Major Decline in CD4-Cell Count in Virally Suppressed Patients Signals Threat to Health

In a cohort of HIV-infected patients on ART with suppressed viral load, sustained CD4-cell count declines were associated with increased risk for morbidity and death.

Although most HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) experience increased or at least stable CD4-cell counts, the clinical effect of declines in CD4-cell counts while on suppressive ART has not been well studied. To assess the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and death associated with CD4-cell count declines, investigators analyzed data from patients enrolled in the Danish HIV Cohort Study who had suppressed viral loads (<400 copies/mL) for ≥8 months and, while virally suppressed, had at least five CD4-cell counts at intervals ≥2 months. Major CD4-cell count decline was defined as two consecutive relative declines of >15%.

During a mean follow-up of 4.7 years, 56 of the 2854 patients (2%) experienced major CD4-ce…

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

Major Decline in CD4-Cell Count in Virally Suppressed Patients Signals Threat to Health

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Reviewing Author