Saquinavir/r containing initial antiretroviral therapy (ART)-long term evaluation in Polish Observational Cohort of HIV/AIDS Patients (POLCA) Study Group

Abstract

BackgroundSince the introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatment significant decrease of HIV related morbidity and mortality has been noted. Ritonavir boosted saquinavir is an alternatively recommended protease inhibitor. Therefore we evaluated log term efficacy and safety of saquinavir/r (SQV/r) containing initial antiretroviral regimen on the basis of Polish Observational Cohort of HIV/AIDS Patients (POLCA).Materials and Methods The analysed data were prospectively collected in routine clinical practice and included ART naive patients starting SQV/r regiment as their first ART. ResultsFrom among 259 naive patients, who started SQV/r containing regimen 56.1% continued it for 24 months. Majority of the patients were male (74.9%). Similar proportion of patients was infected by IVDU (40.1%) and by sexual contact (47.1%). Median time from initial diagnosis was 2.16 years. Median baseline lymphocytes count was 210cells/mm3.Viral failure defined as HIV RNA>200copies/ml in at least two consecutive tests or>500copies/ml in one test was observed in 30 patients (11.5%). Analysing treatment related toxicities we found gradual decrease in proportion of patients with proteinuria (44.4–26%). Proportion of patients with normal total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides decreased after 6 months of treatment and remained stable, whereas proportion of patients with normal HDL increased gradually to the end of observation. 23% of patients discontinued SQV/r containing regimen due to side effects, mainly gastrointestinal. ConclusionsSaquinavir/r containing regimen remains a valuable and safe option for patients with indications to protease inhibitor based antiretroviral treatment.