Abstract

A STUDY ON ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS OF ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY IN HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTH EAST PART OF INDIA

Anitha Jose Subin*

Abstract

Present study deals with Adverse Drug Reactions on Anti-Retroviral Therapy in HIV positive patients. Anti-Retroviral Drugs, no matter how safe and efficacious, are always coupled with inescapable risk of adverse reactions. Health care professionals should be alerted to assess adverse drug reactions after advising patients on which drugs to use. Present research work was a retrospective observational study carried out in Nodal ART center located in Guwahati Medical College Hospital, which is the largest and undoubtedly the most advanced tertiary care Govt. hospital of the entire north-east, catering to millions of people in this region. 575 HIV positive patients were enrolled into the study who were on ART. Majority of the population comprise of males and the significant association between incidence of Adverse Drug Reactions and various factors like Gender, mean CD4 cell count and BMI is evaluated using Fischer’s exact test. Gastrointestinal system related ADRs were found to be the most prominent followed by CNS and skin related ADRs. Various drug regimens were checked for its toxicity potential and Zidovudine+ Lamivudine+ Efavirenz regimen was found to be most offending. Substitution of regimens due to toxicity was extensively studied. Causality assessment by Naranjo Scale, Severity assessment by Hartwig scale and Preventability assessment by Schumock and Thorntan ADR preventability scale were done for individual ADRs and majority of ADRs are found to be possible, mild and not preventable. As HIV/AIDS becomes a disease that can be both prevented and treated, attitudes will change, and denial, stigma and discrimination will rapidly be reduced.

Keywords: Anti-retroviral therapy, adverse drug reactions, HIV, HAART.