Objective  To analyze immunological efficacy of antiretroviral therapy and its influencing factors in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndromes (HIV/AIDS) patients in Beijing from 2010 to 2015.

  Methods  Data on patients with their first access to highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) from 2010 to 2015 in Beijing were collected. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was applied to describe the patients′ demographic characteristics and immunological efficacy of antiretroviral therapy. The factors related to immunological efficacy were analyzed with logistic regression model.

  Results  For a total of 9 705 HIV/AIDS patients included in the analysis, the male to female ratio was 17.92:1 and the median of age was 33.00 years. Homosexual contact as a main transmission route was reported by 81.82% of the patients. Baseline CD₄⁺T lymphocyte cell count (CD₄) of < 350 cells/μL was detected in 68.1% of the patients. Six months after the antiretroviral therapy, the median of CD₄ count increased significantly from 271 cells/μL (baseline) to 394 cells/μL (Z = – 42.242, P < 0.05). The maximum increase CD₄ count one year after the HAART was detected in the patients with the baseline CD₄ of < 200 cells/μL, with an average annual increase of 65.00 cells/μL. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that marriage status, baseline CD₄, baseline CD₄/CD₈ count ratio, initial treatment regimen, HIV suppression effect, and compliance to antiretroviral therapy were influencing factors of immunological efficacy. Adverse events in the course of antiviral treatment were observed in 14.27% (n = 1 385) of the patients, with an average of 2.74 various reactions per patient; the most common adverse events were adverse reactions of central nervous system and digestive system.

  Conclusion  The highly active antiretroviral therapy has a remarkable effectiveness among HIV/AIDS patients in Beijing and early diagnosis and treatment could promote the efficacy of the therapy.