(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- HIV-infected patients involved in a stable relationship may live longer, according to new research.

Swiss researchers followed nearly 4,000 HIV-positive adults who started highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART, prior to 2002. HAART is a combination therapy that is designed to inhibit the virus' replication. Every six months, the study's patients were asked whether they had sexual intercourse with a stable partner.

When starting HAART, 52 percent of participants said they were in a stable relationship. After five years, this number decreased to 46 percent. Results show a stable relationship was associated with a slower rate of disease progression and an increase in CD4 blood cell count and viral suppression. CD4 blood cells are found on the surface of T4 cells and are the receptor for HIV. Researchers also found that sicker patients are no more likely to discontinue stable relationships because of the severity of their disease.

Past studies have already shown that when people with HIV have social support, their CD4 cell count declines slower, they respond better to treatment, and they reduce their risk behaviors. Social support has also been shown to reduce mortality among the elderly.

In this study, a stable partnership was associated with a slower rate of progression from HIV to AIDS or death in patients receiving HAART. The causes are unknown, but the researchers speculate people with a stable partner may have less depression.

The authors say, the absence of a stable partnership indicates that the patient may progress more rapidly through clinical latency to the later stages of the disease.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, 2004;328:15-18

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