Long-term statin use does not act on the temporal trend of CD4 cell count in patients on virologically effective HAART.

Pleiotropic features are attributed to statins and fibrates, and effects on laboratory markers of HIV disease progression have been claimed. To assess whether statins/fibrates have long-term effects on the immune recovery of patients on virologically effective HAART, a prospective, comparative study was conducted on 267 dyslipidemic patients treated with either statins, fibrates, or on a dietary exercise programme only. Quarterly assessment of CD4 cell counts showed no differences between groups, thus excluding in-vivo negative immunological effects during effective HAART.