Long-Term Effect of HAART on Biochemical Profiles of HIV/AIDS Patients in a Tertiary Health Facility in Benin City, Nigeria
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Date
2014-11
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Publisher
Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose: To assess the long-term effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on biochemical
parameters of HIV-infected patients in University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City,
Nigeria.
Methods: HIV/AIDS patients on HAART for 2 - 8 years (297), those who were not on HAART (112,
positive control), and healthy subjects (103, negative control) were recruited in the Infectious Diseases
Clinic (IDC) of UBTH. Their sera were assayed for biochemical parameters. WHOQoL bref instrument
was used to assess patients’ Quality of life (QoL).
Results: Patients who have been on HAART had significantly elevated ALT and AST levels (p < 0.001)
but mild liver toxicity. QoL of these patients was not significantly different from that of the healthy
controls. The levels of Na+ (133.4 ± 5.2 mmol/l), K+ (3.6 ± 0.4 mmol/l) and Cl- (101.3 ± 4.0 mmol/l) were
significantly lower in patients on HAART than those of the positive (137.5 ± 5.1, 3.9 ± 0.5, 104.3 ± 5.7
mmol/l respectively, p < 0.001). Also, levels of creatinine (0.8 ± 0.2 mg/dl), TBil (0.5 ± 0.2 mg/dl), and
CB (0.3 ± 0.5 mg/dl) were significantly higher in patients on HAART than those of either the positive (0.7
± 0.3, 0.4 ± 0.2, 0.2 ± 0.1 mg/dl) or negative (0.7 ± 0.3, 0.3 ± 0.1, 0.2 ± 0.1 mg/dl) controls respectively
(p < 0.001). Conclusion: Treatment with HAART for 2 - 8 years may not produce severe hepatotoxicity in HIV/AIDS patient though mild liver toxicity should be expected. The patients’ QoL was not negatively affected by the use of HAART for 2 - 8 years.
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Keywords
Biochemical parameters, HIV/AIDS, Long-term HAART, Quality of Life