Novel Adherence Interventions in Perinatally Acquired HIV: PEG Insertion and Pill Glide

Children, adolescents and young adults (CAYA) with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (PaHIV) need lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) to suppress viral load (VL), maintain health and prevent onward transmission. Many struggle with adherence despite multidisciplinary input. We assessed ART adherence outcomes following two novel interventions: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and Pill Glide^®, a fruit-flavoured lubricant spray aiding tablet swallowing.

Retrospective cohort analysis by database and case-note review of PaHIV CAYA aged < 25 years receiving PEG or Pill Glide^® between 1995 and 2017 at a single tertiary centre.

Nineteen PEGs were inserted in 15 CAYA at a median age of 17 (IQR 6-22) years, median CD4 count 40 cells/µL (IQR 10-220). A viral load (VL) < 50 copies/mL was achieved in 93% with PEG ART. At last follow-up all were alive, median age 23 years (IQR 22-28). Nine had PEG removed, after a median of 3.3 years (range 0.5-6.8), with a current VL < 50 copies/mL, median CD4 count 940 cells/µL (IQR 261-1353) sustained post PEG removal median was 5.4 years (range 1.5-17.8) previously. From 2017 seven CAYA received Pill Glide^®, median age 10 years (IQR 7-14), median CD4 count 898 cells/µL (range 148-1943), 6/7 with a suppressed VL. All reported increased ease in tablet swallowing and transitioned successfully from crushed tablets/liquids to tablets. At follow-up, all patients had a suppressed VL.

Whilst PEG insertion markedly improved rates of viral suppression in CAYA struggling with ART adherence, the use of novel less invasive aids such as Pill Glide^® requires further exploration.