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Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is better tolerated now than it was a decade ago, but drug toxicity still leads to many regimen switches. In a new analysis from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study, investigators evaluated the frequency and reasons for modifying first-line therapy, as well as the consequences. Treatment modification was defined as switching or discontinuing any drug in an initial regimen within the first year.
The analysis involved 1318 patients (73% men, 76% white) who started their first combination ART regimen between 2005 and mid-2008. During the study, the median CD4 count at the time of treatment initiation increased from 198 cells/mm3 in 2005 to 273 cells/mm3 in 2008, reflecting a change in treatment guidelines.
A total of 391 pati…