Effects of different integrase strand transfer inhibitors on body weight in patients with HIV/AIDS: a network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Global antiretroviral therapy has entered a new era. Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) has become the first choice in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) treatment. Because INSTI has high antiviral efficacy, rapid virus inhibition, and good tolerance. However, INSTIs may increase the risk of obesity. Each INSTI has its unique impact on weight gain in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. This study systematically assessed different INSTIs in causing significant weight gain in HIV/AIDS patients by integrating data from relevant literature. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Wanfang databases were searched to find studies on the influence of different INSTIs in weight gain. Data on weight change were extracted, and a network meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: Eight studies reported weight changes in HIV/AIDS patients were included. Results of the network meta-analysis showed that the weight gain of HIV/AIDS patients treated with Dolutegravir (DTG) was significantly higher than that of Elvitegravir (EVG) [MD = 1.13, (0.18–2.07)]. The consistency test results showed no overall and local inconsistency, and no significant difference in the results of the direct and indirect comparison was detected (p > 0.05). The rank order of probability was DTG (79.2%) > Bictegravir (BIC) (77.9%) > Raltegravir (RAL) (33.2%) > EVG (9.7%), suggesting that DTG may be the INSTI drug that causes the most significant weight gain in HIV/AIDS patients. CONCLUSION: According to the data analysis, among the existing INSTIs, DTG may be the drug that causes the most significant weight gain in HIV/AIDS patients, followed by BIC. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07091-1.