Changing utilization of Stavudine (d4T) in HIV-positive people in 2006-2013 in the EuroSIDA study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Changing utilization of Stavudine (d4T) in HIV-positive people in 2006-2013 in the EuroSIDA study

AU - Podlekareva, Daria

AU - Grint, D

AU - Karpov, I

AU - Rakmanova, A

AU - Mansinho, K

AU - Chentsova, N

AU - Zeltina, I

AU - Losso, M

AU - Parczewski, M

AU - Lundgren, J D

AU - Mocroft, A

AU - Kirk, O

AU - EuroSIDA in EuroCoord

N1 - © 2015 British HIV Association.

PY - 2015/10/1

Y1 - 2015/10/1

N2 - Objectives: The long-term side effects of stavudine (d4T) led to recommendations in 2009 to phase out use of this drug. We aimed to describe temporal patterns of d4T use across Europe. Methods: Patients taking combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in EuroSIDA with follow-up after 1 January 2006 were included in the study. cART was defined as d4T-containing [d4T plus at least two other antiretrovirals (ARVs) from any class] or non-d4T-containing (at least three ARVs from any class, excluding d4T). Poisson regression was used to describe temporal changes in the prevalence of d4T use and factors associated with initiating d4T. Results: A total of 5850 patients receiving cART on 1 January 2006 were included in the current analysis, rising to 7768 patients on January 1 2013. During this time, the prevalence of d4T use fell from 11.2% to 0.7%, with an overall decline of 19% per 6 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 19-20%]. d4T use declined fastest in Northern Europe [26% (95% CI 23-29%) per 6 months], and slowest in Eastern Europe [17% (95% CI 16-19%) per 6 months]. In multivariable Poisson regression models, new d4T initiations decreased by 14% per 6 months [adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 0.86; 95% CI 0.80-0.91]. Factors associated with initiating d4T were residence in Eastern Europe (aIRR 4.31; 95% CI 2.17-9.98) versus other European regions and HIV RNA>400 copies/mL (aIRR 3.11; 95% CI 1.60-6.02) versus HIV RNA<400 copies/mL. Conclusions: d4T use has declined sharply since 2006 to low levels in most regions; however, a low but persistent level of d4T use remains in Eastern Europe, where new d4T initiations post 2006 are also more common. The reasons for the regional differences may be multifactorial, but it is important to ensure that all clinicians treating HIV-positive patients are aware of the potential harmful effects associated with d4T.

AB - Objectives: The long-term side effects of stavudine (d4T) led to recommendations in 2009 to phase out use of this drug. We aimed to describe temporal patterns of d4T use across Europe. Methods: Patients taking combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in EuroSIDA with follow-up after 1 January 2006 were included in the study. cART was defined as d4T-containing [d4T plus at least two other antiretrovirals (ARVs) from any class] or non-d4T-containing (at least three ARVs from any class, excluding d4T). Poisson regression was used to describe temporal changes in the prevalence of d4T use and factors associated with initiating d4T. Results: A total of 5850 patients receiving cART on 1 January 2006 were included in the current analysis, rising to 7768 patients on January 1 2013. During this time, the prevalence of d4T use fell from 11.2% to 0.7%, with an overall decline of 19% per 6 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 19-20%]. d4T use declined fastest in Northern Europe [26% (95% CI 23-29%) per 6 months], and slowest in Eastern Europe [17% (95% CI 16-19%) per 6 months]. In multivariable Poisson regression models, new d4T initiations decreased by 14% per 6 months [adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 0.86; 95% CI 0.80-0.91]. Factors associated with initiating d4T were residence in Eastern Europe (aIRR 4.31; 95% CI 2.17-9.98) versus other European regions and HIV RNA>400 copies/mL (aIRR 3.11; 95% CI 1.60-6.02) versus HIV RNA<400 copies/mL. Conclusions: d4T use has declined sharply since 2006 to low levels in most regions; however, a low but persistent level of d4T use remains in Eastern Europe, where new d4T initiations post 2006 are also more common. The reasons for the regional differences may be multifactorial, but it is important to ensure that all clinicians treating HIV-positive patients are aware of the potential harmful effects associated with d4T.

U2 - 10.1111/hiv.12254

DO - 10.1111/hiv.12254

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25988795

SN - 1464-2662

VL - 16

SP - 533

EP - 543

JO - HIV Medicine

JF - HIV Medicine

IS - 9

ER -