The effect of race/ethnicity on the outcome of highly active antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients

Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Dec 15;35(12):1541-8. doi: 10.1086/344769. Epub 2002 Dec 3.

Abstract

We performed a population-based cohort study to assess the impact of nonwhite origin on the outcome of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for a Danish cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. A total of 389 whites and 135 nonwhites started receiving HAART before 1 April 2001. After 1 year of treatment, 78% of nonwhites and 76% of whites achieved a virus load of <500 HIV RNA copies/mL. No major differences were found between the 2 groups with respect to achievement of a virus load of <500 copies/mL (relative risk [RR], 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-1.18), risk of clinical progression (RR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.32-1.24), or response measured by total CD4+ cell count. One year after fulfilling Danish recommendations for initiation of HAART, 91% of nonwhites and 93% of whites had started receiving HAART. Race and ethnic origin play no major role in the outcome associated with HAART if access to health care is free.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / ethnology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents