Immunodeficiency Linked to Excess Risk for Hospitalization Despite Long-Term Viral Suppression

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) generally results in good long-term viral suppression, but immune recovery (as defined by CD4 cell counts) is more variable, with uncertain clinical outcomes. Researchers for the NA-ACCORD group utilized data from six North American cohorts to assess risk for hospitalization among 6997 HIV-positive patients (81% cisgender men, 40% white) with good viral suppression for >1 year (i.e., HIV RNA <400 copies/mL) stratified by early (years 2–5) or long-term (years 6–11) viral suppression and lowest pretreatment CD4 count (<200 or >200 cells/mm³). Adjusted hospitalization incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) were calculated, with each patient followed until virologic failure, loss to follow-up, death, or study end.

For patient…