L V Hernandez1, I Gilson, J Jacobson, A Affi, T R Puetz, V J Dindzans. 1. Division of Gastroenterology, Section of Liver Diseases, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 945 N. 12th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA. vindinz@aol.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Drug hepatotoxicity is a potentially serious adverse reaction of antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. The impact of this problem in the routine treatment of patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection is poorly defined. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to determine what clinical features are associated with hepatotoxicity in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: Consecutive patients in a primary care-based human immunodeficiency virus clinic were evaluated for hepatotoxicity. Clinic records were used to obtain patient characteristics, as well as independent variables including CD4+ count, coexisting hepatitis C and current alcohol use. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients taking antiretroviral therapy were evaluated. Twenty-four were identified to have antiretroviral hepatotoxicity. An age over 40 years (P=0.019), an absolute CD4+ count of less than 310 cells/mL (P=0.002) and coexisting hepatitis C infection (P=0.035) were significantly associated with hepatotoxicity. Patients older than 40 years had a sevenfold increased risk (risk ratio, 6.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-27.3) and those with an absolute CD4+ count of less than 310 cells/mL had a tenfold increased risk (risk ratio, 10.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-41.9) for antiretroviral hepatotoxicity, in comparison with those who were younger or who had a greater absolute CD4+ count. Of the eight patients documented to have coexisting hepatitis C infection, six (75%) were in the antiretroviral hepatotoxicity group. CONCLUSIONS: An age older than 40 years and an absolute CD4+ count of less than 310 cells/mL were significantly associated with antiretroviral-induced hepatotoxicity. The majority of our patients with chronic hepatitis C had hepatotoxicity from antiretroviral therapy.
BACKGROUND:Drug hepatotoxicity is a potentially serious adverse reaction of antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infectedpatients. The impact of this problem in the routine treatment of patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection is poorly defined. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to determine what clinical features are associated with hepatotoxicity in human immunodeficiency virus-infectedpatients receiving antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: Consecutive patients in a primary care-based human immunodeficiency virus clinic were evaluated for hepatotoxicity. Clinic records were used to obtain patient characteristics, as well as independent variables including CD4+ count, coexisting hepatitis C and current alcohol use. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients taking antiretroviral therapy were evaluated. Twenty-four were identified to have antiretroviral hepatotoxicity. An age over 40 years (P=0.019), an absolute CD4+ count of less than 310 cells/mL (P=0.002) and coexisting hepatitis C infection (P=0.035) were significantly associated with hepatotoxicity. Patients older than 40 years had a sevenfold increased risk (risk ratio, 6.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-27.3) and those with an absolute CD4+ count of less than 310 cells/mL had a tenfold increased risk (risk ratio, 10.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-41.9) for antiretroviral hepatotoxicity, in comparison with those who were younger or who had a greater absolute CD4+ count. Of the eight patients documented to have coexisting hepatitis C infection, six (75%) were in the antiretroviral hepatotoxicity group. CONCLUSIONS: An age older than 40 years and an absolute CD4+ count of less than 310 cells/mL were significantly associated with antiretroviral-induced hepatotoxicity. The majority of our patients with chronic hepatitis C had hepatotoxicity from antiretroviral therapy.