Polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions for people with HIV in the UK from the Climate-HIV database

Brief communication: temporal trends of chronic diseases medications prescriptions among HIV-infected patients in Belgium: a 4-year population-based study using pharmacy claims data

The Objective of this study was to examine change over time of prevalence of chronic diseases medications (CDM) prescriptions among People living with HIV (PLWH) in Belgium, using Pharmanet database from 2018 to 2021. We identified 13,570, 14,175, 14,588 and 14,813 PLWH in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Prescriptions of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) medications (31.7-37.2%) and antidiabetics (7.4-9.0%), increased significantly (p for trend < 0.001 for all), while the prescription of neurological and mental disorders medications (18.0-19.3%) remained stable (p for trend = 0.11) and the prescription of chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) medications decreased from 12.2 to 10.6% (p for trend < 0.001), between 2018 and 2021. It is imperative to ensure that these medications are used appropriately.

An update on drug-drug interactions in older adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

INTRODUCTION

People with HIV are living longer due to advances in antiretroviral therapy. With improved life expectancy comes an increased lifetime risk of comorbid conditions - such as cardiovascular disease and cancer - and polypharmacy. Older adults, particularly those living with HIV, are more vulnerable to drug interactions and adverse effects, resulting in negative health outcomes.

AREA COVERED

Antiretrovirals are involved in many potential drug interactions with medications used to treat common comorbidities and geriatric conditions in an aging population of people with HIV. We review the mechanisms and management of significant drug-drug interactions involving antiretroviral medications and non-antiretroviral medications commonly used among older people living with HIV. The management of these interactions may require dose adjustments, medication switches to alternatives, enhanced monitoring, and considerations of patient- and disease-specific factors.

EXPERT OPINION

Clinicians managing comorbid conditions among older people with HIV must be particularly vigilant to side effect profiles, drug-drug interactions, pill burden, and cost when optimizing treatment. To support healthier aging among people living with HIV, there is a growing need for antiretroviral stewardship, multidisciplinary care models, and advances that promote insight into the correlations between an individual, their conditions, and their medications.

Immune deficiency/dysregulation -associated lymphoproliferative disorders. Revised classification and management

Significant advances in the field of lymphoma have resulted in two recent classification proposals, the International Consensus Classification (ICC) and the 5th edition WHO. A few entities are categorized differently in the ICC compared to the WHO. Nowhere is this more apparent than the immunodeficiency lymphoproliferative disorders. The three previous versions of the WHO classification (3rd, 4th and revised 4th editions) and the ICC focused on four clinical settings in which these lesions arise for primary categorization. In contrast the 2023 WHO 5th edition includes pathologic characteristics including morphology and viral status, in addition to clinical setting, as important information for lesion classification. In addition, the 2023 WHO recognizes a broader number of clinical scenarios in which these lesions arise, including not only traditional types of immune deficiency but also immune dysregulation. With this classification it is hoped that new treatment strategies will be developed leading to better patient outcomes.

Medicine burden experiences of people living with HIV and association with stigma

The medicine burden of people living with HIV (PLWH) is unknown. Between 2018 and 2020, participants completed a survey comprising outcome measures for medicine burden (LMQ-3) and stigma experiences (SSCI-8). Participants were HIV+ adults (≥18 years), using antiretrovirals (ARV) with or without non-ARV medicines, recruited via two outpatient clinics in southeast England and online via HIV charities across the UK. Spearman's correlations between medicine burden levels and stigma scores were calculated. Participants were mostly males (72%, 101/141) of mean (SD) age 48.6 (±12.31) years. Total number of medicines ranged from 1-20. High medicine burden was self-reported by 21.3% (30) and was associated with polypharmacy (≥ 5 medicines) (101.52 Vs 85.08, p = 0.006); multiple doses versus once daily regimes (109.31 Vs 85.65, p = 0.001); unemployment (98.23 Vs 84.46, p = 0.004); and ethnicity (97 Vs 86.85, p = 0.041 for non-White versus White participants). A correlation between medicine burden and stigma was observed (r = 0.576, p < 0.001). The LMQ-3 demonstrated adequate construct validity and reliability (domain loadings ranging 0.617-0.933 and Cronbach's α of 0.714-0.932). Assessment of medicine burden and psychosocial stigma in PLWH could enable identification of those needing additional support in future research and practice.

Polypharmacy and Aging in People Living with HIV: 6 Years of Experience in a Multidisciplinary Outpatient Clinic

BACKGROUND

Despite the availability of potent antiretroviral drugs, the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection still presents some important challenges, especially in older patients who often experience age-related comorbidities and complex polypharmacy.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the results of our 6 year experience with the outpatient clinic [Gestione Ambulatoriale Politerapie (GAP)] for the management of polypharmacy in people living with HIV (PLWH).

METHODS

Demographic characteristics, antiretroviral regimens, and number and type of comedications were collected in all PLWH included in the database of GAP from September 2016 to September 2022. Therapies were stratified based on the number of anti-HIV drugs (dual versus triple regimens) and on the presence of pharmacokinetic boosters (ritonavir or cobicistat).

RESULTS

A total of 556 PLWH were included in the GAP database. Overall, the enrolled patients were administered 4.2 ± 2.7 drugs (range 1-17) in addition to antiretroviral therapies. The number of comedications greatly increased with age (3.0 ± 2.2 versus 4.1 ± 2.5 versus 6.3 ± 3.2 in PLWH aged < 50 versus 50-64 versus > 65 years; p < 0.001 for all comparisons). PLWH on dual antiretroviral therapies were significantly older (58 ± 9 versus 54 ± 11 years; p < 0.001) and were concomitantly treated with more drugs (5.1 ± 3.2 versus 3.8 ± 2.5; p < 0.001) compared with those on triple therapies. A significant reduction of boosted antiretroviral regimens (53% versus 23%; p < 0.001) and in the number of comedications (4.0 ± 2.9 versus 3.1 ± 2.2 drugs; p < 0.001) was observed in the subgroup of patients (n = 198) with two GAP visits.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of polypharmacy in PLWH, especially among older adults, place these patients at high risk for clinically relevant drug-drug interactions (DDIs). A multidisciplinary approach involving physicians and clinical pharmacologists could help to optimize medication regimens associated with reduced risk.

Prevalence of polypharmacy in pregnancy: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The use of medications among pregnant women has been rising over the past few decades but the reporting of polypharmacy has been sporadic. The objective of this review is to identify literature reporting the prevalence of polypharmacy among pregnant women, the prevalence of multimorbidity in women taking multiple medications in pregnancy and associated effects on maternal and offspring outcomes.

DESIGN

MEDLINE and Embase were searched from their inception to 14 September 2021 for interventional trials, observational studies and systematic reviews reporting on the prevalence of polypharmacy or the use of multiple medications in pregnancy were included.Data on prevalence of polypharmacy, prevalence of multimorbidity, combinations of medications and pregnancy and offspring outcomes were extracted. A descriptive analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies met the review criteria. The prevalence of women being prescribed two or more medications during pregnancy ranged from 4.9% (4.3%-5.5%) to 62.4% (61.3%-63.5%), with a median of 22.5%. For the first trimester, prevalence ranged from 4.9% (4.7%-5.14%) to 33.7% (32.2%-35.1%). No study reported on the prevalence of multimorbidity, or associated pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to polypharmacy.

CONCLUSION

There is a significant burden of polypharmacy among pregnant women. There is a need for evidence on the combinations of medications prescribed in pregnancy, how this specifically affects women with multiple long-term conditions and the associated benefits and harms.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Our systematic review shows significant burden of polypharmacy in pregnancy but outcomes for women and offspring are unknown.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021223966.

Prevalence of Potentially Clinically Significant Drug-Drug Interactions With Antiretrovirals Against HIV Over Three Decades: A Systematic Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Contemporary first-line antiretrovirals have considerably reduced liability for clinically significant drug-drug interactions (DDI). This systematic review evaluates the prevalence of DDI among people receiving antiretrovirals across 3 decades.

METHODS

We searched 3 databases for studies reporting the prevalence of clinically significant DDIs in patients receiving antiretrovirals published between January 1987 and July 2022. Clinically significant DDIs were graded by severity. All data extractions were undertaken by 2 independent reviewers, adjudicated by a third.

RESULTS

Of 21,665 records returned, 13,474 were duplicates. After screening the remaining 13,596 abstracts against inclusion criteria, 122 articles were included for full-text analysis, from which a final list of 34 articles were included for data synthesis. The proportion of patients experiencing a clinically significant DDI did not change over time (P = 0.072). The most frequently reported classes of antiretrovirals involved in DDIs were protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; of note, integrase use in the most recent studies was highly variable and ranged between 0% and 89%.

CONCLUSIONS

The absolute risk of DDIs has not decreased over the period covered. This is likely related to continued use of older regimens and an ageing cohort of patients. A greater reduction in DDI prevalence can be anticipated with broader uptake of regimens containing unboosted integrase inhibitors or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Factors associated with a basic common drug-drug interaction knowledge among emergency department medical personnel

Background

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are common but less concerning in clinical practice of time-sensitive situations. We aimed to identify factors associated with a basic common DDI knowledge among an emergency physician (EP), an emergency medicine resident (EMR), and an emergency care nurse (ECN).

Methods

This was a prospective cross-sectional study. EP, EMR, and ECN did the examination (multiple-choice questions, 40 points) about common DDI. Prespecified factors associated with examination scores were profession, longer emergency medicine experience, pharmacological training, last advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) training, DDI checker book, and application user experience. The outcome was an examination score to evaluate the ability of DDI knowledge. Univariable and multivariable means regressions were used.

Results

A total of 244 participants were enrolled. Factors associated with high examination score were EP (unadjusted mean difference 3.3 points, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1 to 4.5, p < 0.001), EMR (2.1, 95% CI 0.7 to 3.5, p 0.005) compared to ECN. Last ACLS training within 2 years (3.7, 95% CI 0.7 to 6.6, p 0.015), 2–4 years (3.4, 95% CI 0.4 to 6.5, p 0.027), and ≥4 years (4.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 7.6, p 0.007) were higher score than no ACLS training. Moreover, the DDI checker application experience user (1.7, 95% CI 0.6 to 2.8, p 0.003) also had a high score compared to the non-experienced user. After adjustment for all factors, EP (adjusted mean difference 3.3 points, 95% CI 1.8 to 4.7, p < 0.001), EMR (2.5, 95% CI 0.6 to 4.3, p 0.010) were higher scores compared to ECN. Meanwhile, the last ACLS training ≥4 years (3.3, 95% CI 0.1 to 6.6, p 0.042) was a higher score than no ACLS training.

Conclusion

EP, EMR, and the last ACLS training ≥4 years were associated with higher DDI knowledge than ECN and no ACLS training, respectively.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40360-022-00623-0.

Prevalence and global trends of polypharmacy among people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:

There has been a rising prevalence of polypharmacy among people living with HIV (PLWH). Uncertainty however remains regarding the exact estimates of polypharmacy among these cohorts of patients.

Methods:

We conducted a systematic search of PubMed; EMBASE, CROI, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Science Citation Index and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects for studies between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2021 that reported on the prevalence of polypharmacy (ingestion of > 5 non-ART medications) among PLWH on antiretroviral therapy regimen (ART). Prevalence of polypharmacy among HIV-positive patients on ART with Clopper–Pearson 95% confidence intervals were presented. The heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using I2 and τ2 statistics.

Results:

One hundred ninety-seven studies were initially identified, 23 met the inclusion criteria enrolling 55,988 PLWH, of which 76.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 76.4–77.1] were male. The overall pooled prevalence of polypharmacy among PLWH was 33% (95% CI: 25–42%) (I² = 100%, τ² = 0.9170, p < 0.0001). Prevalence of polypharmacy is higher in the Americas (44%, 95% CI: 27–63%) (I² = 100%, τ² = 1.0886, p < 0.01) than Europe (29%, 95% CI: 20–40%) (I² = 100%, τ² = 0.7944, p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

The pooled prevalence estimates from this synthesis established that polypharmacy is a significant and rising problem among PLWH. The exact interventions that are likely to significantly mitigate its effect remain uncertain and will need exploration by future prospective and systematic studies.

Registration:

PROSPERO: CRD42020170071

Plain Language Summary

Background: In people living with HIV (PLWH), what is the prevalence of polypharmacy and is this influenced by sociodemographic factors?

Methods and Results: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 studies comprising 55,988 participants, we have for the first time found an estimated polypharmacy pooled prevalence of 33% among PLWH. There was a relatively higher pooled prevalence of polypharmacy among the America’s compared with European cohorts of PLWH.

Conclusion: Polypharmacy among PLWH is a rising morbidity that needs urgent intervention both at policy and patient levels of care.

Evolving patterns of antiretroviral drug interactions in people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the annual prevalence of antiretroviral/non-antiretroviral drug interactions (DIs) in relation to antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescribing patterns, and to describe DI-related ART changes.

DESIGN/METHODS

This cohort study included ART-treated adults in British Columbia, Canada between 01-Jan-2010 and 31-Dec-2016. Medication dispensing records were abstracted from a population-based, linked administrative-health dataset and used to identify antiretroviral-comedication DIs ("caution"/"avoid" DIs in HIV-focused DI-checkers). We identified temporal trends in annual DI prevalence and quantified the association between taking higher DI-risk ART and receiving non-recommended antiretroviral-comedication combinations using Poisson regression models, modified for binary outcomes and correlated data. Clinician-reported, DI-related ART changes and associated adverse events were abstracted from an HIV drug treatment registry and summarized descriptively.

RESULTS

Among 8571 ART-treated adults who received non-antiretroviral comedications, prevalence of having any DI or receiving non-recommended drug combination(s) significantly declined from 85% to 71% and 5.6% to 3.2%, respectively, between 2010 and 2016 (p < 0.001). This paralleled a shift from higher DI-risk ART (e.g. ritonavir/cobicistat-boosted protease inhibitors) to lower DI-risk ART (e.g. unboosted integrase inhibitors). Risk of receiving a non-recommended antiretroviral-comedication combination was greater for persons taking higher versus lower DI-risk ART (aRR 3.12, 95%CI 2.24-4.35). Boosted antiretroviral-inhaled corticosteroid DIs accounted for the most commonly dispensed, non-recommended drug combinations, and the most commonly reported DI-related adverse events (adrenal insufficiency).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of antiretroviral-comedication DIs is declining as ART shifts towards antiretrovirals with lower DI potential, but non-recommended drug combinations remain a concern. Healthcare providers should screen for DIs whenever drugs are prescribed or dispensed.

Real-world efficacy and safety of switching to bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in older people living with HIV

Approximately 50% of people living with HIV (PLWH) in the United States are ≥50 years old. Clinical trials of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) demonstrated potent efficacy and favorable safety in older PLWH; however, real-world data would be useful to validate these results.Retrospective cohort study.We evaluated records from PLWH aged ≥50 years at the Orlando Immunology Center who were switched to B/F/TAF between February 2018 and August 2019. Eligible patients had baseline HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL and 48 weeks of follow-up data. The primary endpoint was maintenance of HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL at Week 48. The impact of switching to B/F/TAF on drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and safety parameters were also assessed.Three-hundred and fifty patients met inclusion criteria, median age was 57 years, 20% were women, and 43% were non-White. Fifty-five percent of patients switched from integrase inhibitor-based regimens; the most common reason for switch was simplification. At Week 48, 330 (94%) patients maintained an HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL and 20 (6%) had an HIV-1 RNA between 50 and 400 copies/mL. One-hundred and forty potential DDIs were identified in 121 (35%) patients taking a boosting agent or rilpivirine at baseline that were resolved after switching to B/F/TAF. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 51 (15%) patients (all Grade 1-2) and led to 8 discontinuations.In this real-world cohort, switching to B/F/TAF was associated with maintenance of virologic control, and avoidance of DDIs in a large proportion of patients. These data support use of B/F/TAF as a treatment option in older PLWH.

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.

Using Climate-HIV to describe real-world clinical outcomes for people living with HIV taking dolutegravir-based regimens

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to describe the real-world use and effectiveness of dolutegravir-based regimens (DBRs) in routine clinical practice in the United Kingdom.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis was conducted using data from four National Health Service trusts using Climate-HIV, an electronic case record system. Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years with HIV-1 infection who were prescribed a DBR from December 2012 to March 2018. Outcome measurements were accessed at DBR initiation and at weeks 24, 48 and 96 and the last recorded visit up to the extraction date (last measurement). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL at Week 48.

Results:

The study cohort included 934 patients; 337 (36%) were female, 414 (47%) were white and 717 (77%) were treatment experienced (TE). The Kaplan–Meier estimated probability of achieving HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL at 48 weeks was 96% for treatment-naive (TN) patients and 86% for TE patients. Median times to viral suppression (<50 copies/mL) were 49 and 57 days for TN and TE patients with detectable baseline viral load, respectively, according to Kaplan–Meier analysis. Median follow-up time was 377 days (interquartile range: 131–683). At last measurement, 87% (809/934) of patients remained on a DBR; among those patients, 681 (84%) had HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL.

Conclusions:

High levels of virologic suppression and low rates of discontinuation of DBRs were seen in a large, diverse, UK-based population with HIV-1 infection. These findings are broadly consistent with efficacy data from phase III studies.