Adverse effects of antiretroviral treatment among AIDS patients in Wenxi, Shanxi.

Objective To determine the prevalence of adverse effects of antiretroviral treatment regimens among free treated rural AIDS patients in Shanxi province.Methods We observed the adverse events of 205 rural AIDS patients,who received Chinese Central Government sponsored free antiretroviral treatment(ART) between July 1st,2004 and December 1st,2009.The observations of adverse effects included clinical evaluation and laboratory testing.Results The adverse events of ART occurred in 84.6% of AIDS patients with either clinical or laboratory evaluation.Commonly occurred short-term adverse events included gastrointestinal toxicities(52.8%),anemia(38.5%),fatigue(30.3%),rash(24.1%) and central nervous system(CNS) toxicity(16.4%),and long-term adverse effects included hepatotoxicity(17.4%),peripheral neurotoxicity(15.9%) and evaluated serum amylase(9.2%),respectively.Anemia was most frequently observed with AZT treatment;gastrointestinal toxicities with ddI;peripheral neurotoxicity with d4T,ddI and AZT;hepatotoxicity and rash with NVP and EFV;CNS toxicity with NVP and elevated serum amylase with d4T.The symptoms of liver toxicity and anemia could be reduced with alternative treatment with NVP and AZT.Conclusion The short and long term adverse events are common among ART AIDS patients.Some symptoms were frequently observed in certain drugs.Regular surveillance and adverse event treatment are essential for successful AIDS patient ART treatment.