Incidence of diabetes mellitus-related comorbidities among patients attending two major HIV clinics in Botswana: a 12-year retrospective cohort study

Exposure to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is associated with the development of diabetes mellitus related comorbidities (DRCs). This study aims to: (i) estimate the incidence of DRCs among cART recipients, (ii) assess the time-to-event (development of DRC) and, (iii) compare survival function between recipients on first-line regimen and those on second-, third-line cART regimen. The incidence of DRCs was 26.8/1000 person-years, with total time of exposure of 3316 person-years. The average time to event for all the three regimens was 11.72 ± 0.20 years. The first-line cART regimen had a shorter mean ± SE of 10.59 ± 0.26 years to the event compared to 12.69 ± 0.24 years for the second-, third-line cART regimen. Recipients on the first-line had a shorter survival than recipients on second-, third-line cART (Log-rank X2 = 8.98, p < 0.003). Data from this study showed that the risk of developing DRCs per year of exposure was significantly greater for patients on first-line compared to those who were on second-, third-line regimen; which, suggests that monitoring of cART long-term side effects and regular reviewing of cART regimens is important. Meticulous selection of drug combinations is a key to improving recipients’ survival.