[O24] Treatment regimens and outcomes amongst African adults with HIV infection: how should possible repatriation affect how we manage patients in the UK?

13th Annual Conference of the British HIV Association

29 March–1 April 2007, Brighton, UK

TREATMENT REGIMENS AND OUTCOMES AMONGST AFRICAN ADULTS WITH HIV INFECTION: HOW SHOULD POSSIBLE REPATRIATION AFFECT HOW WE MANAGE PATIENTS IN THE UK?

HIV Med 2007; 8(Suppl. 1):6 (abstract no. O24)

Ngozi Dufty¹, Kate Grimwade¹, Clare Stradling² and Steve Taylor²
¹Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK, ²Directorate of Sexual Medicine and HIV, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To describe current treatment regimens and outcomes in African HIV patients at Birmingham Heartlands and to develop a strategy to approach successful repatriation and to continue treatment locally.

METHODS: Patients were identified via the computerized programme database and data collected from their notes on dates of diagnosis, baseline and current immunological and virological results, treatment dates and regimens (past and present with reasons for therapy changes). Information was also collected on country of origin and immigration status.

RESULTS: A third of patients on the Heartlands HIV programme originated from 21 different countries in Africa, with 55% coming from Zimbabwe. 67% were on antiretroviral treatment. 60% of treated patients had had at least one previous regimen, switching for failure, toxicity or regimen simplification. Despite this, 83% were virologically suppressed (<50 copies/mL). This is comparable to the outcomes for our non-African groups. 62% were on non- nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens. These patients had higher rates of viral suppression (92%) compared with those on protease inhibitors (62%).

CONCLUSION: The African patients at Heartlands have similar outcomes to non-African patients. Of those on treatment two-thirds were on regimens either available in their country of origin or simple-to-switch-to available options on return. Many of those on non-compatible regimens had options for switching. Systematic review of the treatment options for African patients has been instated following the findings of this study. An information and drug provision pack developed and currently employed to ease repatriation and facilitate uninterrupted treatment will be presented.

2007-03-29
O24

Copyright © 2007 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD