Setting: A large human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinic in South Africa.
Objective: To examine the effect of initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) on CD4 and viral response at different time periods during anti-tuberculosis treatment (<14 days, 15-60 days, or ≥60 days) using prospectively collected clinical data.
Methods: Cohort data analysis for 1499 patients with tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection classified according to timing of ART after the initiation of anti-tuberculosis treatment.
Results: In adjusted modified Poisson regression models, CD4 and viral responses showed no significant differences according to timing of ART initiation (failure to increase CD4 by 6 months, <14 days vs. >60 days: RR 1.02, 95%CI 0.85-1.22; 15-60 days vs. >60 days: RR 1.00, 95%CI 0.86-1.15; failure to suppress virus by 6 months, <14 days vs. >60 days: RR 0.98, 95%CI 0.59-1.63; 15-60 days vs. >60 days: RR 0.96, 95%CI 0.66-1.41 and viral rebound at 12 months, 14 days vs. >60 days: RR 1.43, 95%CI 0.50-4.12; 15-60 days vs. >60 days: RR 1.14, 95%CI 0.39-3.34). Similar estimates were found in analysis restricted to patients with severe immunosuppression.
Conclusion: Concerns over the overlapping impact of anti-tuberculosis treatment with ART on ART response should not be a reason for delaying ART in patients with HIV-associated TB.