Analysis of inappropriate prescribing in elderly patients of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study reveals gender inequity

Potentially inappropriate prescriptions and potential prescription omissions in older people living with HIV

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) and potential prescription omissions (PPOs) in a Spanish cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) aged ≥65 years and to identify risk factors for the presence of PIPs and PPOs.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted across 10 public hospitals in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, Spain. Clinical and demographic data were cross-checked against hospital and community pharmacy dispensation registries. PIPs and PPOs were assessed using the American Geriatrics Society (AGS)/Beers and Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP)/Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment (START) criteria. Risk factors for PIPs and PPOs and agreement between AGS/Beers and STOPP/START criteria were statistically analysed.

RESULTS

This study included 313 PLWH (median age 72 years), of whom 80.5% were men. PIP prevalence rates were 29.4% and 44.4% based on the AGS/Beers and STOPP criteria, respectively. The concordance between AGS/Beers and STOPP criteria was moderate. Benzodiazepines and proton pump inhibitors were the chronic comedications most commonly involved in PIPs. PPOs were observed in 61.4% of the patients. The leading omissions were insufficient influenza and pneumococcal vaccine coverage and inadequate bone health-related treatments. The number of chronic comedications, female sex, neuropsychiatric disorders, and cancer diagnosis were risk factors for PIPs, whereas osteopenia and osteoporosis were risk factors for PPOs.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of PIPs and PPOs was observed in our cohort of older PLWH. These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive medication reviews in this population to reduce inappropriate medication use and address their specific and underserved therapeutic needs.

An overview of multimorbidity and polypharmacy in older people living with HIV

The availability of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) has revolutionized the care of people living with HIV (PLHIV). As a result, PLHIV now have a life expectancy comparable with that of the general population. PLHIV are increasingly confronted with age-related comorbidities and geriatric syndromes, including frailty and polypharmacy, which occur at a higher prevalence and set in at an earlier age compared with their uninfected counterparts. The underlying pathophysiology for multimorbidity and polypharmacy are multifactorial, multidimensional and complex. Therefore, regular review and optimization of risk factors to maintain physical function, social and psychological health is of utmost importance. With an ever-growing population of older PLHIV, there is a pressing need to provide holistic care to address these emerging issues. Accelerated aging observed in PLHIV suggests that early involvement of a multidisciplinary team, including geriatricians, and implementation of integrated models of care can potentially improve the care of older PLHIV, who are at increased risk of frailty and complex multimorbidity. This article reviews the current global situation, discusses the challenges involved and suggests approaches to deliver comprehensive care for older PLHIV. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 49-59.

Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing in Older People Living With HIV: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV from a progressive and often fatal infection to a chronic disease. Currently, people living with HIV (PLHIV) have near-normal life expectancy; however, they face accelerated ageing and a rise in non-AIDS-defining HIV-associated conditions. Comorbidities increase the number of prescribed drugs and, therefore, the risk of polypharmacy and prescribing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Still, there are no specific tools to identify PIMs in older PLHIV, which opens a pathway to investigate the particularities in the prescription of medication in this population.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review in 5 electronic databases for studies reporting the use of tools to identify PIMs in older PLHIV. No language or date restrictions were applied. To complete the search, abstracts published in the most relevant HIV Conferences and Events in their editions from 2010 to 2022 were screened.

RESULTS

Of 50,193 records returned (13,701 of the databases and 36,492 of the Congresses), 39 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were single-centre and conducted in Europe. Twenty-eight studies were cross-sectional, and most researchers used explicit criteria, mainly Beers and STOPP-START criteria, to identify PIMs.

CONCLUSIONS

Potentially inappropriate prescribing is frequent among older PLHIV. Explicit conventional tools to identify PIMs in older populations may need to be adapted to tackle the needs of PLHIV. Implicit tools may be more valid, although their use is more time-consuming, and standardization is complex.

Potential drug-drug interactions in males living with HIV who use drugs to treat lower urinary tract symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are becoming more prevalent in the ageing population of males living with HIV. Drugs to treat LUTS are known for both their potential role as victims in drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and their side effects. We aimed to evaluate the current use of drugs to treat LUTS and to assess potential DDIs in our cohort of adult males living with HIV.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective review of pharmacy records.

METHODS

We recorded the combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) regimen and any use of drugs to treat LUTS (anatomical therapeutic chemical codes G04CA/CB/CX and G04BD). Potential DDIs were assessed using the interaction checker developed by the University of Liverpool (https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/checker).

RESULTS

A total of 411 adult males living with HIV were included in this analysis. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 53 (41-62) years. Nineteen (4.6%) patients used one or more drugs to treat LUTS. As expected, older patients were more likely to be receiving treatment for LUTS: Q1 (20-40 years) = 0%; Q2 (41-52 years) = 2%; Q3 (53-61 years) = 7%; Q4 (62-79 years) = 10%. Seven potential DDIs between cART and LUTS treatment were noted in six of the 19 (32%) patients. Following medication reviews of these six patients, the following interventions were proposed: evaluate safe use of alpha-blocker (n = 4), change in cART (n = 2), and dose reduction of the anticholinergic agent (n = 1).

CONCLUSION

Treatment for LUTS coincided with cART in 7%-10% of patients aged above the median age of 53 years in our cohort. Improvements in DDI management appeared to be possible in this growing cohort of males living with HIV and with LUTS.

Potential drug-drug interactions between antiretroviral drugs and comedications, including dietary supplements, among people living with HIV: A clinical survey

OBJECTIVE

Age-related comorbidities, polypharmacy and thereby the risk of potential drug-drug interactions (PDDIs) among people living with HIV (PLWH) have increased over the years. We estimated the prevalence of comedications, including dietary supplements, and evaluated PDDIs among PLWH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Denmark in an outpatient setting.

METHODS

Information on prescription medication, over-the-counter medication and dietary supplements was obtained from adult PLWH receiving ART attending two outpatient clinics in Denmark. The PDDIs were identified using the University of Liverpool's drug interaction database. Associations between PDDIs and relevant variables were compared using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 337 PLWH receiving ART with a median age of 53 years (interquartile range: 45-61) were included; 77% were male and 96% had a HIV-RNA viral load < 50 copies/mL. Twenty-six per cent of participants received five or more comedications and 56% consumed dietary supplements. Co-administration of drugs requiring dose adjustment or monitoring was identified in the medication lists of 52% of participants, and 4.5% were on drugs that should not be co-administered. Male sex [odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-3.4], being on a protease inhibitor (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.9-9.7), receiving five or more comedications (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.5-7.2), taking over-the-counter medications (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.3) and dietary supplements (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2-3.3) were independent predictors of PDDIs.

CONCLUSION

Potential drug-drug interactions were common among our study population Our study confirms that polypharmacy and being on a protease inhibitor-based regimen increase the risk of PDDIs considerably and highlights the importance of questioning PLWH about dietary supplement intake.

Anticholinergic and sedative medications are associated with neurocognitive performance of well-treated people living with HIV

Background

We previously showed that anticholinergic (ACH) medications contribute to self-reported neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in elderly people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). The current cross-sectional study further evaluated the effect of ACH and sedative drugs on neurocognitive function in PWH who underwent comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation.

Methods

A medication review was performed in PWH enrolled in the prospective Neurocognitive Assessment in Metabolic and Aging Cohort within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study. Neurocognitive functions were analyzed in 5 domains (motor skills, speed of information, attention/working memory, executive functions, and verbal learning memory). The effect of ACH and sedative medications on neurocognitive functioning was evaluated using linear regression models for the continuous (mean z-score) outcome and multivariable logistic regression models for the binary (presence/absence) outcome.

Results

A total of 963 PWH (80% male, 92% Caucasian, 96% virologically suppressed, median age 52) were included. Fourteen percent of participants were prescribed ≥1 ACH medication and 9% were prescribed ≥1 sedative medication. Overall, 40% of participants had NCI. Sedative medication use was associated with impaired attention/verbal learning and ACH medication use with motor skills deficits both in the continuous (mean z-score difference −0.26 to −0.14, P < .001 and P = .06) and binary (odds ratio [OR], ≥1.67; P < .05) models. Their combined use was associated with deficits in overall neurocognitive functions in both models (mean z-score difference −0.12, P = .002 and OR = 1.54, P = .03). These associations were unchanged in a subgroup analysis of participants without depression (n = 824).

Conclusions

Anticholinergic and sedative medications contribute to NCI. Clinicians need to consider these drugs when assessing NCI in PWH.

What is polypharmacy in people living with HIV/AIDS? A systematic review

Polypharmacy in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is a rising morbidity that exacts hefty economic burden on health budgets in addition to other adverse clinical outcomes. Despite recent advances, uncertainty remains around its exact definition in PLWHA. In this systematic review and Meta-analysis, we explored relevant databases (PUBMED, EMBASE, CROI) for studies evaluating polypharmacy in PLWHA from January 2000 to August 2021 to ascertain the exact numerical threshold that defines this morbidity. Two independent reviewers extracted and reviewed relevant variables for analyses. The review included a total of 31 studies involving n = 53,347 participants with a mean age of 49.5 (SD ± 17.0) years. There was a total of 36 definitions, with 93.5% defining polypharmacy as the concomitant use of 5 or more medications. We found significant variation in the numerical definition of polypharmacy, with studies reporting it as "minor" (N = 3); "major" (N = 29); "severe" (N = 2); "excessive" (N = 1); and "higher" (N = 1). Most studies did not incorporate a duration (84%) in their definition and excluded ART medications (67.7%). A plurality of studies in PLWHA have established that polypharmacy in this cohort of patients is the intake of ≥ 5 medications (including both ART and non-ART). To standardize the approach to addressing this rising morbidity, we recommend incorporation of this definition into national and international PLWHA treatment guidelines.

Real-life experience with bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in a large reference clinical centre

BACKGROUND

The use of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) is mainly based on robust, pivotal clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES

To provide data on clinical use of BIC/FTC/TAF in real life.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was an observational, retrospective and single-centre study. We included all adult, treatment-naive (TN) and treatment-experienced (TE) people living with HIV (PLWH) starting BIC/FTC/TAF from 8 June 2018. We evaluated effectiveness [on treatment (OT), modified intention-to-treat (mITT) and intention-to-treat (ITT)], tolerability and safety in those patients who reached 6 months of follow-up (M6).

RESULTS

We included 1584 PLWH [213 TN (13%) and 1371 TE (87%)]. The median (IQR) follow-up was 16 (7-21) months, with 81% and 53% of PLWH reaching M6 and M12, respectively. By OT, mITT and ITT, HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL was 77%, 70% and 62% at M6 and 92%, 77% and 63% at M12 for TN PLWH and 94%, 89% and 83% at M6 and 93%, 85% and 78% at M12 for TE PLWH, respectively. In PLWH carrying an M184V/I substitution, OT RNA <50 copies/mL was 89.5% at M6. The median CD4 cell count increased from 329 to 511/μL in TN PLWH and from 630 to 683/μL in TE PLWH at M6. Of the total, 1148 (88%) PLWH continued on BIC/FTC/TAF at M6. The most frequent known reason for discontinuation was toxicity [42 (69%) cases]; only 7 cases were considered virological failures (0.6% of the total OT cohort at M6), with no emerging resistance substitutions.

CONCLUSIONS

In real life, BIC/FTC/TAF showed high rates of virological suppression and also in PLWH carrying lamivudine/emtricitabine resistance substitutions. The tolerability and safety of BIC/FTC/TAF were good, with high persistence observed for patients on this regimen at M6.

Durability of Dolutegravir-Based Regimens: A 5-Year Prospective Observational Study

This study evaluates the frequency and causes of dolutegravir (DTG) discontinuation along 5 years of follow-up, in both antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naive and experienced people living with HIV (PLWH). This is a prospective multi-center cohort study enrolling PLWH on DTG from July 2014 until November 2020. DTG-durability was investigated using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used for estimating the hazard ratio (HR) of DTG discontinuation for any cause, and for adverse events (AEs). Nine hundred sixty-three PLWH were included, 25.3% were women and 28.0% were ART-naive. Discontinuations for any causes were 10.1 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 8.9-11.5] per 100 person-years, similar in most regimens, with the apparent exception of tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine+DTG (p < 0.0001). In the multivariable Cox regression model, non-Caucasian ethnicity, age ≥50 years, and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were associated with a higher probability of DTG interruption. The incidence rate of virological failure was 0.4 (95% CI 0.2-0.7) per 100 person-years, while the estimated discontinuation rate for AEs was 4.0 (3.2-4.9) per 100 person-years. Thirty-four DTG interruptions were due to grade ≥3 events (10 central nervous system, 6 hypersensitivity, 3 renal, 3 myalgia/asthenia, 3 abdominal pain, 2 gastrointestinal, and 7 other events). People with lower body mass index, age ≥50 years, and lower eGFR were at higher risk of AEs, while dual combinations were protective (HR 0.41 compared with abacavir/lamivudine/DTG, 95% CI 0.22-0.77). In this prospective observational study, we found high DTG durability and a low rate of virological failures. Dual therapies seemed protective toward AEs and might be considered, when feasible, a suitable option to minimize drug interactions and improve tolerability.

The impact of age on antiretroviral drug pharmacokinetics in the treatment of adults living with HIV

INTRODUCTION

People living with HIV (PLWH) are aging and will receive life-long treatment: despite substantial improvement in drug efficacy and tolerability, side effects still occur and they can blunt antiretroviral treatment effectiveness. Since age may affect drug exposure and may be associated with side-effects we aimed at reviewing available data on the effect of age on antiretrovirals' pharmacokinetics in adult patients.

AREAS COVERED

We searched public databases and major conference proceedings for data on age and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics in PLWH. We limited our review to currently used drugs and focused on population pharmacokinetics and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling studies.

EXPERT OPINION

Available evidence of a potential detrimental effect in elderly PLWH is limited by study design and small sample sizes. Careful consideration of undoubtful benefits and potential harms is advised when prescribing ARVs to geriatric patients and the knowledge of pharmacokinetics changes need to be included in the process. With the 'greying' of the pandemic we need studies with a specific focus on geriatric patients living with HIV that will consider specific phenotypes and associated changes (including sarcopenia).

Medication burden and clustering in people living with HIV undergoing therapeutic drug monitoring

AIM

People living with HIV (PLWH) have a high burden of comorbidities and concomitant medication use. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence, predictors and patterns of polypharmacy (PP) in a large therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) registry.

METHODS

We searched our TDM registry and categorized co-medications into 26 drug classes. We included patients with at least one medication recorded: PP and severe polypharmacy (sPP) were defined as the concomitant use of ≥5 or ≥10 nonantiretroviral/nonantitubercular drugs. Multivariable binary logistic analysis were conducted for identifying PP/sPP predictors. A hierarchical average-linkage cluster analysis was performed among drug classes.

RESULTS

We included 2432 participants (1158 PLWH) aged 49.6 years (± 14.4) in the 2016-2020 period. A higher number of concomitant medications (4 vs 3.1, P < .001) and a higher prevalence of PP (26.1% vs 21.8%, P = .015) were recorded in controls. At multivariable binary logistic analysis older age, female gender and HIV-positive serostatus (P = .015) were independent predictors of PP; older age and year of inclusion were independent predictors of sPP. Cluster analysis showed that patients receiving oral drug for type 2 diabetes have a high probability of receiving several other drugs; a cluster of co-medications was observed with opioids, diuretics and central nervous system-affecting drugs.

CONCLUSION

We observed a moderately high prevalence of polypharmacy in middle-aged PLWH: advanced age and female gender were associated with the greatest prevalence. The observation of co-medication clusters suggests groups of comorbidities but also identifies groups of patients at risk of similar drug-to-drug interactions.