Estimating the effect of antiretroviral treatment during HIV seroconversion: impact of confounding in observational data.

摘要: OBJECTIVE: To assess whether treatment with antiretroviral drugs within the first 3 months of infection HIV affects medium-term health outcomes. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from 20 cohorts in Europe and Australia were used Concerted Action on SeroConversion to AIDS Death (CASCADE). Analysis was restricted persons seroconverting 1988-1998 who started or 1-2 years seroconversion. The relationship between times low CD4 count, death time initiation estimated using proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Seroconversion illness more common those began (73%) than post-seroconversion (33%). Subjects receiving early had counts 350 cells/microL no prior diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: On basis these analyses, effect during seroconversion is uncertain. It may result lower rates progression compared starting at years, but group a similar even higher incidence events over Estimates are probably confounded number factors, including, particular, reasons for initiation.