Prevalence and Clinical Spectrum of Liver Disease in Nepalese HIV-Sero-Positive Patients Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Hospital Based Study

INTRODUCTION: Liver enzyme abnormalities are common in HIV patients, and the prevalence varies across the nations. In Nepal, however, prevalence of liver enzyme disorder and the spectrum of these populations are lacking. OBJECTIVE: The present study sheds light on prevalence and clinical spectrum of liver disease in Nepalese HIV-sero-positive patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at OPD/ART, Clinic of Bir Hospital, NAMS. One hundred and forty-four HIV positive patients were enrolled consecutively and their clinical profiles of liver injury were investigated. RESULTS: Of 144 recruited patients, liver enzyme injury was observed in 82 (56.9%). Majority 61 (42.4%) of these cases had hepatocellular type of liver injury. Opportunistic infections were reported in 18 cases, with 9 (6.2%) TB and 8 (5.6%) HCV. Test for significance of liver injury confirmed the absence of any tendency towards an association with coinfection, CD4 cells, ART regimen, and alcohol consumption (P > 0.05). However, gender significantly linked with liver injury as well as the pattern of liver injury (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study revealed high rate of liver injury in a substantial proportion of HIV individuals, stressing that a regular clinic follow-up is necessary for the HIV individuals who are undergoing ART.