Are HIV Integrase Inhibitors Associated with Cardiovascular Disease?

An observational study finds a connection, but questions remain.

Previous studies have linked certain antiretroviral medications (e.g., older protease inhibitors, abacavir) to excess risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Now, investigators associated with RESPOND (a collaborative study encompassing 17 European and Australian cohorts) ask whether integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are associated with CVD.

Approximately 29,000 people with HIV were included; of these, 14,000 received an INSTI. During a median follow-up of 6 years, 2.5% of participants had a CVD event. CVD incidence was higher in those who received an INSTI than in those who did not during the first 6 months of exposure (incidence rate ratio, 1.85 after adjustment for CVD risk confounders). However, the difference between the INST…

Reviewing Author

Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)

Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)

Are HIV Integrase Inhibitors Associated with Cardiovascular Disease?

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Reviewing Author