Outcomes of Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Georgia

Since 2004, Georgia achieved universal access to free antiretroviral therapy (ART). A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of Georgia's ART program. The study included adult patients enrolled in the ART program from 2004 through 2009. Of 752 patients, 76% were men,...

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Main Authors: Tengiz Tsertsvadze, Nikoloz Chkhartishvili, Lali Sharvadze, Natia Dvali, Otar Chokoshvili, Pati Gabunia, Akaki Abutidze, Kenrad Nelson, Jack DeHovitz, Carlos del Rio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2011-01-01
Series:AIDS Research and Treatment
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/621078
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author Tengiz Tsertsvadze
Nikoloz Chkhartishvili
Lali Sharvadze
Natia Dvali
Otar Chokoshvili
Pati Gabunia
Akaki Abutidze
Kenrad Nelson
Jack DeHovitz
Carlos del Rio
author_facet Tengiz Tsertsvadze
Nikoloz Chkhartishvili
Lali Sharvadze
Natia Dvali
Otar Chokoshvili
Pati Gabunia
Akaki Abutidze
Kenrad Nelson
Jack DeHovitz
Carlos del Rio
author_sort Tengiz Tsertsvadze
collection DOAJ
description Since 2004, Georgia achieved universal access to free antiretroviral therapy (ART). A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of Georgia's ART program. The study included adult patients enrolled in the ART program from 2004 through 2009. Of 752 patients, 76% were men, 60% were injection drug users (IDU), 59% had a history of an AIDS-defining illness, and 53% were coinfected with hepatitis C. The median baseline CD4 cell count was 141 cells/mm3. During followup, 152 (20%) patients died, with the majority of deaths occurring within 12 months of ART initiation. Mortality was associated with advanced immunodeficiency or the presence of incurable disease at baseline. Among patients remaining on treatment, the median CD4 gain was 216 cell/mm3 and 86% of patients had viral load <400 copies/ml at the last clinical visit. The Georgia ART program has been successful in treating injection drug users infected with HIV.
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spelling doaj-art-e252aa01946544ad876d875187a39efb2025-08-20T03:20:59ZengWileyAIDS Research and Treatment2090-12402090-12592011-01-01201110.1155/2011/621078621078Outcomes of Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in GeorgiaTengiz Tsertsvadze0Nikoloz Chkhartishvili1Lali Sharvadze2Natia Dvali3Otar Chokoshvili4Pati Gabunia5Akaki Abutidze6Kenrad Nelson7Jack DeHovitz8Carlos del Rio9Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center (IDACIRC), 16 Al. Kazbegi Avenue, Tbilisi 0160, GeorgiaInfectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center (IDACIRC), 16 Al. Kazbegi Avenue, Tbilisi 0160, GeorgiaInfectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center (IDACIRC), 16 Al. Kazbegi Avenue, Tbilisi 0160, GeorgiaInfectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center (IDACIRC), 16 Al. Kazbegi Avenue, Tbilisi 0160, GeorgiaInfectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center (IDACIRC), 16 Al. Kazbegi Avenue, Tbilisi 0160, GeorgiaInfectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center (IDACIRC), 16 Al. Kazbegi Avenue, Tbilisi 0160, GeorgiaInfectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center (IDACIRC), 16 Al. Kazbegi Avenue, Tbilisi 0160, GeorgiaDepartment of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, W6508, Baltimore, MD 21205, USADepartment of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Box 1240 Brooklyn, NY 11203, USAHubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE Room 754, Atlanta, GA 30322, USASince 2004, Georgia achieved universal access to free antiretroviral therapy (ART). A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of Georgia's ART program. The study included adult patients enrolled in the ART program from 2004 through 2009. Of 752 patients, 76% were men, 60% were injection drug users (IDU), 59% had a history of an AIDS-defining illness, and 53% were coinfected with hepatitis C. The median baseline CD4 cell count was 141 cells/mm3. During followup, 152 (20%) patients died, with the majority of deaths occurring within 12 months of ART initiation. Mortality was associated with advanced immunodeficiency or the presence of incurable disease at baseline. Among patients remaining on treatment, the median CD4 gain was 216 cell/mm3 and 86% of patients had viral load <400 copies/ml at the last clinical visit. The Georgia ART program has been successful in treating injection drug users infected with HIV.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/621078
spellingShingle Tengiz Tsertsvadze
Nikoloz Chkhartishvili
Lali Sharvadze
Natia Dvali
Otar Chokoshvili
Pati Gabunia
Akaki Abutidze
Kenrad Nelson
Jack DeHovitz
Carlos del Rio
Outcomes of Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Georgia
AIDS Research and Treatment
title Outcomes of Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Georgia
title_full Outcomes of Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Georgia
title_fullStr Outcomes of Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Georgia
title_full_unstemmed Outcomes of Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Georgia
title_short Outcomes of Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Georgia
title_sort outcomes of universal access to antiretroviral therapy art in georgia
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/621078
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