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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Apr;9(4):e254-e268.
doi: 10.1016/S2352-3018(22)00030-3.

Discontinuation, suboptimal adherence, and reinitiation of oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: a global systematic review and meta-analysis

Jing Zhang  1 , Chunyan Li  2 , Junjie Xu  3 , Zhili Hu  1 , Sarah E Rutstein  4 , Joseph D Tucker  5 , Jason J Ong  6 , Yongjun Jiang  1 , Wenqing Geng  1 , Sarah T Wright  7 , Myron S Cohen  4 , Hong Shang  1 , Weiming Tang  8
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Discontinuation, suboptimal adherence, and reinitiation of oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: a global systematic review and meta-analysis

Jing Zhang et al. Lancet HIV. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Poor adherence to oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) diminishes its clinical and public health benefits. This study synthesises evidence regarding discontinuation, adherence, and reinitiation of PrEP among geographically diverse PrEP users.

Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating studies published in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to Dec 18, 2020. We included longitudinal studies that presented data for PrEP discontinuation, defined as investigator-reported loss to follow-up or participant self-reported PrEP stoppage. Data were extracted from published reports and assessed for risk of bias. We used a random-effects meta-analysis to pool estimates of discontinuation and I2 and τ2 to evaluate heterogeneity. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020155675.

Findings: We identified 4129 records, of which 59 articles were included (n=43 917 participants). 41·0% (95% CI 18·8-63·5) of participants discontinued PrEP within 6 months, with the highest rates in observational studies. The discontinuation rate in sub-Saharan Africa (47·5%, 95% CI: 29·4-66·4%) was higher than in other regions (p<0·001). Discontinuation rates were lower in studies with adherence interventions than in those without (24·7% vs 36·7%, p=0·015). Gay or bisexual men who have sex with men and transgender women offered daily or non-daily dosing options had lower discontinuation rates than those offered daily dosing alone (21·6% vs 31·5%; p<0·001). The pooled suboptimal adherence within 6 months was 37·7% (95% CI 8·4-66·9). Among people who discontinued PrEP, 47·3% (95% CI 31·5-63·2) reinitiated PrEP within 1 year of PrEP initiation. The included studies had poor quality in terms of study design, with a moderate risk of bias.

Interpretation: Strategies to encourage reinitiating PrEP for new or persistent risk should be a focus of future PrEP implementation strategies.

Funding: National Institutes of Health and Nature Science Foundation of China.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests We declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study selection
Figure 2A
Figure 2A
Forest plots for the rate of discontinuation by time period
Figure 2B
Figure 2B
Forest plot for the rate of suboptimal adherence by time period
Figure 2C
Figure 2C
Forest plots for the rate of re-initiation by time period
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Making PrEP easy.
    Marcus JL, Krakower DS. Marcus JL, et al. Lancet HIV. 2022 Apr;9(4):e226-e228. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3018(22)00036-4. Lancet HIV. 2022. PMID: 35364024 No abstract available.

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