Comparison of Two Zidovudine Based HAART Regimens used in Treatment of HIV Infection

Narendranath Sanji; Dinakar KR; Vaneet Aggarwal; Navin A Patil; Somashekar HS; Keerthisagar J; Reshma SR

Abstract

International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences,2014,3,2,28-33.

Published:June 2014

Type:Research Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Narendranath Sanji¹, Dinakar KR², Vaneet Aggarwal², Navin A Patil³, Somashekar HS⁴, Keerthisagar J², Reshma SR²

¹Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, JJM Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka, India.

²Post graduate, Department of Pharmacology, JJM Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka, India.

³Assistant Professor in Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal University, India.

⁴Professor, Department of Pharmacology, JJM Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka, India.

Abstract:

Background: India has third highest number of HIV patients. Zidovudine based regimens are the first line of treatment in these patients. This study was undertaken to compare three prognostic markers with this treatment in patients infected with HIV. The objective of the study was to compare the changes in the CD4 counts, hemoglobin and weight between HIV infected patients receiving zidovudine, lamivudine and nevirapine (ZLN) against those receiving zidovu-dine, lamivudine and efavirenz (ZLE). Materials and Methods: Retrospective data was collected from the ART centre, Chigateri Hospital, Davangere. Patients who were on the study regimens for atleast six months were considered for analysis. Changes in CD4 counts, hemoglobin levels and weight were analyzed with paired ‘t’ test for intra group variation and unpaired ‘t’ test for inter-group variation. Results: CD4 counts were analyzed in 339 patients and in both the groups the counts improved significantly (ZLN: n=252, ZLE: n=87 and p < 0.001 in both groups) after six months of treatment but the improvement was much better in patients who received ZLN regimen (p = 0.005). 281 patients were analyzed with respect to hemoglobin and improve-ment was seen in ZLE group (n=77, p = 0.001) but not in ZLN group (n=204, p = 0.36) with treatment and intergroup analysis was in favor of ZLE (p = 0.03). Weight was analyzed in 356 patients and it improved significantly in both ZLN group (n=264, p = 0.001) and ZLE group (n=92, p = 0.001) but the intergroup comparison did not reveal any signifi-cance (p = 0.21). Conclusion: A regimen consisting of zidovudine, lamivudine and efavirenz is better in treating a HIV patient with decreased hemoglobin. So this regimen can be preferred in anemic patients with HIV.