A cross sectional survey of side effects of antiretroviral (ARV) in outpatients HIV by Naranjo Algorithm

Abstract

Background: The main modality in HIV patients is the administration of long-treatment antiretroviral therapy (ARV). One of the problems from the use of ARV therapy is the side effects that can reduce patient compliance in taking medication, which has the potential to cause treatment failure. Objective: This study aims to examine the side effects and their causality in the use of ARVs in outpatient HIV patients at the VCT Clinic, Bhayangkara H.S. Hospital. Samsoeri Mertojoso Surabaya. Methods: This research was a prospective observational study with a cross-sectional design. Side effect data were taken from HIV patients by interview using the Naranjo algorithm. HIV patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study sample using consecutive sampling. This research was conducted from January to March 2020. Results: There were 72 outpatient HIV patients who met the inclusion criteria. The most opportunistic infections found in HIV patients are tuberculosis and Pneumocystis pneumonia. The results showed that the most common side effects experienced by patients were dizziness (43%), nausea and vomiting (31%), and rash (11%) with the highest Naranjo score being in the probable category of 86%. The Naranjo score in HIV patients with opportunistic infections and with comorbidities was significantly smaller than those in HIV patients without opportunistic infections or without comorbidities with independent t-test (P <0.05). Conclusion: The side effects in HIV patients while undergoing treatment with antiretroviral therapy are classified as a minor side effect and the cause of the side effects that occur is thought to be due to the probable category of ARV therapy. Keywords: HIV Patients, Antiretroviral, Side Effects, Naranjo's Algorithm.