Food Insecurity is Associated with Low Tenofovir Diphosphate in Dried Blood Spots in South African Persons with HIV

Abstract Background Food insecurity has been linked to suboptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence in persons with HIV (PWH). This association not evaluated using tenofovir diphosphate dried blood spots (TFV-DP DBS), a biomarker of cumulative ART and exposure. Methods Within prospective South African cohort treatment-naïve PWH initiating ART, subset participants measured TFV-DP DBS values were assessed for food status. Bivariate multivariate median-based regression analysis compared the between concentrations adjusting age, gender, ethnicity, medication possession ratio (MPR), estimated glomerular filtration rate. Results Drug available 285 study participants. Overall, 62 (22%) reported worrying about 44 (15%) having enough eat last month. The crude median differed significantly those who expressed worry versus did (599 [IQR 417-783] vs. 716 453-957] fmol/punch; p=0.032). In adjusted regression, had that 155 (95% CI: -275 -35; p=0.012) fmol/punch lower than report worry. Age MPR remained associated TFV-DP. Conclusion this study, is PWH. highlights role insecurity, as social determinant outcomes including failure resistance.