Benefits and risks of rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy

Nathan Ford, Chantal Migone, Alexandra Calmy, Bernhard Kerschberger, Steve Kanters, Sabin Nsanzimana, Edward J. Mills, Graeme Meintjes, Marco Vitoria, Meg Doherty, Zara Shubber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Recent attention has focused on the question of how quickly antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be started once HIV diagnosis is confirmed. We assessed whether rapid ART initiation improves patient outcomes. Methods: We searched five databases from inception up to August 2017. Rapid ART initiation was defined as initiation within 14 days of HIV diagnosis. Data were pooled using random effects meta-Analysis. Results: Across the randomized trials, ART start on the same day increased viral suppression at 12 months [three trials: relative risk (RR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.27], retention in care at 12 months (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.99-1.26), and the likelihood of starting ART within 90 days (four trials: RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.13-1.62) and 12 months after eligibility was established (three trials: RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07-1.27). There was a nonsignificant trend toward reduced mortality (three trials: RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.24-1.08), as well as reduced loss to follow-up at 12 months (2 trials: RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.42-1.04). In the observational studies, offering accelerated ART initiation resulted in a greater likelihood of having started ART within 3 months (two studies: RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.11-2.10). There was a trend toward an increased risk of being lost to follow-up at 6 months (three studies: RR 1.85, 95% CI 0.96-3.55). Conclusion: Accelerated ART initiation can lead to improved clinical outcomes and is likely to be of particular benefit in those settings where extensive patient preparation prior to starting ART results in long delays. These findings informed a WHO recommendation supporting accelerated ART initiation, including same day ART start.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17-23
Number of pages7
JournalAIDS
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2 2018

Keywords

  • antiretroviral therapy
  • rapid initiation
  • same day start

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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