Predicting Factors of Plasma HIV RNA Undetectability after Switching to Co-Formulated Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Alafenamide in Experienced HIV-1 Patients: A Multicenter Study

Switching to bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) from other antiretroviral regimens is safe and effective for virologically suppressed people living with HIV (PLWH). The term virological suppression includes both low but detectable HIV viremia and undetectable HIV viremia, and the latter is possibly associated with a lower immune activation state. Herein, we describe a 24-month follow-up of experienced PLWH with plasma HIV RNA undetectable or detectable < 50 copies/ml switching to BIC/FTC/TAF. A previous 12-month monitoring was available, and the factors correlated with treatment efficacy. This retrospective multicenter study included PLWH who switched to BIC/FTC/TAF in the period of 2019–2022, and who were HBsAg and HCV RNA negative. The follow-up study times were 6 (T6), 12 (T12), 18 (T18), and 24 (T24) months after the switch (T0). Survival analysis with multiple-failure-per-subject design, Kaplan–Meier survival estimates, multivariate analysis of variance, multilevel linear regression, and a hierarchical ordered logistic model were applied. A total of 329 PLWH had plasma HIV RNA which was either undetectable or detectable at