The factors associated with unsuppressed viral load in HIV-infected patients at the first antiretroviral therapy in Hatyai hospital, 2020

Abstract

HIV-infected patients with unsuppressed viral load after initial antiretroviral therapy have a potential for HIV resistance, increased transmission and will be at an increased risk of opportunistic infections that affect the overall quality of life. This study aimed to determine the incidence and factors associated with unsuppressed viral load in HIV-infected patients 6 months after initiation of antiretroviral therapy in Hatyai hospital. A retrospective analytical study was conducted by retrospectively collecting the data on HIV/AIDS patients aged >18 years old, who started antiretroviral therapy between December 2019 and December 2020 and continued taking medicines for 6 months, in order to determine the factors associated with unsuppressed viral load. The association of the data was reported with odds ratio. The correlation of variables was analyzed by multiple logistic regression method with statistical significance when p<0.05. Findings from the study indicated that 168 HIV/AIDS patients had been identified. Of these, 30 had unsuppressed viral load and 138 had achieved viral load suppression. Factors associated with treatment failure with statistical significance based on multivariable analysis included CD4<200 cells/mm3 prior to initiation of antiretroviral therapy (adjusted odds ratio 4.46, p-value 0.01, 95% CI 1.44-13.77) and compliance <95% (3.32, p-value 0.01, 95% CI 1.35-8.14). Conclusion: Factors associated with HIV/AIDS patients with unsuppressed viral load were CD4<200 cells/mm3 before initiation of antiretroviral therapy and compliance<95% with statistical significance (p<0.05).