Table 1 Summary of baseline characteristics and deferral strategies from randomized controlled trials comparing deferred vs immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in ART-naïve HIV+ persons
From: When to start antiretroviral therapy: the need for an evidence base during early HIV infection
Study (reference) | Sample size | Median baseline CD4 count (cells/μl) | Deferral strategy | Median CD4 count (cells/μl) at ART initiation in the deferred arm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SMART [29] | 249 | 437 | ART deferred until: | 245 |
1. CD4 declined to <250 cells/μl | ||||
2. CD4 percentage declined to <15% | ||||
3. Symptoms of HIV disease developed | ||||
CIPRA HT-001 [30] | 816 | 281 | ART deferred until: | 166 |
1. CD4 declined to ≤200 cells/μl | ||||
2. AIDS-defining illness developed | ||||
HPTN 052 [9] | 1,761 | 428 | ART deferred until: | 299 |
1. CD4 declined to ≤250 cells/μl | ||||
2. AIDS-defining illness developed |