Clinical outcomes and renal safety in HIV/AIDS patients on tenofovir-containing regimens in Lesotho

Abstract

Although TDF use has been associated with acceptable safety, reports of rare manifestation of renal disease in HAART regimens that include TDF have been documented. The study was conducted at Paballong HIV/AIDS care centre in Berea, Lesotho. The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and renal safety in HIV/AIDS patients taking TDF-containing HAART regimens. Descriptive, observational, longitudinal retrospective design was followed on 255 adults on TDF-containing HAART regimens at the study area; from October 2015 to March 2016. Data captured on a data collection tool included baseline, follow-up and end-line characteristics of clinical outcomes and renal safety. Patients gained an estimated body weight of to 0.10 kg from baseline (p < 0.05) at any age. Females were on average 2.49 kg heavier than males (p < 0.05). The CD4 cell count results estimated a daily increase of 0.20 cells/mm3 at any age. The mean CD4 cell count of female patients was 69.13 cells/mm3 higher than for males (p = 0.02). The eGFR results contended that sex, age and body weight are risk factors to developing renal insufficiency. The eGFR declined by 0.78 ml/min/1.73m2 over the treatment duration at any age of treatment initiation (p < 0.05), while the average eGFR for females was lower (13.05 ml/min) (p < 0.05). Clinical outcomes manifesting by weight gain and CD4 cell count elevation improve at any age and better in females. The renal function is progressively deteriorated at any age and worsened in females.