The CD4 Response to Fixed - dose Antiretroviral Drug (GPO - virS) Makarak Hospital

Abstract

AIDS was a common and important health problem in Thailand since 1984 and number of infected and patients with HIV increased resulting in high mortality rate. Provision of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV infected AIDS patients proved to prolong life and improved quality of life. The objective of this analytic prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of antiretroviral drug in the treatment of local HIV infected/AIDS patients and compare the outcomes among those with baseline CD4 < 100 cell/mm3 and baseline CD4 ≥ 100 cell/mm3 at antiretroviral clinic of Makarak hospital from October 2005 to September 2006. By periodical monitoring of changing of CD4 count at 6th and 12th month after antiretroviral treatment and evaluation the side effects were carried out. Descriptive statistics and t-test were used in data analysis. In all, 84 HIV - infected patients undergoing the triple therapy met inclusion criteria. The mean CD4 count in group with baseline CD4 < 100 cell/mm3 were 33.7, SD 28.52, at the beginning and 216.4, SD 113.62 and at the 12th month after antiretroviral treatment. The mean CD4 count in group with baseline CD4 ≥ 100 cell/mm3 were 172.1, SD 51.14, at the beginning and 384.2, SD 134.90 at the 12th month after antiretroviral treatment. The result of comparison of the CD4 response to GPO - virS (CD4 difference from the baseline) between patients who CD4 < 100 cell/mm3 and CD4 ≥ 100 cell/mm3 was not different significantly (p > 0.05). Minor side effects were rash 14.29 percent, neuropathy 4.76 percent, hepatitis 2.38 percent, and lipodystrophy 9.52 percent. The GPO - virS drugs were effective in the treatment of the HIV infected/AIDS patients. No significant differences on CD4 response between patients with CD4 < 100 cell/mm3 and CD4 ≥ 100 cell/mm3 were found. Even with minimal side effects, additional monitoring of Stevens Johnson Syndrome is recommended.