Prevalence and Correlates of Neurocognitive Disorders among HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy at a Kenyan Hospital.

BACKGROUND: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) represent a spectrum of cognitive abnormalities affecting attention, concentration, learning, memory, executive function, psychomotor speed, and/or dexterity. Our objectives in this analysis are to determine the prevalence of HAND and the covariates in a Kenyan population. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a convenient sample of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) attending routine care visits at the Kenyatta National Hospital HIV clinic between July and August 2015. Baseline demographics were obtained using interviewer-administered questionnaires; clinical data were abstracted from patient records. Trained research clinicians determined the neurocognitive status by administration of the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scale, and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale. Cognitive impairment was defined as a score of ≤26 on the MOCA and ≤10 on the IHDS. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression to determine predictors of screening positive for HAND were done with the significance value set at <0.05. RESULTS: We enrolled 345 participants (202 men; 143 women). The mean age of the study population was 42 years (±standard deviation (SD) 9.5). Mean duration since HIV diagnosis and mean duration on ART were 6.3 (±SD 3.7) and 5.6 years (±SD 3.4), respectively. Median CD4 count at interview was 446 cells/mm3 (interquartile range (IQR) 278-596). Eighty-eight percent of participants screened positive for HAND, of whom 87% had asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI) and minor neurocognitive disorders (MND) grouped together while 1% had HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Patients on AZT/3TC/EFV were 3.7 times more likely to have HAND (OR = 3.7, p=0.03) compared to other HAART regimens. In the adjusted analysis, women were more likely to suffer any form of HAND than men (aOR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.02, 4.71; p=0.045), whereas more years in school and a higher CD4 count (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.88; p=0.012), (aOR = 0.998, 95% CI 0.997, 0.999; p=0.013) conferred a lowered risk. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic and mild neurocognitive impairment is prevalent among people living with HIV on treatment. Clinical care for HIV-positive patients should involve regular screening for neurocognitive disorders while prioritizing women and those with low education and/or low CD4 counts.

COMPARISON OF LOSARTAN AND ENALAPRIL EFFECTS ON RENAL FUNCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE ADULTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AT A KENYAN REFERRAL HOSPITAL.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare renal function in diabetic hypertensive chronic kidney disease patients receiving enalapril or losartan. DESIGN: This was a retrospective analytic cohort study. SETTING: Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. SUBJECTS: Two hundred adult patients with hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. INTERVENTIONS: One hundred and sixteen participants received an enalapril regimen while 84 were on a losartan regimen. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time to doubling of serum creatinine and changes in the levels of proteinuria. RESULTS: There was a higher risk of doubling of serum creatinine with losartan (Adjusted HR = 1.572; [95% CI: 1.015-2.434]; p = 0.043) than enalapril. There was a significant difference in time to doubling between the two arms--losartan 18 months, enalapril 36 month (p = 0.046). The changes in the levels of proteinuria between the two arms were not statistically significant for most of the follow up period except at the 15th month from treatment initiation (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Enalapril was found to be more reno-protective compared to losartan. Where feasible, we suggest local use of enalapril as opposed to losartan for diabetic hypertensive chronic kidney disease patients.

Risk factors, management and outcomes of adverse drug reactions in adult patients on antiretrovirals at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.

BACKGROUND: Antiretrovirals have been associated with serious adverse drug reactions. Several factors have been suggested as independent risk factors for their development. Identification of these factors may help in prevention and management of the adverse drug reactions. OBJECTIVE: To describe the factors associated with adverse drug reactions, their management, and the clinical outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Kenyatta National Hospital, Comprehensive Care Centre. SUBJECTS: Adult patients receiving antiretrovirals from 2003 to 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were the risk-factors, interventions and outcomes of documented adverse drug reaction after exposure to antiretrovirals. RESULTS: Systematic random sampling was used to pick 350 patients' files. The risk factors for experiencing at least one adverse drug reaction were: having a baseline CD4 count less than 123 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI: 1.18 to 2.79; p = 0.006); treatment with antiretrovirals for more than 32 months (OR = 1.76, CI: 1.15 to 2.71; p = 0.010), using didanosine containing regimens (OR = 3.7, CI: 1.40 to 9.70; p = 0.008) or being on stavudine containing regimens (OR = 4.4, CI: 2.53 to 7.71; p = 0.001). The most common intervention was addition of a non-antiretroviral while 41% of events resulted in a change of anti-retroviral therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Current standard regimens in resource-limited countries are associated with an increased risk of adverse drug reactions. Almost half of adverse reactions are managed by addition of a non-anti-retroviral drug alone but 41% necessitated a change of anti-retrovirals.