Early HIV diagnosis and treatment important for better long-term health outcomes

Starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) early in the course of HIV infection when the immune system is stronger results in better long-term health outcomes compared with delaying ART, according to findings presented at the IDWeek Conference in Washington, D.C. The findings are based on an extended follow-up of participants in the National Institutes of Health-funded Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment (START) study. In 2015, START demonstrated a 57% reduced risk of AIDS and serious non-AIDS health outcomes, such as major cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and liver disease, among people who began ART earlier compared to those who delayed treatment. The new findings---based on five years of following the study participants---found that although the risk of serious health outcomes substantially diminished soon after ART was initiated in participants who initially had been placed in the study's deferred treatment group, some excess risk remained compared to the immediate ART group. Specifically, the deferred ART group had a 21% greater risk of serious health consequences or death compared to the immediate treatment group. These findings confirm that ART significantly improves the health of an individual with HIV and reduces the person's risk of developing AIDS and serious health issues, and that early diagnosis and treatment are key to maximizing these benefits and reducing risk, according to the presenters.   Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact Subscriber Help. This service is provided to you at no charge by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).                             This email was sent to myhcistech.healthnews360@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 5601 Fishers Lane · Bethesda, MD 20892 · 1-866-284-4107