scholarly journals Marginal Structural Models for Estimating the Effect of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation on CD4 Cell Count

2005 ◽  
Vol 162 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Cole ◽  
Miguel A. Hernán ◽  
Joseph B. Margolick ◽  
Mardge H. Cohen ◽  
James M. Robins
2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somnuek Sungkanuparph ◽  
Sasisopin Kiertiburanakul ◽  
Weerawat Manosuthi ◽  
Wiphawee Kiatatchasai ◽  
Asda Vibhagool

In developing countries, patients often present late with advanced AIDS and a very low CD4 cell count. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in HIV-infected patients who had been initiated into highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with CD4 cell count <50 cells/mm3. There were 159 patients of mean age 36.6 years and 60.4% had previous major opportunistic infections. Mean CD4 was 22 cells/mm3 and 80% had HIV RNA>100,000 copies/mL. The majority of HAART regimens is non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based (81.8%). In as-treated analysis, 50, 71.2, 79.7, 79.4, and 80.1% of patients achieved undetectable HIV RNA (<50 copies/mL) at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 weeks, respectively. The corresponding mean CD4 counts were 95, 125, 166, 201, and 225 cells/mm3. Twenty two patients (13.8%) had adverse drug events and half of these had to discontinue HAART. Initiation of HAART in advanced AIDS with CD4 cell count <50 cells/mm3 is effective, safe, and well tolerated and should not be delayed.


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