Morbidity and Mortality Patterns of Hospitalised Adult HIVAIDS Patients in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy : A 4-year Retrospective Review from Zaria, Northern Nigeria

Abstract EN

Background.

This study, undertaken in major tertiary hospital in northern Nigeria, examined the morbidity and mortality patterns of hospitalised adult HIV/AIDS patients in the HAART era.

Methods.

Between January 2006 and December 2009, admission records and causes of deaths of hospitalised medical HIV-infected patients were retrieved and analysed according to antiretroviral (ART) status.

Results.

Of the 207 HIV/AIDS patients reviewed, majority were newly diagnosed (73.4%), and most were hospitalised and died from various AIDS-defining illnesses, mainly disseminated tuberculosis and sepsis.

Immune-inflammatory-reconstitution-syndrome, ART-toxicity and ART-failure, contributed to morbidity and mortality in patients receiving ART.

Sixty six (31.9%) patients died, with higher mortality in males and in those with lower CD4-cell count, lower PCV, and shorter hospital stay.

However, hospital stay ≤3 days and severe anaemia (PCV < 24%) were independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion.

In the current HAART era, late presentation and tuberculosis continue to fuel the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, with emerging challenges due to ART-related complications.