Evaluation of Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Followed in Our Clinic

Abstract

Introduction: The number of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in our country is increasing day by day. In this study, epidemiological, clinical, laboratory features, treatment regimens and side effects of HIV/AIDS cases followed in our clinic were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four patients who were followed up with HIV infection in our clinic between 2000-2018 were examined retrospectively. Results: Of the 54 patients, 18 (33.3%) were females and 36 (66.7%) were males. Mean age was 42.0 +/- 15.2 (18-70) years. Mean duration of the disease was median 3 (0.5-28) and the duration of clinical follow-up was 3.3 +/- 2.7 (0.5-10) years. A total of 44 (88%) patients had risky sexual contact, and nine women were infected by her husband. The first complaint of the patients for admission to our clinic was weakness (22.2%) and fever (9.3%). Patients were diagnosed most frequently during routine examinations (48%). Mean CD4 count of the patients at the time of admission was 317.2 +/- 247.7 (7-918) cell/mm(3), and HIV-RNA was median 61000 (0-30000000) copy/mL. The most frequent treatment was tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine and lopinavir/ritonavir (TDF-FTC and LPV/r) in 24.4% of the patients. Treatment was changed in 14 (25.9%) patients. In five patients, noncompliance to treatment and in five patients, side effects were encountered, and treatment was changed. Hyperlipidemia was the most common side effect (52.9%) in patients receiving treatment. Prophylaxis was given to 50% of the patients in terms of opportunistic infections at the beginning of treatment. One patient had gonococcal urethritis and one patient had HPV infection in the cervix. Four patients discontinued treatment and 46 patients continued treatment. One female patient was exitus. Conclusion: The number of HIV/AIDS patients, a chronic disease, is increasing also in our country. Early diagnosis of these patients should be made, and the disease should be controlled by providing access to treatment and suppression of viral load.