Assessment of liver dysfunction in HIV patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy: A tertiary care hospital-based case-control study Nepal.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT:

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most devastating infectious global burdens of disease that gradually weakens the immune system of the body by attacking the cluster of differentiation (CD4) and T cells. However, most common cause of liver dysfunction in HIV infected individuals are opportunistic infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as well as the drug toxicity as a result of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). The current study aimed to study the effect of ART on liver function.

Methods: This was a case-control study, in which 400 participants, 200 of whom have previously been diagnosed with HIV and were currently on ART and 200 who were HIV negative individuals without HIV, were enrolled from one of Nepal's tertiary care hospitals (Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital) in a duration of four months (February 2023 - June 2023). Participants suffering from HIV and receiving ART was classified into case group, and patients who were HIV negative were classified into control group.

Results: There was significant difference in age and the serum levels of total bilirubin, alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatases (ALP), urea, and creatinine were significantly elevated in ART receiving HIV positive individuals than in HIV negative individuals.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that there is significant liver dysfunction seen among PLHWA undergoing ART therapy compared to HIV negative individuals and proper management is required.