Early Mortality After ART Initiation

In Uganda, 14% of those who started ART died within the first year, mostly from HIV-related causes; only 5% of those deaths were attributable to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

High rates of early mortality are a consistent feature of antiretroviral therapy (ART) rollout programs in Africa, despite otherwise impressive reductions in morbidity and mortality. Advanced HIV disease at treatment initiation (as reflected by low CD4-cell counts) is likely the cause of many of these deaths, but immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) could also play a role.

In the present study, investigators evaluated mortality rates and causes of death among 559 patients in urban Uganda (69% women) who started ART between April 2004 and April 2005 (74% received nevirapine + d4T + 3TC; 26% received efavirenz + AZT + 3TC). About 90% of study participants had WHO stage 3 or 4 HIV disease; the median CD4 count was 98 cells/mm³, an…

Reviewing Author

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Early Mortality After ART Initiation

Topics

Reviewing Author