Between 2000 and 2008, the proportion of HIV-infected patients in the U.S. receiving effective treatment known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) increased, and HIV-infected patients appeared to be less infectious and have healthier immune systems at death, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study was nested in the NA-ACCORD (North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design), which is the largest cohort of HIV-infected adults in North America. The findings are published in the September 4 edition of Annals of Internal Medicine.
The study included more than 45,000 HIV-infected participants receiving clinical care for HIV. The study population was demographically similar to the U.S. population living with HIV, according to national surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over the study period, the researchers found that the proportion of HIV-infected participants prescribed HAART increased 9 percentage points to 83 percent. During this time, the researchers also observed an increase in viral load suppression among those with HIV, regardless of treatment. Suppression of viral load reduces the likelihood of transmitting HIV to others. Among those taking HAART, the proportion with a suppressed viral load increased from 54 percent to 81 percent.
"This is good news for the HIV epidemic in the U.S., but there is room for improvement," said Keri N. Althoff, PhD, MPH, lead author of the study and assistant professor in the Bloomberg School's Department of Epidemiology. "We need to continue to focus on linking HIV-infected adults into care and effective treatment, not only for the individual's health, but to reduce the likelihood of transmission to others."
The analysis also found an increase in median CD4 count for participants who died from HIV during the study period. Median counts increased at the time of death
'/>"/>
| Contact: Tim Parsons tmparson@jhsph.edu 410-955-7619 Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Lyme retreatment guidance may be flawed
2. WSU/USDA scientist creates test, treatment for malaria-like sickness in horses
3. RI Hospital: Use of PMP may increase demand for drug treatment, reduce painkiller abuse
4. Gene discovery could improve treatment for acute myeloid leukemia
5. Should high-dose interleukin-2 continue to be the treatment of choice for metastatic melanoma?
6. Powerful class of antioxidants may be potent Parkinsons treatment
7. ECGs administered by paramedics can speed treatment for severe heart attacks
8. Reorganizing brain could lead to new stroke, tinnitus treatments
9. OHSU discovery may lead to new treatment for ALS
10. Real-life spider men using protein found in venom to develop muscular dystrophy treatment
11. Transforming cancer treatment
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |