Duration of Viral Suppression in Patients on Stable Therapy for HIV-1 Infection Is Predicted by Plasma HIV RNA Level After 1 Month of Treatment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of HIV RNA levels after 1 month of therapy on the long-term virologic outcome in an unselected general population of HIV-infected patients. Design: Analysis was conducted retrospectively on an ongoing clinical cohort of HIV-positive patients who were receiving antiretroviral treatment. Data on 575 patients were analyzed. Results: The HIV RNA value at 1 month was significantly correlated with the virologic outcome after 12 and 24 months of therapy (R = 0.258 and R = 0.44, respectively). The predictive value of the 1-month viral load was also statistically significant after stratification for baseline CD4 T-cell counts. Prediction was similar in highly compromised patients (CD4 ≤100 cells/μl; R = 0.426; p = .001) or in patients with a better immunologic status (R = 0.419; p < .0001). It retained validity in patients who were naive or experienced for antiretroviral therapy. Conclusion: HIV RNA level after 1 month of therapy is a useful prognostic marker in HIV-infected patients. It predicts long-term virologic and immunologic outcome. A cutoff level of 5000 copies/ml identifies patients most likely to fail current therapy. In these patients, a more aggressive strategy or specific diagnostic interventions to clarify the relative influence of viral resistance and/or subtherapeutic regimens is advised.