Long term outcomes of nevirapine containing antiretroviral therapy at a center in Thailand

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Chon Buri Hospital, Thailand, to determine the long term outcomes of patients taking Nevirapine (NVP) containing antiretroviral therapy (ART). Patients taken NVP at least 5 years were included. Two hundred eighty-five patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The median age of patients was 35 years; the median baseline CD4 was 66 cells/mm 3 and the median follow-up was 7 years. Ninety-two point four percent and 90.2% of patients achieved virological success at year 5 and year 7, respectively. The median rise in CD4 count from baseline to year 5 was 354 cells/mm 3 (IQR 235.5-487 cells/mm 3 ) and at year 7 was 387 cells/mm 3 (IQR 272-557 cells/mm 3 ). Thirty-eight point eight percent of patients had a CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/mm 3 at year 5 and 41.6% at year 7. Rash/hypersensitivity occurred in 2 patients after 5 years and was transient. Elevated liver enzymes occurred in 5 patients after 5 years. NVP-containing ART yielded high virological-success rates. Long-term immunological response, safety and durability were also high.