A Study of Two Methods of Determining When to Begin or Change Anti-HIV Treatment

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES (NIAID) · Aug 30, 2001

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Although changing therapies is a common strategy in the treatment of HIV disease, guidelines are needed to help clinicians and patients decide when a change in antiretroviral therapy is indicated. The technology of measuring HIV RNA in plasma has been suggested as a tool for monitoring clinical drug efficacy. However, uncertainty remains about whether aggressive antiretroviral treatment to lower HIV RNA and maintain low levels for as long as possible will confer clinical benefit in comparison with management based on monitoring CD4 counts and HIV-related symptoms.

Patients are randomized t...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria
• Patients must have:
• • HIV infection.
• • CD4 count \<= 300 cells/mm3.
• • NO stage 2 or worse AIDS dementia complex.
• • Life expectancy of at least 6 months.
• • Reasonably good health.
• • age \>= 13yrs.
• • signed informed consent.
• • Exclusion Criteria
• Co-existing Condition:
• Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:
• • Disorders or conditions that may prevent adequate compliance with study requirements.
• Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded:
• • Stage 2 \>= AIDS dementia complex.