Citation
Edwards, Jessie K.; Cole, Stephen R.; Martin, Jeffrey N.; Moore, Richard D.; Mathews, W. Christopher; Kitahata, Mari M.; Eron, Joseph J., Jr.; Saag, Michael; & Mugavero, Michael J. (2015). Dynamic Visual Display of Treatment Response in HIV-Infected Adults. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 61(1), e1-4. PMCID: PMC4481601Abstract
BACKGROUND: Using a dynamic visual display, we examine the changes in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) plasma viral load and CD4 cell count for 5 years after antiretroviral therapy initiation in a large cohort of patients with HIV.METHODS: Patients at a Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems site who initiated combination antiretroviral therapy between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2012 were followed for 5 years for HIV-1 plasma viral load, CD4 cell count, and mortality. The joint distribution of CD4 cell count and viral load over time was depicted in an animated display using a bivariate kernel smoother.
RESULTS: Within days of therapy initiation, many patients had a suppressed viral load and their median CD4 cell count had increased. However, the median CD4 cell count remained below normal levels throughout follow-up period and the proportion of patients with high viral load occasionally increased, even years after therapy initiation.
CONCLUSIONS: The dramatic changes in viral load and CD4 cell count after therapy initiation highlight the overwhelming effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy in the modern era. However, this work also emphasizes the need for pharmaceutical or behavioral interventions to prevent virologic failure and to stimulate complete recovery of normal CD4 cell count.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cid/civ262Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2015Journal Title
Clinical Infectious DiseasesAuthor(s)
Edwards, Jessie K.Cole, Stephen R.
Martin, Jeffrey N.
Moore, Richard D.
Mathews, W. Christopher
Kitahata, Mari M.
Eron, Joseph J., Jr.
Saag, Michael
Mugavero, Michael J.