Santos J, Palacios R, López M, Gálvez MC, Lozano F, de la Torre J, Ríos MJ, López-Cortés LF, Rivero A, Torres-Tortosa M. Simplicity and Efficacy of a Once-Daily Antiretroviral Regimen with Didanosine, Lamivudine, and Efavirenz in Naïve Patients: The VESD Study.
HIV CLINICAL TRIALS 2015;
6:320-8. [PMID:
16566083 DOI:
10.1310/1xae-bb0w-qn5r-ajgj]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Our aim was to analyze the efficacy and safety of didanosine-lamivudine-efavirenz in a cohort of HIV patients starting antiretroviral therapy between January and September 2003.
METHOD
We undertook a prospective, open-label, observational, multicenter study.
RESULTS
163 patients were enrolled. Over a 48-week period, plasma HIV RNA levels declined sharply, with a median decrease at the end of the observation time of >4.62 log copies/mL. The proportion of patients achieving a plasma HIV RNA level below 50 copies/mL was 62.9% (intention-to-treat analysis) at the end of the study period. The mean CD4 cell count increased steadily over time by 199 cells/microL. Antiviral efficacy was similar in patients with a baseline HIV RNA level above or below 100,000 copies/mL. Overall, 57 (34.1%) patients interrupted therapy; 9 due to lack of treatment response, 18 due to adverse side-effects, and 30 patients lost to follow-up or who withdrew their consent. Adherence was very high (90%-95%) and quality of life was good or very good in 69%.
CONCLUSION
The once-daily combination of didanosine-lamivudine-efavirenz resulted in sustained viral suppression and was well-accepted by patients under real-life conditions, even immunosuppressed patients and those with a high viral load. Associated adverse events and virological failures were few.
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