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Published on: April 9, 2014
Highly active antiretroviral therapy interruption: predictors and virological and immunologic consequences
Giota Touloumi1, Nikos Pantazis, Anna Antoniou
1Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (1999)
|July 27, 2006
Summary
Nearly 1 in 6 individuals on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) interrupt treatment within two years. Women, higher baseline viremia, and poorer immune response predict treatment interruption and greater CD4 cell loss.
Area of Science:
- HIV/AIDS research
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is crucial for managing HIV/AIDS.
- Understanding treatment interruptions (TI) and their consequences is vital for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and predictors of HAART interruption.
- To assess the immunologic and virological effects of HAART interruption.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 8,300 individuals with documented seroconversion dates.
- Defined TI as cessation of all antiretroviral drugs for at least 14 days.
- Identified subjects on stable first HAART for over 90 days, excluding primary infection phase.
Main Results:
- 19.3% of 1,551 subjects initiated on HAART interrupted treatment.
- The cumulative probability of TI at 2 years was 15.9%.
- Women showed higher TI rates; higher baseline viremia and poor immune response predicted TI.
- Significant CD4 cell loss occurred during TI, particularly in older patients, those with lower pre-HAART nadir, and lower CD4 counts at TI initiation.
Conclusions:
- Approximately 1 in 6 individuals interrupt HAART by two years.
- Further research is needed to understand higher TI rates in women.
- Identified patient characteristics associated with increased risk of CD4 cell loss during TI.
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