title: Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy: the current best way to reduce liver-related deaths in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients.
abstract: Approximately 25% to 35% of HIV-infected persons in developed countries are coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV liver disease is accelerated by HIV coinfection, especially at low CD4 cell counts. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) dramatically reduces HIV-related mortality, and liver disease has emerged as a major cause of death in HIV/HCV-coinfected persons. Anti-HCV therapy with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin can cure HCV infection in up to 40% of coinfected patients; however, only approximately 10% of coinfected patients are considered candidates. Hence, HCV therapy cures approximately 4% of coinfected patients. Eleven cohort studies have shown that HAART is associated with a reduced rate of progression of HCV liver disease, and 4 of these studies have demonstrated a reduction in liver-related mortality. Although offering HCV therapy to the few eligible HIV/HCV-coinfected patients is important, early initiation of HAART in coinfected patients has a greater public health impact in reducing liver-related mortality than in curing HCV infection in approximately 4% of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, University of Alberta, 8440-112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. sshafran@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shafran
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin