Cases of antiretroviral-associated gynaecomastia reported to the National HIV & Tuberculosis Health Care Worker Hotline in South Africa

Reversible Gynecomastia in HIV-Infected Man Treated With Triple Antiretroviral Therapy Containing Efavirenz: A Case Report

Gynecomastia is benign hypertrophy of male breast glandular tissue, either unilateral or bilateral, secondary to increased estrogen/testosterone ratio (elevated estrogen level, decreased testosterone levels, or both). The condition can be related to a medical disease or caused by some drugs.

Since the introduction of triple antiretroviral therapy (TAT), we have seen an improvement in the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Here we report the case of a 53-year-old man receiving follow-up care in Internal Medicine for HIV infection receiving TAT (tenofovir/efavirenz/emtricitabine). After one year, the patient presented in the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases, and Nutrition of Hassan II University Hospital Center, Fez, with bilateral gynecomastia. Hormonal exploration did not reveal any abnormality, so the gynecomastia was attributed to efavirenz use. The regimen was replaced by tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir. The gynecomastia was resolved within two months of discontinuing efavirenz.

In summary, we think that secondary gynecomastia should be suspected and screened in HIV patients receiving efavirenz-containing regimens.

Gynaecomastia in the Durban Breast Unit: A Comparison of HIV- and Non-HIV-Infected Individuals

BACKGROUND

The clinical profile of gynaecomastia patients, both in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative patients, in resource-limited settings remains largely undocumented. The aim of this study was to compare and contrast these groups with a view to developing an appropriate treatment algorithm for the South African population.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review at the Durban Breast Unit for the period 2000-2015 was undertaken with ethics approval [BE012/16 (sub-study of BCA173/15)]. Statistical analysis was done with IBM SPSS version 25. A p value <0.05 indicated statistical significance.

RESULTS

One hundred and four patients were documented. The mean age was 37 years. Gynaecomastia was most commonly attributed to puberty, HAART, other medications or an idiopathic aetiology. HIV status was known in 49 patients. There was a 97% prevalence of HAART use in the HIV-positive subgroup (n = 31). Efavirenz was the most common inciting drug. Incidence of gynaecomastia correlated with duration of HAART use. Age, late presentation, advanced Simon grade and bilateral disease appear to necessitate surgical intervention more frequently.

CONCLUSION

Patients on HAART are advised to seek early advice upon noticing gynaecomastia. Drug cessation/change is likely to assist only upon early presentation resulting in static progression, and ultimate cure would still entail surgical excision. Extensive blood and imaging studies should be done only where clinically indicated and can be considered in cases of recurrence post-surgery. Management option must be discussed with patients, and surgeons are required to be familiar with the various surgical techniques necessary to treat gynaecomastia.

Development of gynecomastia following initiation of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide

Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) is a recently approved single-tablet antiretroviral regimen and is recommended as a first-line agent. No cases of gynecomastia were reported in clinical trials. We report development of ultrasound-confirmed gynecomastia in a previously antiretroviral-naïve patient approximately two months after starting BIC/FTC/TAF, which resolved ten weeks after discontinuing bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) based therapy.

Gynecomastia in HIV-positive adult men receiving efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy at Newlands clinic, Harare, Zimbabwe

Background

Gynecomastia is known to occur in some men taking an efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen. However, the incidence and outcomes of gynecomastia are not known in Zimbabwe. We described the characteristics and outcomes of gynecomastia among male patients on an efavirenz-based ART regimen.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort review of data of all male patients aged ≥18 years taking an efavirenz-based regimen at Newlands Clinic, Harare, Zimbabwe before 31 March 2017. The primary outcome was gynecomastia as defined by breast/nipple enlargement reported by patient and confirmed by clinical palpation. Routinely collected data on demographics, baseline CD4, body mass index, duration on efavirenz, clinical presentation and outcomes were extracted from the clinic database and analysed using STATA 12.1. We investigated for any associations with concomitant medicines using cox regression.

Results

We analysed data for 1432 men with a median age of 40 years (IQR: 33–48). Half of the patients were in WHO stage 1 at ART commencement. Median body mass index and CD4 count at efavirenz commencement was 21 (IQR: 19–23) and 260 cells/mm³ (IQR: 126–412) respectively. The incidence of gynecomastia was 22/1000 person-years (IQR: 17.3–27.8). Over half of the cases (58%) were bilateral and 75% of all cases developed within two years of starting efavirenz. There were no significant associations with concomitant use of isoniazid (HR: 0.95, p = 0.87) or amlodipine (HR: 0.43, p = 0.24). Gynecomastia resolved in 83.5% of cases following withdrawal of efavirenz with a median time to resolution of 3 months (IQR: 2–9).

Conclusion

The incidence of gynecomastia among patients taking efavirenz-based ART was low with most cases developing early on during treatment. Most cases resolved completely after withdrawing efavirenz.

Efficacy and Safety of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Versus Low-Dose Stavudine Over 96 Weeks: A Multicountry Randomized, Noninferiority Trial

BACKGROUND

Reducing doses of antiretroviral drugs, including stavudine (d4T), may lower toxicity, while preserving efficacy. There are substantial concerns about renal and bone toxicities of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

SETTING

HIV-1-infected treatment-naive adults in India, South Africa, and Uganda.

METHODS

A phase-4, 96-week, randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial compared d4T 20 mg twice daily and TDF, taken in combination with lamivudine (3TC) and efavirenz (EFV). The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies per milliliter at 48 weeks. Adverse events assessments included measures of bone density and body fat. The trial is registered on Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02670772).

RESULTS

Between 2012 and 2014, 536 participants were recruited per arm. At week 96, trial completion rates were 75.7% with d4T/3TC/EFV (n = 406) and 82.1% with TDF/3TC/EFV (n = 440, P = 0.011). Noncompletion was largely due to virological failure [6.2% (33) with d4T/3TC/EFV versus 5.4% (29) with TDF/3TC/EFV; P = 0.60]. For the primary endpoint, d4T/3TC/EFV was noninferior to TDF/3TC/EFV (79.3%, 425/536 versus 80.8% 433/536; difference = -1.49%, 95% CI: -6.3 to 3.3; P < 0.001). Drug-related adverse event discontinuations were higher with d4T (6.7%, 36), than TDF (1.1%, 6; P < 0.001). Lipodystrophy was more common with d4T (5.6%, 30) than TDF (0.2%, 1; P < 0.001). Creatinine clearance increased in both arms, by 18.1 mL/min in the d4T arm and 14.2 mL/min with TDF (P = 0.03). Hip bone density measures, however, showed greater loss with TDF.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose d4T combined with 3TC/EFV demonstrated noninferior virological efficacy compared with TDF/3TC/EFV, but mitochondrial toxicity remained high. Little renal toxicity occurred in either arm. Implications of bone mineral density changes with TDF warrant investigation.

Bilateral Mastectomy as Radical Treatment of Gynecomastia Secondary to Antiretroviral Therapy in a Low-Income Setting: A Case Report

Gynecomastia is a common finding in males, with an incidence that varies widely globally. In 10–25% of cases, it is caused by drugs. Its pathophysiologic mechanism includes exposure to exogenous estrogens and medications that cause hypogonadism, antiandrogenic effects and hyperprolactinemia. Gynecomastia is associated with exposure to antiretroviral therapy (ART), particularly efavirenz. Sometimes surgery may be required as treatment. We report a case of a 46-year-old man receiving ART presenting with a marked bilateral breast enlargement who underwent bilateral mastectomy as the only successful treatment in a low-income setting.

Adult antiretroviral therapy guidelines 2017

These guidelines are intended as an update to those published in the Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine in 2014 and the update on when to initiate antiretroviral therapy in 2015. Since the release of the previous guidelines, the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in southern Africa has continued. New antiretroviral drugs have become available with improved efficacy, safety and robustness. The guidelines are intended for countries in the southern African region, which vary between lower and middle income.