Majority of Patients Initiating HAART with Low CD4 Counts Will Still Experience Good Immunological and Virological Responses

The aim of the current study was to investigate the characteristics and clinical, immunological and virological outcomes for individuals presenting for care with low CD4 cell counts.

Individuals aged > 16 years presenting for care for the first time were identified between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2002. Late presenters were those with CD4 cell count < 50x106 cells/l. Follow-up was until last contact, death or December 31, 2002.

Results

Late presenters formed 15.3% (110) of the group; they were more likely to be female (35% versus 24%), heterosexual (53% versus 38%), and of Black-African ethnicity (39% versus 27%) than other individuals.

Over a median follow-up of 2.5 years, 13% of late presenters died. Ninety-nine patients started antiretroviral treatment; Of the 11 patients who did not start antiretroviral treatment, eight died within 3 months of presentation.

Among those starting treatment, 87 (87.9%) achieved a viral load < 400 copies/ml and median CD4 cell counts increased from 43 x 106 cells/l at 0-2 months after presentation to 204 x 106 cells/l at 1 year.

Over the first year, 71 patients attended at least one outpatient visit (median, 4.5; range, 0-39), 21 attended at least one-day case visit (median, 0; range, 0-15) and 49 were admitted as an inpatient (median, 0; range, 0-4).

Conclusions

The authors write in conclusion, “Those presenting for care with very low CD4 cell counts may make large demands on clinical resources, particularly over the first few months.”

“While some patients do have a poor outcome on highly active antiretroviral therapy, many will benefit from this therapy and will experience good immunological and virological responses.”

11/24/04