of these two parameters. Studies reporting such results were included in this meta-analysis. The summary measures were reported as the risk ratio (RR) and the weighted mean difference (MD) with 95% of confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects model of DerSimonian and Laird. The quality of the cohort studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: Of the 1,814 screened studies, 61 met the predefined inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis of the results showed that compared to FEC, FDC significantly improved the medication compliance of patients by 1.29 times (95% CI:1.23-1.35, p < 0.00001). I² of 99% represent high heterogeneity across studies. The mean difference in medication adherence between FDC and FEC was 0.10 (95% CI: 0.06-0.14, p < 0.00001) with an I² estimate of 100%. Subgroup analyses were performed for studies that reported adherence outcomes according to disease type, period of evaluation and compliance indicators. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to exclude the results of low-quality studies, as well as studies in which there was ambiguity in the method of calculating the estimator. Conclusion: Analysis of the assessed parameters for the intention-to-treat and subgroup populations suggests that FDC can improve adherence to treatment and its advantages over FEC may increase over time. Further research is needed to better understand how medical conditions affect the impact of reduced pill burden on adherence, particularly in diseases other than cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Treatment and comorbidity burden among people living with HIV: a review of systematic literature reviews

Background

As the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment landscape continues to evolve, the prolonged life expectancy and long-term exposure to antiretroviral drugs have modified the burden associated with living with HIV.

Objective

To better understand the current treatment and comorbidity burden in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods

Peer-reviewed systematic literature reviews (SLRs) between 2017 and 2020 that included US studies and examined drug adherence/pill burden, resistance burden, or comorbidities in PLWH were identified. Methods and findings were extracted for the overall studies and examined in the subset of US studies.

Results

Among 665 publications identified, 47 met the inclusion criteria (drug adherence/pill burden: 5; resistance: 3; comorbidities: 40). While antiretroviral drug adherence levels varied across SLRs, single-tablet regimens (STR) were associated with higher adherence versus multiple-tablet regimens. STRs were also associated with lower risk of treatment discontinuation, higher cost-effectiveness, and lower risk of hospitalization. Longer survival resulted in a high comorbidity burden, with non-AIDS causes accounting for 47% of deaths among PLWH in the US. HIV doubled the risk of cardiovascular disease and was associated with other health problems, including bone and muscle diseases, depression, and cancers. Several antiretroviral regimens were associated with chronic diseases, including cardiometabolic conditions. Lifetime HIV costs are substantially increasing, driven by antiretroviral, adverse event, and comorbidity treatment costs cumulated due to longer survival times.

Conclusions

There is a considerable burden associated with HIV and antiretroviral treatment, highlighting the benefits of less complex and safer regimens, and the unmet need for effective preventative interventions.

One Pill, Once a Day: Simplified Treatment Regimens and Retention in HIV Care

Simplified drug regimens may improve retention in care for persons with chronic diseases. In April 2013, South Africa adopted a once-daily single-pill human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment regimen as the standard of care, replacing a multiple-pill regimen. Because the regimens had similar biological efficacy, the shift to single-pill therapy offered a real-world test of the impact of simplified drug-delivery mechanisms on patient behavior. Using a quasi-experimental regression discontinuity design, we assessed retention in care among patients starting HIV treatment just before and just after the guideline change. The study included 4,484 patients starting treatment at a large public sector clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. The share of patients prescribed a single-pill regimen increased by over 40 percentage points between March and April 2013. Initiating treatment after the policy change was associated with 11.7-percentage-points' higher retention at 12 months (95% confidence interval: -2.2, 29.4). Findings were robust to different measures of retention, different bandwidths, and different statistical models. Patients starting treatment early in HIV infection-a key population in the test-and-treat era-experienced the greatest improvements in retention from single-pill regimens.

Factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected adults in Cross River State, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

improved access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly increased the survival and quality of life of HIV-infected persons. Strict adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial if viral suppression must remain optimal. We assessed predictors of adherence to ART among adult patients in Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria.

Methods

a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 999 adult patients on ART in selected secondary and tertiary health facilities in CRS from January to June 2017. Respondents were recruited using multistage technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Adherence was defined as clients taking at least 95% of their pills in the last seven days. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine predictors of adherence at 5% level of significance.

Results

majority (70.5%) of the respondents were females with a mean age of 43.7 ± 11.1 years. The self-reported adherence rate was 60.1%. The commonest reasons for non-adherence was client travelling out of home, being busy, forgetting and lack of food. The significant predictor identified in this study was being on first-line drugs (OR=3.677, 95% C.I=2.523-5.358), were 3 times more likely to have good adherence. Predictors of poor-adherence were alcohol intake (OR=0.382, 95% C.I=0.262-0.559), dosing medications (OR=0.502, 95% C.I=0.381-0.661), CD4 cell count ≥ 500 (OR=0.723, 95% C.I=0.543-0.964), poor attitude to HIV status and medication (OR=0.713, 95% C.I=0.512-0.994) and family support (OR=0.736, 95% C.I=0.544-0.995).

Conclusion

adherence to ART among clients in this study was fair. Majority of the reasons for poor-adherence were client-related. There is need for targeted counselling to improve adherence.

Comparison of the efficacy, safety and durability of a switch to co-formulated RPV/TDF-TAF/FTC or DTG/ABC/3TC in virologically-suppressed HIV-1-infected patients in a single Italian centre: a cohort data analysis

This study evaluated the efficacy, safety and durability of a switch to co-formulated RPV/TDF-TAF/FTC (RPV-STR) or DTG/ABC/3TC (DTG-STR) in virologically-suppressed HIV-positive patients in a single Italian centre. All HIV-infected ART-experienced patients switching to RPV-STR or DTG-STR with HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL were included. Outcomes were incidence rate and rate ratios for discontinuation due to all causes (DAC), to adverse events (DAE) and to virological failure (VF) after 4 years of follow-up. We included 402 patients (244 on RPV-STR, 158 on DTG-STR). At Year 4 of follow-up, 124 patients (30.8%) discontinued for any cause (71 on RPV-STR, 53 on DTG-STR). Fifteen patients experienced VF [13 (5.3%) on RPV-STR and 2 (1.3%) on DTG-STR; log-rank, P = 0.4413]. Overall, 46 patients (11.4%) had AEs (23 on RPV-STR, 23 on DTG-STR). Nausea/diarrhoea was more frequent with DTG-STR (4.4% vs. 0%) and neurological toxicity with RPV-STR (4.5% vs. 2.5%). The rate of DAC within the first 3 months was significantly higher with DTG-STR (aRR = 5.88, 95% CI 3.20-10.81; P < 0.001); similarly, the discontinuation rate due to AEs was significantly higher with DTG-STR compared with RPV-STR (aRR = 12.89, 95% CI 5.48-30.32; P < 0.001). No difference in VF was observed between the two groups (RR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.10-2.14; P = 0.335). Patients with undetectable viral load who switched to DTG-STR or RPV-STR maintained virological suppression with a low risk of VF. A higher discontinuation rate was observed with DTG-STR compared with RPV-STR, particularly within 3 months from switch.

Time to treatment disruption in children with HIV-1 randomized to initial antiretroviral therapy with protease inhibitors versus non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Choice of initial antiretroviral therapy regimen may help children with HIV maintain optimal, continuous therapy. We assessed treatment-naïve children for differences in time to treatment disruption across randomly-assigned protease inhibitor versus non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based initial antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of a multicenter phase 2/3, randomized, open-label trial in Europe, North and South America from 2002 to 2009. Children aged 31 days to <18 years, who were living with HIV-1 and treatment-naive, were randomized to antiretroviral therapy with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus a protease inhibitor or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Time to first documented treatment disruption to any component of antiretroviral therapy, derived from treatment records and adherence questionnaires, was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimators and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

The modified intention-to-treat analysis included 263 participants. Seventy-two percent (n = 190) of participants experienced at least one treatment disruption during study. At 4 years, treatment disruption probabilities were 70% (protease inhibitor) vs. 63% (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor). The unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for treatment disruptions comparing protease inhibitor vs. non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens was 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-1.61 (adjusted HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.91-1.68). By study end, treatment disruption probabilities converged (protease inhibitor 81%, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor 84%) with unadjusted HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.84-1.48 (adjusted HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.84-1.50). Reported reasons for treatment disruptions suggested that participants on protease inhibitors experienced greater tolerability problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Children had similar time to treatment disruption for initial protease inhibitor and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy, despite greater reported tolerability problems with protease inhibitor regimens. Initial pediatric antiretroviral therapy with either a protease inhibitor or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor may be acceptable for maintaining optimal, continuous therapy.

Association of Self-Reported Medication Adherence with Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Elderly Patients: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy (PP) and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) cause problematic drug-related issues in elderly patients; however, little is known about the association between medication adherence and PP and PIMs. This study evaluated the association of self-reported medication adherence with PP and PIMs in elderly patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted using data collected from electronic medical records of 142 self-administering patients aged ≥65 years, excluding emergency hospitalization cases. Self-reported medication adherence was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS).

RESULTS

Of the 142 patients, 91 (64.1%) had PP and 80 (56.3%) used at least one PIM. In univariate analysis, patients with a VAS score of 100% had a significantly higher number of female patients and ≥1 PIM use compared to other patients. We found no association between the VAS score and PP. In multivariable analysis, the use of PIMs was significantly associated with a VAS score of 100% (odds ratio = 2.32; 95% confidence interval = 1.16-4.72; p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of PIMs by elderly patients is significantly associated with self-reported medication adherence. Pharmacists should pay more attention to prescribed medications of self-administering elderly patients in order to improve their prescribing quality.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV seropositive patients in northern Greece. Major factors of influence

BACKGROUND

Adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) is of great importance for reducing viral load and the eventual treatment of the patients and minimizing infectivity. This study aimed to investigate adherence to ART among people living with HIV in northern Greece and investigate the factors influencing adherence to ART.

METHODS

A correlational study was performed on a cohort of 112 seropositive individuals (100 men and 12 women) with a mean age of 37.14 years. The simplified medication adherence questionnaire (SMAQ) was used to assess adherence. In addition, the perceived available support questionnaire (PAS) for social support assessment was utilized to evaluate the perceived social support.

RESULTS

Approximately 60% of patients were found to be nonadherent to ART. Important factors affecting adherence are educational level, social support, and use of substances.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that a significant proportion of the cohort of patients investigated from northern Greece does not show adherence to ART. Several factors were identified to be of significant influence, which should be taken into consideration by the Greek healthcare providers. HIPPOKRATIA 2020, 24(3): 114-119.

Incidence and predictors of virological failure among adult HIV patients on first-line antiretroviral therapy in Amhara regional referral hospitals; Ethiopia: a retrospective follow-up study

Background

Although the United Nations program on HIV/AIDS 90–90-90-targets recommends achieving 90% of viral suppression for patients on first-line antiretroviral therapy by 2020, virological failure is still high and it remains a global public health problem. Therefore, assessing the incidence and predictors of virological failure among adult HIV patients on first-line ART in Amhara regional referral hospitals, Ethiopia is vital to design appropriate prevention strategies for treatment failure and preventing the unnecessary switching to second-line regimens.

Method

An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted on 490 adult HIV patients. The simple random sampling technique was used, and data were entered into Epi data Version 4.2.0.0 and was exported to Stata version 14 for analysis. The proportional hazard assumption was checked, and the Weibull regression was fitted. Cox-Snell residual was used to test the goodness of fit, and the appropriate model was selected by AIC/BIC. Finally, an adjusted hazard ratio with a 95% CI was computed, and variables with P-value < 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were taken as significant predictors of virological failure.

Results

The overall incidence rate of virological failure was 4.9 events per 1000 person-month observations (95%CI: 3.86–6.38). Users of CPT (AHR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.31–0.97), poor adherence (AHR = 5.46, 95%CI: 3.07–9.74), CD4 Count <=200 cells/mm³ (AHR = 3.9, 95%CI: 1.07–13.9) and 201–350 cells/mm³ (AHR 4.1, 95%CI: 1.12–15) respectively, and NVP based first line drug regimen (AHR = 3.53, 95%CI: 1.73–7.21) were significantly associated with virological failure.

Conclusion

The incidence rate of virological failure was high. CPT, poor adherence, low baseline CD4 count and NVP based first-line drug regimen were independent risk factors associated with virological failure. Therefore, strengthening HIV care intervention and addressing these significant predictors is highly recommended in the study setting.

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Join Forces with Integrase Inhibitors to Combat HIV

In the treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the diarylpyrimidine (DAPY) analogs etravirine (ETR) and rilpivirine (RPV) have been widely effective against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) variants that are resistant to other non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). With non-inferior or improved efficacy, better safety profiles, and lower doses or pill burdens than other NNRTIs in the clinic, combination therapies including either of these two drugs have led to higher adherence than other NNRTI-containing treatments. In a separate development, HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have shown efficacy in treating AIDS, including raltegravir (RAL), elvitegravir (EVG), cabotegravir (CAB), bictegravir (BIC), and dolutegravir (DTG). Of these, DTG and BIC perform better against a wide range of resistance mutations than other INSTIs. Nevertheless, drug-resistant combinations of mutations have begun to emerge against all DAPYs and INSTIs, attributable in part to non-adherence. New dual therapies that may promote better adherence combine ETR or RPV with an INSTI and have been safer and non-inferior to more traditional triple-drug treatments. Long-acting dual- and triple-therapies combining ETR or RPV with INSTIs are under study and may further improve adherence. Here, highly resistant emergent mutations and efficacy data on these novel treatments are reviewed. Overall, ETR or RPV, in combination with INSTIs, may be treatments of choice as long-term maintenance therapies that optimize efficacy, adherence, and safety.

Does the Polypill Improve Patient Adherence Compared to Its Individual Formulations? A Systematic Review

Many patients, especially those with a high pill burden and multiple chronic illnesses, are less adherent to medication. In medication treatments utilizing polypills, this problem might be diminished since multiple drugs are fused into one formulation and, therefore, the therapy regimen is simplified. This systematic review summarized evidence to assess the effect of polypills on medication adherence. The following databases were searched for articles published between 1 January 2000, and 14 May 2019: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Medication adherence was the only outcome assessed, regardless of the method of measuring it. Sixty-seven original peer-reviewed articles were selected. Adherence to polypill regimens was significantly higher in 56 articles (84%) compared to multiple pill regimens. This finding was also supported by the results of 13 out of 17 selected previously published systematic reviews and meta-analyses dealing with this topic. Adherence can be improved through the formulation of polypills, which is probably why the interest in researching them is growing. There are many polypills on the market, but the adherence studies so far focused mainly on a small range of medical conditions.

Antiretroviral therapy adherence among treatment-naive HIV-infected patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among treatment-naive HIV-infected patients and to evaluate the impact of single-tablet regimen (STR) on ART adherence among this population.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

We used a nationally representative sample of IQVIA LRx Lifelink individual level pharmacy claims database during 2011-2016, and defined adult patients with index date (first complete ART regimen prescription fill date) after 30 June 2011 as treatment naïve. We estimated ART adherence, measured as the proportion of days covered during 1 year following the index date. We conducted multivariable analysis to identify the factors associated with optimum adherence (≥90% proportion of days covered). We also compared adherence between patients prescribed STR and multiple-tablet regimens among those prescribed integrase strand transfer inhibitor-based or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens.

RESULTS

Overall 42.9% of the patients were optimally adherent. Adherence was significantly lower among blacks, Hispanics and patients in low-income communities. Adjusting for the covariates, patients on STR had higher incidence of optimum adherence compared with those on multiple-tablet regimens among patients on integrase strand transfer inhibitor-based regimens [49 vs. 24%, relative risk, 2.16 (95% confidence interval: 1.96-2.26)], but no significant difference was observed among those on nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimen [45 vs. 45%, relative risk, 1.12 (95% confidence interval: 0.99-1.26)].

CONCLUSION

Low ART adherence observed among treatment-naive patients in this nationally representative study suggests the need for public health interventions to improve adherence among this population.

Impact of Medication Regimen Simplification on Medication Adherence and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Long-Term Medical Conditions

BACKGROUND

This study aims to identify interventions used to reduce medication regimen complexity and to assess their impact on medication adherence and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using pre-defined search terms in three scientific databases, including ScienceDirect, ProQuest and MEDLINE. Original research articles published in English between 2009 and 2020 that assessed the impact of medication regimen simplification on medication adherence in patients with long-term medical conditions were eligible for inclusion. Review articles, meta-analysis studies and conference proceedings were excluded. Data charting was done in an iterative process using a study-specific extraction form.

RESULTS

Of the 684 studies identified through initial searches, 17 studies were included in the review. Nine studies involved simplification of medication regimen related to HIV, while three studies focused on patients with diabetes with or without coronary artery disease. The remaining five studies included medications used among elderly patients or medications related to hypertension, psychiatric disorders, glaucoma and kidney diseases. Three medication regimen simplification strategies were identified; fixed-dose combination (n = 7), once-daily dosing (n = 4) and the combination of both fixed-dose and once-daily dosing (n = 6). Overall, most of the regimen simplification strategies (14 out of 17) were found to be useful in improving medication adherence. There was no assessment of clinical outcomes in four out of 17 studies. Furthermore, more than half of the studies that assessed clinical outcomes did not show any additional impact on clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that there was an equal utilization of the three main approaches of regimen simplifications; fixed-dose combination, once-daily dosing and a combination of both. Overall, most of the regimen simplification strategies were found to be effective in improving medication adherence. However, the associated improvement in medication adherence did not extend to improvement in the clinical outcomes.

Deprescribing of non-antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients

PURPOSE

In recent decades, the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients has increased considerably, to the extent that the disease can now be considered chronic. In this context of progressive aging, HIV-infected persons have a greater prevalence of comorbid conditions. Consequently, they usually take more non-antiretroviral drugs, and their drug therapy are more complex. This supposes a greater risk of drug interactions, of hospitalization, falls, and death. In the last years, deprescribing has gained attention as a means to rationalize medication use.

METHODS

Review of the different therapeutic approach that includes optimization of polypharmacy and control and reduction of potentially inappropriate prescription.

RESULTS

There are several protocols for systematizing the deprescribing process. The most widely used tool is the Medication Regimen Complexity Index, an index validated in HIV-infected persons. Anticholinergic medications are the agents that have been most associated with major adverse effects so, various scales have been employed to measure it. Other tools should be employed to detect and prevent the use of potentially inappropriate drugs. Prioritization of candidates should be based, among others, on drugs that should always be avoided and drugs with no justified indication.

CONCLUSIONS

The deprescribing process shared by professionals and patients definitively would improve management of treatment in this population. Because polypharmacy in HIV-infected patients show that a considerable percentage of patients could be candidates for deprescribing, we must understand the importance of deprescribing and that HIV-infected persons should be a priority group. This process would be highly feasible and effective in HIV-infected persons.

A Longitudinal Analysis of Daily Pill Burden and Likelihood of Optimal Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among People Living With HIV Who Use Drugs

OBJECTIVES

Among people living with HIV (PLWH), high levels of adherence to prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART) is required to achieve optimal treatment outcomes. However, little is known about the effects of daily pill burden on adherence amongst PLWH who use drugs. We sought to investigate the association between daily pill burden and adherence to ART among members of this key population in Vancouver, Canada.

METHODS

We used data from the AIDS Care Cohort to Evaluate Exposure to Survival Services study, a long-running community-recruited cohort of PLWH who use illicit drugs linked to comprehensive HIV clinical records. The longitudinal relationship between daily pill burden and the odds of ≥95% adherence to ART among ART-exposed individuals was analyzed using multivariable generalized linear mixed-effects modeling, adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioural, and structural factors linked to adherence.

RESULTS

Between December 2005 and May 2014, the study enrolled 770 ART-exposed participants, including 257 (34%) women, with a median age of 43 years. At baseline, 437 (56.7%) participants achieved ≥95% adherence in the previous 180 days. Among all interview periods, the median adherence was 100% (interquartile range 71%-100%). In a multivariable model, a greater number of pills per day was negatively associated with ≥95% adherence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.87 per pill, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-0.91). Further analysis showed that once-a-day ART regimens were positively associated with optimal adherence (AOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.07-1.80).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, simpler dosing demands (ie, fewer pills and once-a-day single tablet regimens) promoted optimal adherence among PLWH who use drugs. Our findings highlight the need for simpler dosing to be encouraged explicitly for PWUD with multiple adherence barriers.

Factors associated with antiretroviral therapy adherence in adults: an integrative review of literature

AIDS is an advanced clinical manifestation of HIV infection. It generates severe immunodeficiency and associated infections that may lead to death. The antiretroviral therapy (ART) has reduced the morbimortality of HIV/AIDS, but its benefits depend on ART adherence. This integrative review followed the PICO method to identify factors associated with adult adherence to ART. Empirical papers published between January 2010 and December 2016 in the Medline, SciELO, Lilacs and PePSIC databases were included. We analyzed 125 papers regarding the characteristics of studies, adherence measures and associated factors. Results showed a wide variety in the definition of adherence and the use of measures for its monitoring, as well as several adherence-associated factors. These were categorized as follows: 1- Individual variables; 2- Treatment characteristics; 3- HIV/aids infection characteristics; 4- Relationship with the health services; 5- Social support. Health services should characterize the users' profiles, systematize adherence measures and regionally assess adherence-associated factors for the early detection of non-adherence to ART and implementation of effective intervention plans.

Prevalence and Correlates of Reporting Difficulty Taking Antiretroviral Treatment Among HIV-Positive Illicit Drug Users in Vancouver, Canada: A Longitudinal Analysis

People living with HIV who use illicit drugs continue to experience high rates of suboptimal treatment outcomes from antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although previous studies have identified important behavioural, social and structural barriers to ART adherence, the effects of patient-level factors have not been fully evaluated. Thus, we sought to investigate the prevalence and correlates of reporting ART was difficult to take among a cohort of illicit drug users in Vancouver, Canada. We accessed data from the AIDS Care Cohort to evaluate Exposure to Survival Services (ACCESS), an ongoing prospective cohort of HIV-positive illicit drug users linked to comprehensive HIV clinical monitoring records. We used generalized linear mixed-effects modeling to identify factors longitudinally associated with periods in which individuals reported they found ART difficult to take. Between December 2005 and May 2014, 746 ART-exposed illicit drug users were recruited and contributed at least one study interview. Finding ART hard to take was reported by 209 (28.0%) participants at baseline, and 460 (61.7%) participants throughout the study period. Patients ingesting a greater daily pill count (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.12 per pill, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.17) and experiencing barriers to healthcare (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.34-2.01) were more likely to report difficulty taking ART. Patients less likely to report satisfaction with their HIV physician (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.58-1.00) and achieve a non-detectable HIV viral load (AOR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.51-0.74) were more likely to report finding ART hard to take. In this community-recruited cohort of ART-exposed illicit drug users, a substantial proportion reported they found HIV treatment hard to take, which was clearly linked to higher dissatisfaction with healthcare experiences and, most importantly, a lower likelihood of experiencing optimal virologic outcomes. Our findings reveal a number of opportunities to improve HIV treatment experiences and outcomes for people who use illicit drugs, including the use of treatment regimens with lower pill burdens, as well as reducing barriers to healthcare access.

Rate of viral load change and adherence of HIV adult patients treated with Efavirenz or Nevirapine antiretroviral regimens at 24 and 48 weeks in Yaoundé, Cameroon: a longitudinal cohort study

Background

HIV-load decrease and suppression over time is associated with consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Our study aimed to evaluate the difference in viral load and adherence of patients treated with a combination of either Tenofovir (TDF), Lamivudine (3TC) and Efavirenz (EFV) or TDF / Zidovudine (AZT), 3TC and Nevirapine (NVP) regimens at 24 and 48 weeks.

Methods

A longitudinal study was conducted from May 2016 to June 2017 among 256 HIV infected adult patients who were enrolled at two approved treatment hospitals in Yaoundé, before the start of first-line ART. Whole blood samples were collected using standard operating procedures. HIV-loads were determined by a quantitative RealTime PCR assay. Adherence was evaluated by pharmacy refill data records. Statistical analyses were performed using the PRISM 5.0 software.

Results

Off the 256 HIV infected patients enrolled, 180 (70%) patients completed the study and 76 (30%) patients were lost to follow-up. The success rate in achieving viral load < 40 copies/ml was 1.8 times higher with the EFV regimen at 24 weeks and was 1.2 times higher in the NVP regimen at 48 weeks. At 48 weeks the treatment failure rate was 12.0 and 40.0% in patients on EFV and the NVP regimen, respectively. The rate of adherence varied in both ART based regimens with 84.0 to 74.0% for EFV and 65.5 to 62.5% for NVP, at 24 and 48 weeks respectively.

Conclusion

In our study and setting, the rate of viral load decrease was higher in the NVP based regimen than with the EFV regimen. The adherence rate to ART was higher in the EFV regimen, compared to the NVP regimen. This adds to evidence that the EFV regimen is the preferred ART combination for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs).

HIV virologic response better with single-tablet once daily regimens compared to multiple-tablet daily regimens

Background

Single-tablet regimens are preferred prescription choices for HIV treatment, but there are limited outcomes data comparing single-tablet regimens to multiple-tablet regimens.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed treatment-naïve patients at a single urban HIV clinic in the United States for viral load suppression at 6 and 12 months after initiating either single-tablet or multiple-tablet regimens. Multivariate regression was performed to obtain relative risks and adjust for potential confounders.

Results

Of 218 patients, 47% were on single-tablet regimens and 53% on multiple-tablet regimens; 77% of single-tablet regimen patients had undetectable viral load at 6 months compared to 61% of multiple-tablet regimen patients (p = 0.012). At 12 months, 82% on single-tablet regimens and 66% on multiple-tablet regimens (p = 0.019) had undetectable viral load. Relative risk of any detectable viral load was 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.1-2.5) for patients on multiple-tablet regimens compared to single-tablet regimens at 6 months, and 2.2 (95% confidence interval: 1.2-4.0) at 12 months.

Conclusion

Single-tablet regimens may provide better virologic control than multiple-tablet regimens in urban HIV-infected persons.

A meta-analysis comparing 48-week treatment outcomes of single and multi-tablet antiretroviral regimens for the treatment of people living with HIV

OBJECTIVES

To compare outcomes with single tablet regimens (STR) versus multi-tablet regimens (MTR) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment using published data.

DESIGN

Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of literature on approved and investigational HIV regimens.

METHODS

The research followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Single or un-blinded studies reporting a direct comparison between STR and MTR were eligible for the meta-analysis. Double-blinded studies were excluded due to lack of difference in pill burden between cohorts. The key outcomes of interest included: adherence rates/proportion meeting target, efficacy, safety/tolerability, non-clinical and economic outcomes.

RESULTS

After screening 63 full-text articles and posters, 14 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. The analysis showed that patients taking STR had improved outcomes over those taking MTR. Patients were significantly more adherent regardless of daily dosing frequency (odds ratio [OR]: 1.96, p < 0.001) and were more likely to achieve virological suppression (relative risk [RR]: 1.05, p = 0.002). There was a trend toward a lower discontinuation risk in the STR cohort, together with reported higher therapy satisfaction, better symptom control, improved health status, reduced healthcare resource utilization and demonstrated cost-effectiveness compared to MTR. There were no differences in CD4 cell count increase (at 48 weeks) or safety outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study confirm previously reported preliminary findings of the advantages of STR over MTR for HIV treatment in adherence, therapy continuation, viral suppression, tolerability, quality of life improvement, cost-effectiveness and healthcare resource utilization.

Comparison of adherence to generic multi-tablet regimens vs. brand multi-tablet and brand single-tablet regimens likely to incorporate generic antiretroviral drugs by breaking or not fixed-dose combinations in HIV-infected patients

Adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) is crucial to achieve viral load suppression in HIV-infected patients. This study aimed to compare adherence to generic multi-tablet regimens (MTR) vs. brand MTR likely to incorporate ARV drugs without breaking fixed-dose combinations (FDC) and brand single-tablet regimens (STR) likely to incorporate generics by breaking the FDC. Patients aged of 18 years or over exposed to one of the generic or the brand of lamivudine (3TC), zidovudine/lamivudine (AZT/TC), nevirapine (NVP), or efavirenz (EFV), or the brand STR of efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir (EFV/FTC/TDF). Adherence was measured by medication possession ratio (MPR) using both defined daily dose (DDD) and daily number of tablet recommended for adults (DNT). Adherence to generic MTR vs. brand MTR and brand STR was compared using Kruskal-Wallis. The overall median adherence was 0.97 (IQR 0.13) by DNT method and 0.97 (0.14) by DDD method. Adherence in patients exposed to generic MTR (n = 165) vs. brand MTR (n = 481) and brand STR (n = 470) was comparable by DNT and DDD methods. In conclusion, adherence to generic MTR was high and comparable with adherence to brand MTR and to STR. Utilization of DDD instead DNT to measure the MPR led to small but nonsignificant difference that has no clinical impact.

Next generation fixed dose combination pharmacotherapies for treating HIV

INTRODUCTION

Treatment options for patients with HIV-1 infection have grown over the past two decades to include multiple fixed-dose combination pharmacotherapies that have greatly simplified administration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for both patients and providers. Effective virologic control can often be achieved with once-daily use of a single-tablet regimen. Over the past three years, ART drug development has focused on the next generation of fixed-dose combinations for initial and maintenance therapy with improved efficacy, safety and tolerability.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers pre-clinical and clinical data searched through PubMed and presented at major conferences through November 2017.

EXPERT OPINION

Currently available single-tablet regimens have clinical limitations related to adverse event profiles, drug-drug and drug-food interactions and variable barriers to resistance. Anticipated advances in ART fixed-dose combinations promise combinations of current multiple tablet regimens into single tablets, as well as combinations with novel drugs with improved safety and tolerability. The traditional dogma of effective ART containing at least three active antiretroviral drugs is being challenged by promising data to support efficacy of certain regimens containing two drugs. Implementation of next generation ART will bring to light issues of clinical preference and cost-effectiveness as patents of existing drugs expire and more generic formulations become available.

Single tablet HIV regimens facilitate virologic suppression and retention in care among treatment naïve patients

Newer HIV regimens are typically taken once daily but vary in the number of pills required. Whether the number of pills in a once-daily HIV regimen affects clinical outcomes is unknown. We retrospectively compared adherence, retention in care, and virologic outcomes between patients starting a once daily single-tablet regimen (STR) to patients starting a once-daily multi-tablet regimen (MTR) in a publicly funded clinic in the United States. Outcomes were measured in the year after starting ART and included retention in care, virologic suppression, and medication possession ratio of at least 80%. Data from patients initiating therapy from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2011 were analyzed with both unadjusted and propensity-score adjusted regression. Overall, 622 patients started with an STR (100% efavirenz-based) and 406 with an MTR (65% atazanavir-based and 35% darunavir-based) regimen. Retention in care was achieved in 80.7% of STR patients vs. 72.7% of MTR patients (unadjusted OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.17-2.11; adjusted OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.10-2.02). Virologic suppression occurred among 84.4% of STR patients vs. 77.6% of MTR patients (unadjusted OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.14-2.15; adjusted OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.02-1.96). There was no difference in the proportion of patients achieving at least 80% adherence, as measured by medication possession ratio (33.0% of STR patients and 30.1% of MTR patients; unadjusted OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.87-1.50; adjusted OR 1.04, CI 0.79-1.38). While it is difficult to eliminate confounding in this observational study, retention in care and virologic outcomes were better in patients prescribed STRs.

Barriers to HIV Medication Adherence as a Function of Regimen Simplification

BACKGROUND

Barriers to HIV medication adherence may differ by levels of dosing schedules.

PURPOSE

The current study examined adherence barriers associated with medication regimen complexity and simplification.

METHODS

A total of 755 people living with HIV currently taking anti-retroviral therapy were recruited from community services in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants completed audio-computer-assisted self-interviews that assessed demographic and behavioral characteristics, provided their HIV viral load obtained from their health care provider, and completed unannounced phone-based pill counts to monitor medication adherence over 1 month.

RESULTS

Participants taking a single-tablet regimen (STR) were more likely to be adherent than those taking multi-tablets in a single-dose regimen (single-dose MTR) and those taking multi-tablets in a multi-dose regimen (multi-dose MTR), with no difference between the latter two. Regarding barriers to adherence, individuals taking STR were least likely to report scheduling issues and confusion as reasons for missing doses, but they were equally likely to report multiple lifestyle and logistical barriers to adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence interventions may need tailoring to address barriers that are specific to dosing regimens.

Development of an oral once-weekly drug delivery system for HIV antiretroviral therapy

The efficacy of antiretroviral therapy is significantly compromised by medication non-adherence. Long-acting enteral systems that can ease the burden of daily adherence have not yet been developed. Here we describe an oral dosage form composed of distinct drug–polymer matrices which achieved week-long systemic drug levels of the antiretrovirals dolutegravir, rilpivirine and cabotegravir in a pig. Simulations of viral dynamics and patient adherence patterns indicate that such systems would significantly reduce therapeutic failures and epidemiological modelling suggests that using such an intervention prophylactically could avert hundreds of thousands of new HIV cases. In sum, weekly administration of long-acting antiretrovirals via a novel oral dosage form is a promising intervention to help control the HIV epidemic worldwide.

Poor adherence to daily antiretrovirals can significantly affect treatment efficacy, but oral long-acting antiretrovirals are currently lacking. Here, the authors develop a once-weekly oral dosage form for anti-HIV drugs, assess its pharmacokinetics in pigs, and model its impact on viral resistance and disease epidemics.

Lipodystrophy among HIV-Infected Patients Attending Care and Treatment Clinics in Dar es Salaam

Background

HIV infection and long-term HAART use are associated with metabolic and morphological changes. We assessed prevalence, types, and risk factors associated with lipodystrophy among HIV-infected adults attending CTC in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods

Analysis included 466 HIV-infected patients. Study protocol involved administration of structured questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and clinical information. Diagnosis of lipodystrophy was based on physician clinical assessment.

Results

Lipodystrophy was present in 95 (20.4%) of the study participants, with lipoatrophy being the most common (49.5%) followed by mixed lipodystrophy (37.9%), and lipohypertrophy was the least prevalent (12.6%). Male gender, older age, long duration on HAART, and use of Stavudine containing regimen were associated with lipodystrophy (all p < 0.05). The risk for lipodystrophy was 1.6 times (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.01-2.72) for male participants and 13.3 times (AOR = 13.3, 95% CI = 6.4-27.7) for those on HAART. Long duration on HAART and use of Stavudine containing regimen were also associated with increased risk for lipodystrophy. Lipodystrophy was associated with poor perception about own body image and decreased social interactions.

Conclusions

Lipodystrophy is common among HIV-infected patients in Tanzania, especially among male patients and those on HAART. Regular screening, monitoring, and patient awareness are needed for early identification and appropriate management.

3-Year efficacy and durability of simplification to single tablet regimens: a comparison between co-formulated efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir and rilpivirine/emtricitabine/tenofovir

BACKGROUND

Few data are available about efficacy and durability of simplification from multi-tablet antiretroviral regimens to co-formulated efavirenz (EFV)/emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir (TDF) versus rilpivirine (RPV)/FTC/TDF in virologically suppressed HIV-1-infected patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed HIV-infected patients with HIV RNA <50 copies/ml switching to co-formulated EFV/FTC/TDF or RPV/FTC/TDF at five Italian centres. Patients were followed from time of switch until regimen discontinuation or a maximum of 3-years follow-up. Time to treatment discontinuation (TD) and virological failure (VF; defined as two consecutive HIV RNA >50 copies/ml or a single determination >1,000 copies/ml) and their predictors were investigated.

RESULTS

1,560 patients were reviewed of which 1,097 (70%) switched to EFV/FTC/TDF and 463 (30%) to RPV/FTC/TDF. During follow-up, VF and TD occurred in 44 (4%) and 242 (22%) patients in EFV/FTC/TDF and in 29 (6%) and 50 (11%) patients in RPV/FTC/TDF, respectively. The 3-year estimated probability of remaining free from VF was 96.2% with EFV/FTC/TDF versus 92.7% with RPV/FTC/TDF (P=0.003). At multivariate analysis, regimen type (EFV/FTC/TDF versus RPV/FTC/TDF aHR 0.24; P=0.004) and time of virological suppression (aHR 0.85; P=0.048) were the only independent predictors of VF. The estimated 3-year probability of remaining free from TD was 77.4% with EFV/FTC/TDF versus 88.4% with RPV/FTC/TDF (P=0.001). Predictors of TD were female sex, switching from PI-based regimens, older age, shorter time of virological suppression and regimen type (EFV/FTC/TDF versus RPV/FTC/TDF aHR 2.48; P<0.001). RPV/FTC/TDF showed a safer lipid profile and a greater increase in creatinine.

CONCLUSIONS

Both regimens showed good safety and efficacy in this real-life setting, although switch to RPV/FTC/TDF seemed better tolerated while EFV/FTC/TDF was associated with a lower probability of VF.

Effectiveness and tolerance of single tablet versus once daily multiple tablet regimens as first-line antiretroviral therapy - Results from a large french multicenter cohort study

Objectives

Pill burden during antiretroviral treatment (ART) is associated with worse adherence and impaired virological suppression. We compared the effectiveness, tolerance, and persistence on treatment of single tablet regimens (STRs) with non-STR once-daily regimens in patients receiving first-line ART.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of naïve HIV-1 infected patients prospectively enrolled in the French Dat’AIDS cohort and initiating first-line ART with STRs or once-daily non-STRs from 2004 to 2013. The primary outcome was time to treatment discontinuation defined by any change in the treatment regimen. STR and non-STR groups were compared controlling for baseline risk factors by inverse probability weighted treatment Cox analysis (IPWT) and propensity-score matching (PSM).

Results

Overall, 3212 patients (STR 499, non-STR 2713) were included. Median time to treatment discontinuation was shorter in non-STR patients than in STR patients, both in the IPWT (HR = 0.61, p<0.0001) and the PSM cohort (HR = 0.55, p<0.0001). This difference disappeared when censoring ART modification for simplification, both in the IPWT (HR = 0.97, p = 0.65) and the PSM cohort (HR = 0.91, p = 0.33). A lower rate of virological failure was observed with STRs than with non-STRs in both cohorts (HR = 0.23; p = 0.002 and HR = 0.22, p = 0.003, respectively). A lower rate of treatment modification for adverse event was observed with non-STRs in the IPWT cohort (HR = 1.46, p<0.0001), but not in the PSM cohort (HR = 1.22, p = 0.11).

Conclusion

First-line therapy with STRs was associated with a longer time to treatment discontinuation than with non-STRs. However, when ART modification for simplification was not considered as a failure, STRs and non-STRs were similar.

Patients' Willingness to Take Multiple-Tablet Antiretroviral Therapy Regimens for Treatment of HIV

BACKGROUND

The costs of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for HIV, consisting of separate, particularly generic, components (multiple-tablet regimens, MTR) are generally much lower than those of single-tablet regimens (STR) comprising the same active ingredients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether patients would be willing to take MTR, once-daily, instead of STR, with the goal of reducing general healthcare costs. In addition, we aimed to examine whether willingness was associated with particular patient characteristics.

METHODS

Data from the ATHENA cohort database in The Netherlands of adult HIV-1-infected patients in care and taking cART ≥6 months were used to select 1000 potential participants for an online patient survey on patient preferences and satisfaction. Participants were asked whether they would be willing to take three pills with the equivalent active ingredients simultaneously instead of STR to reduce costs. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine associations between patient characteristics and willingness to take MTR instead of STR.

RESULTS

Forty-seven percent (n = 152) of the 322 respondents answered 'yes' and 26 % (n = 83) answered 'maybe' when asked whether they would be willing to take three pills with the equivalent active ingredients simultaneously to reduce costs. Non-Dutch patients were significantly more likely to answer 'no' (OR: 2.49; 95 % CI: 1.17-5.30) or 'maybe' (OR: 2.63; 95 % CI: 1.24-5.60). Answering 'no' was less common among patients who had been taking cART ≥15 years (OR: 0.23; 95 % CI: 0.09-0.58). Commonly reported concerns included the dosing frequency, efficacy and tolerability of MTR.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-infected patients do not necessarily oppose the decision to prescribe MTR instead of STR to reduce healthcare costs. However, the potential trade-off in terms of convenience should be carefully weighed against the projected savings.

Pill Burden Influences the Association Between Time-Based Prospective Memory and Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Younger But Not Older HIV-Infected Adults

Prospective memory (PM) is associated with antiretroviral (ARV) adherence in HIV, but little is known about how pill burden and age might affect this association. One hundred seventeen older (≥50 years) and 82 younger (<50 years) HIV-infected adults were administered a measure of PM in the laboratory and subsequently were monitored for ARV adherence for 30 days using the Medication Event Monitoring System. In the older group, better time-based PM performance was associated with higher likelihood of adherence, irrespective of pill burden. Within the younger sample, time-based PM was positively related to adherence only in participants with lower pill burdens. Younger HIV-infected individuals with higher pill burdens may overcome the normal effects of time-based PM on adherence through compensatory medication-taking strategies, whereas suboptimal use of these strategies by younger HIV-infected individuals with lower pill burdens may heighten their risk of ARV nonadherence secondary to deficits in time-based PM.

Lipid Changes in Virologically Suppressed HIV-Infected Patients Switching from any Antiretroviral Therapy to the Emtricitabine/Rilpivirine/Tenofovir Single Tablet: GeSida Study 8114

We carried out a retrospective, multicenter study of a cohort of 298 asymptomatic HIV-infected patients who switched from a regimen based on 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors + protease inhibitor (PI)/nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or ritonavir-boosted PI monotherapy to emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/RPV/TDF) to analyze lipid changes. At 24 weeks, 284 (95.3%) patients were still taking the same regimen, maintaining similar CD4 counts as at baseline (651 versus 672 cells/mm(3), P = .08), and 98.9% of them with an undetectable viral load. Eight of the other 14 patients were lost to follow up and 6 (2.0%) ceased the new regimen: 3 due to adverse effects, 2 due to virologic failure, and 1 due to abandonment. The mean levels of fasting total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides fell at 12 and 24 weeks, with no changes detected in the TC to HDL-C ratio.

Prevalence of K65R in patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: recommendations based on the Frankfurt HIV Cohort Study Resistance Database (FHCS-RD)

Mutations in the genome of HIV-1 can compromise the success of antiretroviral treatments (ARTs) in HIV-1-infected individuals. The Frankfurt HIV Cohort Study Resistance Database (FHCS-RD) has previously documented a decline in the burden of resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) following the implementation of several new antiretroviral therapy regimens in 2007. In the current study, the annual burden of RAMs documented in the FHCS-RD in 2005-2013 was set in relation to the annual number of all cohort patients, drug regimens, available resistance tests, and prevalence for each RAM on relevant codons of reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease (PR) genes. A specific focus was put on the prevalence of the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) signature mutation K65R in HIV-1 RT in relation to the application of TDF within ART. Between 2005 and 2012, a total of 4423 HIV genotyping data sets from 4509 patients were analysed. All mutations show a consistent decline, and the most impressive decrease was observed for thymidine analogue mutations (TAMs). The frequency of non-TAMs and PR mutations also decreased, but generally to a lower extent. The prevalence of K65R decreased from 2.6 % in 2005 to 0.2 % in 2012 despite increased use of TDF-containing ART. Both the improved strategic use of TDF in ARTs and generally more effective ART regimens may have resulted in decreasing RAM prevalences in FHCS-RD since 2007. These trends challenge the cost-effectiveness of resistance testing prior to failing ART.

Influence of the number of daily pills and doses on adherence to antiretroviral treatment: a 7-year study

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) is hampered by complicated regimens, high pill burden, drug-drug interactions, and frequent short- and long-term adverse effects, leading to decreased adherence. Over recent years, considerable effort has been directed at developing regimens that are less burdening. We undertook a 7-year retrospective study of the records of 264 HIV-infected subjects enrolled in a pharmaceutical care programme to document the progress made and to study the influence of the number of ART pills and doses on the level of treatment adherence.

METHODS

Antiretroviral dispensing records were analysed for the number of pills and doses administered and the ART adherence rate estimated.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In 2005, the patients took a mean of 6·2 pills daily (CI 95%: 5·9-6·6), and 92·9% of them were on a twice-a-day (BID) dosage regimen. By 2012, the mean number of pills was reduced to 4·1 (CI 95%: 3·8-4·4), and only 50·9% were on a BID regimen. No statistically significant relation was observed between number of daily pills and doses and ART adherence reached by the patients in any of the analyses performed.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS

There has been a continuous reduction in the number of pills and doses of antiretrovirals taken by individual patients over the last 7 years due largely to the introduction of improved treatments and regimens. More daily pills or doses was not associated with worse ART adherence in our pharmaceutical care programme.

Clinical use of cobicistat as a pharmacoenhancer of human immunodeficiency virus therapy

The pharmacoenhancement of plasma concentrations of protease inhibitors by coadministration of so-called boosters has been an integral part of antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for 1.5 decades. Nearly all HIV protease inhibitors are combined with low-dose ritonavir or cobicistat, which are able to effectively inhibit the cytochrome-mediated metabolism of HIV protease inhibitors in the liver and thus enhance the plasma concentration and prolong the dosing interval of the antiretrovirally active combination partners. Therapies created in this way are clinically effective regimens, being convenient for patients and showing a high genetic barrier to viral resistance. In addition to ritonavir, which has been in use since 1996, cobicistat, a new pharmacoenhancer, has been approved and is widely used now. The outstanding property of cobicistat is its cytochrome P450 3A-selective inhibition of hepatic metabolism of antiretroviral drugs, in contrast with ritonavir, which not only inhibits but also induces a number of cytochrome P450 enzymes, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, P-glycoprotein, and other cellular transporters. This article reviews the current literature, and compares the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of both pharmacoenhancers and discusses the clinical utility of cobicistat in up-to-date and future HIV therapy.

Efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy versus nevirapine-including regimens for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV option B plus in resource-limited settings: is there anything missing?

In 2013, an estimated 1.5 million HIV-positive pregnant women gave birth, with 240,000 children worldwide acquiring HIV. More than 90% of new pediatric infections occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. The latest WHO guidelines recommended efavirenz (EFV)-based antiretroviral therapy as the first-line regimen for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). On the other hand, some data suggest that nevirapine (NVP), a well-known antiretroviral, could still play a relevant role in PMTCT, especially in resource-limited settings (RLSs) where the fertility rate is dramatically high compared to developed countries. Given the lack of an unanimous consensus and definitive opinions, this paper goes through the reasons for WHO decisions and aims at refreshing the debate about NVP and EFV pros and cons for PMTCT in RLSs.

Meta-Analysis of Studies Comparing Single and Multi-Tablet Fixed Dose Combination HIV Treatment Regimens

Availability of a single source review of once-daily fixed-dose single tablet regimen (STR) and multiple tablet fixed-dose regimen (MTR) would optimally inform healthcare providers and policy makers involved in the management of population with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).We conducted a meta-analysis of published literature to compare patient adherence, clinical, and cost outcomes of STR to MTR.Published literature in English between 2005 and 2014 was searched using Embase, PubMed (Medline in-process), and ClinicalTrials.Gov databases. Two-level screening was undertaken by 2 independent researchers to finalize articles for evidence synthesis. Adherence, efficacy, safety, tolerability, healthcare resource use (HRU), and costs were assessed comparing STR to MTR. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed and heterogeneity examined using meta-regression.Thirty-five articles were identified for qualitative evidence synthesis, of which 9 had quantifiable data for meta-analysis (4 randomized controlled trials and 5 observational studies). Patients on STR were significantly more adherent when compared to patients on MTR of any frequency (odds ratio [OR]: 2.37 [95% CI: 1.68, 3.35], P < 0.001; 4 studies), twice-daily MTR (OR: 2.53 [95% CI: 1.13, 5.66], P = 0.02; 2 studies), and once-daily MTR (OR: 1.81 [95% CI: 1.15, 2.84], P = 0.01; 2 studies). The relative risk (RR) for viral load suppression at 48 weeks was higher (RR: 1.09 [95% CI: 1.04, 1.15], P = .0003; 3 studies) while RR of grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities was lower among patients on STR (RR: 0.68 [95% CI: 0.49, 0.94], P = 0.02; 2 studies). Changes in CD4 count at 48 weeks, any severe adverse events (SAEs), grade 3 to 4 AEs, mortality, and tolerability were found comparable between STR and MTR. Several studies reported significant reduction in HRU and costs among STR group versus MTR.Study depicted comparable tolerability, safety (All-SAE and Grade 3-4 AE), and mortality and fewer Grade 3 to 4 lab abnormalities and better viral load suppression and adherence among patients on FDC-containing STR versus MTR; literature depicted favorable HRU and costs for STRs.These findings may help decision makers especially in resource-poor settings to plan for optimal HIV disease management when the choice of both STRs and MTRs are available.

Efficacy of WHO recommendation for continued breastfeeding and maternal cART for prevention of perinatal and postnatal HIV transmission in Zambia

Introduction

To prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in developing countries, new World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend maternal combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) during pregnancy, throughout breastfeeding for 1 year and then cessation of breastfeeding (COB). The efficacy of this approach during the first six months of exclusive breastfeeding has been demonstrated, but the efficacy of this approach beyond six months is not well documented.

Methods

A prospective observational cohort study of 279 HIV-positive mothers was started on zidovudine/3TC and lopinavir/ritonavir tablets between 14 and 30 weeks gestation and continued indefinitely thereafter. Women were encouraged to exclusively breastfeed for six months, complementary feed for the next six months and then cease breastfeeding between 12 and 13 months. Infants were followed for transmission to 18 months and for survival to 24 months. Text message reminders and stipends for food and transport were utilized to encourage adherence and follow-up.

Results

Total MTCT was 9 of 219 live born infants (4.1%; confidence interval (CI) 2.2–7.6%). All breastfeeding transmissions that could be timed (5/5) occurred after six months of age. All mothers who transmitted after six months had a six-month plasma viral load >1,000 copies/ml (p<0.001). Poor adherence to cART as noted by missed dispensary visits was associated with transmission (p=0.04). Infant mortality was lower after six months of age than during the first six months of life (p=0.02). The cumulative rate of infant HIV infection or death at 18 months was 29/226 (12.8% 95 CI: 7.5–20.8%).

Conclusions

Maternal cART may limit MTCT of HIV to the UNAIDS target of <5% for eradication of paediatric HIV within the context of a clinical study, but poor adherence to cART and follow-up can limit the benefit. Continued breastfeeding can prevent the rise in infant mortality after six months seen in previous studies, which encouraged early COB.

Persistence and adherence to single-tablet regimens in HIV treatment: a cohort study from the French National Healthcare Insurance Database

OBJECTIVES

To compare adherence and persistence (continuous treatment with a prescribed medication) in HIV adult patients who received combination ART (cART) as a once-daily single-tablet regimen (STR) versus other administration schedules.

METHODS

A representative random sample of the French National Healthcare Insurance Database was used. Adherence and persistence were compared according to their administration schedules using χ(2) and survival analyses. STRs were marketed in France in 2009 and the study period was selected to allow a sufficient number of patients with an STR and a relevant duration of follow-up.

RESULTS

During the period covered (2006-11), 362 HIV-positive adult antiretroviral-naive patients (566 lines of treatments) were selected. The mean rates of adherence were 89.6% for the STR (tenofovir/emtricitabine/efavirenz; n = 76), 86.4% for cART with >1 pill once daily (n = 242) and 77.0% for cART with >1 daily intake (n = 248; P < 0.0001 versus STR). Kaplan-Meier estimations of persistence after 2 years of treatment were 79.1% for the STR, 53.3% for cART with >1 pill once daily and 51.8% for cART with >1 daily intake (P = 0.001; log-rank test). Sensitivity analyses confirmed these results. After excluding treatment sequences showing a switch from tenofovir/emtricitabine plus efavirenz to the similar STR, the rates of persistence were 80.3% for the STR (n = 60), 77.3% for atazanavir-containing cART (n = 96) and 68.3% for darunavir-containing cART (n = 56) at 18 months (global P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that persistence is higher in HIV patients treated with an STR compared with other administration schedules. Significant benefit in terms of adherence was observed with the STR in comparison with regimens with >1 daily intake but no difference was observed when comparing with regimens involving >1 pill once daily.

Cobicistat-boosted darunavir in HIV-1-infected adults: week 48 results of a Phase IIIb, open-label single-arm trial

Background

Cobicistat is an alternative pharmacoenhancer to ritonavir. In healthy volunteers, darunavir exposure was comparable when darunavir 800 mg once daily was co-administered with cobicistat 150 mg once daily (as single agents or a fixed-dose combination) vs. with ritonavir 100 mg once daily.

Methods

This 48-week, Phase IIIb, single-arm, US multicenter study (NCT01440569) evaluated safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of darunavir/cobicistat 800/150 mg once daily (as single agents) plus two investigator-selected nucleoside/tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (N[t]RTIs) in HIV-1-infected adults. Patients had no darunavir resistance-associated mutations (RAMs), plasma viral load (VL) ≥1000 HIV-1 RNA copies/ml, eGFR ≥80 ml/min and genotypic sensitivity to the two N[t]RTIs. The primary endpoint was any treatment-emergent grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) through Week 24.

Results

The majority of the 313 intent-to-treat patients were treatment-naïve (295/313; 94%), male (89%), White (60%) and received a tenofovir-based regimen (99%). Median baseline VL and CD4⁺ count overall were 4.8 log₁₀ HIV-1 RNA copies/ml and 361 cells/mm³, respectively. Overall, 86% of patients (268/313) completed the study. The majority of discontinuations were for AEs (15/313; 5%). The incidence of treatment-emergent grade 3 or 4 AEs regardless of causality was 6% through Week 24 and 8% through Week 48. Most common AEs through Week 48 were diarrhea (27%) and nausea (23%), which were grade 1 or 2 in severity. Week 48 virologic response rates (% with VL <50 HIV-1 RNA copies/ml; Snapshot analysis) were 81% overall and 83% in treatment-naïve patients; median increases in CD4⁺ count at 48 weeks were 167 and 169 cells/mm³, respectively. Of 15/313 patients who met the criteria for resistance analysis, one developed a darunavir RAM as a mixture with wild-type (I84I/V), without phenotypic resistance to darunavir. The mean population pharmacokinetic-derived darunavir areas under the plasma concentration–time curve were 102,000 overall and 100,620 ng•h/ml in treatment-naïve patients. No clinically relevant relationships were seen between darunavir exposure and virologic response, AEs or laboratory parameters.

Conclusion

Darunavir/cobicistat 800/150 mg once daily was generally well tolerated through Week 48, with no new safety concerns. Pharmacokinetics, virologic and immunologic responses for darunavir/cobicistat were similar to previous data for darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg once daily.

Adherence among rural HIV-infected patients in the deep south: a comparison between single-tablet and multi-tablet once-daily regimens

BACKGROUND

Once-daily (QD), combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) can impact the willingness and ability of patients to take medications as directed. The impact of antiretroviral (ARV) drug adherence influenced by single-tablet (STR) versus multi-tablet regimens (MTR) among patients enrolled in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in a rural environment has not yet been assessed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review evaluated adherence and outcomes in adult HIV-infected patients enrolled in the ADAP at 2 ambulatory clinics in the Southeast, taking either a QD STR (efavirenz [EFV]/emtricitabine/tenofovir [TDF]) or a QD protease inhibitor (PI)-based, MTR (atazanavir [ATV], ritonavir [RTV], and emtricitabine/TDF) by evaluating pharmacy refill records, patient self-reported adherence, and virologic response.

RESULTS

A total of 389 patient records were analyzed (STR, n = 165 versus MTR, n = 224). There were more males, a higher percentage of treatment-naive patients, and more patients with a baseline CD4 count of >200 cells/mm(3) in the MTR group. Based on refill records, more patients on MTR were >90% adherent (61.6% versus 51.5%, P = .047). In a multivariable analysis, being treatment experienced was a negative predictor (odds ratio [OR] = 0.48, 0.29-0.78) for adherence. Regimen choice was not associated with adherence. More patients taking MTR were virologically suppressed at the end of the observation period. Regardless of the regimen, being >90% adherent was a significant predictor of virologic suppression (OR = 3.51, 1.98-6.23).

CONCLUSION

Treatment-experienced patients enrolled in ADAP are less likely to be adherent. A QD PI-based MTR may result in comparable adherence to an STR in a rural HIV-infected population.

The Effect on Treatment Adherence of Administering Drugs as Fixed-Dose Combinations versus as Separate Pills: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Administering drugs as fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) versus the same active drugs administered as separate pills is assumed to enhance treatment adherence. We synthesized evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the effect of FDCs versus separate pills on adherence. We searched PubMed for RCTs comparing a FDC with the same active drugs administered as separate pills, including a quantitative estimate of treatment adherence, without restriction to medical condition. The odds ratio (OR) of optimal adherence with FDCs versus separate pills was used as common effect size and aggregated into a pooled effect estimate using a random effect model with inverse variance weights. Out of 1258 articles screened, only six studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. Across medical conditions, administering drugs as FDC significantly increased the likelihood of optimal adherence (OR 1.33 (95% CI, 1.03-1.71)). Within subgroups of specific medical conditions, the favourable effect of FDCs on adherence was of borderline statistical significance for HIV infection only (OR 1.46 (95% CI, 1.00-2.13)). We observed a remarkable paucity of RCTs comparing the effect on adherence of administering drugs as FDC versus as separate pills. Administering drugs as FDC improved medication adherence. However, this conclusion is based on a limited number of RCTs only.

Predictors and correlates of adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for chronic HIV infection: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a key predictor of the success of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, and is potentially amenable to intervention. Insight into predictors or correlates of non-adherence to ART may help guide targets for the development of adherence-enhancing interventions. Our objective was to review evidence on predictors/correlates of adherence to ART, and to aggregate findings into quantitative estimates of their impact on adherence.

METHODS

We searched PubMed for original English-language papers, published between 1996 and June 2014, and the reference lists of all relevant articles found. Studies reporting on predictors/correlates of adherence of adults prescribed ART for chronic HIV infection were included without restriction to adherence assessment method, study design or geographical location. Two researchers independently extracted the data from the same papers. Random effects models with inverse variance weights were used to aggregate findings into pooled effects estimates with 95% confidence intervals. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was used as the common effect size. The impact of study design features (adherence assessment method, study design, and the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) of the country in which the study was set) was investigated using categorical mixed effects meta-regression.

RESULTS

In total, 207 studies were included. The following predictors/correlates were most strongly associated with adherence: adherence self-efficacy (SMD = 0.603, P = 0.001), current substance use (SMD = -0.395, P = 0.001), concerns about ART (SMD = -0.388, P = 0.001), beliefs about the necessity/utility of ART (SMD = 0.357, P = 0.001), trust/satisfaction with the HIV care provider (SMD = 0.377, P = 0.001), depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.305, P = 0.001), stigma about HIV (SMD = -0.282, P = 0.001), and social support (SMD = 0.237, P = 0.001). Smaller but significant associations were observed for the following being prescribed a protease inhibitor-containing regimen (SMD = -0.196, P = 0.001), daily dosing frequency (SMD = -0.193, P = 0.001), financial constraints (SMD -0.187, P = 0.001) and pill burden (SMD = -0.124, P = 0.001). Higher trust/satisfaction with the HIV care provider, a lower daily dosing frequency, and fewer depressive symptoms were more strongly related with higher adherence in low and medium HDI countries than in high HDI countries.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that adherence-enhancing interventions should particularly target psychological factors such as self-efficacy and concerns/beliefs about the efficacy and safety of ART. Moreover, these findings suggest that simplification of regimens might have smaller but significant effects.

Predictors and correlates of adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for chronic HIV infection: a meta-analysis

Background

Adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a key predictor of the success of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, and is potentially amenable to intervention. Insight into predictors or correlates of non-adherence to ART may help guide targets for the development of adherence-enhancing interventions. Our objective was to review evidence on predictors/correlates of adherence to ART, and to aggregate findings into quantitative estimates of their impact on adherence.

Methods

We searched PubMed for original English-language papers, published between 1996 and June 2014, and the reference lists of all relevant articles found. Studies reporting on predictors/correlates of adherence of adults prescribed ART for chronic HIV infection were included without restriction to adherence assessment method, study design or geographical location. Two researchers independently extracted the data from the same papers. Random effects models with inverse variance weights were used to aggregate findings into pooled effects estimates with 95% confidence intervals. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was used as the common effect size. The impact of study design features (adherence assessment method, study design, and the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) of the country in which the study was set) was investigated using categorical mixed effects meta-regression.

Results

In total, 207 studies were included. The following predictors/correlates were most strongly associated with adherence: adherence self-efficacy (SMD = 0.603, P = 0.001), current substance use (SMD = -0.395, P = 0.001), concerns about ART (SMD = -0.388, P = 0.001), beliefs about the necessity/utility of ART (SMD = 0.357, P = 0.001), trust/satisfaction with the HIV care provider (SMD = 0.377, P = 0.001), depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.305, P = 0.001), stigma about HIV (SMD = -0.282, P = 0.001), and social support (SMD = 0.237, P = 0.001). Smaller but significant associations were observed for the following being prescribed a protease inhibitor-containing regimen (SMD = -0.196, P = 0.001), daily dosing frequency (SMD = -0.193, P = 0.001), financial constraints (SMD -0.187, P = 0.001) and pill burden (SMD = -0.124, P = 0.001). Higher trust/satisfaction with the HIV care provider, a lower daily dosing frequency, and fewer depressive symptoms were more strongly related with higher adherence in low and medium HDI countries than in high HDI countries.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that adherence-enhancing interventions should particularly target psychological factors such as self-efficacy and concerns/beliefs about the efficacy and safety of ART. Moreover, these findings suggest that simplification of regimens might have smaller but significant effects.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12916-014-0142-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Dual quantification of dapivirine and maraviroc in cervicovaginal secretions from ophthalmic tear strips and polyester-based swabs via liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) analysis

BACKGROUND

Topical microbicidal agents are being actively pursued as a modality to prevent HIV viral transmission during sexual intercourse. Quantification of antiretroviral agents in specimen sources where antiviral activity is elicited is critical, and drug measurements in cervicovaginal fluid can provide key information on local drug concentrations. Two antiretroviral drugs, dapivirine and maraviroc, have gained interest as vaginal microbicidal agents, and rugged methods are required for their quantification in cervicovaginal secretions.

METHODS

Cervicovaginal fluid spiked with dapivirine and maraviroc were applied to ophthalmic tear strips or polyester-based swabs to mimic collection procedures used in clinical studies. Following sample extraction and the addition of isotopically labeled internal standards, samples were subjected to liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) analysis using a Waters BEH C8, 50mm×2.1mm, 1.7μm particle size column, on an API 4000 mass analyzer operated in selective reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated according to FDA Bioanalytical Method Validation guidelines.

RESULTS

Due to the disparate saturation capacity of the tested collection devices, the analytical measuring ranges for dapivirine and maravirocin cervicovaginal fluid on the ophthalmic tear strip were 0.05-25ng/tear strip, and 0.025-25ng/tear strip, respectively. As for the polyester-based swab, the analytical measuring ranges were 0.25-125ng/swab for dapivirine and 0.125-125ng/swab for maraviroc. Dilutional studies were performed for both analytes to extended ranges of 25,000ng/tear strip and 11,250ng/swab. Standard curves were generated via weighted (1/x(2)) linear or quadratic regression of calibrators. Precision, accuracy, stability and matrix effects studies were all performed and deemed acceptable according to the recommendations of the FDA Bioanalytical Method Validation guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

A rugged LC-MS/MS method for the dual quantification of dapivirine and maraviroc in cervicovaginal fluid using two unique collection devices has been developed and validated. The described method meets the criteria to support large research trials.

Patient-Level Medication Regimen Complexity in Patients With HIV

BACKGROUND

Patients with HIV often have multiple medications besides antiretrovirals (ARV). Medication regimen complexity-formulations, dosing frequencies, and additional directions-expands pill burden by considering self-care demands. Studies show an inverse association between ARV adherence and medication complexity for ARVs only. Patient-level medication regimen complexity beyond ARV complexity is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To measure and characterize Patient-level Medication Regimen Complexity Index (pMRCI) and Antiretroviral Medication Regimen Complexity Index (ARCI) for patients in 2 HIV clinics. We hypothesized that an all-medication complexity metric will exceed disease-state-defined complexity metrics; for ARVs only, the pMRCI score will be smaller than the ARCI score by capturing fewer features of regimens. Associations between complexity and adherence were not assessed.

METHOD

Electronic records supplied a retrospective, random sample of adult patients with HIV; medication lists were used to code the pMRCI (n=200). A random subsample (n=66) was coded using ARCI for ARV regimens only.

RESULT

Medication counts ranged from 1 to 27; pMRCI scores ranged from 2 to 67.5. ARVs contributed roughly 25% to the pMRCI; other prescriptions contributed about 66%. Dosing frequency made the largest contribution of all components (62%) to the pMRCI. For ARVs, pMRCI and ARCI scores did not differ statistically.

CONCLUSION

Unique dosing frequencies raised complexity and may provide opportunities for intervention. Other prescriptions drove pMRCI scores, suggesting that HIV management programs should review all medications. A patient-level approach added value to understanding the role of medications in patient complexity; future work can assess association of pMRCI with adherence and patient outcomes.

Pharmacokinetics of darunavir in fixed-dose combination with cobicistat compared with coadministration of darunavir and ritonavir as single agents in healthy volunteers

This study compared the bioavailability of two candidate fixed-dose combinations (FDCs: G003 and G004) of darunavir/cobicistat 800/150 mg with that of darunavir 800 mg and ritonavir 100 mg coadministered as single agents. Short-term safety and tolerability of the FDC formulations were also assessed. This open-label trial included 36 healthy volunteers and assessed steady-state pharmacokinetics of darunavir over 3 randomized, 10-day treatment sequences, under fed conditions. Blood samples for determination of plasma concentrations of darunavir and cobicistat or ritonavir were taken over 24 hours on day 10 and analyzed by liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectroscopy. Darunavir AUC24h following administration of the FDCs (G003: 74,780 ng ∙ h/mL and G004: 76,490 ng ∙ h/mL) was comparable to that following darunavir/ritonavir (78,410 ng ∙ h/mL), as was Cmax (6,666 and 6,917 ng/mL versus 6,973 ng/mL, respectively). Modestly lower C0h (1,504 and 1,478 ng/mL versus 2,015 ng/mL) and Cmin (1,167 and 1,224 ng/mL versus 1,540 ng/mL) values were seen with the FDCs. Short-term tolerability of the FDCs was comparable to that of darunavir/ritonavir when administered as single agents. The most common adverse events reported were headache, gastrointestinal upset, or rash. Cobicistat is an effective pharmacoenhancer of darunavir when administered as an FDC. Short-term administration of darunavir/ritonavir or darunavir/cobicistat was generally well tolerated.