Hepatotoxicity associated with antiretroviral therapy containing non-nucleosides reverse transcriptase inhibitors in HIV/AIDS patients.

Objective To study the features of hepatotoxicity associated with antiretroviral therapy(HAART) containing non-nucleosides reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Methods 75 patients on antiretroviral therapy containing non-nucleosides reverse transcriptase inhibitor were retrospectively studied.The patients were divided into 2 groups: hepatotoxiciy group(n=45) and non-hepatotoxicity group(n=30). The features of hepatoxicity were analyzed and compared between two groups. Results 45 patients, 31 (68.9%) males and 14 (31.1%) females(χ2=0.658,P=0.428), experienced at least one episode of hepatotoxicity. Grade 1 hepatotoxicity were observed in 26 (34.7%) patients, grade 2 in 16(21.3%), grade 3 in 2(2.7%) and grade 4 in 1 (1.3%). 32(88.9%) patients receiving NVP-containing regimes and 13 (33.3%) patients receiving EFV-containing regimen experienced hepatotoxicity, respectively(χ2=24.07,P=0.000). 29(64.4%) patients co-infected with HBV and/or HCV and 30(66.7%) had concomitant use of antibuberculosis drugs or cotrimoxazole in hepatotoxicity group, respectively, which was significantly higher compared with those in the non-hepatotoxicity group (χ2=5.581, P=0.018 and χ2=5.195, P=0.023, respectively). Conclusion Hepatotoxicity associated with HAART containing non-nucleosides reverse transcriptase inhibitors was mild to moderate and those who had co-infected HBV and/or HCV, and concomitant use of antibuberculosis drugs or cotrimoxazole and those that received a regimen containing NVP were prone to hepatotoxicity while receiving HAART.