Simplification therapy with once-daily didanosine, tenofovir and efavirenz in HIV-1-infected adults with viral suppression receiving a more complex antiretroviral regimen: Final results of the EFADITE trial

BackgroundHigh pill burden and side effects often impact on the long-term success of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), which has led clinicians to search for more convenient regimens.Patients and methodsA prospective, multicentre, open, comparative study in which HIV-1-infected patients on HAART and with plasma HIV-1 RNA 1000 copies/ml discontinued the study.ResultsA total of 390 patients were included in the trial (309 in the QD arm and 81 in the control arm). The main baseline characteristics were well balanced between groups. In the QD arm, 41% of patients received high (standard) didanosine doses and 59% received reduced doses. At 12 months, plasma HIV-1 RNA +cell count change at 12 months was -26 and +27 cells/μl in QD patients and controls, respectively ( P=0.001). In individuals who attained HIV-1 RNA +cell changes were -25 and +15 cells/μl in QD patients and controls, respectively ( P=0.001). Moreover, CD4+cell declines in the QD arm were significantly greater in patients taking high versus low didanosine doses (-59 versus -15 cells/μl; P=0.04). The lipid profile improved significantly in the QD arm, particularly in patients who were on protease inhibitors prior to simplification.ConclusionsSimplification to didanosine–tenofovir–efavirenz provides a virological suppression rate at 12 months similar to that seen in patients who do not change therapy, as long as low didanosine doses are administered. Decreases in CD4+cell levels in patients in the QD arm (especially decreases seen with high didanosine doses) and dyslipidaemias along with less convenient pill burden and schedules in controls were the main long-term concerns for each option.