Year: 2015
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Aims -To assess the proportion of patients achieving undetectable viral loads (<50 copies/mL) within 6 and 12 months of initiating ART in accordance to BHIVA guidelines at a dual-site HIV service in NHS Grampian.Methods -A retrospective case notes review was conducted of ART-naïve HIV-positive patients attending clinics between January and December 2013.Data collection was performed using a proforma and imported into SPSS 23 for statistical analysis.Results -A total of 24 case notes were audited (GUM = 15, ID = 9).The median age of patients was 39.5 years (IQR = 24.5 to 54.5), majority male (n = 21/24) and White Scottish (n = 11/24).Median baseline viral load was 77,355 copies/mL while the baseline CD4 count was 382.0.The mean time taken to achieve undetectable viral loads was 4.48 months (95% CI = 3.50 to 5.70).Overall, 70.8% of patients achieved undetectable viral load within 6 months (GUM = 11/15, ID = 6/9).Within 12 months, 95.8% of patients achieved undetectable viral loads (GUM = 15/15, ID = 8/9).A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with a baseline viral load of < 100,000 copies/mL achieved undetectable viral loads sooner compared to those with baseline viral load of > 100,000 copies/mL (3.43 months, 95% CI = 2.337 to 3.663 vs. 6.11months, 95% CI = 4.28 to 7.94; log-rank p = 0.013).Conclusions -Achieving undetectable viral loads in HIV patients on ART is a crucial outcome that can significantly improve morbidity and mortality, as well as reduce transmission risk.This audit has identified potential barriers to achieving undetectable viral loads within 6 months, including higher baseline viral load and CD4 count at initiation of ART. Time taken to reach undetectable viral loads in therapy-naïve HIV patients commencing ART
Institutions: University of Aberdeen, NHS Grampian
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2221060663