World AIDS Day

Leadership from REPRIEVE: Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV, would like to recognize World AIDS Day as a time to remember those we have lost to HIV/AIDS and also recognize the progress that has been made to help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.

For those living with HIV the outlook regarding life expectancy is more positive than ever. In fact, it is more likely that a person living with HIV in the developed world will die from a non-HIV related condition such as heart disease or cancer than an HIV-related cause. Heart disease is of particular interest right now as the risk of developing heart disease (including heart attack and stroke) is 1.5 to 2.0 times greater among people living with HIV compared to those without HIV. The REPRIEVE trial will be the largest trial focused on the prevention of heart disease as well as other non-HIV related conditions such as cancer and kidney disease. REPRIEVE will test whether a daily dose of a statin (pitavastatin) will reduce the risk of heart disease and death among HIV-infected individuals who are currently taking antiretroviral therapy and who may or may not be recommended for statins – according to the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines.

By proactively addressing these non-HIV related health issues, the REPRIEVE trial may have the potential to ensure not only longer lives for the HIV community but also to increase the quality of life among those living with HIV.

REPRIEVE is currently enrolling participants at over 100 sites in the United States and abroad. For more details about this landmark trial, please visit the website at www.reprievetrial.org