NIH study seeks to determine proper start time for antiretroviral treatments

A new study led by members of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 30 countries will aim to discover the most effective time during disease progression for HIV patients to begin antiretroviral treatments.

Current U.S. recommendations call for HIV-positive individuals to start using antiretrovirals when their levels of CD4+ T-cells fall below 500 per cubic millimeters (cells/mm) of blood, but there is no worldwide consensus on these guidelines.

Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment will involve 4,000 infected men and women who have not yet received treatment and have CD4 counts above 500 cells/mm. One group will receive antiretrovirals at the onset of the study, while the other half of participants will defer treatment until their CD4 prevalence is below 350 cells/mm.

The researchers said that they believe it is important to understand whether earlier therapies can lower HIV patients' risk of developing AIDS, contribute to additional health conditions or create resistance to treatment.

Study findings will be analyzed after a period of five years.

Individuals who would like to be screened for HIV may consider using online testing services to determine their status.