A Systemic Analysis On Response To DOTS Regimen On Opportunistic HIV Infected Patient With Tuberculosis In A Tertiary Care Hospital; A Clinical Pharmacist Perspective To Enhance Healthcare

Abstract

Background: Opportunistic infections are ailments and pathologies that occur more commonly and radically severely in patients exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the impaired and suppressed immune systems.  Tuberculosis is the most common devious opportunistic infection occurring among HIV-positive patients in India. Various global tuberculosis treatment guidelines clearly endorse utilizing an individual patient-centered case management approach by directly observed therapy ("DOT”).

Methodology: A Retrospective and Cross-Sectional study were carried out in the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) Centre at Erode Government Hospital. Patient samples of HIV co-infected with TB were 52 and the study duration was 6 months. The objectives of the current study were to assess the patient’s adherence to treatment by using MGL questionnaire, evaluate the treatment response, and monitor CD4 lymphocyte count in a tertiary care hospital. the results were analyzed by using SPSS software.

Results: Regarding the demographic details of the patients, 52 patients were examined, 31(59.6%) were male and 21(40.39%) were females. Comparing the treatment response, at the initiation and at the end of the treatment regime, the signs and symptoms were significantly reduced in patients, only 12 patients showed fatigue and 6 patients showed the symptom of weight loss. The High adherence of the patients improved from 9.61% to 65%. There is a statically significant (p = 0.087) results for CD4 count during ATT treatment.

Conclusion: Regular monitoring of patients’ adherence is inevitable to enhance their response to the DOTS regimen and at the final stage can improve the patient’s quality of life.