Brief communication: comparison of changes in metabolic parameters following antiretrovial therapy with treatment regimens containing tenofovir alafenamide and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate

Concerns of increased metabolic dysfunction have been heightened for HIV patients on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). Among first-line ART agents, Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) may entail a marked increase in weight compared to Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). We retrospectively evaluated changes in weight and glucose regulation among 153 treament-naïve patients. Weight-gain was more pronounced after one year of treatment with TAF versus TDF (3.5 kg versus - 1 kg, P-value < 0.001). However, weight-gain was attenuated with longer follow-up, and no increase in glucose dysregulation was noted for TAF treatment. Attribution of increased metabolic risk to treatment with TAF remains questionable.