March 29, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University Medical Center’s AIDS Clinical Trials Unit is conducting a study to determine whether people with HIV have less risk of developing AIDS if they begin taking certain medications sooner. The new study, known as the Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment (START) clinical trial, is designed to provide evidence of the risk and benefits of early antiretroviral treatment to determine the best time to begin medication.
The launch of the START trial follows the successful completion of a pilot study involving more than 1,000 participants. The study is being conducted in 30 countries including many sites across the U.S. It will enroll 4,000 HIV-infected men and women 18 years of age and older.
Although START will primarily look at major health outcomes associated with immediate and deferred antiretroviral therapy, the study will also examine HIV transmission risk behaviors, treatment adherence, drug resistance, health care utilization and the cost of care.
For more information visit www.medicalcenter.osu.edu/go/actu or contact Michael McDonald at 614-293-6725 or Michael.McDonald@osumc.edu.
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Jennifer Mutchler
Medical Center Public Affairs and Media Relations
614-293-3737