Document resource
Background The efficacy and safety of cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) has been demonstrated and initial results suggest that it is preferred by people living with HIV (PWH). It is not yet known how much it actually affects quality of life and whether there are social factors that can predict its failure.Methods It is a prospective multicenter study (S.M. Goretti Hospital and Sant’Andrea University Hospital Infectious Diseases Clinics) where PROs (patient-reported outcomes) were collected before starting CAB/RPV and then every 6 months for up to two years (T0, T28 weeks, T52 w, T76 w, T100 w), via electronic forms.Here we analyse some of them, until T52w: HIV Dependent Quality of Life (HIVDQoL), HIV Stigma Scale (HSS), HIV Treatment Satisfaction questionnaire status and change versions (HIVTSQs and HIVTSQc), PHQ-9(mental health assessment), GAD-7 (generalized anxiety disorder). The Spearman test was performed to assess correlations between continuous variables and longitudinal evaluations were conducted using the nonparametric Wilcoxon test and Friedman test.Results 44 people were involved, including 13 women at birth (29%) and 1 black African person. Adherence was 74% at time T0, 46% at T28, 33% at T52 (higher among males). A total of 480 questionnaires were evaluated.In HIVDQoL a slight increase in the total score was observed: T0: 244.5 [207–277.8]; T28: 256.5 [209.5–284.3]; T52: 257.0 [217.5–300.5]; p=0.62 (figure 1). Analyzing each item, there was a greater impact on the quality of vacations, the freedom to interact with new relationships (both p=0,07) (figures 2 and 3). No linear correlation was observed between HIV-related parameters (as the duration of HIV infection) and the perceived quality of life (figure 8).HSS does not change over time; the domains ‘disclosure concerns’ and ‘concern with public attitudes’ had the greatest impact on stigma (p<0.0001) (figure 4). No correlation was observed between HSS and the duration of HIV infection (figure 9).In GAD-7 a reduction in median scores was observed (T0: 5 [2–8.25]; T28/T52: 3.5 [1.75–7.75], p=0,7); in PHQ-9 a reduction in scores was mainly observed among patients with initially moderate-to-high values, while those with high baseline scores remained elevated (figures 5 and 6).The level of satisfaction at T0 was moderate to high, with a median cumulative score 70. At both time points T28 and T56, all participants expressed a favourable opinion of the long-acting therapy (plus 30 points), and satisfaction remained stable over time (p = 0.29) (figure 7) without any concern for the pain at the site of inoculum. The preferred characteristics of CAB/RPV were flexibility and the minimal time required.Conclusions In general, PROs are important tools, moderately accepted by PWH, that can highlight serious issues. CAB/RPV continues to be a highly valued therapy even after 2 years of therapy, improving substantially certain aspects of daily life. However, it does not seem to have a clear and immediate impact on internalized stigma that should need a prolonged psychosocial intervention.Abstract SC24 Figure 1–9