Incidence of virological failure and major regimen change of initial combination antiretroviral therapy in the Latin America and the Caribbean: An observational cohort study

Abstract

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Background: Access to combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is expanding in Latin America (Mexico, Central America, and South America) and the Caribbean. We assessed the incidence of and factors associated with regimen failure and regimen change of initial ART in this region. Methods: This observational cohort study included antiretroviral-naive adults starting ART from 2000 to 2014 at sites in seven countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Primary outcomes were time from ART initiation until virological failure, major regimen modification, and a composite endpoint of the first of virological failure or major regimen modification. Cumulative incidence of the primary outcomes was estimated with death considered a competing event. Findings: 14 027 patients starting ART were followed up for a median of 3·9 years (2·0-6·5): 8374 (60%) men, median age 37 years (IQR 30-44), median CD4 count 156 cells per μL (61-253), median plasma HIV RNA 5·0 log10 copies