Short-term outcomes of rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive patients: Real-world experience from a single-centre retrospective cohort in Taiwan
Journal
BMJ Open
Journal Volume
9
Journal Issue
9
Pages
e033246
Date Issued
2019
Author(s)
Huang S.-H.
Chen G.-J.
Luo Y.-Z.
Wu P.-Y.
Liu W.-C.
Abstract
Objectives Rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) engenders faster viral suppression but with suboptimal rates of durable viral suppression and engagement in care, as reported by clinical trials in resource-limited settings. Real-world experience with rapid ART initiation remains limited in resource-rich settings. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting A tertiary hospital in metropolitan Taipei, Taiwan. Participants We included 631 patients newly diagnosed as having HIV infection between March 2014 and July 2018. Main outcome measures Rapid ART initiation was defined as starting ART within 7 days after HIV diagnosis confirmation. HIV diagnosis, ART initiation and viral suppression dates and clinical outcome data were collected by reviewing medical records. The rates of loss to follow-up (LTFU), engagement in care and virological rebound at 12 months were compared between patients with rapid ART initiation and those with standard initiation. Results Rapid ART initiation increased from 33.8% in 2014 to 68.3% in 2017, and the median interval between HIV diagnosis and viral suppression (HIV RNA load <200 copies/mL) decreased from 138 to 47 days. Patients with rapid ART initiation had a significantly higher rate of engagement in care at 12 months than did those with standard initiation (88.3% vs 79.0%; p=0.002). Patients aged <30 years had a higher risk of LTFU (HR: 2.19; 95% CI 1.20 to 3.98); and rapid ART initiation was associated with a lower risk of LTFU (HR: 0.41; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.83). Patients aged <30 years were more likely to acquire incident sexually transmitted infections (STIs) before achieving viral suppression. Conclusions Rapid ART initiation was associated with a higher rate of engagement in care at 12 months and shortened interval from diagnosis to HIV suppression. Delayed ART initiation may increase onwards HIV transmission considering the high rates of STIs. Ethics approval The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of National Taiwan University Hospital (Registration No. 201003112R). ? 2019 Author(s).
Other Subjects
anti human immunodeficiency virus agent; virus RNA; antiretrovirus agent; acute HIV infection; adult; antiretroviral therapy; Article; CD4 lymphocyte count; clinical outcome; cohort analysis; controlled study; female; follow up; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; major clinical study; male; medical record review; men who have sex with men; mixed infection; patient participation; retrospective study; syphilis; virus hepatitis; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; Taiwan; time factor; treatment outcome; young adult; Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Cohort Studies; Female; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Taiwan; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Type
journal article