Early HIV treatment can reduce death rates

Swiss scientists say they’ve determined early treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus reduces death rates in African countries.

Researchers led by University of Berne Professor Matthias Egger said they found mortality rates of people starting HIV treatment in four African countries approach those of the general population over time — provided treatment is started before the immune system has been severely damaged.

In sub-Saharan Africa more than 2 million people with HIV now receive anti-retroviral treatment and mortality in HIV-infected patients who have access to that treatment is declining.

In the new study, Egger and colleagues investigated how mortality among HIV-infected people starting anti-retroviral treatment compares with non-HIV related mortality in Cote d’Ivoire, Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

The researchers said their findings indicate mortality among HIV-infected people during the first two years of treatment is higher than in the general population in the four sub-Saharan countries. However, for patients who start anti-retroviral treatment when they have no signs of advanced HIV disease, the excess mortality is moderate and similar to that associated with diabetes.

The research appears in the journal PLoS Medicine.