Comparison of prognostic importance of latest CD4+ cell count and HIV RNA levels in patients with advanced HIV infection on highly active antiretroviral therapy

Relationship between CD4 count and quality of life over time among HIV patients in Uganda: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Immunological markers (CD4 count) are used in developing countries to decide on initiation of antiretroviral therapy and monitor HIV/AIDS disease progression. HIV is an incurable chronic illness, making quality of life paramount. The direct relationship between quality of life and CD4 count is unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between change in CD4 count and quality of life measures in a Ugandan cohort of people living with HIV.

METHODS

We prospectively assessed quality of life among 1274 HIV patients attending an HIV clinic within a national referral hospital over a period of 6 months. Quality of life was measured using an objective measure, the Medical Outcomes Study HIV health survey summarized as Physical Health Score and Mental Health Score and a subjective measure, the Global Person Generated Index. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data. The primary predictor variable was change in CD4 count, and the outcome was quality of life scores. We controlled for sociodemographic characteristics, clinical factors and behavioral factors. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted to assess patient perception of quality of life and factors influencing quality of life.

RESULTS

Of the 1274 patients enrolled 1159 had CD4 count at baseline and six months and 586 (51%) received antiretroviral therapy. There was no association found between change in CD4 count and quality of life scores at univariate and multivariate analysis among the study participants whether on or not on antiretroviral therapy. Participants perceived quality of life as happiness and well-being, influenced by economic status, psychosocial factors, and health status.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians and policy makers cannot rely on change in immunological markers to predict quality of life in this era of initiating antiretroviral therapy among relatively healthy patients. In addition to monitoring immunological markers, socioeconomic and psychosocial factors should be underscored in management of HIV patients.

CD4+ T-cell counts and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels beyond 5 years of highly active antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND

The heterogeneity of CD4 T-cell counts and HIV-1 RNA at 5-12 years after the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) remains largely uncharacterized.

METHODS

In the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, 614 men who initiated HAART contributed data 5-12 years subsequently. Multivariate regression was used to evaluate the predictors of CD4 counts and HIV-1 RNA levels.

RESULTS

At 5 to 12 years post-HAART, the median CD4 T-cell count was 586 (interquartile range, 421-791) cells per microliter and 78% of the HIV-1 RNA measurements were undetectable. Higher CD4 T-cell counts 5-12 years post HAART were predicted by higher CD4 T-cell counts and higher total lymphocyte count pre HAART, lack of hepatitis B or C virus coinfections, and greater CD4 T-cell change and suppressed HIV-1 RNA in the first 5 years after starting HAART. Men who were 50 years and older with 351-500 CD4 cells per microliter at HAART initiation had adjusted mean CD4 T-cell count of 643 cells per microliter at 10-12 years post HAART, which was similar to the adjusted mean CD4 T-cell count (670 cells/μL, P = 0.45) in this period for younger men starting HAART with lower CD4 T-cell counts. HIV-1 RNA suppression in the first 5 years post HAART predicted subsequent viral suppression.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunological and virological responses in the first 5 years post HAART predicted subsequent CD4 T-cell counts and HIV-1 RNA levels. The association between age and subsequent CD4 T-cell count supports incorporating age in the guidelines for use of HAART.

Higher levels of CRP, D-dimer, IL-6, and hyaluronic acid before initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are associated with increased risk of AIDS or death

BACKGROUND

Substantial morbidity occurs during the first year of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in persons with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease despite HIV suppression. Biomarkers may identify high-risk groups.

METHODS

Pre-ART and 1-month samples from an initial ART trial were evaluated for biomarkers associated with AIDS events or death within 1-12 months. Case patients (n = 63) and control patients (n = 126) were 1:2 matched on baseline CD4 cell count, hepatitis status, and randomization date. All had ≥ 1 log(10) HIV RNA level decrease at 1 month.

RESULTS

Case patients had more frequent prior AIDS events, compared with control patients (P = .004), but similar HIV RNA levels at baseline. Pre-ART and 1-month C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels and pre-ART hyaluronic acid (HA) levels were associated with new AIDS events or death (P ≤ .01). Patients who experienced immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) events had higher pre-ART tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and HIV RNA levels and significant 1-month increases in CRP, D-dimer, IL-6, interleukin 8, CXCL10, TNF-α, and interferon-γ levels, compared with patients who experienced non-IRIS events (P ≤ .03). Individuals with baseline CRP and HA levels above the cohort median (>2.1 mg/L and >50.0 ng/mL, respectively) had increased risk of AIDS or death (OR, 4.6 [95% CI, 2.0-10.3]; P < .001) and IRIS (OR, 8.7 [95% CI, 2.2-34.8] P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Biomarkers of Inflammation (CRP, IL-6), coagulation (D-dimer), and tissue fibrosis (HA) measured pre-ART and at 1 month are associated with higher risk of AIDS events, IRIS, or death, warranting additional study as risk stratification strategies.

A CD4+ cell count <200 cells per cubic millimeter at 2 years after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy is associated with increased mortality in HIV-infected individuals with viral suppression

OBJECTIVE

To determine the long-term impact of immunologic discordance (viral load <50 copies/mL and CD4+ count <=200 cells/mm3) in antiretroviral-naive patients initiating combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

METHODS

Our analysis included antiretroviral-naive individuals from a population-based Canadian Observational Cohort that initiated cART after January 1, 2000, and achieved virologic suppression. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association between 1-year and 2-year immunologic discordance and time to death from all-causes. Correlates of immunologic discordance were assessed with logistic regression.

RESULTS

Immunologic discordance was observed in 19.9% (404 of 2028) and 10.2% (176 of 1721) of individuals at 1 and 2 years after cART initiation, respectively. Two-year immunologic discordance was associated with an increased risk of death [adjusted hazard ratio = 2.69; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26 to 5.78]. One-year immunologic discordance was not associated with death (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.12; 95% CI: 0.54 to 2.30). Two-year immunologic discordance was associated with older age (aOR per decade = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.48), male gender (aOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.09 to 3.16), injection drug use (aOR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.81 to 4.17), and lower baseline CD4+ count (aOR per 100 cells = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.31) and viral load (aOR per log10 copies/mL = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.65).

CONCLUSIONS

Immunologic discordance after 2 years of cART in antiretroviral-naive individuals was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality.

Relationship between CD4+ T-cell counts/HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load and AIDS-defining events among persons followed in the ACTG longitudinal linked randomized trials study

BACKGROUND

AIDS-defining events (ADEs) decreased in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy but still lead to hospitalizations and deaths. Understanding factors related to ADEs is important to mitigate events.

METHODS

We examined the relationship between demographics, behaviors, comorbidities, laboratory, clinical measurements, and ADEs diagnosed among subjects randomized to antiretroviral treatments (ART)/strategies and followed prospectively. Logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations generated odds ratios (ORs) focusing on the relationship between current CD4 T-cell count (CD4)/HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) and ADEs in the subsequent 16-week study period.

RESULTS

Among the 2948 subjects in the analysis, overall incidence of ADEs was 1.53 per 100 person-years. Multivariate regression models adjusted for demographics, body mass index, and ADE history. A 6-level time-varying variable examined VL (>100,000 copies/mL, < or =100,000) at CD4 levels (0-50, 51-200, >200 cells/microL); reference level was CD4 >200/VL < or =100,000. Among ART naives, odds of having an ADE in the subsequent 16-week interval were greater among subjects with lower CD4 counts; this relationship was modified by VL level (CD4 < or =50/VL >100,000: OR 37.2; CD4 < or =50/VL < or =100,000: OR 30.5; CD4 51-200/VL >100,000: OR 13.0; CD4 51-200/VL < or =100,000: OR 4.5; all P values <0.001). Similar results were seen among ART-experienced subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent CD4 and VL values are closely associated with development of ADEs even after examining a multitude of potential factors.

Costs to achieve undetectable HIV RNA with darunavir-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy in highly pretreated patients: the POWER experience

BACKGROUND

Very few studies have evaluated the cost of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) per successful treatment in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the cost of achieving undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels in highly treatment-experienced, HIV-1-infected adults receiving darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r 600 mg/100 mg twice a day) or control protease inhibitor (PI)-based HAART.

METHODS

The mean annual per-patient cost of DRV/r and control PI-based HAART was determined from the proportional use of antiretroviral agents in the DRV/r and control PI arms of the pooled POWER 1 and 2 trials, applying drug acquisition costs for 13 healthcare settings. The mean annual cost per patient of achieving undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels (<50 copies/mL) was calculated by dividing the cost of each treatment by the proportion of patients with undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels after 48 weeks in the DRV/r (45%) and control PI (10%) arms of the POWER trials.

RESULTS

Whereas absolute costs of treatment were 1-19% higher with DRV/r versus control PI-based HAART depending on the healthcare setting, the mean annual per-patient cost of achieving undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels was 73-78% lower. These cost savings were maintained in the sensitivity analyses, adjusting for control PI and enfuvirtide use, and the number of active drugs in the background regimen. The incremental annual cost per additional patient achieving undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels with DRV/r versus control PI-based HAART in POWER 1 and 2 (£4148) compared favourably with that determined for enfuvirtide (£137, 740; TORO trials) and tipranavir/ritonavir (£32,176; RESIST) versus control therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

DRV/r-based HAART provided consistent reductions in the cost of achieving undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels compared with control PI-based therapy in highly treatment-experienced patients across various healthcare settings. The incremental cost per additional patient achieving undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels with DRV/r versus control PI-based HAART was also lower than that calculated for other treatment options in this population. These results suggest that DRV/r is an economically viable option for highly treatment-experienced patients.

Emergency department utilization by HIV-positive adults in the HAART era

Background

No published study has analyzed emergency department (ED) utilization by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive adults in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era.

Aims

The purpose of this study is to describe the demographic and HIV-specific variables associated with ED utilization by HIV-positive adults and their diagnoses when discharged from the ED or subsequently from the hospital.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all HIV-positive adults cared for at a tertiary center HIV clinic and ED (1 January–31 December 2006). Demographic, HIV clinical, and HIV lab variables were abstracted from the clinic database. ED/hospital diagnoses coded by the ICD-9 Diseases/Injuries Tabular Index were abstracted from identified discharge records. We used multivariate logistic regression to compute odds ratios (OR) of ED utilization based on the abstracted variables. We described the cohort and diagnoses using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 356 patients met inclusion criteria. Their mean age was 42.7 years, and 77.2% of included patients were male; 52.5% were Caucasian and 47.5% non-Caucasian; 72 patients (20.2%) presented to the ED during the study period [153 visits; 37 (10.4%) required hospitalization (61/153 visits)]. Income level and mean 2006 viral load had a significant association (p < 0.05) with ED utilization. Of 155 ICD-9 ED discharge diagnoses, ill-defined symptoms/signs (25.2%), injury (18.7%), and musculoskeletal disorders (11.6%) were most prevalent. Of 450 ICD-9 hospital discharge diagnoses, endocrine/metabolic (13.3%), psychiatric (12.2%), infectious/parasitic (12%), and circulatory disorders (11.8%) were most prevalent.

Conclusion

In this study of HIV-positive adults, income level and mean 2006 viral load had a significant association with ED utilization. Noninfectious diagnoses were alone most prevalent in ED discharged, but not hospitalized, patients.

Predictors of AIDS-defining events among advanced naïve patients after HAART

BACKGROUND

Baseline and follow-up predictors of new AIDS-defining events or death (ADE/death) among patients who started HAART late in their disease history have rarely been assessed simultaneously.

METHOD

ADE and mortality rates were assessed using Cox regression analyses. Variables were tested for prediction of ADE/death within the first 3 months of therapy and from month 3, thereafter.

RESULTS

751 HIV-infected patients with <200 CD4+/mm(3) before HAART were followed for a median of 49 months. 207 new ADE occurred (7.06 [6.16-8.10] per 100 patient-years). ADE/deaths clustered within the first 3 months of treatment (106/207, 51%). Higher CD4+ T-cell counts during the follow-up (per log(e) cells/mm(3): hazard ratio [HR] 0.51; 0.41-0.64; p < .001) and use of antiretroviral therapy (HR 0.38; 95% CI 0.21-0.69; p = .001) appeared to protect from ADE/death after month 3. Conversely, increasing follow-up with HIV RNA >400 copies/mL correlated with ADE/death (per month: HR 1.09; 95% CI 1.06-1.12; p = .001). Use of boosted protease inhibitors as first-line HAART and HCV-seropositivity were additional risk factors. Baseline CD4+ T-cell count and HIV RNA had a predominant impact in the first 3 months after HAART initiation.

CONCLUSION

A careful monitoring of patients with low CD4+ is particularly necessary during the first few months of HAART. Length and extent of viral replication during the follow-up appeared to induce a significantly higher risk of HIV disease progression afterwards, implying that new drugs and new strategies aimed at ensuring long-term suppression of HIV RNA are of outstanding importance.

Predictors of Clinical Progression among HIV-1–Positive Patients starting HAART with CD4+ T-cell Counts ≥200 cells/mm3

Background

Baseline and follow-up predictors of new AIDS-defining events (ADE) or death among patients who started HAART with CD4+ T-cell counts ≥200 cells/mm3 have rarely been assessed simultaneously.

Methods

A prospective observational cohort study (1996–2002) is reported. HIV-infected patients initiating HAART with a CD4+ T-cell count ≥200 cells/mm3 were studied. Baseline and time-varying factors were tested for the prediction of new ADE/death using Cox regression models.

Results

A total of 896 subjects were studied over a median of 5.1 years. The incidence of a new ADE was 1.6 (95% confidence interval 1.3–2.1) per 100 person-years. Among baseline factors, higher CD4+ T-cell counts before HAART were associated with lower risk of ADE/death, but not after adjustment for time-varying factors. On a multivariable analysis including both baseline and time-varying covariates, longer delay from HIV diagnosis to HAART was an independent predictor of ADE/death (per year, hazard ratio [HR] 1.06; P=0.025) and was independent of CD4+ T-cell count before treatment. Longer time spent with HIV RNA <400 copies/ml (per month, HR 0.96; P=0.003) and higher latest CD4+ T-cell count (per log2 cells/mm3, HR 0.65; P<0.001) were found to be protective.

Conclusions

Patients with higher CD4+ T-cell counts before HAART initiation had a better prognosis. However, except for the delay in starting HAART, viro-immunological evolution outweighed the effect of baseline factors. Moreover, suppressing HIV replication for as long as possible could improve the clinical outcome. Prospective randomized clinical trials to assess the optimal timing of HAART initiation are both feasible and urgently needed.

A comparison of three highly active antiretroviral treatment strategies consisting of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, or both in the presence of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors as initial therapy (CPCRA 058 FIRST Study): a long-term randomised trial

BACKGROUND

Long-term data from randomised trials on the consequences of treatment with a protease inhibitor (PI), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), or both are lacking. Here, we report results from the FIRST trial, which compared initial treatment strategies for clinical, immunological, and virological outcomes.

METHODS

Between 1999 and 2002, 1397 antiretroviral-treatment-naive patients, presenting at 18 clinical trial units with 80 research sites in the USA, were randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:1:1 to a protease inhibitor (PI) strategy (PI plus nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NRTI]; n=470), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) strategy (NNRTI plus NRTI; n=463), or a three-class strategy (PI plus NNRTI plus NRTI; n=464). Primary endpoints were a composite of an AIDS-defining event, death, or CD4 cell count decline to less than 200 cells per mm3 for the PI versus NNRTI comparison, and average change in CD4 cell count at or after 32 months for the three-class versus combined two-class comparison. Analyses were by intention-to-treat. This study is registered ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00000922.

FINDINGS

1397 patients were assessed for the composite endpoint. A total of 388 participants developed the composite endpoint, 302 developed AIDS or died, and 188 died. NNRTI versus PI hazard ratios (HRs) for the composite endpoint, for AIDS or death, for death, and for virological failure were 1.02 (95% CI 0.79-1.31), 1.07 (0.80-1.41), 0.95 (0.66-1.37), and 0.66 (0.56-0.78), respectively. 1196 patients were assessed for the three-class versus combined two-class primary endpoint. Mean change in CD4 cell count at or after 32 months was +234 cells per mm3 and +227 cells per mm3 for the three-class and the combined two-class strategies (p=0.62), respectively. HRs (three-class vs combined two-class) for AIDS or death and virological failure were 1.15 (0.91-1.45) and 0.87 (0.75-1.00), respectively. HRs (three-class vs combined two-class) for AIDS or death were similar for participants with baseline CD4 cell counts of 200 cells per mm3 or less and of more than 200 cells per mm3 (p=0.38 for interaction), and for participants with baseline HIV RNA concentrations less than 100 000 copies per mL and 100,000 copies per mL or more (p=0.26 for interaction). Participants assigned the three-class strategy were significantly more likely to discontinue treatment because of toxic effects than were those assigned to the two-class strategies (HR 1.58; p<0.0001).

INTERPRETATION

Initial treatment with either an NNRTI-based regimen or a PI-based regimen, but not both together, is a good strategy for long-term antiretroviral management in treatment-naive patients with HIV.

Quality of life in HIV subtype C infection among asymptomatic subjects and its association with CD4 counts and viral loads--a study from South India

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between quality of life (QOL) domains and biological markers of disease progression of HIV infection, i.e. viral load (VL) and CD4 counts among asymptomatic subjects with HIV subtype C infection in South India.

DESIGN

Quality of life was measured using the locally validated version of the WHOQOL HIV-BREF. The subjects were neurologically asymptomatic, non psychiatrically ill HIV infected men and women participating in a cohort study.

RESULTS

The results indicated mixed findings, with some QOL dimensions being associated with high VLs and low CD4 counts while several others did not show any associations. Significant associations were seen between low CD4 counts and the psychological and social relationships domain, with lower mean scores in these domains being reported by subjects having CD4 counts <200/mm. However, there were no significant differences between the CD4 subgroups for the domains related to physical health, level of independence, environment, and spirituality domains. Significant lower mean QOL scores were found in the highest VL subgroup compared to other groups for the following WHOQOL HIV-BREF domains: physical, psychological, level of independence, and environmental.

CONCLUSIONS

In this sample of HAART naïve asymptomatic HIV infected subjects, some QOL dimensions were associated with the biological markers of disease progression i.e. VL and CD4 counts, while several were not. The associations were significant only in the high VL and low CD4 groups.