Factors associated with remaining on initial randomized efavirenz-containing regimens.
OBJECTIVE
Efavirenz (EFV) along with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) is a recommended initial antiretroviral regimen. Understanding characteristics related to EFV success is clinically useful.


METHODS
Data from 2220 antiretroviral-naive participants randomized to EFV and two to three NRTIs in four ACTG trials as well as a long-term cohort were analysed.


METHODS
Logistic regression, using inverse probability of censoring weighting to address selective-follow-up bias, was used to identify factors associated with EFV success (no treatment interruptions of >30 days, HIV RNA < 200 copies/ml) 1 year post initiation and at years 2-5 if successful at year 1.


RESULTS
Pretreatment characteristics were median age 38 years, 82% male, 40% white, 10% history of IDU (HxIDU), median CD4+ T-lymphocyte 227 cells/μl and 33% HIV RNA more than 100 ,000 copies/ml. In a multivariable model, factors associated with year 1 EFV success were race [white odds ratio (OR) 1.5; P < 0.001; Hispanic OR 1.5; P = 0.003 vs. black], no pretreatment sign/symptom grade 3 or higher (OR 1.7; P = 0.008) and no HxIDU (OR 1.7; P = 0.001). Predictors of EFV success at years 2-5 were no HxIDU (years 2-5; ORs 1.9-2.2); self-reported complete (4 days prior to study visit) adherence during year 1 (years 2-4; ORs 1.6-1.9); fewer missed visits during year 1 (years 2, 4, 5; ORs 0.92-0.98/1% increase); HIV RNA less than 50 copies/ml at year 1 (years 2, 3; ORs 1.9-2.2); and older age (>50 vs. ≤30 years) (years 2-4: ORs 2.3-3.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Characteristics predictive of EFV success in the short-term and longer term differed except for HxIDU. Behaviours occurring during year 1 were associated with EFV success over 5 years.
aCenter for Biostatistics in AIDS Research, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts bFred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington cUniversity of Washington, Seattle, Washington dNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Chicago, Illinois eBirmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Marlene
M
Smurzynski
Kunling
K
Wu
Jeffrey T
JT
Schouten
Judith J
JJ
Lok
Ronald J
RJ
Bosch
Babafemi
B
Taiwo
Victoria Anne
VA
Johnson
Ann C
AC
Collier
D000328:Adult; D000480:Alkynes; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D048588:Benzoxazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000480:Alkynes; D048588:Benzoxazines; D003521:Cyclopropanes; C098320:efavirenz