Abstract

EFFECT OF ADHERENCE TO ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY ON CD4 T CELLS AND HIV VIRAL LOAD IN NEPALESE TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Pramila K. C.*, Kul Prasad Gharti and Prof. Dr. Sashi Sharma

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the study on effect of adherence to Anti-Retroviral Therapy on CD4 cells and viral load among HIV infected patients at TUTH. Methodology: Retrospective study was carried out in 66 patients of age ≥18 years receiving ART from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Information was noted into data collection sheet such as demographic information, medication information, CD4 T cells and Viral load count. Results: The majority of patients were female (50%). At entry, 95.4% and 4.5% patients had ≤350 and >350 CD4 count respectively. At baseline investigation, patients with ≤350 CD4 count decrease to 57.5% and increase >350 CD4 count-to 42.2% patients. At one year, only 36.3% patients had ≤350 CD4 count-36.3% and >350 CD4 count was observed in 63.7%. Viral load 95% adherence was in 97% patients which gradually decrease to 81.8% patients at one year. Conclusion: The HIV incident was seen to be more in female than male however it was almost equal. Increase in CD4 count and reduction in viral load was seen after initiation of therapy however there was no significance relation of adherence with CD4 count and viral load suppression.

Keywords: Human immune deficiency virus, Antiretroviral Therapy, Adherence, CD4 T cells count, viral load, WHO guideline.