Analysis of antiretroviral therapy interruption in people living with HIV during the 2010-2021 Period

OBJECTIVE

In the context of the advancement of antiretroviral therapy and, as the characteristics of people living with HIV progress toward an aging population, understanding the causes of treatment interruption becomes crucial. The aim of the study was to determine the change in reasons for antiretroviral treatment discontinuation for 12 years. Secondarily, compare annual antiretroviral regimen discontinuation rate and factors associated.

METHODS

We conducted an analysis using data from people living with HIV who were receiving antiretroviral therapy and discontinued it for any reason. The study included people with HIV infection who visited an outpatient hospital pharmacy clinic from January 2010 to December 2021. Two periods were differentiated for the analysis: 2010-2015 and 2016-2021. The reasons for antiretroviral treatment discontinuation followed classification described by Swiss cohort. In the context of this study, it is pertinent to note that the term 'interruption' will be consistently used in this article to refer to the act of switching or stopping antiretroviral treatment. To examine factors associated with antiretroviral therapy discontinuation, we utilized Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional models.

RESULTS

We included 789 people living with HIV, predominantly male (81,5%). The main reason for discontinuation was clinical decision (50.2%) followed by adverse effects (37.9%). Focusing on clinical decision, we observed a trend change that went from antiretroviral treatment simplification regimen (56.1%) in the first part of the period analyzed to the therapeutic optimization (53.6%) in the second half. Furthermore, factors that were statistically significantly associated with antiretroviral treatment discontinuation were people with HIV ≥50 years (HR 1.60; 95%CI 1.25-2.04), post-discontinuation single-tablet regimen (HR 1.49; 95%CI 1.06-2.11) and antiretroviral drug classes.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the 12 years there has been a change in the main cause of antiretroviral treatment discontinuation, currently therapeutic optimization being the main reason. Integrase inhibitors-based regimens and singletablet regimen strategies were less likely to be discontinued than others antiretroviral drug classes, allowing for better clinical management due to the efficacy profile, especially in people living with HIV ≥50 years with comorbidities.

Analysis of antiretroviral therapy interruption in people living with HIV during the 2010-2021 period

INTRODUCTION

In the context of the advancement of antiretroviral therapy and as the characteristics of people living with HIV progress toward an ageing population, understanding the causes of treatment interruption becomes crucial. The aim of the study was to determine the change in reasons for antiretroviral treatment discontinuation for 12 years. Secondarily, compare annual antiretroviral regimen discontinuation rate and factors associated.

METHODS

We conducted an analysis using data from people living with HIV who were receiving antiretroviral therapy and discontinued it for any reason. The study included people with HIV infection who visited an outpatient hospital pharmacy clinic from January 2010 to December 2021. Two periods were differentiated for the analysis: 2010-2015 and 2016-2021. The reasons for antiretroviral treatment discontinuation followed classification described by Swiss cohort. In the context of this study, it is pertinent to note that the term "discontinuation" is employed synonymously with "interruption". The term "discontinuation" will be consistently used in this article to refer to the act of switching or stopping antiretroviral treatment. To examine factors associated with antiretroviral therapy discontinuation, we utilised Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional models.

RESULTS

We included 789 people living with HIV, predominantly male (81.5%). The main reason for discontinuation was clinical decision (50.2%) followed by adverse effects (37.9%). Focusing on clinical decision, we observed a trend change that went from antiretroviral treatment simplification regimen (56.1%) in the first part of the period analysed to the therapeutic optimisation (53.6%) in the second half. Furthermore, factors that were statistically significantly associated with antiretroviral treatment discontinuation were people with HIV≥50 years (HR 1.60; 95%CI 1.25-2.04), post-discontinuation single-tablet regimen (HR 1.49; 95%CI 1.06-2.11) and antiretroviral drug classes.

CONCLUSION

Over the 12 years, there has been a change in the main cause of antiretroviral treatment discontinuation, currently therapeutic optimisation being the main reason. Integrase inhibitors-based regimens and single-tablet regimen strategies were less likely to be discontinued than others antiretroviral drug classes, allowing for better clinical management due to the efficacy profile, especially in people living with HIV≥50 years with comorbidities.

Clinical management and discontinuation of treatment in patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis in a rheumatology consultation

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has changed dramatically in recent years, especially with the use of disease modifying drugs (DMARDs). Data on the management of this disease in clinical trials are abundant, but not so in real life. The aim of our study is to describe the management of an early RA cohort in daily clinical practice, especially DMARD discontinuations and reasons.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study of patients with RA diagnosed between 01/07 and 12/14 followed up to 01/17, using >1 DMARD ≥ 3 months.

VARIABLES

sociodemographic, clinical, treatment, DMARD discontinuation and reason. Descriptive analysis of sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics. Discontinuation incidence rate (DIR) due to survival techniques, expressed in 100 patients*year with 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

814 patients were included with 2388 courses of treatment, 77% women, mean age 57.5 years. First course: monotherapy (92.75%), especially Methotrexate (56.06%). In later courses there was increased combined therapy and use of biologicals (mainly Etanercept). There were 1094 discontinuations (29.5 [27.8-31.3]). The DIR was higher for adverse events (15.9 [14.7-17.3]), biologicals (49.6 [43.1-57.2]) and combined therapy. The DMAR with the lowest DIR was MTX (25.8 [23.8-28.1]).

CONCLUSION

Methotrexate was the most used drug, biologicals increased throughout the follow-up, the most frequent being Etanercept. The DMARD DIR was 29*100 patients per year, mainly due to adverse events. It seems to be higher in the therapies that include biologicals and combined therapies. MTX is the drug with the lowest DIR.

Clinical Management and Discontinuation of Treatment in Patients with Recent Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Rheumatology Consultation

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has changed dramatically in recent years, especially with the use of disease modifying drugs (DMARDs). Data on the management of this disease in clinical trials are abundant, but not so in real life. The aim of our study is to describe the management of an early rheumatoid arthritis cohort in daily clinical practice, especially DMARD discontinuations and reasons.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed between 01/07 and 12/14 followed up to 01/17, using>1 DMARD≥3 months.

VARIABLES

sociodemographic, clinical, treatment, DMARD discontinuation and reason. Descriptive analysis of sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics. Discontinuation incidence rate (DIR) due to survival techniques, expressed in 100 patients/year with 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

814 patients were included with 2,388 courses of treatment, 77% women, mean age 57.5 years. First course: monotherapy (92.75%), especially methotrexate (56.06%). In later courses there was increased combined therapy and use of biologicals (mainly etanercept). There were 1,094 discontinuations (29.5 [27.8-31.3]). The DIR was higher for adverse events (15.9 [14.7-17.3]), biologicals (49.6 [43.1-57.2]) and combined therapy. The DMAR with the lowest DIR was methotrexate (25.8 [23.8-28.1]).

CONCLUSION

Methotrexate was the most used drug, biologicals increased throughout the follow-up, the most frequent being Etanercept. The DMARD DIR was 29/100 patients per year, mainly due to adverse events. It seems to be higher in the therapies that include biologicals and combined therapies. Methotrexate is the drug with the lowest DIR.

[Clinical outcome after discontinuation of infliximab in patients with ulcerative colitis in deep remission]

INTRODUCTION

Infliximab (IFX) is effective in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) and in achieving mucosal healing (MH). Little is known about the role of mucosal healing (MH) in the subsequent evolution of the disease and the consequences of discontinuing treatment.

AIMS

To evaluate the characteristics and evolution of patients with UC treated with IFX who discontinued treatment after disease remission.

METHODS

Observational, prospective study of patients with moderate to severe UC, corticosteroid-resistant/corticosteroid-dependent, naïve to anti-TNF. IFX administration regimen: 5 mg/kg at 0-2-6 weeks and every 8 weeks thereafter until week 54. In patients achieving MH, IFX was discontinued and the patients were followed-up for at least 20 months. Clinical remission (CR): mayo score <2; Clinical response: decrease in mayo score of 3 points; MH: mayo score 0-1; Deep remission: patient with CR and MH.

RESULTS

Of the 21 patients enrolled, 19 completed the study (colectomy, n = 1; non-responder, n = 1). Mean age: 47.8 years. UC: severe (n = 13) and moderate (n = 6); most patients (n = 11) were steroid-resistant; 57.8% received combined treatment with immunosuppressants, and 31.5% intensified treatment. Week 54: 16 patients (84.2%) showed clinical response, 13 (68.4%) showed CR, and 12 (63.2%) deep remission. Of these, 6 (25%) presented a new episode of UC, and in 3 (25%) IFX was restarted within 12 weeks of discontinuation, with all patients responding. Of the total sample, 91.7% remained IFX-free at week 8, and 75% at week 12, with no remission during follow-up. None of the patients required hospitalization or surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Half of patients with deep remission of UC with IFX therapy presented a new episode after treatment discontinuation, and in 25% IFX therapy was restarted.

Anti-parathyroid treatment effectiveness and persistence in incident haemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

Anti-parathyroid treatment initiation and discontinuation are important decisions in chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients, where pill burden is often excessive. The present study aimed to describe secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) drug therapy changes in HD patients.

METHODS

Retrospective observational cohort study of incident European HD patients with sHPT who were prescribed calcitriol or alfacalcidol (alpha calcitriol), paricalcitol or cinacalcet.

RESULTS

Treatment-naïve patients prescribed alpha calcitriol (N=2259), paricalcitol (N=1689) and cinacalcet (N=1245) were considered for analysis. Serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels decreased post-initiation with all treatment modalities; serum calcium and phosphate levels increased in response to activated vitamin D derivatives but decreased with cinacalcet. Approximately one-third of alpha calcitriol and paricalcitol patients but less than one-quarter of cinacalcet patients discontinued treatment. Although the three groups had comparable serum iPTH control at the time of treatment discontinuation, they differed in terms of calcium and phosphate levels. Following discontinuation, the evolution of laboratory parameters differed by treatment modality: whilst iPTH increased for all three treatment groups, calcium and phosphate decreased in patients who were being treated with alpha calcitriol and paricalcitol at the time of discontinuation, and increased in those who had been treated with cinacalcet.

CONCLUSIONS

In conditions of daily clinical practice, attaining and maintaining recommended biochemical control of sHPT appears to be more frequently achievable with cinacalcet than with activated vitamin D compounds.