Stopping ART Does Not Improve Quality of Life

Self-reported quality-of-life scores did not change significantly after treatment interruption among HIV-infected patients with immune preservation.

Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens have been associated with numerous side effects, prompting efforts to evaluate treatment-interruption strategies. In ACTG 5170, prolonged treatment interruption was well tolerated in study participants, all of whom had nadir CD4 counts >350 cells/mm³ (AIDS Clin Care May 25 2007). Now, researchers have examined quality-of-life (QOL) and metabolic outcomes among these same patients. ART was restarted if desired by the patient or the provider.

A total of 167 HIV-infected patients on ART (median duration, 4.5 years) were included in this single-arm, prospective study. Median baseline and nadir CD4 counts at study entry were 833 and 436 cells/mm³, respectively. By week 96, 17 of the patients had c…

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

Stopping ART Does Not Improve Quality of Life

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Reviewing Author