Many studies report trends in clinical outcomes of persons receiving HIV care in the U.S., but few have been specifically designed to be nationally representative. This is an important distinction as researchers strive to continue to make improvements in care and outcomes for all people living with HIV in the U.S. NA-ACCORD (North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design) is the largest cohort of HIV-infected adults in North America, with more than 100,000 patients enrolled.
Researchers pooled and analyzed NA-ACCORD data on approximately 45,000 U.S. patients from 2000 - 2008 to determine its utility in monitoring trends in the HIV epidemic, HIV treatment, and related health outcomes.
They found that participants in NA-ACCORD were demographically similar to all U.S. persons living with HIV infection. An analysis of data showed that the percentage of U.S. participants in clinical care who were prescribed HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) increased, as did the percentage of all patients who achieved a suppressed HIV viral load.
At the same time, the media CD4 cell count at death increased. The researchers conclude that data from NA-ACCORD can inform progress toward national HIV goals.