AEGiS-15IAC: Follow up of HIV/AIDS patients in the ATC (Access to Care) program in lower southern Thailand.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Follow up of HIV/AIDS patients in the ATC (Access to Care) program in lower southern Thailand.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. A10110)

Paiboonsin N, Thaijaareon N, Apakupakul N, Sathirapanya C
Office of Disease Prevention Control ceter 12, Songkhla, Thailand

BACKGROUND: The CD4 count and weight gain were the best indicators for measuring improvement after using the antiviral drugs in this program. This study aimed to assess the level of compliance of these patients in taking their antiviral drugs, and what, if any, complications were found.

METHODS: A study of HIV/AIDS patients who used the ATC program in lower 75southern Thailand from 2002-2003.

RESULTS: There were a total of 283 patients (136 males and 147 females) from 18 hospitals. Their average age was 34±7.5 years. The causes of their HIV/AIDS conditions were through sexual relations (82 %), IDUs (12 %) and receiving a tattoo which had been applied with an infected needle (4.5%). At the time of entering the program, 55.2% had full-blown AIDS, 24.1% had some symptoms and 20.7 % were asymptomatic. 44.9% had oral candidiasis, and 40.6% had chronic dermatitis. When the study was undertaken, 14 cases had discontinued their treatment, 24 cases had changed their drugs, and 10 had died from HIV complications. At the start of treatment the CD4 count averaged 187.6 ±160.4 cell/mm³, and six months after beginning treatment the CD4 count average had increased to 270.7± 196.2 cell/mm³, which was statistically significa nt (p<0.001). At entering the program the average weight of the subjects was 52.3 ± 8.5 kg, which had increased six months later to 54.0 ± 8.7 kg, again a statistically significant increase (p<0.001). 42% of the patients received their antiviral drugs in the form of d4t+3tc+gpo/vir. The main complication noted within two weeks after beginning treatment was a rash in 64 cases.

CONCLUSION: The survey indicates that patients following the ATC program improved their health, so it is recommended that more± of an effort be made to ensure that those suffering from HIV/AIDS be made aware of the program and encouraged to enter it. Also, some follow up should be undertaken to determine why complications arose, perhaps due to the type of antiviral drugs used.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Thailand, CD4 Lymphocyte Count, HIV Infections, Lamivudine, Anti-HIV Agents, Candidiasis, Oral, Disease Progression, Anti-Retroviral Agents, Antiviral Agents, Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors, Humans, Female, Male, organization & administration, methods

040711
A10110