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Abstract
EXPERIENCES MONITORING AIDS PATIENTS ON ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY IN A RESOURCE-LIMITED SETTING
D.N. Mbanya
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
AIDS patients on various combinations of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) were monitored for clinical, haematological, biochemical, immunological and, whenever possible, virological progress. Baseline tests were performed in all cases and regular control blood counts and 6-monthly CD4 cell counts were recommended. Patients were responsible for the cost of all follow-ups. Fifty patients monitored had mean basal CD4 cell counts and T4/T8 ratio of 108.8/mm3 and 0.13 respectively. Forty-eight patients could not do basal viral load measurements. Only 17 of 35 patients did a second and 3 eventually did a third control CD4 cell count (means 251/mm3 and 328/mm3 respectively). Ten cases had an associated non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 3 had Kaposi’s sarcoma and 2 tuberculosis. The main ART combinations used were: ddI, d4T and Efavirenz (40%) and Combivir and Efavirenz (36%). Seven cases reported mild (temporary) rashes, while 2 reported diarrhoea shortly after start of therapy. Fatigue was common. Only 2 reported skipping doses; 9 were completely lost to follow-up within eight months of starting therapy and 4 others resumed the same therapy after months of interruption. A change of therapy was made in a pregnant female on Efavirenz. Seven deaths were noted. Difficulties with compliance may exist everywhere, but are aggravated in resource-limited settings. Beyond baseline tests, most patients cannot afford the cost of drugs and further frequent tests, despite adequate pre-treatment counselling and goodwill. Although uncontrolled drug interruptions signal high risks for the spread of resistant strains within our population, ART seem to be beneficial in the majority of cases.
The 2nd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
677
Suggested Citation
" D.N. Mbanya, et al.
EXPERIENCES MONITORING AIDS PATIENTS ON ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY IN A RESOURCE-LIMITED SETTING.
Poster:
The 2nd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment:
Abstract no.
677"
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