Trends in Clinical Characteristics and Short-Term Outcome of HIV-Infected Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on changing trends in HIV positive patients treated with first-line antiretroviral therapy from India. METHODS: The clinical characteristics and short-term outcome were compared between a retrospective group enrolled between January 2006 and March 2007 (06-07 group—100 patients) and a prospective group enrolled between February 2011 and March 2012 (10-12 group—85 patients). RESULTS: Median age was 36 and 38 years in 06-07 and 10-12 groups, respectively. Median baseline CD4 count was 146 cells/mL(3) in the 10-12 group, and it was not significantly different from that of 06-07 group. Tuberculosis was diagnosed 3 times more commonly in the 10-12 group. The retention proportion at the end of 10 months was 68% in the 10-12 group when compared to that of 59% in the 06-07 group. CONCLUSION: There was a trend toward improved outcome over the period of time, but the attrition rate remained high.