De-simplifying antiretroviral therapy from a single-tablet to a two-tablet regimen: Acceptance, patient-reported outcomes, and cost savings in a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is increasingly used by people with HIV, accounts for significant care costs, particularly because of single-tablet regimens (STRs). This study explored de-simplification to a two-tablet regimen (TTR) for cost reduction. The objectives of this study were: (1) acceptance of de-simplification, (2) patient-reported outcomes, and (3) cost savings. METHODS: All individuals on Triumeq®, Atripla® or Eviplera® in five HIV clinics in the Netherlands were eligible. Healthcare providers informed individuals of this study. After inclusion, individuals were free to de-simplify. An electronic questionnaire was sent to assess study acceptance, adherence, quality of life (SF12) and treatment satisfaction (HIVTSQ). After 3 and 12 months, questionnaires were repeated. Cost savings were calculated using Dutch drug prices. RESULTS: In total, 283 individuals were included, of whom 55.5% agreed to de-simplify their ART, with a large variability between treatment centres: 41.1-74.2%. Individuals who were willing to de-simplify tended to be older, had a longer history of HIV diagnosis, and used more co-medication than those who preferred to remain on an STR regimen. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and treatment satisfaction, showed no significant difference between people with HIV who switched to a TTR and those who remained on an STR regimen. Furthermore, we observed a 17.8% reduction in drug costs in our cohort of people with HIV who were initially on an STR. CONCLUSIONS: De-simplification from an STR to a TTR within the Dutch healthcare setting has been demonstrated as feasible, leads to significant cost reductions and should be discussed with every eligible person with HIV in the Netherlands.

Clinically unsuspected orthopedic implants during S. aureus bacteremia do not require additional diagnostic work-up.

PURPOSE: To assess the likelihood of occult infection in patients with clinically unsuspected orthopedic implants during Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). METHODS: In a retrospective study in two Dutch hospitals, we included all patients with SAB between 2013 and 2020 with one or more orthopedic implants in whom [18F]FDG-PET/CT was performed. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who had an orthopedic implant-related infection by S. aureus. We also compared clinical parameters in patients with clinically suspected and unsuspected implants. RESULTS: Fifty-five of 191 (29%) orthopedic implants in 118 SAB patients included had clinical signs of infection. Of all 136 unsuspected implants, 5 (3%, all arthroplasties), showed increased [18F]FDG uptake around the prosthesis on [18F]FDG-PET/CT. The clinical course of these patients without clinically overt infection or relapse of bacteremia during follow-up of a median of 48 months (range 0-48), however, argued against prosthetic joint infection. CONCLUSION: Although orthopedic implants are evidently a risk factor for metastatic infection during SAB, the absence of clinical symptoms obviate the need of additional investigations or prolonged antibiotic treatment.

Virological and Social Outcomes of HIV-Infected Adolescents and Young Adults in The Netherlands Before and After Transition to Adult Care.

BACKGROUND: As a result of effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and advanced supportive healthcare, a growing number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children survive into adulthood. The period of transition to adult care is often associated with impaired adherence to treatment and discontinuity of care. We aimed to evaluate virological and social outcomes of HIV-infected adolescents and young adults (AYAs) before and after transition, and explore which factors are associated with virological failure. METHODS: We included 59 HIV-infected AYAs from the Netherlands who had entered into pediatric care and transitioned from pediatric to adult healthcare. We used HIV RNA load and cART data from the Dutch Stichting HIV Monitoring database (1996-2014), and collected social and treatment data from patients' medical records from all Dutch pediatric HIV treatment centers and 14 Dutch adult treatment centers involved. We evaluated risk factors for virological failure (VF) in a logistic regression model adjusted for repeated measurements. RESULTS: HIV VF occurred frequently during the study period (14%-36%). During the transition period (from 18 to 19 years of age) there was a significant increase in VF compared with the reference group of children aged 12-13 years (odds ratio, 4.26 [95% confidence interval, 1.12-16.28]; P = .03). Characteristics significantly associated with VF were low educational attainment and lack of autonomy regarding medication adherence at transition. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected AYAs are vulnerable to VF, especially during the transition period. Identification of HIV-infected adolescents at high risk for VF might help to improve treatment success in this group.

A simplified combination antiretroviral therapy regimen enhances adherence, treatment satisfaction and quality of life: results of a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a simplified regimen, in terms of reducing pill burden, dietary requirements and possible adverse effects, on patients' adherence, treatment satisfaction and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Antiretroviral-naïve patients who achieved a viral load < 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/ml after induction therapy with twice-daily (bid) lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) and fixed-dose zidovudine (ZDV)/lamivudine (3TC) (CBV) were randomly assigned to continue CBV/LPV/r or switch to fixed-dose ZDV/3TC/abacavir (TZV). Patients completed standardized questionnaires on adherence, treatment satisfaction and QoL at randomization (between weeks 12 and 24) and at weeks 48, 72 and 96. RESULTS: Patients on CBV/LPV/r were more likely to have skipped medicines in the last week (P = 0.035) and during the preceding weekend (P = 0.027) than patients on TZV. Patients on CBV/LPV/r were significantly less satisfied with the convenience of their treatment (P = 0.004) and tended to be less satisfied with the side effects of their treatment (P = 0.091) and continuation of their present treatment (P = 0.056) than patients on TZV. Patients on CBV/LPV/r reported significantly lower levels of role functioning (P = 0.013) than patients on TZV. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized controlled trial, simplification of therapy to fixed-dose TZV among patients with suppressed HIV RNA was perceived to be more convenient, and resulted in improved adherence and better role functioning, than continuing treatment with CBV/LPV/r.

Screening for chronic hepatitis B and C in migrants from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, the former Soviet Republics, and Vietnam in the Arnhem region, The Netherlands.

Migrants born in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) endemic countries are at increased risk of being infected with these viruses. The first symptoms may arise when liver damage has already occurred. The challenge is to identify these infections early, since effective treatment has become available. In 2011 we conducted a screening project in first-generation migrants (FGMs) born in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, the former Soviet Republics, and Vietnam and living in Arnhem and Rheden. All participants were offered free blood screening for HBV and HCV. In total 959 participants were tested, with the country of origin known for 927, equating to 28·7% of all registered FGMs from the chosen countries. Nineteen percent (n = 176) had serological signs of past or chronic HBV infection and 2·2% (n = 21) had chronic HBV infection. The highest prevalence of chronic HBV infection was found in the Vietnamese population (9·5%, n = 12). Chronic HCV was found in two persons from the former Soviet Republics and one from Vietnam. Twenty-four percent (n = 5) of the newly identified patients with chronic HBV and one of the three patients with chronic HCV received treatment. Three of the patients, two with HCV and one with HBV, already had liver cirrhosis. The highest (9·5%) HBV prevalence was found in FGMs from Vietnam, indicating a high need for focusing on that particular immigrant population in order to identify more people with silent HBV infection. The fact that three patients already had liver cirrhosis underlines the necessity of early identification of HBV and HCV infection in risk groups.

Decreased exposure to saquinavir in HIV-1-infected patients after long-term antiretroviral therapy including ritonavir and saquinavir.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether steady-state plasma pharmacokinetics of ritonavir and saquinavir change during long-term treatment in HIV-1-infected patients on antiretroviral treatment including ritonavir and saquinavir. METHODS: The pharmacokinetics of ritonavir and saquinavir were assessed during an 8-h period on two occasions in six HIV-1 infected patients on stable twice daily treatment with ritonavir 400 mg, saquinavir 400 mg and stavudine 40 mg with or without lamivudine 150 mg twice daily. RESULTS: The first study day was 4-12 months (median 7 months) after the start of the current regimen. The second study day was 9-15 months (median 10 months) later. No significant differences were observed for the ritonavir pharmacokinetics between the first and second study day. However, median change in plasma trough level of saquinavir between the two study days was -30% (range -79 to +11%; P = 0.06). Median change in maximum plasma concentration was -40% (range -62 to +34%; P = 0.09). The median change in area under the plasma concentration versus time curve over 0-8 h was -33% (range -53 to +21%; P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: The exposure to saquinavir decreased over time in HIV-infected patients on stable antiretroviral therapy. These data suggest that regular monitoring of plasma drug concentrations should become part of routine patient care even in apparently compliant patients.

Cerebrospinal fluid HIV-1 RNA during treatment with ritonavir/saquinavir or ritonavir/saquinavir/stavudine.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the HIV-1-RNA response and drug concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum during treatment with saquinavir (SQV)/ritonavir (RTV) or SQV/RTV plus stavudine (d4T) in HIV-1 -infected patients. DESIGN: A multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled trial. METHODS: A total of 208 protease inhibitor (PI) and d4T-naive, HIV-1-infected patients were treated with RTV 400 mg twice daily and SQV 400 mg twice daily with or without d4T 40 mg twice daily. Intensification with reverse transcriptase inhibitors was allowed if serum HIV RNA remained above 400 copies/ml after 12 weeks. In 27 volunteers, CSF and serum HIV RNA were measured at baseline, weeks 12 and 48, using the Roche Amplicor and the ultrasensitive assay. In 22 patients, serum and CSF drug concentrations were determined at week 12. RESULTS: The median baseline serum and CSF HIV-RNA concentrations were 4.81 and 3.21 log10 copies/ml, respectively. A difference in the proportion of patients with a CSF HIV-RNA level below the limit of quantification (< LLQ) after 12 weeks was found: four out of 14 (RTV/SQV) versus 12 out of 13 (RTV/SQV/d4T) (P = 0.001). The same results were found using the ultrasensitive assay. Patients with a baseline HIV-RNA level < LLQ in CSF remained < LLQ, regardless of the treatment regimen. Treatment with RTV/SQV alone was the only independent predictor of a CSF HIV-RNA level > LLQ at week 12 in logistic regression analysis (P = 0.005). CSF RTV and SQV concentrations were < LLQ in most patients. CONCLUSION: RTV/SQV alone cannot suppress detectable CSF HIV-1-RNA levels to < LLQ after 12 weeks of treatment in the majority of patients. CSF drug concentrations of RTV and SQV < LLQ may explain the suboptimal antiretroviral effect in the CSF.

Quality of life in asymptomatic- and symptomatic HIV infected patients in a trial of ritonavir/saquinavir therapy. The Prometheus Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact on quality of life (QoL) of treatment with ritonavir (RTV)/saquinavir (SQV) versus RTV/SQV/stavudine (d4T) in asymptomatic [Centers for Disease Control (CDC) class A] and symptomatic HIV-infected patients (CDC B and C) who did or did not receive antiretroviral therapy (ARVT) before entry into the study. DESIGN: A multicenter randomized clinical trial. PATIENTS: Protease inhibitor- and d4T-naive patients were allocated to RTV/SQV (n = 84) versus RTV/SQV/d4T (n = 83). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Changes from baseline in QoL assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey for HIV (MOS-HIV) and a symptom checklist administered at baseline and after 12, 24, 36 and 48 weeks. RESULTS: Changes in QoL were comparable in both treatments, although more neuropathy was reported in the RTV/SQV/d4T group. QoL improved significantly in both groups regarding health distress, energy/fatigue, mental health, health perceptions, physical function and overall QoL, despite an increase in reported symptoms. More favourable changes in cognitive and social function were observed in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients, with symptomatic patients showing an improvement and asymptomatic patients showing a decline in function after baseline. ARVT-naive patients showed more favourable changes in mental health, health distress and social function compared with patients with previous ARVT. CONCLUSION: RTV/SQV and RTV/SQV/d4T were equally effective in improving the QoL of patients over 48 weeks, despite an increase in reported symptoms. Symptomatic patients reported more QoL benefit than asymptomatic patients, and ARVT-naive patients benefitted more than those with previous ARVT. The impact on patients' QoL should be considered in the search for the optimal management of HIV infection.

Long-term quality of life outcomes in three antiretroviral treatment strategies for HIV-1 infection.

OBJECTIVE: To compare changes in quality of life (QoL) over 96 weeks in patients enrolled in a triple-therapy protocol, a treatment-intensification protocol, or an induction-maintenance therapy protocol, and to compare QoL between patients who continued and discontinued their antiretroviral regimen. PATIENTS: Naive patients enrolled in a triple-therapy protocol (zidovudine/lamivudine or stavudine/didanosine or stavudine/lamivudine supplemented with protease inhibitor therapy of choice) (n = 35), a protocol of treatment intensification (ritonavir/saquinavir or ritonavir/saquinavir/stavudine) (n = 74) in which therapy was intensified with nucleoside analogue(s) in cases of insufficient viral suppression, and a protocol of induction (saquinavir/nelfinavir/lamivudine/ stavudine) maintenance (saquinavir/nelfinavir or stavudine/nelfinavir) therapy (n = 50). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Changes from baseline in QoL assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey at weeks 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96. RESULTS: Patients in the triple-therapy and treatment-intensification protocols showed more favourable changes in physical function, social function, mental health, energy/fatigue, health distress and overall QoL compared to patients in the induction-maintenance protocol, with patients in the first two protocols showing improvements in QoL and those in the induction-maintenance protocol showing declining or unchanged QoL. Patients who discontinued study medication due to insufficient efficacy, toxicities or at their own request showed less favourable changes in QoL compared with patients who continued their regimen. The highest proportion of discontinuations was within the induction-maintenance protocol. CONCLUSION: Antiretroviral treatment strategies that are effective and tolerable have the potential to improve patients' QoL over 96 weeks.

Increased risk of lipodystrophy when nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors are included with protease inhibitors in the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

BACKGROUND: Changes in body fat distribution are an adverse effect of therapy with HIV protease inhibitors (PI). It has been suggested that nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) may also contribute to this so-called lipodystrophy syndrome, but the relative contribution of the two drug classes is unclear as they are usually administered concomitantly. METHOD: The occurrence of lipodystrophy, as reported by physicians using no standardized criteria, was followed in patients randomly assigned to treatment with either a PI alone or a PI combined with an NRTI. The patients were part of a multicenter, open-label, randomized comparison of ritonavir (RTV)/saquinavir (SQV) with or without the addition of stavudine (d4T) in HIV-1-infected patients without prior PI and d4T experience (the Prometheus study). RESULTS: Lipodystrophy was reported in 29 of 175 (17%) patients during 96 weeks of follow up. Overall, it was reported significantly more frequently in patients who were randomized to RTV/SQV/d4T (22/88; 25%), than in patients randomized to RTV/SQV alone (7/87; 8%) (P = 0.003). When the analysis was limited to patients without any prior antiretroviral experience, lipodystrophy likewise was significantly more frequent in patients randomized to RTV/SQV/d4T (12/50; 24%) than in those randomized to RTV/SQV (2/44; 5%) (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This randomized clinical trial, in spite of not having been blinded, supports a contributory role of NRTI in the development of antiretroviral therapy-associated lipodystrophy. The low incidence of lipodystrophy in patients with no or limited NRTI exposure supports further evaluation of NRTI-sparing regimens as alternatives to current antiretroviral regimens.

The effect of treatment intensification in HIV-infection: a study comparing treatment with ritonavir/saquinavir and ritonavir/saquinavir/stavudine. Prometheus Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of treatment with ritonavir (RTV)/saquinavir (SQV)/6 stavudine (D4T) or RTV/SQV alone, with treatment intensification if needed, in protease inhibitor- and D4T-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals. DESIGN: Multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Two-hundred and eight patients were randomized to receive treatment with RTV 400 mg/SQV 400 mg twice daily or RTV 400 mg/SQV 400 mg/D4T 40 mg twice daily. Intensification of study medication with reverse transcriptase inhibitors was permitted if serum HIV-RNA remained > 400 copies/ml after 12 weeks of treatment. Follow-up of this study was 48 weeks. RESULTS: In a strict intention-to-treat analysis, counting all dropouts as virological failures, 63% [95% confidence interval (CI), 54-73%] of subjects in the RTV/SQV group (n = 104) reached a serum HIV-RNA < 400 copies/ml at week 48, as compared with 69% (95% CI, 60-78%) in the RTV/SQV/D4T group (n = 104; P = 0.379). In the on-treatment analysis these percentages were 88 and 91% respectively. Thirty-one patients intensified their study medication according to the protocol (28 in the RTV/SQV group, three in the RTV/SQV/D4T group). Thirty out of 31 (97%) patients had a serum HIV-RNA < 400 copies/ml at their last follow-up visit. Ten per cent of patients discontinued study medication due to adverse events. CONCLUSION: The concept of starting with a simple, potent regimen, that could be intensified if necessary, showed good virological results after 48 weeks in this study, comparable to starting with more drugs from the beginning. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the long-term efficacy of this treatment strategy.

Recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of spondylodiscitis.

BACKGROUND: Spondylodiscitis, also known as vertebral osteomyelitis, is a destructive disease with high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis is often delayed because of the rarity of the disease and the fact that early symptoms are often non-specific. There are currently no national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of spondylodiscitis in the Netherlands. METHODS: We performed a single-centre retrospective cohort study examining 49 patients over 18 years of age treated for spondylodiscitis in a six-year time period. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 69 years (range 40-89). Most patients underwent an MRI scan to confirm diagnosis (n=30). In 39 patients a microorganism was found, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus (n=14), Streptococcus species (n=11) and Gram-negative bacteria (n=11). All patients were treated with antibiotics. Thirty-seven patients received antibiotic treatment for at least six weeks, while 17 patients were treated for 90 days or longer. In 13 patients no adequate treatment was started until culture results were available. Eleven patients underwent surgery after their diagnosis. Two patients had a recurrence. CONCLUSION: We recommend that, when considering spondylodiscitis as a possible diagnosis, all patients should undergo thorough physical examination, neurological screening, blood tests for infection and blood cultures. An MRI scan should be performed, followed by a PET-CT scan when results are inconclusive. Ideally a CT-guided biopsy is performed before treatment is started. Awaiting culture results all patients should receive broad-spectrum antibiotics. Targeting only Gram-positive microorganisms in empiric treatment will lead to a delay in adequate treatment in a substantial group of patients. A multidisciplinary approach is advocated.

Risk factors for hepatotoxicity in HIV-1-infected patients receiving ritonavir and saquinavir with or without stavudine. Prometheus Study Group.

Liver enzyme elevation (LEE) is commonly observed after combination antiretroviral therapy (ARVT) for HIV infection is begun. Potential risk factors for LEE after treatment with ritonavir and saquinavir with or without stavudine were investigated in 208 HIV-infected patients, by use of the Cox proportional hazard model. Eighteen patients (9%) developed LEE during the 48-week follow-up. Multivariate analysis, adjusted for baseline levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), showed that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (relative risk [RR], 8.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3-23.1) and the use of stavudine (RR, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.5-16.0) were the only significant risk factors for developing LEE. After LEE occurred, ALT and AST concentrations decreased by >50% in 13 of 14 patients who continued ARVT during LEE. In this study, it appeared safe to continue ARVT during LEE; however, more data from larger studies are required to confirm this finding.

Increasing cerebrospinal fluid chemokine concentrations despite undetectable cerebrospinal fluid HIV RNA in HIV-1-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Only limited data on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HIV-1 RNA responses and markers of local inflammation in CSF during antiretroviral therapy are available. HIV-RNA, soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor (sTNFr)-II, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and interferon-gamma-inducible protein (IP)-10 were measured in the peripheral blood and CSF of 26 antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-positive patients, who were treated with ritonavir (RTV)/saquinavir (SQV) (n = 5), RTV/SQV/stavudine (d4T; n = 8) or zidovudine (AZT)/lamivudine (3TC)/abacavir/nevirapine/indinavir (n = 13). After 8 to 12 weeks of treatment, CSF HIV-RNA dropped to <400 copies/ml in 1 of 5 patients in the RTV/SQV group, 8 of 8 patients in the RTV/SQV/d4T group, and 9 of 10 patients in the five-drug group. CSF sTNFr-II and IP-10 levels increased in patients with detectable CSF HIV-RNA. However, increases in CSF chemokine and sTNFr-II concentrations were also observed in some patients with good CSF HIV-RNA responses. Moreover, CSF MCP-1 concentrations increased in the whole population after 2 months of treatment. Ongoing residual HIV replication in the central nervous system, which cannot be detected with CSF HIV-RNA measurements, may account for this phenomenon.