Tenofovir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy in HBV–HIV Coinfection: Results from the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database

Background The World Health Organization recommends HBV–HIV-coinfected individuals start antiretroviral therapy containing tenofovir. Here we describe first-line tenofovir use and treatment outcomes in coinfected patients in Asia. Methods HBV surface antigen positive patients enrolled in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database who started first-line antiretroviral therapy were included. Logistic regression adjusted for period of treatment initiation was used to determine factors associated with tenofovir use. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate factors associated with alanine transaminase levels and CD4+ T-cell count on treatment. Results There were 548 eligible patients, of whom 149 (27.2%) started tenofovir. Patients treated in high/high-middle income countries (odds ratio 4.4 versus low/low-middle, 95% CI 2.6, 7.4; P+ T-cell response. Conclusions HBV–HIV-coinfected patients in Asia are most likely to receive tenofovir if they are treated in a high/high-middle income country, have elevated alanine transaminase levels and are hepatitis C antibody negative. Compared to other antiretroviral therapies, tenofovir-based regimens more effectively reduce liver inflammation in HBV–HIV-coinfection but do not result in superior CD4+ T-cell recovery.