Real word outcomes associated with use of raltegravir in older people living with HIV: results from the 60 months follow-up of the RAL-age cohort

Objective: In people living with HIV (PLWH), antiretroviral treatments have increased the median life expectancy. Raltegravir (RAL) represents a long-term safe regimen used both in the first-line antiretroviral treatments and in the optimization strategies. Aim of the study was to evaluate the real-life efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the long-term RAL use in a multicenter cohort of elderly PLWH. Methods: A 60-month follow-up observational study was carried out in the RAL-AGE Cohort including aged PLWH (>= 60 years old) treated with RAL-based regimens (n = 96). The control group was a cohort of PLWH aged less than 60 years (n = 50). Results: RAL treated aged HIV population experiences an increase of CD4(+) cells and a stable control of viral load at 60 months of follow-up. A significant improvement in lipid metabolism profile, a decrease of platelet count and a reduction in cardiovascular risk levels were observed in the older population. Immune activation markers expressed on CD4(+) T cells decreased compared to baseline, but this difference was greater in the control group. Conclusion: A 60-month treatment with RAL-containing regimens is safe and highly effective in the older PLWH and these data give new insights on the elderly population.