Tenofovir-Containing Antiretroviral Therapy and Clinical Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in People Living with HIV.

Tenofovir has been hypothesized to be effective against COVID-19 and is available as two prodrugs, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), both part of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens. People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) might be at higher risk for COVID-19 progression; however, information about the impact of tenofovir on COVID-19 clinical outcomes remains controversial. The COVIDARE is a prospective observational multicentric study in Argentina. PLWH with COVID-19 were enrolled from September 2020 to mid-June 2022. Patients were stratified according to baseline ART into those with tenofovir (TDF or TAF) and those without. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of tenofovir vs. non-tenofovir-containing regimens on major clinical outcomes. Of the 1155 subjects evaluated, 927 (80%) received tenofovir-based ART (79% TDF, 21% TAF) whilst the remaining population was under non-tenofovir regimens. The non-tenofovir group had older age and a higher prevalence of heart and kidney disease. Regarding the prevalence of symptomatic COVID-19, tomographic findings, hospitalization, and mortality, no differences were observed. The oxygen therapy requirement was higher in the non-tenofovir group. In the multivariate analyses, a first model with adjustment for viral load, CD4 T-cell count, and overall comorbidities showed that oxygen requirement was associated with non-tenofovir ART. In a second model with adjustment by chronic kidney disease, tenofovir exposure was not statistically significant.

Antiretroviral therapy use in selected countries in Latin America during 2013-2017: results from the Latin American Workshop in HIV Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To document antiretroviral use in Latin America during the last decade. METHODS: We collected indicators from 79 HIV health care centres in 14 Latin American Spanish-speaking countries for 2013-2017. Indicators were analysed by age, sex and other characteristics and weighted by the estimated people under care (PUC) population in each country. RESULTS: We gathered information on 116 299 PUC. One-third belonged to centres reporting a shortage of at least one antiretroviral therapy (ART) drug for >30 days during 2017. At end 2017, 95.1% of PUC were receiving ART. During 2013-2017, 45 329 people living with HIV were admitted to 39 centres. ART initiated during the first year after admission increased from 76.7% in 2013 to 83.8% in 2017. In 35 centres across the study period, 71.7% of PUC started ART with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and lamivudine, and zidovudine use decreased. The third most common ART drug, EFV, reached 64.8%. Raltegravir and other alternatives increased annually to almost 10% of total use in 2017. CONCLUSIONS: Initial ART in Latin America is not based on the most recent scientific evidence and recommendations; use of drugs with higher efficacy and safety profiles and guarantee of ART availability continues to be a public health challenge.

Registro argentino de COVID-19 en VIH (Estudio COVIDARE): características clínicas, epidemiológicas y factores asociados a hospitalización / Argentine Registry of COVID-19 in HIV (COVIDARE Study): clinical and epidemiological characteristics and factors associated with hospitalization

INTRODUCCIÓN: Existe controversia con respecto a los factores que determinan un mayor riesgo de gravedad y complicaciones por COVID-19 en personas que viven con VIH (PVVIH). Asimismo, hay datos limitados sobre el impacto de la vacunación contra SARS-CoV-2 en la hospitalización en esta población. OBJETIVOS: Describir las características clínicas y evolutivas de COVID-19 en PVVIH; Evaluar factores de riesgo para hospitalización; Evaluar el impacto de la vacunación en la hospitalización. Pacientes y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, prospectivo, multicéntrico (septiembre de 2020 a junio de 2022). Se registraron variables clínicas, inmunovirológicas, tratamiento antirretroviral (TARV), vacunación contra SARS-CoV-2 y hospitalización en PVVIH con COVID-19. Se realizaron análisis uni y multivariados examinando factores asociados a hospitalización utilizando dos modelos: primer modelo (sin vacunación) y segundo modelo (vacunación, mínimo una dosis). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 1.201 PVVIH. La mediana de edad fue 45 años. El 65,3% fueron hombres; el 38,7% presentó comorbilidades. Recibía TARV el 92,8% y presentó carga viral (CV) indetectable el 83,1%. La mediana de linfocitos T CD4+ fue de 600 céls/mm3. El 95,7% presentó síntomas. Las tasas de hospitalización, ingreso a UCI, requerimiento de oxígeno y muerte fueron 17,8%, 2,8%, 10,7% y 1,39%, respectivamente. De acuerdo con el análisis multivariado para el primer modelo, la edad > 60 años y las comorbilidades se asociaron a mayor riesgo de hospitalización, mientras que el sexo femenino y un recuento de linfocitos T CD4+ > 500 céls/mm3 tuvieron un efecto protector. En el segundo modelo sólo las comorbilidades se relacionaron con un mayor riesgo de hospitalización mientras que la vacunación y células CD4+ > 500 céls/mm3 la redujeron. CONCLUSIONES: En PVVIH las comorbilidades se asociaron con mayor tasa de hospitalización, mientras que tener linfocitos T CD4+ elevados y estar vacunado tuvieron un efecto protector. El TARV y la CV no tuvieron impacto en modelo alguno mientras que la edad y el sexo solo influyeron cuando no se consideró la vacunación.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding the factors that determine a greater risk of severity and complications from COVID-19 in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Likewise, there are limited data on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on hospitalization in this population. AIMS: To describe clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 in PLHIV; To assess risk factors for hospitalization; To evaluate the impact of vaccination on hospitalization. METHODS: Multicenter, prospective, observational study (September 2020 to June 2022). Clinical and immunovirological variables, antiretroviral treatment (ART), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and hospitalization in PLHIV with COVID-19 were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed examining factors associated with hospitalization using two models: first model (without vaccination) and second model (vaccination, minimum one dose). RESULTS: 1,201 PLHIV were included. The median age was 45 years. 65.3% were men; 38.7% presented comorbidities. 92.8% received ART and 83.1% presented undetectable viral load (VL). The median CD4+ T-cell count was 600/mm3. 95.7% presented symptoms. The rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, oxygen requirement, and death were 17.8 %, 2.8%, 10.7% and 1.39%, respectively. According to the multivariate analysis for the first model, age > 60 years and comorbidities were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization, while female sex and CD4+ > 500/mm3 had a protective effect. In the second model, only the comorbidities were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization, while vaccination and CD4+ > 500/mm3 reduced it. CONCLUSIONS: in PLHIV, comorbidities were associated with a higher hospitalization rate, while having elevated CD4+ T-cell counts and being vaccinated had a protective effect. ART and VL had no impact in any model, while age and sex only had an influence when vaccination was not considered.

Impacto del tratamiento antirretroviral en la función sexual de mujeres con VIH / Impact of antiretroviral treatment on sexual function of HIV-infected women

Objetivo. Describir la función sexual de un grupo de mujeres con VIH bajo tratamiento antirretroviral. Evaluar si existe diferencia entre las tratadas con un esquema que contiene Inhibidores No Nucleósidos de la Transcriptasa Inversa (INNTI) y aquéllas que reciben Inhibidores de la Proteasa (IP). Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, transversal. Muestra: 92 pacientes mujeres con VIH bajo tratamiento antirretroviral, que son asistidas en el Instituto Centralizado de Asistencia e Investigación Clínica Integral (CAICI). Instrumento: Se les realizó una encuesta que consta de características demográficas, preguntas referidas al VIH y al The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Análisis estadístico: se utilizó ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis, Chi cuadrado, regresión logística y alpha de Cronbach. Resultados. Edad media: 42±10 años; 65% tenían pareja estable, siendo el 73% de estas sero-discordantes. La mayoría (45,7%) estaban en tratamiento antirretroviral por más de dos años, con una media de CD4 mayor a 500 cél/ml y el 90% con carga viral plasmática indetectable. El 64,1% presentaba otra enfermedad asociada, por lo que el 55,4% tomaba medicación concomitante. El 27,2% continuó con su actividad sexual luego del diagnóstico de VIH, pero el 26,1% nunca la retomó. La puntuación total alcanzada por medio del FSFI fue de 20,4±10,1 para las tratadas con IP y 20±10,6 para las tratadas con INNTI (p <0,005). Conclusiones. La muestra analizada presentó un puntaje compatible con disfunción sexual. No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la función sexual de las mujeres tratadas con IP y las tratadas con INNTI(AU)

Summary Objective: To describe the sexual function in a group of women with HIV on antiretroviral treatment. To assess whether there is a difference between those treated with Non-nucleoside Inhibitors of he Reverse Transcriptase (NNRTI) and those receiving protease inhibitors (PIs). Material and methods: Descriptive, transversal study. Study sample: 92 women with HIV on antiretroviral therapy who are assisted in the Central Institute of Integral Assistance and Clinical Research (CAICI). Instrument: They completed a survey consisting of questions about demographic characteristics, HIV, and The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Statistical analysis: ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, logistic regression and CronbachÆs alpha. Results: Average age was 42±10 years; 65% had a steady partner, of which 73% were sero-discordant. Most patients (45.7%) had been on antiretroviral treatment for more than two years, with a mean CD4 greater than 500 cells/ml and 90% with undetectable plasma viral load. Other illnesses were present in 64.1%, and 55.4% were taking concomitant medication. Sexual activity after HIV diagnosis was continued by 27.2%, while 26.1% never resumed it. The total score achieved by the FSFI was 20.4±10.1 among those treated with IP and 20.0±10.6 among those treated with NNRTI(p<0.005). Conclusions: The score in the present sample supports the existence of sexual dysfunction. There was no statistically significant difference in the sexual function of women treated with either PI or NNRTI(AU)

Impacto del tratamiento antirretroviral en la función sexual de mujeres con VIH / Impact of antiretroviral treatment on sexual function of HIV-infected women

Objetivo. Describir la función sexual de un grupo de mujeres con VIH bajo tratamiento antirretroviral. Evaluar si existe diferencia entre las tratadas con un esquema que contiene Inhibidores No Nucleósidos de la Transcriptasa Inversa (INNTI) y aquéllas que reciben Inhibidores de la Proteasa (IP). Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, transversal. Muestra: 92 pacientes mujeres con VIH bajo tratamiento antirretroviral, que son asistidas en el Instituto Centralizado de Asistencia e Investigación Clínica Integral (CAICI). Instrumento: Se les realizó una encuesta que consta de características demográficas, preguntas referidas al VIH y al The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Análisis estadístico: se utilizó ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis, Chi cuadrado, regresión logística y alpha de Cronbach. Resultados. Edad media: 42±10 años; 65% tenían pareja estable, siendo el 73% de estas sero-discordantes. La mayoría (45,7%) estaban en tratamiento antirretroviral por más de dos años, con una media de CD4 mayor a 500 cél/ml y el 90% con carga viral plasmática indetectable. El 64,1% presentaba otra enfermedad asociada, por lo que el 55,4% tomaba medicación concomitante. El 27,2% continuó con su actividad sexual luego del diagnóstico de VIH, pero el 26,1% nunca la retomó. La puntuación total alcanzada por medio del FSFI fue de 20,4±10,1 para las tratadas con IP y 20±10,6 para las tratadas con INNTI (p <0,005). Conclusiones. La muestra analizada presentó un puntaje compatible con disfunción sexual. No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la función sexual de las mujeres tratadas con IP y las tratadas con INNTI

Summary Objective: To describe the sexual function in a group of women with HIV on antiretroviral treatment. To assess whether there is a difference between those treated with Non-nucleoside Inhibitors of he Reverse Transcriptase (NNRTI) and those receiving protease inhibitors (PIs). Material and methods: Descriptive, transversal study. Study sample: 92 women with HIV on antiretroviral therapy who are assisted in the Central Institute of Integral Assistance and Clinical Research (CAICI). Instrument: They completed a survey consisting of questions about demographic characteristics, HIV, and The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Statistical analysis: ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, logistic regression and Cronbach’s alpha. Results: Average age was 42±10 years; 65% had a steady partner, of which 73% were sero-discordant. Most patients (45.7%) had been on antiretroviral treatment for more than two years, with a mean CD4 greater than 500 cells/ml and 90% with undetectable plasma viral load. Other illnesses were present in 64.1%, and 55.4% were taking concomitant medication. Sexual activity after HIV diagnosis was continued by 27.2%, while 26.1% never resumed it. The total score achieved by the FSFI was 20.4±10.1 among those treated with IP and 20.0±10.6 among those treated with NNRTI(p<0.005). Conclusions: The score in the present sample supports the existence of sexual dysfunction. There was no statistically significant difference in the sexual function of women treated with either PI or NNRTI