Simplification to single-tablet regimen of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, tenofovir DF from multi-tablet ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor plus coformulated emtricitabine and tenofovir DF regimens: week 96 results of STRATEGY-PI.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) simplification to a single-tablet regimen can benefit HIV-1-infected, virologically suppressed, individuals on ART composed of multiple pills.

Objective: We assessed long-term efficacy and safety of switching to co-formulated elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (E/C/F/TDF) from multi-tablet ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI + RTV) plus F/TDF (TVD) regimens.

Methods: STRATEGY-PI was a 96-week, phase 3b, randomized (2:1), open-label, non-inferiority study examining the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of switching to E/C/F/TDF from PI + RTV + TVD regimens in virologically suppressed individuals (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL).

Telaprevir-based therapy for treatment of HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus co-infected patients: An early access programme.

Objectives: HPC3005 is a multicentre, open-label, telaprevir trial in HCV/HIV coinfected patients with severe fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis.

Methods: Patients were treated with telaprevir 750 mg every 8 h (1125 mg if on efavirenz) plus pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN, 180 μg once-weekly) and ribavirin (RBV, 800 mg/day) for 12 weeks, followed by 36 weeks of PEG-IFN/RBV.

Results: Mean age was 44 years, 97/118 patients were male and all were Caucasian, 68 had severe fibrosis and 50 had cirrhosis.

Baseline prevalence and predictors of liver fibrosis among HIV-positive individuals: a substudy of the INSIGHT Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) trial.

Objectives: Liver disease is increasingly recognized in HIV-positive individuals, even among those without viral hepatitis, partly as a result of the recent availability of noninvasive methods of liver fibrosis assessment. The objective of this substudy is to compare the effects of early versus deferred antiretroviral therapy (ART) on liver fibrosis progression.

Methods: Sites in the Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) study with access to FibroScan® were invited to participate in the Liver Fibrosis Progression Substudy.

Thrombocytopenia is associated with an increased risk of cancer during treated HIV disease.

Objective: To assess the relationship between platelet counts and risk of AIDS and non-AIDS-defining events.

Design: Prospective cohort.

Methods: EuroSIDA patients with at least one platelet count were followed from baseline (first platelet ≥ 1 January 2005) until last visit or death.

Direct treatment costs of HIV/AIDS in Portugal.

Objective: To analyze the direct medical costs of HIV/AIDS in Portugal from the perspective of the National Health Service.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records was conducted for 150 patients from five specialized centers in Portugal in 2008. Data on utilization of medical resources during 12 months and patients' characteristics were collected.