Neuropsychiatric manifestations and sleep disturbances with dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy versus standard of care in children and adolescents: a secondary analysis of the ODYSSEY trial
Anna Turkova, Ellen White, Adeodata Kekitiinwa, Vivian Mumbiro, Elizabeth Kaudha, Afaaf Liberty, Grace Miriam Ahimbisibwe, Tumelo Moloantoa, Ussanee Srirompotong, Nozibusiso Rejoice Mosia, Thanyawee Puthanakit, Robin Kobbe, Clàudia Fortuny, Hajira Kataike, Dickson Bbuye, Sathaporn Na-Rajsima, Alexandra Coelho, Abbas Lugemwa, Mutsa Bwakura‐Dangarembizi, Nigel Klein, Hilda Mujuru, Cissy Kityo, Mark F. Cotton, Rashida A. Ferrand, Carlo Giaquinto, Pablo Rojo, Avy Violari, Diana M. Gibb, Deborah Ford, Amina Farhana Mehar, Pattamukkil Abraham, Elaine J. Abrams, Judith Acero, Gerald Muzorah Agaba, Grace Miriam Ahimbisibwe, Barbara Ainebyoona, Winnie Akobye, Yasmeen Akhalwaya, Nazim Akoojee, Shabinah S. Ali, Pauline Amuge, Catherine Andrea, María Ángeles Muñoz‐Fernández, Rogers Ankunda, Diana Antonia Rutebarika, Suvaporn Anugulruengkitt, Tsitsi Apollo, Moherndran Archary, Ronelle Arendze, Juliet Ategeka, Eunice Atim, Lorna Atwine, Abdel Babiker, Sarah Babirye, Enock Babu, Edward Bagirigomwa, Angella Baita, David Balamusani, Patsy Baliram, David Baliruno, Colin Ball, Henry Balwa, Alasdair Bamford, Srini Bandi, Dominique Barker, Linda Barlow‐Mosha, Dickson Bbuye, Shazia Begum, Osee Behuhuma, Sarah Bernays, Rogers Besigye, Maria Bester, Joyline Bhiri, Davide Bilardi, Kristien Bird, Pauline Bollen, Chiara Borg, Anne-Marie Borges Da Silva, Jackie Brown, Elena Bruno, Torsak Bunupuradah, David M. Burger, Nomzamo Buthelezi, Mutsa Bwakura‐Dangarembizi, Africanus Byaruhanga, Joanna Calvert, Petronelle Casey, Haseena Cassim, Sphiwee Cebekhulu, Sanuphong Chailert, Suwalai Chalermpantmetagul, Wanna Chamjamrat, Man K. Chan, Precious Chandiwana, Thannapat Chankun, Sararut Chanthaburanun, Nuttawut Chanto, Ennie Chidziva, Minenhle Chikowore, Joy Chimanzi
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cohort studies in adults with HIV showed that dolutegravir was associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events and sleep problems, yet data are scarce in children and adolescents. We aimed to evaluate neuropsychiatric manifestations in children and adolescents treated with dolutegravir-based treatment versus alternative antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of ODYSSEY, an open-label, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial, in which adolescents and children initiating first-line or second-line antiretroviral therapy were randomly assigned 1:1 to dolutegravir-based treatment or standard-of-care treatment. We assessed neuropsychiatric adverse events (reported by clinicians) and responses to the mood and sleep questionnaires (reported by the participant or their carer) in both groups. We compared the proportions of patients with neuropsychiatric adverse events (neurological, psychiatric, and total), time to first neuropsychiatric adverse event, and participant-reported responses to questionnaires capturing issues with mood, suicidal thoughts, and sleep problems. FINDINGS: Between Sept 20, 2016, and June 22, 2018, 707 participants were enrolled, of whom 345 (49%) were female and 362 (51%) were male, and 623 (88%) were Black-African. Of 707 participants, 350 (50%) were randomly assigned to dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy and 357 (50%) to non-dolutegravir-based standard-of-care. 311 (44%) of 707 participants started first-line antiretroviral therapy (ODYSSEY-A; 145 [92%] of 157 participants had efavirenz-based therapy in the standard-of-care group), and 396 (56%) of 707 started second-line therapy (ODYSSEY-B; 195 [98%] of 200 had protease inhibitor-based therapy in the standard-of-care group). During follow-up (median 142 weeks, IQR 124-159), 23 participants had 31 neuropsychiatric adverse events (15 in the dolutegravir group and eight in the standard-of-care group; difference in proportion of participants with ≥1 event p=0·13). 11 participants had one or more neurological events (six and five; p=0·74) and 14 participants had one or more psychiatric events (ten and four; p=0·097). Among 14 participants with psychiatric events, eight participants in the dolutegravir group and four in standard-of-care group had suicidal ideation or behaviour. More participants in the dolutegravir group than the standard-of-care group reported symptoms of self-harm (eight vs one; p=0·025), life not worth living (17 vs five; p=0·0091), or suicidal thoughts (13 vs none; p=0·0006) at one or more follow-up visits. Most reports were transient. There were no differences by treatment group in low mood or feeling sad, problems concentrating, feeling worried or feeling angry or aggressive, sleep problems, or sleep quality. INTERPRETATION: The numbers of neuropsychiatric adverse events and reported neuropsychiatric symptoms were low. However, numerically more participants had psychiatric events and reported suicidality ideation in the dolutegravir group than the standard-of-care group. These differences should be interpreted with caution in an open-label trial. Clinicians and policy makers should consider including suicidality screening of children or adolescents receiving dolutegravir. FUNDING: Penta Foundation, ViiV Healthcare, and UK Medical Research Council.