Understanding clinical outcome measures reported in HIV pregnancy studies involving antiretroviral-naive and antiretroviral-experienced women

Abstract

HIV infection is a clinically significant public health disease and contributes to increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. HIV pregnancy studies use outcome measures as metrics to show how people with HIV feel, function, or survive. These endpoints are crucial for tracking the evolution of HIV illness over time, assessing the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and comparing outcomes across studies. Although the need for ideal outcome measures is widely acknowledged, selecting acceptable outcome measures for these HIV pregnancy studies can be challenging. We discuss the many outcome measures that have been implemented over time to assess HIV in pregnancy studies, their benefits, and drawbacks. Finally, we offer suggestions for improving the reporting of outcome measures in HIV in pregnancy studies. Medical professionals can best care for pregnant women living with HIV receiving ART by having a thorough understanding of these outcome metrics.