Clinical and Anthropometric Evolution of People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus during 6 Months of Dolutegravir Treatment in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Background: AntiRetroViral Treatment (ART) remains an important tool for reducing morbidity and mortality and improving the quality of life of people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV). Under the pressure of ART, several parameters of PLHIV change and are the subject of different evaluations. Objective: The objective of this work was to study the clinical and anthropometric evolution of PLHIV after 6 months of ART based on Dolutegravir (DTG). Methods: The present study was a non-interventional prospective cohort to assess the clinical and anthropometric evolution of PLHIV after 6 months of ART in the Ambulatory Treatment Center (CTA) for HIV in Kinshasa. The patients included were followed for 6 months in compliance with the schedule promulgated by the National Program. The parameters of interest were: Age, Sex, Marital Status, Weight, Height, Body Mass Index and Clinical Status. Results: On inclusion, 119 patients (56.3% women; 43.7% men) were selected. During the consultation appointments, 42 patients (66.7% women; 33.3% men) were present at M1, 37 patients (70.3% women; 29.7% men) at M3, and 67 patients (61.3% women and 38.7% men) in M6. On inclusion, 41.5% of patients were at Stage 3 and 47.0% had a normal clinical condition. In M1, 48.7% of patients were at Stage 1 and 65.8% had a normal clinical condition. At M3, 41.7% of patients were at Stage 3 and 67.6% had a normal clinical condition. At M6, 61.8% of patients were at Stage 3 and 67.9% had a normal clinical condition. On D0, 45.5% of patients were in the 45 to 55 kg range and 56.5% had a normal Body Mass Index (BMI). At M1, 45.7% were in the 45 to 55 kg range and 50.0% had a normal BMI. At M3, 34.4% were in the 45 to 55 kg range and 64.3% had a normal BMI. At M6, 31.8% were in the range of 45 to 55 kg and, respectively, 37.5% of patients were lean and had a normal BMI. Conclusion: The clinical and anthropometric parameters evolve in saw tooth. Improvements are easily visible up to the third month of AntiRetroViral Treatment (ART). At the sixth month, with the pressure of the infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the evolution of the patients is compromised.