More Evidence for Weight Gain with Newer-Generation Integrase Inhibitors

Weight gain after initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a common concern among persons living with HIV (PWH). Although initially characterized as a “return to health,” such weight gain may also be related to a particular treatment (e.g., integrase inhibitor–based therapy). Now, using data from a Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) cohort, investigators evaluated weight gain within 6 months of starting ART in 3232 treatment-naïve participants (84% men) using 11 different regimens containing ≥3 active agents. Mean nadir CD4 was 381 cells/mm³ and mean baseline body-mass index was 26 kg/m²; weight change was adjusted for multiple factors.

Relative to efavirenz-based regimens, those associated with the gr…