Survival Rates After HAART in Botswana
Author Information
Author(s): Bisson Gregory P., Gaolathe Tendani, Gross Robert, Rollins Caitlin, Bellamy Scarlett, Mogorosi Mpho, Avalos Ava, Friedman Harvey, Dickinson Diana, Frank Ian, Ndwapi Ndwapi
Primary Institution: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Hypothesis
How do losses to follow-up affect survival estimates and risk factors for death after HAART initiation?
Conclusion
High rates of death among patients lost to follow-up after HAART suggest that survival rates may be underestimated and important risk factors for death may be overlooked.
Supporting Evidence
- 58.8% of patients initially categorized as lost were confirmed dead after tracing.
- Patient tracing revealed a significantly lower survival rate after HAART initiation.
- Men had a significantly increased risk of death after HAART compared to women.
Takeaway
When people stop going to their HIV treatment appointments, we might think they're okay, but many of them might actually be very sick or have died. Finding them can help us understand how well the treatment is working.
Methodology
A cohort study comparing clinical outcomes and risk factors for death after HAART initiation before and after tracing patients lost to follow-up.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in survival estimates and risk factors due to informative censoring of patients lost to follow-up.
Limitations
Reasons for losses to follow-up were not formally explored, and some patients remained lost despite tracing efforts.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 37 years, 60% female, 88% treatment naïve.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
0.88–0.94 before tracing, 0.79–0.86 after tracing
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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