Effects of Anti-Retroviral Drugs on Liver and Kidney function among HIV Patients Attending Gitwe District Hospital

Background: About 35.3 million people were living with HIV and AIDS worldwide by 2012 up from 33.4 million in 2008 and more than 25 million have died since the first cases were reported in 1981. Sub-Saharan Africa is the worst affected region with an estimated 25 million people (70.8%) of the global total. The population of Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for only 11-12% of the world’s population. The pandemic killed an estimated 1.4 million people in 2012 of which 1.2 million of the cases were from sub-Saharan Africa. The goal of ART is to suppress viral replication and have impaired immunity restored but its major drawback is adverse effects accompanying its use. HAART toxicity has emerged as an important complication and eventually a major reason for ART switch and/or discontinuation. Acute drug toxicities still exist, and although typically not life-threatening, they can affect the quality of life and patients’ willingness to adhere to their treatment regimens. Aim: the present study aimed to assess the effects of anti-retroviral drugs on liver and kidney function among HIV patients at Gitwe District Hospital. Methodology: The study used both cross-sectional and retrospective study. A total number of 118 patients participated in the study. Blood samples were examined to assess the effect of HAART on liver and kidney. Results: Prevalence of abnormal liver and renal analytes in HAART treated were 42.4%. Conclusion: The study recommended that Gitwe District Hospital and Ministry of Health should establish stringent measures in investigating and screening liver and renal dysfunction by taking blood samples for full hemogram. There are also needs for improvement of diagnostic ability of organs among patients on HAART by the health workers. Routine screening should be encouraged as a prophylactic measure. Keywords: Anti-Retroviral Drugs, human immune-deficiency virus, Liver function, Kidney function.