HIV study shows benefits of early antiretroviral therapy

The sooner HIV-infected people start antiretroviral therapy, the better their chances of developing non-infection-related diseases

The sooner HIV-infected people start antiretroviral therapy, the better. This is the result of the international "Start" study (Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment), which was presented on Wednesday in the USA. By taking the medication early, not only reduces the risk of developing diseases associated with the infection, also the risk of infection for healthy sexual partners is lower, the researchers reported.

Antiretroviral therapy reduces HI viral load in the blood
Early onset of antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces HIV mortality, the study suggests. "We now have clear evidence that early onset of antiretroviral therapy has significantly greater health benefits for HIV-infected individuals than late-onset treatment," said Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (NIAID). "In addition, early therapy has a double benefit. Not only does it improve the health of those affected, it also reduces the risk of HIV transmission to others by reducing viral load. These findings have global implications for the treatment of HIV. "Early intervention reduces the risk of developing disease-related diseases. "This is an important milestone in HIV research," said Jens Lundgren of the University of Copenhagen, who was involved in the "Start" study.

Antiretroviral therapy reduces the risk of HIV transmission
The susceptibility of the immediately treated HIV-infected people to infections was reduced by more than half (53 percent) compared to the control group, whose participants started antiretroviral therapy only at a later stage when their immune system was already weakened. The researchers involved in the study are therefore calling for antiretroviral therapies for anyone with HIV. The treatment not only improves the health of those affected, but also reduces the risk of HIV transmission. It is estimated that around 35 million people worldwide are affected by HIV, but only around 13 million have access to early treatment.

The "Start" study looked at 4,685 HIV-infected men and women aged 18 to 36 from 35 countries. About half of them had just received the HIV diagnosis at the beginning of the study, the others were already at a later stage of the disease. The results of the "Start" study were apparently so convincing that they could now be discontinued one year before the planned end. (Ag)