Annual vs semi-annual follow-up in low complexity virologically suppressed people with HIV: a randomized interventional trial
- Journal
- Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Q1)
- Published
- 19 August 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Iván Chivite, M J Merino-Peñas, Ana González-Cordón, María Martínez-Rebollar, Berta Torres, Lorena de la Mora, et al.
- PMID
- 42617095
- DOI
- 10.1093/cid/ciag491
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Microbiology (medical) (top studies of the week, 23 August 2026): HIV follow‑up trial, no microbiology focus
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The increasing heterogeneity in people with HIV makes it necessary to evaluate new follow-up strategies tailored to clinical/social complexity. METHODS: Prospective, single-center, randomized, non-inferiority clinical-trial comparing two follow-up strategies - semi-annual standard care (SoC) or annual visits for 24 months- in virologically suppressed people with HIVand low-complexity profile, according to the GeSIDA "HIV Patient Stratification System". The primary endpoint was non-inferiority (prespecified lower margin: -4%) in virological control (viral load <50 copies/mL; FDA snapshot). Secondary outcomes included adherence, quality of life, satisfaction, and healthcare costs. RESULTS: Of 394 eligible candidates, 71 declined participation (48% preferring to maintain SoC) and 321 were randomized (162 SoC, 159 Annual). Participants were predominantly male (89%), MSM (78%), Spanish (63%), median age of 45 years and 13 years of HIV follow-up, without baseline differences between groups. Overall, 283 (88%) completed the study; 25 switched to long-acting therapy and 10 were lost or transferred. Virological control was similar in SoC and Annual arms: 86.42% vs 86.79% (ITT) and 98.29% vs 97.87% (PP), although non-inferiority was not statistically demonstrated. During the study, the increment from baseline in the proportion of highly satisfied participants was significant in the Annual arm (p=0.001). Reductions in HIV-related direct costs (-25.3%; p<0.001) were greater in the Annual group. CONCLUSIONS: Among people with HIV and low complexity, annual follow-up achieved virological outcomes clinically comparable to semi-annual care, despite not meeting the formal non-inferiority threshold. Annual follow-up was associated with significant increment in patient satisfaction and lower HIV direct-related costs.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.