Epidemiological, Clinical, Therapeutic and Evolutionary Profile of HIV-infected Patients Monitored at the Center of Excellence of the University of Lubumbashi

Introduction: HIV infection is characterized by the progressive destruction of CD4+ T lymphocytes, responsible for an immune deficiency, thus promoting the development of serious opportunistic infections and tumors. Aim: The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and disease progression of HIV-infected patients registered and monitored at the Center of Excellence at the University of Lubumbashi. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study, carried out from 2006 to 2024 using patient records registered at the Center of Excellence. Data were collected using a previously established survey form. Variables collected: socio-demographic variables, opportunistic infections, stages of infection, antiretrovirals, treatment-related complications, mode of HIV transmission, and treatment progress. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 30.0 software. We calculated position and dispersion parameters. Results: We collected 8,912 cases of HIV infection (24.95%) from a sample of 35,716 patients screened, including 5,271 women (59.1%) and 3,641 men (40.9%). The mean age was 35 ± 0.3 years. Opportunistic infections were dominated by pulmonary (31%) and extrapulmonary (8.8%) tuberculosis, digestive candidiasis (32.5%), cerebral toxoplasmosis (14.9%), isosporiasis (7.4%), herpes simplex (3.1%), cryptococcal meningitis (3.9%), vaginal candidiasis (3.7%), prurigo (3.3%), shingles (2.3%), Kaposi's sarcoma (2.2%), and diarrhea without isolated germs (2.1%). 99.6% of patients were receiving first-line treatment: tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir. The progression was marked by a death rate of 19.11%, significantly related to infections (p<0.02). Conclusion: Despite awareness campaigns and the availability and free provision of antiretrovirals, the mortality rate and HIV prevalence remain high in Lubumbashi.