The purpose of this study is to find out if starting anti-retroviral therapy (ART) above 500 cluster-of-differentiation-4 (CD4)+ cells/milliliter (mL) ('early ART group') is better at reducing the stiffness of arteries than waiting to start ART until the CD4+ drops below 350 cells/mL ('deferred ART group'). Artery stiffness has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease, and could be useful as an earlier indicator of heart disease. In this study, the stiffness of arteries will be measured at study entry, months 4, 8, 12, and annually thereafter, using a tonometer on the participant's forearm.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
337
Henry Ford Health System
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Change from baseline in large artery elasticity (LAE
Large artery elasticity is measured using a tonometer placed on the forearm.
Time frame: baseline, Months 1, 4, 8, 12, annually thereafter
Change from baseline in small artery elasticity (SAE)
Small artery elasticity is measured using a tonometer placed on the forearm.
Time frame: baseline, Months 1, 4, 8, 12, annually thereafter
Changes in plasma markers of thrombosis and fibrinolysis
Citrated plasma will be collected and stored for central measurement of plasma markers of thrombosis and fibrinolysis in the future.
Time frame: baseline, months 4, 8, 12, annually thereafter
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