Obesity-Related Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Weight Gain Following First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy.

BACKGROUND: We studied the association of obesity-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (OR-SNPs) with weight gain after antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PWH). METHODS: Participants were ART-naive PWH from the Spanish HIV Research Cohort who started ART from 2014 onward and had blood/DNA deposited in the cohort Biobank. The primary outcome was change in weight at 96 weeks after starting ART. We genotyped 14 OR-SNPs from a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of body mass index (BMI) loci. Changes over time in weight and BMI were studied using adjusted linear mixed models. RESULTS: A total of 1021 PWH were included. The mean weight gain over 96 weeks was 2.90 (95% confidence interval, 2.54-3.26) kg. Factors associated with higher weight gain were female sex, birth in sub-Saharan Africa, prior AIDS, CD4+ <200 cells/µL, HIV-RNA >100 000 copies/mL, negative hepatitis C virus serology, and use of tenofovir alafenamide. A significant association was found between ZC3H4 rs3810291 GG genotype and BCDIN3D/FAIM2 rs7138803 GG genotype polymorphisms and weight and BMI increase. The estimated adjusted mean (standard error [SE]) of weight gain was 4.26 (0.56) kg in ZC3H4 rs3810291 GG carriers and 2.66 (0.19) kg in AA/AG carriers (P = .007). Likewise the estimated weight gain at 96 weeks was 3.35 (0.29) kg in BCDIN3D/FAIM2 rs7138803 GG carriers and 2.51 (0.24) kg in AG/AA carriers (P = .020). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic factors may play a role in weight gain after ART initiation. Further work is needed to replicate our findings and understand how the identified SNPs lead to higher weight gain in this context.

Transmitted drug resistance to antiretroviral drugs in Spain during the period 2019-2021.

To evaluate the prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) to nucleoside and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI, NNRTI), protease inhibitors (PI), and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) in Spain during the period 2019-2021, as well as to evaluate transmitted clinically relevant resistance (TCRR) to antiretroviral drugs. Reverse transcriptase (RT), protease (Pro), and Integrase (IN) sequences from 1824 PLWH (people living with HIV) were studied. To evaluate TDR we investigated the prevalence of surveillance drug resistance mutations (SDRM). To evaluate TCRR (any resistance level ≥ 3), and for HIV subtyping we used the Stanford v.9.4.1 HIVDB Algorithm and an in-depth phylogenetic analysis. The prevalence of NRTI SDRMs was 3.8% (95% CI, 2.8%-4.6%), 6.1% (95% CI, 5.0%-7.3%) for NNRTI, 0.9% (95% CI, 0.5%-1.4%) for PI, and 0.2% (95% CI, 0.0%-0.9%) for INSTI. The prevalence of TCRR to NRTI was 2.1% (95% CI, 1.5%-2.9%), 11.8% for NNRTI, (95% CI, 10.3%-13.5%), 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.6%) for PI, and 2.5% (95% CI, 1.5%-4.1%) for INSTI. Most of the patients were infected by subtype B (79.8%), while the majority of non-Bs were CRF02_AG (n = 109, 6%). The prevalence of INSTI and PI resistance in Spain during the period 2019-2021 is low, while NRTI resistance is moderate, and NNRTI resistance is the highest. Our results support the use of integrase inhibitors as first-line treatment in Spain. Our findings highlight the importance of ongoing surveillance of TDR to antiretroviral drugs in PLWH particularly with regard to first-line antiretroviral therapy.

Low CD4/CD8 ratio is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in late and non-late presenters: results from a multicentre cohort study, 2004-2018.

BACKGROUND: To study whether the association between the CD4/CD8 ratio variation over time and the development of clinical outcomes vary in late presenters (CD4 count < 350/µL or AIDS event at enrolment) or advanced presenters (CD4 count < 200/µL or AIDS event at enrolment). METHODS: We included ART-naïve adults from the Cohort of the Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network (CoRIS) enrolled between January 2004 up to November 2018 and with at least 6 months of follow-up. We used extended Cox proportional hazard models to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between CD4/CD8 ratio over time and a composite endpoint of the occurrence of the first AIDS event, first serious non-AIDS event or overall mortality occurring from 6 months after enrolment. HRs in non-late, late and advanced presenters were obtained by including an interaction term between late presentation status and CD4/CD8 ratio over time. RESULTS: Of 10,018 participants, 55.6% were late presenters and 26.5% were advanced presenters. Compared with CD4/CD8 ratio > 0.4, CD4/CD8 ratio ≤ 0.4 over time was associated with an increased risk of experiencing the composite endpoint in non-late (HR 1.90; 95%CI 1.48, 2.43), late (HR 1.94; 1.46, 2.57) and advanced presenters (HR 1.72; 1.26, 2.34). Similarly, CD4/CD8 ratio ≤ 0.4 over time was associated with a higher risk of developing an AIDS event (HR 3.31; 2.23, 4.93 in non-late; HR 2.75; 1.78, 4.27 in late and HR 2.25; 1.34, 3.76 in advanced presenters) or serious non-AIDS event (HR 1.39; 0.96, 2.02 in non-late, HR 1.62; 1.10, 2.40 in late and HR 1.49; 0.97, 2.29 in advanced presenters) as well as with a higher risk of overall mortality (HR 1.49; 0.92, 2.41 in non-late, HR 1.80; 1.04, 3.11 in late and HR 1.61; 0.92, 2.83 in advanced presenters) compared to CD4/CD8 > 0.4, regardless of the late presentation status. CONCLUSIONS: A low CD4/CD8 measured over time is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV independently of their late presentation status. These data support the prognostic role of CD4/CD8 over time and can help defining a subgroup of patients who need closer monitoring to avoid comorbidities.

The algorithm used for the interpretation of doravirine transmitted drug resistance strongly influences clinical practice and guideline recommendations.

OBJECTIVES: We report the results of the reverse transcriptase (RT)/protease (PR) transmitted drug resistance (TDR) prevalence study in 2018, focusing on doravirine resistance-associated mutations and the differences observed when Stanford or French National Agency for AIDS Research (ANRS)/Spanish Network of AIDS Research (RIS)/IAS-USA resistance interpretation algorithms are used to describe clinically relevant resistance. METHODS: We used the WHO 2009 list to investigate the prevalence of NNRTI, NRTI and PI TDR, in treatment-naive HIV-1-infected patients, adding mutations E138A/G/K/Q/R, V106I, V108I, V179L, G190Q, H221Y, F227C/L/V, M230IDR, L234I, P236L and Y318F in RT. The prevalence of doravirine resistance-associated mutations, as described by Soulie et al. in 2019, was evaluated. Clinically relevant TDR was investigated using the latest versions of ANRS, RIS, IAS-USA and Stanford algorithms. RESULTS: NNRTI mutations were detected in 82 of 606 (13.5%) patients. We found 18 patients (3.0%) with NRTI mutations and 5 patients (0.8%) with PI mutations. We detected 11 patients harbouring doravirine resistance-associated mutations (prevalence of 1.8%). Furthermore, we observed important differences in clinically relevant resistance to doravirine when ANRS/RIS (0.7%), IAS-USA (0.5%) or Stanford algorithms (5.0%) were used. V106I, which was detected in 3.8% of the patients, was the main mutation driving these differences. V106I detection was not associated with any of the clinical, demographic or virological characteristics of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NRTI and PI TDR remains constant in Spain. Doravirine TDR is very infrequent by RIS/ANRS/IAS-USA algorithms, in contrast with results using the Stanford algorithm. Further genotype-phenotype studies are necessary to elucidate the role of V106I in doravirine resistance.

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.

Surveillance of transmitted drug resistance to integrase inhibitors in Spain: implications for clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) constitute at present one of the pillars of first-line ART. OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of and the trend in transmitted drug resistance (TDR) to INSTIs in ART-naive patients in Spain. METHODS: During the period 2012-17, 1109 patients from CoRIS were analysed. The Stanford algorithm v8.7 was used to evaluate TDR and transmission of clinically relevant resistance. To describe individual mutations/polymorphisms, the most recent IAS list (for INSTIs) and the 2009 WHO list update (for the backbone NRTIs used in combination with INSTIs in first-line treatment) were used. RESULTS: Clinically relevant resistance to the INSTI class was 0.2%: T66I, 0.1%, resistance to elvitegravir and intermediate resistance to raltegravir; and G163K, 0.1%, intermediate resistance to raltegravir and elvitegravir. No clinical resistance to dolutegravir or bictegravir was observed. The prevalence of INSTI TDR following the IAS-USA INSTI mutation list was 2.6%, with no trend towards changes in the prevalence throughout the study period. The overall prevalence of NRTI WHO mutations was 4.3%, whereas clinically relevant resistance to tenofovir, abacavir and emtricitabine/lamivudine was 1.7%, 1.9% and 0.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Given the low prevalence of clinically relevant resistance to INSTIs and first-line NRTIs in Spain, it is very unlikely that a newly diagnosed patient will present with clinical resistance to a first-line INSTI-based regimen. These patients may not benefit from INSTI and NRTI baseline resistance testing.

Executive summary: Pre-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of HIV infection in adults in Spain: July 2016.

Administration of antiretroviral drugs to individuals exposed to, but not infected by, HIV has been shown to reduce the risk of transmission. The efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) makes it obligatory to include it in an integral program of prevention of HIV transmission, together with other measures, such as use of the condom, training, counseling, and appropriate treatment of infected individuals. In this document, the AIDS Study Group (GeSIDA) of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica [SEIMC]) provides its views on this important subject. The available evidence on the usefulness of PrEP in the prevention of transmission of HIV is presented, and the components that should make up a PrEP program and whose development and implementation are feasible in Spain are set out.

Executive summary: Prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections and other coinfections in HIV-infected patients: May 2015.

Opportunistic infections continue to be a cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. They often arise because of severe immunosuppression resulting from poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy, failure of antiretroviral therapy, or unawareness of HIV infection by patients whose first clinical manifestation of AIDS is an opportunistic infection. The present article is an executive summary of the document that updates the previous recommendations on the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients, namely, infections by parasites, fungi, viruses, mycobacteria, and bacteria, as well as imported infections. The article also addresses immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. This document is intended for all professionals who work in clinical practice in the field of HIV infection.

Prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections and other coinfections in HIV-infected patients: May 2015.

Despite the huge advance that antiretroviral therapy represents for the prognosis of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), opportunistic infections (OIs) continue to be a cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. OIs often arise because of severe immunosuppression resulting from poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy, failure of antiretroviral therapy, or unawareness of HIV infection by patients whose first clinical manifestation of AIDS is an OI. The present article updates our previous guidelines on the prevention and treatment of various OIs in HIV-infected patients, namely, infections by parasites, fungi, viruses, mycobacteria, and bacteria, as well as imported infections. The article also addresses immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

Cardiovascular risk factors and lifetime risk estimation in HIV-infected patients under antiretroviral treatment in Spain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease is a major concern in HIV-infected patients. Lifetime risk estimations use the risk of developing it over the course of remaining lifetime, and are useful in communicating this risk to young patients. We aim to describe the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among a representative sample of HIV-infected subjects under antiretroviral therapy in Spain, and to estimate their lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey about cardiovascular risk factors in 10 HIV units across Spain. Lifetime risk assessed according to Barry was classified in two major categories: low and high lifetime risk. RESULTS: We included 895 subjects, 72% men, median age 45.7 years; median CD4 lymphocyte count 598 cells/µl, median time since HIV diagnosis 11 years, median time on antiretroviral treatment 6.3 years, 87% had undetectable HIV viral load. Tobacco smoking was the most frequent risk factor (54%), followed by dyslipidemia (48.6%) and hypertension (38.6%). Estimated 10-year coronary risk (Framingham/Regicor Risk Score) risk was low ( < 5%) in 78% of the patients, and intermediate (5-10%) in 20%. Lifetime risk estimation showed a high risk profile for 71.4% of the population studied, which was associated with increasing age, prolonged antiretroviral therapy and patient's place of origin. CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in this population are very common. There are significant disparities between the low 10-year risk estimated with the Framingham/Regicor score and the higher lifetime risk in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy. A more aggressive management of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in these patients seems advisable.

Renal safety of coformulated tenofovir/emtricitabine vs other nucleoside analogues in combination therapy in antiretroviral-naive patients aged 50 years or older in Spain: The TRIP study.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to describe the impact of emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir (TDF) versus other nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTIs)-based regimens on renal function of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) naïve patients >50 years old who started combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). DESIGN: National, retrospective cohort analysis of patients >50 years old when they started cART (January 1, 2006-December 31, 2009). METHODS: We compared renal safety (changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] during the first year, and time to renal events during 4 years of follow-up) in FTC/TDF versus non-FTC/TDF users. Among FTC/TDF users, we compared protease inhibitors vs non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and Lopinavir/ritonavir vs Efavirenz. RESULTS: We included 103 patients: median age: 54.9 years, 84% males, median CD4 count 247 cells/µl, median viral load 4.7 log; median follow up 18 months (max: 48 months); 73 started with FTC/TDF and 30 with other NRTIs. Change in eGFR was significantly worse for ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r) vs efavirenz (EFV) users in the FTC/TDF group (71.2 vs 98.9 ml/min/1.73 m(2) at month 12, P < 0.05). The risk of renal events (progression to an Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration value < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in subjects with baseline values >60) was comparable for FTC/TDF users and non users, but was higher and almost significant for LPV/r as compared to EFV users in the FTC/TDF group (adjusted hazard ratio 6.1, 95% CI 0.8-45.5). CONCLUSIONS: In our study with a population of HIV infected subjects ≥ 50 years old, renal safety was similar for FTC/TDF and other NRTI-based regimens, but worse for LPV/r as compared to other regimens.

Factors related to NT-proBNP levels in HIV patients aged over 40 years.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of NT-pro BNP in HIV patients over 40 years who are receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and investigating potential independent clinical or laboratory factors. METHOD: We determine levels of NT-pro BNP in peripheral blood of HIV patients from Costa del Sol Hospital, over 40 years. We collected epidemiological, classical cardiovascular risk factors and variables associated with HIV infection status. The qualitative variables were compared using the χ2 test. NT-proBNP levels were taken as the dependent variable. The association between these levels and the quantitative variables were studied by analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the association with the qualitative variables, using Student's t test. RESULTS: Nt-pro BNP levels were determined in 146 HIV patients. We assess the 10-year cardiovascular risk calculated by the Framingham equation, 59 (41.5%) were classified as low risk, 46 (32.4%) as a moderate risk and 37 (26.1%) as a high risk. The higher levels of NT-pro BNP were found in women, and in those patient with lower filtration rate and high levels of triglycerides. An association was also observed between higher levels of NT-proBNP and the recent use of lamivudine and fosamprenavir. After a multivariate analysis we found an association between higher levels of NT-proBNP and the current use of fosamprenavir and a lower glomerular filtration rate. CONCLUSIONS: We found, with the limitations of a small serie, that higher levels of NTproBNP in HIV patients could be linked to the occurrence of cardiovascular events, this fact suggest that NTpro BNP could be used in patients at moderate or high vascular risk in order to optimise the primary prevention of vascular events.

Durability of the first antiretroviral treatment regimen and reasons for change in patients with HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: To study the durability of the drugs and coformulations currently used in the first treatment regimen of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV patients, and to examine the reasons for changing this medication. METHODS: A retrospective observational multicenter study of patients with HIV infection who started a first-line ART regimen between January 2007 and June 2010. The primary outcome variable was the durability of this first ART regimen until discontinued or amended and the reasons for the change. Survival analysis of durability was performed using Kaplan-Meyer curves analysis, and a Cox multiple regression model was constructed to identify associated factors. RESULTS: A first-line ART regimen was initiated for 600 patients; after 1 year, it had been changed in 172 (28%) cases, with a median duration of 31 months. The main reason for change was toxicity (20.5% of all patients), followed by loss to follow-up (8.3%) and virological failure (5.3%). The most common type of toxicity was gastrointestinal (30%), followed by cutaneous (23%) and neuropsychiatric (18%). The use of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) was associated with greater durability than that of protease inhibitors (43 months vs 21 months; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The durability of the first-line ART regimen, based on current antiretroviral drugs and coformulations, is about 2.5 years, with toxicity being the main reason for its modification. Gastrointestinal toxicity is the type most commonly reported. NNRTI treatment is associated with greater durability of the first treatment regimen.

Durable Efficacy of Switching From a 3- or 4-Drug Tenofovir Alafenamide-Based Regimen to the 2-Drug Regimen Dolutegravir/Lamivudine in the TANGO Study Through Week 196.

BACKGROUND: Switching to the 2-drug regimen dolutegravir/lamivudine demonstrated durable non-inferior efficacy vs continuing 3- or 4-drug tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens for maintaining virologic suppression in people with HIV-1 through Week 144 in TANGO. SETTING: 134 centers, 10 countries. METHODS: Adults with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL for >6 months and no history of virologic failure were randomized to switch from stable tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens to dolutegravir/lamivudine on Day 1 (early-switch group) for 196 weeks. Those randomized to continue tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens on Day 1 who maintained virologic suppression at Week 144 switched to dolutegravir/lamivudine at Week 148 (late-switch group). Efficacy, safety, and tolerability (including weight and biomarker changes) of dolutegravir/lamivudine in early-switch and late-switch groups were assessed through Week 196. RESULTS: Overall, 369 participants switched to dolutegravir/lamivudine on Day 1 (early-switch) and 298 switched at Week 148 (late-switch). In the early-switch group, 83% (306/369) maintained virologic suppression through Year 4, and 3% (11/369) reported new adverse events between Weeks 144 and 196. The late-switch group at Week 196 and early-switch group at Week 48 had comparable proportions with virologic suppression (93% each) and similar safety profiles. No late-switch participants and 1 early-switch participant met confirmed virologic withdrawal criteria through Week 196, with no resistance-associated mutations observed. Treatment continued to be well tolerated long-term. CONCLUSION: Switching from tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens to dolutegravir/lamivudine showed durable efficacy, high barrier to resistance, and good tolerability through 4 years. These results support dolutegravir/lamivudine as a robust treatment for maintaining virologic suppression.

The HIV-1 reservoir landscape in persistent elite controllers and transient elite controllers.

BACKGROUNDPersistent controllers (PCs) maintain antiretroviral-free HIV-1 control indefinitely over time, while transient controllers (TCs) eventually lose virological control. It is essential to characterize the quality of the HIV reservoir in terms of these phenotypes in order to identify the factors that lead to HIV progression and to open new avenues toward an HIV cure.METHODSThe characterization of HIV-1 reservoir from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed using next-generation sequencing techniques, such as full-length individual and matched integration site proviral sequencing (FLIP-Seq; MIP-Seq).RESULTSPCs and TCs, before losing virological control, presented significantly lower total, intact, and defective proviruses compared with those of participants on antiretroviral therapy (ART). No differences were found in total and defective proviruses between PCs and TCs. However, intact provirus levels were lower in PCs compared with TCs; indeed the intact/defective HIV-DNA ratio was significantly higher in TCs. Clonally expanded intact proviruses were found only in PCs and located in centromeric satellite DNA or zinc-finger genes, both associated with heterochromatin features. In contrast, sampled intact proviruses were located in permissive genic euchromatic positions in TCs.CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest the need for, and can give guidance to, the design of future research to identify a distinct proviral landscape that may be associated with the persistent control of HIV-1 without ART.FUNDINGInstituto de Salud Carlos III (FI17/00186, FI19/00083, MV20/00057, PI18/01532, PI19/01127 and PI22/01796), Gilead Fellowships (GLD22/00147). NIH grants AI155171, AI116228, AI078799, HL134539, DA047034, MH134823, amfAR ARCHE and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Safety, efficacy, and persistence of emtricitabine/tenofovir versus other nucleoside analogues in naive subjects aged 50 years or older in Spain: the TRIP study.

OBJECTIVES: Current antiretroviral guidelines state that being older than 50 to 55 years of age is an indication to start antiretroviral therapy (ART), regardless of CD4 status. However, no references to the preferred combination ART (cART) for these patients have been described. Our study compares emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF) versus other nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) regimens in HIV ART-naïve patients who are ≥50 years. DESIGN: National, retrospective cohort analysis of patients who were ≥50 years old when they began the first cART (January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2009). METHODS: We compared safety, effectiveness, and persistence of treatment in FTC/TDF versus non-FTC/TDF users. Among FTC/TDF users, we compared protease inhibitor (PI) versus NNRTI users and lopinavir/r versus efavirenz users. RESULTS: We included 161 patients: median age was 54.6 years, 83% were men, median CD4 count was 191 cells/µL, median viral load was 4.7 log, and median follow-up was 19 months (maximum, 48 months). Of these participants, 112 started with FTC/TDF and 49 with other nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). During follow-up, 21.9% of subjects developed at least one laboratory event ≥grade 3, 5.6% interrupted cART due to adverse events,19.3% had virologic failure, and 49.1% modified cART. There were no statistically significant differences between FTC/TDF and non-FTC/TDF users for any output except for persistence: The proportion of subjects who changed cART was 71.4% for non-FTC/TDF users and 38.6% for FTC/TDF users (log rank 0.001; adjusted hazard ratio, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.34-3.29). CONCLUSIONS: In a population of HIV-infected subjects who were ≥50 years old, our study suggests that the use of FTC/TDF is generally safe and effective, with a longer persistence as compared to other regimens.