936. Evaluating the Impact of Polypharmacy on Virologic Success in People with HIV

BACKGROUND: As people with HIV (PWH) have experienced reductions in antiretroviral pill burden, there has been an increase in medications to manage non-AIDS-related co-morbidities. Previous studies have linked virologic failure to an increased pill burden. This study assessed whether polypharmacy and other variables affect success of HIV management in our population. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of PWH receiving care at a Ryan White-funded clinic in New Jersey was performed. Eligible patients were ≥18 years old, had ≥2 visits in 2019 and were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The primary endpoints were to determine the effect polypharmacy (defined as 5 or more non-ART pills per day) on virologic response rates (HIV RNA < 200 copies/mL). Secondary endpoints accounted for the impact of age, gender, race/ethnicity, HIV transmission risk factor, and AIDS diagnosis on virologic response. A descriptive analysis of comorbidities and medication classes was also completed. Logistic regression, chi square and student’s t test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 964 patients were included in the analysis, with 355 (37%) meeting the criteria for polypharmacy. Most patients were male (60%) and the mean age was 49 years of age. The racial/ethnic breakdown was 46% Hispanic, 45% Black and 8% White. Polypharmacy was associated with higher rates of virologic success compared to those with a lower pill burden: 94% vs 86% had an HIV RNA < 200 copies/mL (P=0.0003), respectively. ART pill burden was statistically, but not clinically higher among those with polypharmacy (1.34 vs 1.45, P=0.025). Virologic response was found to be higher among Hispanics and Whites in comparison to Black patients (OR 2.2, CI 1.4-3.5 and 3.0, CI 1.1-8.2). Patients with an AIDS diagnosis were less likely to achieve virologic response (OR 0.64, CI 0.42-0.99). CONCLUSION: Patients with polypharmacy were more likely to achieve virologic success than paitents with a low pill burden in our population. DISCLOSURES: Humberto R. Jimenez, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP, Gilead (Speaker’s Bureau)