Prevalence of people living with multidrug-resistant HIV and limited treatment options in Spain

Abstract

Objectives

Our aim was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with multidrug resistance (MDR; confirmed resistance to three or more [or resistance to two or more plus contraindication to one or more] core ART classes) and limited treatment options (LTOs) in Spain.

Methods

This was an observational, retrospective, multicentre, cross-sectional chart review study undertaken in five reference Spanish centres. Participants were people with HIV on ART with MDR and LTOs (detectable viral load [HIV-RNA >200 copies/mL], treatment-limiting drug–drug interaction [DDI], or intolerance precluding the use of one or more ART classes). Prevalence, demographic/clinical characteristics, and treatment options were assessed. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify MDR-associated variables.

Results

Of 14 955 screened people with HIV, 69 (0.46%) presented with MDR and 23 (0.15%) had LTOs. The population analysed was 73.9% male with a median age of 54.0 years; the median time since HIV diagnosis was 26.5 years, and median CD4+ cell count was 511.0 cells/μL. The only factor significantly associated with MDR (univariate analysis) was CD4+ cell count. Injection drug use was the most common transmission route. Comorbidities (mainly endocrine and cardiovascular disorders; 34.8% affecting HIV management) and concomitant treatments were frequent. No recent opportunistic infections were reported. Patients had been exposed to the following ART: nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (100%), protease inhibitors (95.6%), non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (87.0%), and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (82.6%). The available fully active drugs were dolutegravir (39.1%), bictegravir (30.4%), and raltegravir (21.7%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of people with HIV with MDR and LTOs in Spain is very low, with approximately half of those studied not exhibiting virological suppression. Low CD4+ cell counts were associated with MDR. These findings may help address the impact and treatment needs of these patients and prevent clinical progression and transmission of MDR HIV.