Background: There is limited data evaluating potential predictors of adherence to injection visits and the impact of late injections on viral suppression in those receiving long-acting injectable (LAI) cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) for the treatment of HIV.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among adult people with HIV (PWH) receiving LAI CAB/RPV for at least 6 months between May 2021 and August 2023. Data collected included demographics, office visit no-shows one year prior to switching to LAI CAB/RPV, injection visit no-shows, injections outside the dosing window, and virologic outcomes. Cox-proportional hazards regression was performed to evaluate predictors of no-show to injection visits or late injections.
Results: Included were 287 PWH with a median follow up time (IQR) of 450 days (344-548 days). Younger age [HR 0.97 (95%CI 0.95-0.98)] and ≥ 1 office visit no-show in the year prior to switch to LAI CAB/RPV [HR 2.03 (1.32-3.12]) were associated with having a no-show to an injection visit (32.1%). Male sex assigned at birth [HR 9.18 (1.26-66.9)] with a trend towards younger age [HR 0.98 (0.95-1.0)] were associated with having a late injection (15.3%). There was no relationship between late injections and having a detectable viral load or virologic failure (n=3) after switch to LAI CAB/RPV.
Conclusions: Having office visit no-shows prior to switching to LAI CAB/RPV was associated with missed injection visits, and younger age was associated with both missed injection visits and late injections. Resources to reduce and manage missed injection appointments need to be considered when implementing LAI CAB/RPV.
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