Does Rapid Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy At HIV Diagnosis Impact On Virological Response in a Real-Life Setting? A Single Centre Experience in Northern Italy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Gregori ◽  
Stefano Renzetti ◽  
Ilaria Izzo ◽  
Giulio Faletti ◽  
Benedetta Fumarola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Virological Response ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Baseline Viral Load ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Late Group

Abstract Background Rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been largely proven efficacious and safe mostly through clinical trials. Further investigations are needed to better define feasibility and acceptability of rapid ART approach in real-life settings. Methods We conducted a retrospective, observational study on newly HIV-diagnosed patients referred to Infectious and Tropical Diseases department of ASST Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia from September 1st, 2015, to July 31st, 2019. All patients’ baseline characteristics were anonymously extracted from medical records. According to the timing of ART initiation, we distinguished 3 groups of patients (rapid, intermediate and late group) and represented the trend of virological response during a 400 day-period. The hazard ratios of each predictor on viral suppression (HIV RNA < 50 copies/ml) were estimated through Cox proportional hazard model. Results Median time from HIV diagnosis to first medical referral was 15 days and median time from first HIV care access to therapy start was 24 days. Three groups of patients were differentiated depending on ART initiation: within 7 days (rapid group, 37.6%), between 8 and 30 days (intermediate group, 20.6%) and after 30 days (late group, 41.8%). Longer time to ART start and higher baseline viral load were associated with a reduced probability of viral suppression. After one year, all groups showed high viral suppression rate (99%). Conclusions In high-income setting as Italy, rapid ART approach seems to be useful to accelerate time to viral suppression. The latter tends to be great over time regardless the timing of ART initiation.

scholarly journals Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Initiation at a Community-Based Clinic in Jackson, MS

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney E. Sims Gomillia ◽  
Kandis V. Backus ◽  
James B. Brock ◽  
Sandra C. Melvin ◽  
Jason J. Parham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Virologic Suppression ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Healthcare Center ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART), ideally initiated within twenty-four hours of diagnosis, may be crucial in efforts to increase virologic suppression and reduce HIV transmission. Recent studies, including demonstration projects in large metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; San Francisco, California; and Washington D.C., have demonstrated that rapid ART initiation is a novel tool for expediting viral suppression in clinical settings. Here we present an evaluation of the impact of a rapid ART initiation program in a community-based clinic in Jackson, MS. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who were diagnosed with HIV at Open Arms Healthcare Center or were linked to the clinic for HIV care by the Mississippi State Department of Health Disease Intervention Specialists from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. Initial viral load, CD4+ T cell count, issuance of an electronic prescription (e-script), subsequent viral loads until suppressed and patient demographics were collected for each individual seen in clinic during the review period. Viral suppression was defined as a viral load less than 200 copies/mL. Rapid ART initiation was defined as receiving an e-script for antiretrovirals within seven days of diagnosis. Results Between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018, 70 individuals were diagnosed with HIV and presented to Open Arms Healthcare Center, of which 63 (90%) completed an initial HIV counseling visit. Twenty-seven percent of patients were provided with an e-script for ART within 7 days of diagnosis. The median time to linkage to care for this sample was 12 days and 5.5 days for rapid ART starters (p < 0.001). Median time from diagnosis to viral suppression was 55 days for rapid ART starters (p = 0.03), a 22 day decrease from standard time to viral suppression. Conclusion Our results provide a similar level of evidence that rapid ART initiation is effective in decreasing time to viral suppression. Evidence from this evaluation supports the use of rapid ART initiation after an initial HIV diagnosis, including same-day treatment.

scholarly journals Comparison of Time to Viral Suppression Among Treatment-Naïve HIV-Infected Adults Initiating Combination Antiretroviral Therapy by Antiretroviral Regimen Class

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S432-S432
Author(s):  
Karen Jacobson ◽  
Onyema Ogbuagu
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Baseline Viral Load ◽  
Virologic Suppression ◽  
Hiv Patients ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Treatment Naïve

Abstract Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens for the treatment of HIV that incorporate the integrase strand inhibitor (INSTI) class of antiretroviral medications have high efficacy and tolerability, and may result in faster time to virologic suppression compared with regimens that contain protease inhibitors (PIs) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). However, differences in viral suppression are not well-defined in routine clinical settings. Methods We performed a retrospective single-center chart review of treatment-naïve HIV patients initiating ART between 2013 and 2016. Among patients on different ART regimen types, we compared rates of achievement of viral suppression (defined as viral load less than limit of detection or &lt;20 copies/uL) over time and median time to viral suppression using chi-square and independent samples median testing. Patients who were prescribed nonstandard regimens, were nonadherent, or discontinued or changed ART within 6 months were excluded. Results One hundred and fifty-five patients—45 (29.0%) female and 110 (71%) male—met study inclusion criteria. Mean age at ART initiation was 41.3 years (SD 12.5), and mean baseline viral load was 293,974 copies/uL. Twelve (7.7%) patients had an opportunistic infection diagnosed at time of ART initiation. Seventy-one (45.8%) initiated an INSTI-based ART regimen, 58 (37.4%) initiated a NNRTI-based regimen, and 26 (16.8%) initiated a PI-based regimen. Eighty-one (52.3%) patients had documented viral suppression, with median time to viral suppression 105 days (IQR 49–159). Patients on INSTI regimens were more likely to achieve viral suppression by 6 months (93.2% compared with 69.7% on NNRTIs and 30.8% on PIs), and had lower median time to suppression (62.6 days vs. 140.5 days on NNRTI regimens and 154.5 days on PI regimens, P = 0.002). Conclusion In this cohort, patients on INSTI-based ART regimens experienced higher rates of viral suppression at 6 months and shorter time from ART initiation to viral suppression. In HIV patients on INSTI-based ART regimens, virologic failure should be suspected prior to the current recommendation of 6 months. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Longitudinal analysis of sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic factors of HIV-infected individuals in Kinshasa at antiretroviral therapy initiation during 2006-2017

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259073
Author(s):  
Nadine Mayasi Ngongo ◽  
Gilles Darcis ◽  
Hippolyte Situakibanza Nanituna ◽  
Marcel Mbula Mambimbi ◽  
Nathalie Maes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Clinical Stage ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Disease ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Time To Initiation ◽  
Advanced Hiv Disease

Background The benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) underpin the recommendations for the early detection of HIV infection and ART initiation. Late initiation (LI) of antiretroviral therapy compromises the benefits of ART both individually and in the community. Indeed, it promotes the transmission of infection and higher HIV-related morbidity and mortality with complicated and costly clinical management. This study aims to analyze the evolutionary trends in the median CD4 count, the median time to initiation of ART, the proportion of patients with advanced HIV disease at the initiation of ART between 2006 and 2017 and their factors. Methods and findings HIV-positive adults (≥ 16 years old) who initiated ART between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2017 in 25 HIV care facilities in Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, were eligible. The data were processed anonymously. LI is defined as CD4≤350 cells/μl and/or WHO clinical stage III or IV and advanced HIV disease (AHD), as CD4≤200 cells/μl and/or stage WHO clinic IV. Factors associated with advanced HIV disease at ART initiation were analyzed, irrespective of year of enrollment in HIV care, using logistic regression models. A total of 7278 patients (55% admitted after 2013) with an average age of 40.9 years were included. The majority were composed of women (71%), highly educated women (68%) and married or widowed women (61%). The median CD4 was 213 cells/μl, 76.7% of patients had CD4≤350 cells/μl, 46.1% had CD4≤200 cells/μl, and 59% of patients were at WHO clinical stages 3 or 4. Men had a more advanced clinical stage (p <0.046) and immunosuppression (p<0.0007) than women. Overall, 70% of patients started ART late, and 25% had AHD. Between 2006 and 2017, the median CD4 count increased from 190 cells/μl to 331 cells/μl (p<0.0001), and the proportions of patients with LI and AHD decreased from 76% to 47% (p< 0.0001) and from 18.7% to 8.9% (p<0.0001), respectively. The median time to initiation of ART after screening for HIV infection decreased from 40 to zero months (p<0.0001), and the proportion of time to initiation of ART in the month increased from 39 to 93.3% (p<0.0001) in the same period. The probability of LI of ART was higher in married couples (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3–2.3) (p<0.0007) and lower in patients with higher education (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.64–0.86) (p<0.0001). Conclusion Despite increasingly rapid treatment, the proportions of LI and AHD remain high. New approaches to early detection, the first condition for early ART and a key to ending the HIV epidemic, such as home and work HIV testing, HIV self-testing and screening at the point of service, must be implemented.

scholarly journals Time From HIV Diagnosis to Viral Suppression: Survival Analysis of Statewide Surveillance Data in Alabama, 2012 to 2014 (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Scott Batey ◽  
Xueyuan Dong ◽  
Richard P Rogers ◽  
Anthony Merriweather ◽  
Latesha Elopre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Geographic Variability ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Global Estimate

BACKGROUND Evaluation of the time from HIV diagnosis to viral suppression (VS) captures the collective effectiveness of HIV prevention and treatment activities in a given locale and provides a more global estimate of how effectively the larger HIV care system is working in a given geographic area or jurisdiction. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate temporal and geographic variability in VS among persons with newly diagnosed HIV infection in Alabama between 2012 and 2014. METHODS With data from the National HIV Surveillance System, we evaluated median time from HIV diagnosis to VS (&lt;200 c/mL) overall and stratified by Alabama public health area (PHA) among persons with HIV diagnosed during 2012 to 2014 using the Kaplan-Meier approach. RESULTS Among 1979 newly diagnosed persons, 1181 (59.67%) achieved VS within 12 months of diagnosis; 52.6% (353/671) in 2012, 59.5% (377/634) in 2013, and 66.9% (451/674) in 2014. Median time from HIV diagnosis to VS was 8 months: 10 months in 2012, 8 months in 2013, and 6 months in 2014. Across 11 PHAs in Alabama, 12-month VS ranged from 45.8% (130/284) to 84% (26/31), and median time from diagnosis to VS ranged from 5 to 13 months. CONCLUSIONS Temporal improvement in persons achieving VS following HIV diagnosis statewide in Alabama is encouraging. However, considerable geographic variability warrants further evaluation to inform public health action. Time from HIV diagnosis to VS represents a meaningful indicator that can be incorporated into public health surveillance and programming.

scholarly journals Everything counts - a method to determine viral suppression among people living with HIV using longitudinal data for the HIV care continuum - results of two large, German, multi-center real-life cohort studies over 20 years (1999–2018)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Schmidt ◽  
◽  
Christian Kollan ◽  
Matthias Stoll ◽  
Osamah Hamouda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Gap Time

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to develop a standardized method to reconstruct persons’ individual viral load (VL) courses to determine viral suppression and duration of viremia for the HIV care continuum in Germany using longitudinal cohort data. Methods We analyzed data from two large, multi-center German cohort studies under the direction of the Robert Koch Institute. We included data from 1999 to 2018 of all diagnosed people and of people who initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART). We developed a model generating virtual VL values and an individual VL course corresponding to real VL measurements with a maximum distance of 180 days, considering ART status and VL dynamics. If the distance between VL measurements was > 180 days, the time between was defined as gap time. Additionally, we considered blips, which we defined as a single detectable VL < 1000 copies/ml within 180 days. Results A total of 22,120 people (164,691 person-years, PY) after ART initiation were included in the analyses. The proportion of people with viral suppression (VL < 50 copies/ml) increased from 34% in 1999 to 93% in 2018. The proportion of people with VL < 200 copies/ml increased from 47% in 1999 to 96% in 2018. The proportion of people with viremia > 1000 copies/ml decreased from 37% in 1999 to 3% in 2018. The proportion of people with gap time fluctuated and ranged between 18 and 28%. An analysis of the first VL after gap time showed that 90% showed viral suppression, 5% VL between 50- < 1000 copies/ml and 5% VL > 1000 copies/ml. Conclusion We provide a method for estimating viral suppression and duration of viremia using longitudinal VL data. We observed a continuous and remarkable increase of viral suppression. Furthermore, a notable proportion of those with viremia showed low-level viremia and were therefore unlikely to transmit HIV. Individual health risks and HIV drug resistance among those with low-level viremia are problematic, and viral suppression remains the goal. In 2018, 93 and 96% of people after ART initiation showed VL < 50 copies/ml and VL < 200 copies/ml, respectively. Therefore, using the threshold of VL < 200 copies/ml, Germany reached the UNAIDS 95 target of viral suppression since 2017.

scholarly journals Short-term outcomes of rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive patients: real-world experience from a single-centre retrospective cohort in Taiwan

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e033246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Chia Huang ◽  
Hsin-Yun Sun ◽  
Yu-Chung Chuang ◽  
Yu-Shan Huang ◽  
Kuan-Yin Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Real World ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Engagement In Care ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Art Initiation

ObjectivesRapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) engenders faster viral suppression but with suboptimal rates of durable viral suppression and engagement in care, as reported by clinical trials in resource-limited settings. Real-world experience with rapid ART initiation remains limited in resource-rich settings.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingA tertiary hospital in metropolitan Taipei, Taiwan.ParticipantsWe included 631 patients newly diagnosed as having HIV infection between March 2014 and July 2018.Main outcome measuresRapid ART initiation was defined as starting ART within 7 days after HIV diagnosis confirmation. HIV diagnosis, ART initiation and viral suppression dates and clinical outcome data were collected by reviewing medical records. The rates of loss to follow-up (LTFU), engagement in care and virological rebound at 12 months were compared between patients with rapid ART initiation and those with standard initiation.ResultsRapid ART initiation increased from 33.8% in 2014 to 68.3% in 2017, and the median interval between HIV diagnosis and viral suppression (HIV RNA load <200 copies/mL) decreased from 138 to 47 days. Patients with rapid ART initiation had a significantly higher rate of engagement in care at 12 months than did those with standard initiation (88.3% vs 79.0%; p=0.002). Patients aged <30 years had a higher risk of LTFU (HR: 2.19; 95% CI 1.20 to 3.98); and rapid ART initiation was associated with a lower risk of LTFU (HR: 0.41; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.83). Patients aged <30 years were more likely to acquire incident sexually transmitted infections (STIs) before achieving viral suppression.ConclusionsRapid ART initiation was associated with a higher rate of engagement in care at 12 months and shortened interval from diagnosis to HIV suppression. Delayed ART initiation may increase onwards HIV transmission considering the high rates of STIs.Ethics approvalThe study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of National Taiwan University Hospital (Registration No. 201003112R).

scholarly journals A Minority of Patients Newly Diagnosed with AIDS Are Started on Antiretroviral Therapy at the Time of Diagnosis in a Large Public Hospital in the Southeastern United States

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neela D. Goswami ◽  
Jonathan Colasanti ◽  
Jonathan J. Khoubian ◽  
Yijian Huang ◽  
Wendy S. Armstrong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
System Level ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Barriers To Art Initiation

Prompt antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation after AIDS diagnosis, in the absence of certain opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis and cryptococcal meningitis, delays disease progression and death, but system barriers to inpatient ART initiation at large hospitals in the era of modern ART have been less studied. We reviewed hospitalizations for persons newly diagnosed with AIDS at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia in 2011 and 2012. Individual- and system-level variables were collected. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for ART initiation prior to discharge. With Georgia Department of Health surveillance data, we estimated time to first clinic visit, ART initiation, and viral suppression. In the study population (n = 81), ART was initiated prior to discharge in 10 (12%) patients. Shorter hospital stay was significantly associated with lack of ART initiation at the time of HIV diagnosis (8 versus 24 days, OR: 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.25). Reducing barriers to ART initiation for newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients with short hospital stays may improve time to viral suppression.

scholarly journals Time From HIV Diagnosis to Viral Suppression: Survival Analysis of Statewide Surveillance Data in Alabama, 2012 to 2014

10.2196/17217 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. e17217 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Scott Batey ◽  
Xueyuan Dong ◽  
Richard P Rogers ◽  
Anthony Merriweather ◽  
Latesha Elopre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Geographic Variability ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Global Estimate

Background Evaluation of the time from HIV diagnosis to viral suppression (VS) captures the collective effectiveness of HIV prevention and treatment activities in a given locale and provides a more global estimate of how effectively the larger HIV care system is working in a given geographic area or jurisdiction. Objective This study aimed to evaluate temporal and geographic variability in VS among persons with newly diagnosed HIV infection in Alabama between 2012 and 2014. Methods With data from the National HIV Surveillance System, we evaluated median time from HIV diagnosis to VS (<200 c/mL) overall and stratified by Alabama public health area (PHA) among persons with HIV diagnosed during 2012 to 2014 using the Kaplan-Meier approach. Results Among 1979 newly diagnosed persons, 1181 (59.67%) achieved VS within 12 months of diagnosis; 52.6% (353/671) in 2012, 59.5% (377/634) in 2013, and 66.9% (451/674) in 2014. Median time from HIV diagnosis to VS was 8 months: 10 months in 2012, 8 months in 2013, and 6 months in 2014. Across 11 PHAs in Alabama, 12-month VS ranged from 45.8% (130/284) to 84% (26/31), and median time from diagnosis to VS ranged from 5 to 13 months. Conclusions Temporal improvement in persons achieving VS following HIV diagnosis statewide in Alabama is encouraging. However, considerable geographic variability warrants further evaluation to inform public health action. Time from HIV diagnosis to VS represents a meaningful indicator that can be incorporated into public health surveillance and programming.

scholarly journals Everything Counts -- A Method to Determine Viral Suppression Among People Living With Hiv Using Longitudinal Data for the Hiv Care Continuum. - Results of two large, German, multi-center real-life cohort studies over 20 years (1999-2018)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Schmidt ◽  
Christian Kollan ◽  
Matthias Stoll ◽  
Osamah Hamouda ◽  
Viviane Bremer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Gap Time

Abstract BackgroundThe aim of this study was to develop a standardized method to reconstruct persons' individual VL courses to determine viral suppression and duration of viremia for the HIV care continuum in Germany using longitudinal cohort data.MethodsWe analyzed data from two large, multi-center German cohort studies under the direction of the Robert Koch Institute. We included data from 1999-2018 of all diagnosed people and of people who initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART). We developed a model generating virtual VL values and an individual VL course corresponding to real VL measurements with a maximum distance of 180 days, considering ART status and VL dynamics. If the distance between VL measurements was >180 days, the time between was defined as gap time. Additionally, we considered blips, which we defined as a single detectable VL <1,000 copies/ml within 180 days.ResultsA total of 22,120 people (164,691 person-years, PY) after ART initiation were included in the analyses. The proportion of people with viral suppression (VL <50 copies/ml) increased from 34% in 1999 to 93% in 2018. The proportion of people with VL <200 copies/ml increased from 47% in 1999 to 96% in 2018. The proportion of people with viremia >1,000 copies/ml decreased from 37% in 1999 to 3% in 2018. The proportion of people with gap time fluctuated and ranged between 18% and 28%. An analysis of the first VL after gap time showed that 90% showed viral suppression, 5% VL between 50-<1,000 copies/ml and 5% VL >1,000 copies/ml.ConclusionWe provide a method for estimating viral suppression and duration of viremia using longitudinal VL data. We observed a continuous and remarkable increase of viral suppression. Furthermore, a notable proportion of those with viremia showed low-level viremia and were therefore unlikely to transmit HIV. Individual health risks and HIV drug resistance among those with low-level viremia are problematic, and viral suppression remains the goal. In 2018, 93% and 96% of people after ART initiation showed VL <50 copies/ml and VL <200 copies/ml, respectively. Therefore, using the threshold of VL <200 copies/ml, Germany reached the UNAIDS 95 target of viral suppression since 2017.

scholarly journals Everything Counts -- A Method To Determine Viral Suppression Among People Living With Hiv Using Longitudinal Data For The Hiv Care Continuum. - Results Of Two Large, German, Multi-Center Real-Life Cohort Studies Over 20 Years (1999-2018)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Schmidt ◽  
Christian Kollan ◽  
Matthias Stoll ◽  
Osamah Hamouda ◽  
Viviane Bremer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Gap Time

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to develop a standardized method to reconstruct persons' individual VL courses to determine viral suppression and duration of viremia for the HIV care continuum in Germany using data longitudinal cohort data. Methods We analyzed data from two large, multi-center German cohort studies under the direction of the Robert Koch Institute. We included data from 1998 to 2018 of all diagnosed people and of people who initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART). We developed a model generating virtual VL points and an individual VL course corresponding to real VL measurements with a maximum distance of 180 days, considering ART status and VL dynamics. If the distance between VL measurements was > 180 days, the time between was defined as gap-time. Additionally, we considered blips, which we defined as a single detectable VL < 1,000 copies/ml within 180 days. Results A total of 22,120 people (164,691 person-years, PY) after ART initiation were included in the analyses. The proportion of people with viral suppression (VL < 50 copies/ml) increased from 34% in 1999 to 93% in 2018. The proportion of people with VL < 200 copies/ml increased from 47% in 1999 to 96% in 2018. The proportion of people with viremia > 1,000 copies/ml decreased from 37% in 1999 to 3% in 2018. The proportion of people with gap-time fluctuated and ranged between 18% and 28%. An analysis of the first VL after gap-time showed that 90% showed viral suppression, 5% VL between 50-<1,000 copies/ml and 5% VL > 1,000 copies/ml. Conclusion We provide a method for estimating viral suppression and duration of viremia using longitudinal VL data. We observed a continuous and remarkable increase of viral suppression. Furthermore, a notable proportion of those with viremia showed low-level viremia and were therefore unlikely to transmit HIV. Individual health risks and HIV drug resistance among those with low-level viremia are problematic, and viral suppression remains the goal. In 2018, 93% and 96% of people after ART initiation showed VL < 50 copies/ml and VL < 200 copies/ml, respectively. Therefore, using the threshold of VL < 200 copies/ml, Germany reached the UNAIDS 95 target of viral suppression since 2017.

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