EVALUATION OF LIVER ENZYMES OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) SEROPOSITIVE INDIVIDUALS ATTENDING CLINIC AT ESUTH PARKLANE

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global health issue. This studyaims to evaluate the prevalence of liver dysfunction among HIV-positivepatients attending ESUT Teaching Hospital. This research involved a mixedcross-sectional study design which was used to assess 150 HIV-positivepatients. Samples were collected and analyzed for liver enzyme levels usingstandard methods. Three key liver enzymes were measured: alanineaminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkalinephosphatase (ALP). Statistical methods were employed to determine theprevalence of liver dysfunction, and to explore the relationships between thestage of HIV infection, the types of antiretroviral therapy (ART) the patientswere receiving, and any changes in liver enzyme levels. Results revealedthat 37 (24.7%) exhibited liver dysfunction, primarily characterized byaspartate aminotransferase (AST) abnormalities, present in 32 patients. Also,males had a higher prevalence of liver dysfunction (30.8%) compared tofemales (20.0%), with patients over 60 years having the highest prevalence(28.6%). There’s a significant association between liver dysfunction andfactors such as age, gender, as well as clinical symptoms such as fatigue(33.3%) and jaundice (35.0%). Alcohol and recreational drug use weresignificant risk factors with prevalence rates of 37.5% and 40.0%,respectively. These findings emphasize the necessity for routine liverfunction monitoring in HIV-positive individuals, particularly among oldermales and those exhibiting clinical symptoms, to facilitate early detectionand management of liver complications, ultimately improving healthoutcomes and quality of life.