[Antiretroviral therapy of HIV infection: duration and reasons for changing the first therapeutic regimen in 518 patients].
OBJECTIVE
Different combinations of antiretroviral drugs are used as initial HIV therapy but comparative studies between them are not frequent. The objectives of this study are to determine the median duration of different therapy combinations in naive patients between 1998-2000 and the main reasons for changing or stopping this first antiretroviral therapy (ARVT).


METHODS
This study included a total of 518 naive patients who began antiretroviral therapy patients from 1998-2000. Using a Kaplan-Meier analysis the median duration of different combinations was determined. In addition, the main reasons for changing or stopping this first treatment were analysed.


RESULTS
First ARVT median duration was 427 days (IQR: 114-890). 47% of patients stopped their first therapy due to adverse effects, 6% voluntarily withdrew from it, in 9% of patients the therapy was not effective and 15% of them were lost of follow up. Only 9% of them continued with the same ARVT at the end of the study but if we add 7% of treatment simplifications we can consider 16% of first ARVT successful.


CONCLUSIONS
A median duration of 427 days, similar to other studies, is shorter than we would prefer for HIV, a condition that requires continuous treatment. On the other hand, the study corroborates that secondary effects are the principal problem associated with ARVT.
Gratacòs
Laura
L
Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. gratacos.santanach@gmail.com
Tuset
Montse
M
Codina
Carles
C
Miró
José M
JM
Mallolas
Josep
J
Miserachs
Núria
N
Martín-Conde
Maria Teresa
MT
del Cacho
Elena
E
Lazzari
Elisa de
Ed
Ribas
Josep
J
Gatell
Josep M
JM
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013997:Time Factors
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents