Long-Term Virological Treatment Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults With Perinatally and Non-Perinatally Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract

Background

Long-term viral suppression on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is not established among all people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). Young adults (18–24 years) are recognized as a group vulnerable for suboptimal virological treatment outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate longitudinal virological treatment outcomes and to identify risk factors for virological failure (VF) among young adults with non-perinatally and perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Netherlands.

Methods

We included individuals registered in the national ATHENA observational cohort from 2000 until 2020 who had entered care before the age of 25 years, who had received ART for at least 6 months with at least 2 available HIV ribonucleic acid measurements between the age of 18 and 24 years. We compared VF between age groups 12–17, 18–24, and 25–30 years. A multivariable generalized linear mixed model was used to evaluate risk factors for VF. Analyses were stratified by HIV acquisition mode.

Results

In total, 1174 non-perinatally PWH and 157 perinatally PWH were included. In 2020, VF rate was 7% in non-perinatally PWH young adults and 19% in perinatally PWH young adults. The adjusted risk for VF was significantly higher in those aged 18–24 compared to 25–30 years in both non-perinatally PWH (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.50) and perinatally PWH (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.48–3.71).

Conclusions

Young adulthood is a vulnerable period, with increased risk for VF, especially for perinatally PWH. The probability of VF decreased over time, but less for perinatally PWH compared to non-perinatally PWH.