Abstract
Initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) as early as the day of HIV diagnosis is a strategy of increasing global interest to control the HIV epidemic and optimize the health of people living with HIV (PLWH). No detrimental effects of rapid-start ART have been identified in randomized controlled trials undertaken in low- or middle-income countries, or in cohort studies performed in high-income countries. Rapid-start ART may be a key approach in reaching the 2020 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS goal of 90% of all PLWH knowing their status, 90% of those diagnosed receiving sustained ART, and 90% of those receiving ART achieving viral suppression; it may also be important for achieving the suggested fourth “90%” goal: improving health-related quality-of-life in PLWH. Presently there is insufficient broad evidence for guidelines to recommend universal test-and-treat strategies for all people, in all settings, at HIV diagnosis; consequently, there is a pressing need to conduct high-quality studies that investigate immediate ART initiation. This article evaluates global evidence regarding rapid-start ART, including same-day start, with particular focus on the implementation of this strategy in high-income countries.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 3-11 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | HIV Medicine |
Volume | 20 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2019 |
Keywords
- antiretroviral therapy
- HIV diagnosis
- initiation
- rapid start
- treatment guidelines
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Policy
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology (medical)