TY - JOUR
T1 - Viral Load in Spanish HIV patients
T2 - Trends since the introduction of HAART
AU - Eiros Bouza, José Ma
AU - Sànchez-Padilla, E.
AU - Luquero, F. J.
AU - Nogueira, B.
AU - Rojo, S.
AU - Atienza-Herrero, J.
AU - Ortiz De Lejarazu, R.
PY - 2009/3
Y1 - 2009/3
N2 - The aim of this study is to describe trends in the percentage of samples with undetectable HIV viral load in Spain after the implementation of HAART. A descriptive observational study of HIV-VL measurements carried out in the microbiology department of the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid (HCUV) was conducted over a 9-year period (1996-2004). Regarding the trend over the study period, the 30-39 years age group accounted for most of the samples, although the percentage decreased from 65.5% to 59.6% over the study period. In contrast, the 40-49 years group increased from 9.1% to 14.5%. The preponderance of men, with percentages above 70%, was observed during the whole period. Although the purpose of this treatment is to maintain undetectable viral loads, since 1999 more than 60% of non-first samples had detectable levels. Based on the results of the VL trend among HIV/AIDS patients observed in this study, a large number of patients maintain elevated detectable VL years after HAART was implemented. Although different factors may be the cause of this and should be delimited in future studies, the phenomenon observed demonstrates the usefulness of monitoring VL and analyzing its time trend to gain further knowledge about the therapeutic results and care of HIV patients as a whole, also serving as the basis for corrective measures.
AB - The aim of this study is to describe trends in the percentage of samples with undetectable HIV viral load in Spain after the implementation of HAART. A descriptive observational study of HIV-VL measurements carried out in the microbiology department of the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid (HCUV) was conducted over a 9-year period (1996-2004). Regarding the trend over the study period, the 30-39 years age group accounted for most of the samples, although the percentage decreased from 65.5% to 59.6% over the study period. In contrast, the 40-49 years group increased from 9.1% to 14.5%. The preponderance of men, with percentages above 70%, was observed during the whole period. Although the purpose of this treatment is to maintain undetectable viral loads, since 1999 more than 60% of non-first samples had detectable levels. Based on the results of the VL trend among HIV/AIDS patients observed in this study, a large number of patients maintain elevated detectable VL years after HAART was implemented. Although different factors may be the cause of this and should be delimited in future studies, the phenomenon observed demonstrates the usefulness of monitoring VL and analyzing its time trend to gain further knowledge about the therapeutic results and care of HIV patients as a whole, also serving as the basis for corrective measures.
KW - HAART
KW - HIV
KW - Viral load
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=68549101621&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 19308745
AN - SCOPUS:68549101621
SN - 0214-3429
VL - 22
SP - 34
EP - 37
JO - Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia
JF - Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia
IS - 1
ER -