People with HIV experienced better adherence, disease control, and quality of life (QoL) after switching from oral antiretroviral therapy (ART) to cabotegravir plus rilpivirine long-acting (CAB+RPV LA) therapy, according to recent survey findings. The PREFER-LA study highlighted real-world experiences from 159 patients with HIV and health care providers (HCPs) across the United States.
At IDWeek 2025, Zachary Henry, DO, of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation—Northpoint in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, presented the results of an observational study that examined patients with medication adherence challenges. The median patient age was 39 years, with a median of 11.9 years since HIV diagnosis. More than half of the patients were Black/African American (57%). All study participants had received CAB+RPV LA for at least 6 months and up to 18 months.
The survey explored the top five reasons for switching regimens from both the patients and HCPs. Patients were also asked about concerns prior to and after the switch.
Nearly all patients (97.5%) preferred the injectable regimen compared with daily oral ART. Common reasons included easier adherence, worry of forgetting/missing pills, fatigue with taking pills daily, desire for a treatment option that fits their lifestyle, and comfort with not traveling with pills.
Most survey respondents (79%) described switching to CAB+RPV LA as having a positive effect on their HIV control. Many also said it improved their overall health and QoL. In addition, the switch also proved to be beneficial to their mental health, with 79% of patients saying they had enhanced self-perception.
A main concern of patients prior to switching was injection-site pain or soreness (49.7%), but after starting CAB+RPV LA, 49.1% reported no concerns.
Among HCPs surveyed, the key benefits of the injectable were better HIV control and better overall patient engagement in care. HCPs also believed that 95% of patients with HIV would remain on CAB+RPV LA long term.
Reference
Henry Z, Kirk S, Brownlee M et al. PREFER-LA: People with HIV (PWH) in the United States with prior adherence challenges with oral antiretroviral therapy (ART) prefer cabotegravir + rilpivirine long-acting (CAB+RPV LA) therapy after switch. P-396. Presented at: IDWeek 2025, Oct. 19-22, 2025, Atlanta, GA.
