Distribution and efficacy of dolutegravir-based regimens in the main HIV outpatient care in Caracas, Venezuela

Venezuela experienced an interruption in antiretroviral therapy (ART) from 2016 to 2018. Although in early 2019, the dolutegravir (DTG) based regimens were implemented for HIV treatment in Venezuela, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of these regimens. This cross-sectional study describes the utilization, switches and efficacy of ART regimens in the main HIV outpatient care in Venezuela in 2024. Data from 1,998 patient records revealed that the dolutegravir/lamivudine/tenofovir (DTG/3TC/TDF) regimen was predominantly used (85.5%). A high viral suppression rate of over 90% was documented for all DTG-based regimens, with no significant difference found between the main regimen (DTG/3TC/TDF) and its alternatives: DTG/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), abacavir/3TC + DTG and, DTG/3TC. Overall, almost all switches (97.1%) were made toward DTG/FTC/TAF. Osteoporosis was the main reason for switching treatments (80.1%).