Loading...
Continuous retention in care and viral suppression for those with HIV is, increasingly, recognized as a challenge. Investigators in British Columbia, Canada, analyzed population-level treatment data in their province, where HIV patients have access to free in- and outpatient care and antiretroviral therapy (ART). All persons age 19 and older initiating ART therapy between 1996 and 2015 were included in the analysis. The investigators analyzed prescription pick-up data, CD4 counts, and viral load values.
Of 8110 individuals, 3129 (38.6%) interrupted ART at least once for ≥90 days, totaling 6549 off-ART episodes. A median of one interruption occurred 12.8 months after ART initiation and lasted 7.5 months. The proportion of persons interrupting…