Diabetes mellitus-related comorbidities among patients attending two major HIV clinics in Botswana : A 12-year retrospective cohort study Conference

Objectives: Exposure to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is associated with the development of diabetes mellitus related comorbidities (DRCs). This study aims to: (i) estimate the incidence of DRCs among cART recipients, (ii) assess the time‐to‐event (development of DRC) and, (iii) compare survival function between recipients on first‐line regimen and those on second‐, third‐line cART regimen. Results: The incidence of DRCs was 26.8/1000 person‐years, with total time of exposure of 3316 person‐years. The average time to event for all the three regimens was 11.72 ± 0.20 years. The first‐line cART regimen had a shorter mean ± SE of 10.59 ± 0.26 years to the event compared to 12.69 ± 0.24 years for the second‐, third‐line cART regi‐ men. Recipients on the first‐line had a shorter survival than recipients on second‐, third‐line cART (Log‐rank X = 8.98, p < 0.003). Data from this study showed that the risk of developing DRCs per year of exposure was significantly greater for patients on first‐line compared to those who were on second‐, third‐line regimen; which, suggests that monitoring of cART long‐term side effects and regular reviewing of cART regimens is important. Meticulous selection of drug combinations is a key to improving recipients’ survival.