HIV-1 Plasma RNA level and CD4 cell count in a large urban HIV-1-infected patient population from 1997 to 2000

We evaluated the change in plasma HIV-1 RNA level and CD4 cell counts in an HIV-1-infected population between 1997 and 2000. Both the mean and the median values of plasma HIV-1 RNA level decreased with time with the exception of 1998. The mean and medians for CD4 cell count appear to be fairly stable. While the percentage of patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA level <400 copies/mL increased from 29.12% in 1997 to 41.31% in 2000, the percentage of patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA level >100,000 copies/mL remained fairly constant. The availability of HAART had impacted the level of plasma HIV-1 RNA, although many patients still have plasma HIV-1 RNA level >100,000 copies/mL. Most patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA level >400 copies/mL in 1997 still have plasma HIV-1 RNA level >400 copies/mL in 2000. These laboratory findings, however, do not necessarily mean that there had been a lack of clinical benefit.