Effectiveness of Management of HIV-TB Patients Under Programme Conditions in India.

ABSTRACT

HIV patients, on antiretroviral therapy (ART), with co-existing tuberculosis patients were assesed for clinical and immunological progress at GHTM ART centre for effectiveness of management programme. Six hundred and twenty two HIV-TB patients are placed under both Anti-TB Treatment (DOTS) and ART. While 337 patients are continuing their ATT, details of the remaining 283 patients are provided. 214 patients (76%) completed their treatment successfully. 29 patients (10%) expired before completing treatment for TB and 40 patients (14%) were treatment defaulters. Immunologicallly CD4 cells registered significant increase from 101(mean) to 306 (mean) in 202 treatment-completed patients (p=.001). Linking HIV patients on ART to their nearest DOTS centres for treating tuberculosis is feasible. High Mortality, even before completing the prescribed course of ATT is attributable to low immunity and complicating opportunistic infections. Referral and linkage services shall be improved and strengthened for enhanced treatment adherence.