Bariatric surgery safe for people with HIV who are on ART

The implications of bariatric surgery (BS) on virologic and metabolic outcomes in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are unknown.

Here, researchers report a retrospective analysis up to 18 months post-BS in PWH from the AIDS Therapy evaluation in The Netherlands (ATHENA) cohort with data from all dutch HIV treating Centers. Primary end points were a confirmed virologic failure (2 consecutive HIV-RNA measurements >200 copies/mL) and the percentage of patients who achieved >20% total body weight loss up to 18 months post-BS. Switches from baseline ART and trough plasma concentrations of antiretrovirals were also reported post-BS. Metabolic parameters and medication usage were compared pre- and bariatric surgery (BS).

Results

Fifty-one patients were included. One case of confirmed virologic failure and 3 cases with viral blips were detected in this cohort up to 18 months post-BS. Eighty-five percent of patients achieved >20% total body weight loss at 18 months post-BS, with a mean difference from baseline (95% confidence interval) of −33.5% (−37.7% to −29.3%). Trough plasma concentrations of measured antiretroviral agents were all above minimum effective concentrations, except for 1 sample of darunavir. Lipid profiles, but not serum creatinine and blood pressure, improved significantly (P < .01) post-BS. Total medications and obesity-related comedications declined from 203 to 103 and from 62 to 25, respectively, at 18 months post-bariatric surgery (BS).

BS was an effective intervention for weight loss and lipid control in PWH using ART in this cohort with no clear link to poor virologic outcomes.

Reference:

Leena Zino and others, Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Retrospective Analysis From the ATHENA Cohort, Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2023; ciad404, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciad404

Keywords:

Bariatric surgery, safe, people, HIV, ART, Leena Zino, bariatric surgery, antiretrovirals, weight, virologic failure