# Incidence and determinants of excessive weight gain in people living with HIV initiating tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir-based therapy: a multicenter retrospective study in northwest Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study found that about 31% of HIV patients in Ethiopia gained excessive weight after starting a specific antiretroviral therapy, with factors like being female and lack of physical activity linked to higher risk.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into weight gain patterns and associated factors among HIV patients on a specific antiretroviral regimen in Ethiopia.

## Key findings

- 31.43% of patients experienced excessive weight gain after 72 months of treatment.
- Female gender, limited physical activity, and detectable viral load at treatment start were significant risk factors.
- Weight gain was more common in patients followed for 6–24 months after starting therapy.

## Abstract

The incidence and nature of excessive weight gain associated with antiretroviral treatment using tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir based regimens among patients living with human immunodeficiency virus has not been properly examined in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence and factors associated with excessive weight gain among People living with human immunodeficiency virus on tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir based regimens in a real-world setting.

A multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1, 2022, to August 30, 2023, involving 620 human immunodeficiency virus patients initiating a tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir based regimen. Data on sociodemographic, clinical details, and excessive weight gain were collected from medical records and patient interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Continuous variables were reported with mean and standard deviation. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed, and variables with a P-value ≤0.25 were included in multivariate logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at a P-value of ≤0.05.

A total of 620 participants were involved in the analysis, revealing a 31.43% incidence of excessive weight gain 95%CI (27.1–36.0). The mean weight gain was 3.77 kg with a 1.5 SD at 72 months follow-up. Factors such as being female [AOR = 1.75, 95% CI (1.01, 3.04)], age between 38–46 years [AOR = 1.53, 95% CI (1.23, 2.76)], lack of physical activity were [AOR = 4.41, 95% CI (1.46, 11.80)], having 6–12 months and 13–24 months of since starting new regimen follow up duration [AOR = 3.35, 95% CI (2.79, 4.30)] and [AOR = 2.67, 95% CI (2.43, 3.25)] respectively and having detectable viral load at initiation of regimen [AOR = 2.34, 95% CI (1.18, 6.63)] were significantly associated with excessive weight gain.

PLHIV receiving a tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir based regimen particularly females, aged 38–54 years, those with limited physical activity, follow-up durations of 6–24 months, advanced disease stages, and a detectable viral load at therapy initiation should be closely monitored for weight gain. Proactive surveillance in these patient groups is crucial to optimize therapeutic outcomes and address potential health concerns associated with weight changes.