Comparison of clinical and laboratory profile of Haart adherent and non-adherent HIV/AIDS patients in Calabar, Nigeria

• Published in: Global journal of pure and applied sciences Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 337 - 345
• Main Authors: Ayuk, Agam Ebaji, Udonwa, Ndifreke, Gyuse, Abraham
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Calabar Global Journal Series 30.11.2017
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Anthropometry; Antiretroviral agents; Automation; Body mass index; CD4 antigen; Chronic illnesses; Clinical trials; Drug dosages; Drug resistance; Drug therapy; Females; Hematology; Hemoglobin; Highly active antiretroviral therapy; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Immunology; Infections; Laboratories; Lymphocytes; Patients; Public health; Teaching hospitals; Values; Nigeria; Kenya; Africa
• ISSN: 1118-0579; 1118-0579
• DOI: 10.4314/gjpas.v23i2.14

Background: The burden of HIV/AIDS has reduced following sustained interventions especially with introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HIV/AIDS has become a chronic condition for which adherence to therapy is of public health relevance. This study was aimed at assessing the relationship between adherence to HAART and clinical and laboratory outcomes in a tertiary centre. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of three hundred and forty eight (348) respondents on HAART. Adherence was measured using an adapted adult AIDS clinical trial group (AACTG) with optimal adherence set at >95%. Clinical stage, anthropometry, CD4, total lymphocyte and haemoglobin were used to monitor clinical, immunological and haematological outcome of adherence. Result: The mean (SD) age of respondents was 34.8 (5.3) years, ranging from 18 - 68 years, with male: female ratio of 1:1.7. Adherence to HAART was 89.1%. Non-adherent compared with adherent respondents, had marginally significantly higher proportion of WHO AIDS Stage 3 disease (44.7% vs. 26.4%, p=0.05). Comparing baseline with current values, change in mean CD4 cell counts was significantly higher among adherent compared with non-adherent respondents (187 vs. 125, p=0.00). Also, change in mean total lymphocyte counts was significantly higher among adherent compared with non-adherent respondents (508 vs. 314, p=0.00). Change in CD4 cell count significantly correlated with adherence (t=0.15, p<0.05). Conclusion: Self-reported optimal adherence significantly correlated with immunological recovery, which is a key determinant of good clinical outcome in HIV patients. Measures aimed at sustaining adherence to HAART, and regular assessment of CD4 count should be strengthened.