Short-Term Rationing of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy : Impact on Morbidity, Mortality, and Loss to Follow-Up in a Large HIV Treatment Program in Western Kenya

Abstract EN

Background.

There was a 6-month shortage of antiretrovirals (cART) in Kenya.

Methods.

We assessed morbidity, mortality, and loss to follow-up (LTFU) in this retrospective analysis of adults who were enrolled during the six-month period with restricted cART (cap) or the six months prior (pre-cap) and eligible for cART at enrollment by the pre-cap standard.

Cox models were used to adjust for potential confounders.

Results.

9009 adults were eligible for analysis: 4,714 pre-cap and 4,295 during the cap.

Median number of days from enrollment to cART initiation was 42 pre-cap and 56 for the cap (P<0.001).

After adjustment, individuals in the cap were at higher risk of mortality (HR=1.21; 95% CI : 1.06–1.39) and LTFU (HR=1.12; 95% CI : 1.04–1.22).

There was no difference between the groups in their risk of developing a new AIDS-defining illness (HR=0.92 95% CI 0.82–1.03).

Conclusions.

Rationing of cART, even for a relatively short period of six months, led to clinically adverse outcomes.