OUTCOME MEASUREMENT OF ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUGS COMBINATION IN HIV/AIDS PATIENTS AT BUDDHACHINARAJ PHITSANULOKE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the CD4 cell count and adverse drug reactions in HIV/AIDS patients after highly active antiretroviral drugs therapy.

Method: Retrospective study was done from July 2003 to August 2004 at AIDS clinic, Buddhachinaraj Phitsanuloke hospital. HIV/AIDS patients received 3 drug combinations (stavudine, lamivudine, nevirapine: GPOVir^Ò). Patient characteristics, CD4 cell count at 0 and 24 weeks after therapy and adverse drug reactions were collected.

Result: A total of 114 patients received therapy. Sixty-one patients are male (53.5%). The average age was 35 years old (SD .772). Sixty-nine patients (60.5%) were CD4 cell count at week 0 lower than 50 cell/mm³. CD4 cell count between 51-100 and 101-250 cell/mm³ found in 14 (12.3%) and 31 (27.2%) patients, respectively.  Intersexual transmission was found in 113 patients (99.1%) and blood transmission in 1 patient. Opportunistic infection and other symptoms before therapy were Pneumocistis carinii pneumonia (16.7%), pulmonary tuberculosis (15.8%), pruritic papular eruption  (14.0%) and oral candidiasis (9.6%). CD4 cell count at week 0 and 24 after therapies were significant increase (p-value < .001). The serious adverse drug reaction were hyperlactatemia (9 patients, 8.0%), lipoatrophy (8 patients, 7.1%), drug induce hepatitis      (6 patients, 5.4%), peripheral neuropathy (3 patients, 2.4%) and Stevens Johnson Syndrome (2 patients, 1.78%).

Conclusion: Highly active retroviral therapy with GPOVir^Ò increases CD4 cell count in all patients, but the physician should be aware of  the serious adverse drug reaction from this regimen.