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Abstract
Background The combination rilpivirine (RPV)/emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir (TDF) has been approved for the treatment of patients with HIV infection with a viral load (VL) ≤100,000 copies/mL.
Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of RPV/TDF/FTC in treatment-naïve and pretreated patients with HIV infection in a second level hospital.
Material and methods Retrospective observational study (June 2013–September 2014). We included patients with HIV infection, treatment-naïve and pretreated, being treated with RPV/TDF/FTC. The effectiveness was measured by the virological and immunological response. Virological response was considered when VL was undetectable (VL <50 copies/mL) and immunological response when CD4 count was greater than 200 cells/mm3 after 6 months of treatment. VL and CD4 count were collected at baseline and 6 months later. Patients who had less than 3 months on treatment were excluded, because no analytical data are available to assess the effectiveness. Safety was evaluated through side effects (SE).
Results 15 patients were included, 3 treatment-naïve and 12 pretreated. 42% (5/12) of pretreated patients switched treatment to RPV/TDF/FTC due to SE, 25% (3/12) to simplify treatment, 25% (3/12) for psychiatric reasons and 8%(1/12) for poor adherence.
67% (8/12) of pretreated patients had an undetectable baseline VL, 8% (1/12) had VL 50–100 copies/mL and 25% (3/12) had VL > 100 copies/mL. Baseline CD4 count average was 377 cells/mm3 (79–655). Baseline VL average of treatment-naïve patients were 31,043 copies/mL (3,530–49,000) and baseline average CD4 count was 329 cells/mm3 (200–430).
After 6 months, treatment were effective in 75% (9/12) of pretreated and 67% (2/3) of treatment-naïve patients.
13% (2/15) reported SE. 1 patient reported insomnia and another patient insomnia, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders and dyspnoea due to which he left treatment.
Conclusion RPV/TDF/FTC has been shown to be effective in treatment of HIV infection, in treatment-naïve (67%) and in pretreated patients (75%). The SE profile is low, however one patient had to leave treatment for this reason.
References and/or Acknowledgements No conflict of interest.