Comparison of Three Different Anti-retroviral Regimens in Terms of Immunological and Virological Response

Background: With the highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART), the mortality and morbidity rates of HIV / AIDS patients have been reduced. CD4+ T cell and HIV-RNA measurement is important in the follow-up during the treatment. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate three different anti-retroviral treatment regimens in terms of immunological and virological response. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Naïve & adult HIV/AIDS patients that applied to our outpatient clinic between 2011 and 2017 were included in this study. Treatment regimens included two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and either one of a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or integrase inhibitor (INI) or protease inhibitor (PI). Patients" CD4+ T cell counts and HIV RNA levels were analysed at 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month and 12th month. Results: Sixty three patients of which 87% were male and ages between 19-66 were included in this study. Fourteen (22.2%) had received NRTI and INI (INI group) treatment, 18 (28.6%) had received NRTI and PI (PI group) and 31 (49.2%) had received NRTI and NNRTI (NNRTI group). Immunologically, PI group was the most successful and NNRTI group was the most unsuccessful group. INI group had significant immunological response rate than NNRTI group in the first three months. INI group was found to be virologically more successful than PI and NNRTI groups in the first three months. However at the end of 6 and 12 months, no statistically significant difference was observed between groups neither immunologically nor virologically. Conclusion: Our results have shown that all regimens were found to be effective at the end of 12 months. Among the combinations available, the most appropriate one should be selected individually.