Huang et al reported risk factors for liver damage associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) for a patient with HIV-1 mono-infection. These can help to identify a patient who may benefit from closer monitoring. The authors are from the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital (Beijing) , Peking University, and Bengbu Medical College in China.
Patient selection: HIV-1 mono-infection
Incidence of liver damage: 28%, mostly Grade I
Risk factors for liver damage:
(1) HIV RNA >= 100,000 copies per mL (LOG10 >= 5)
(2) ART regimen lamivudine + zidovudine + efavirenz (3TC + AZT + EFV)
Serum ALT (25 to 35 U/L) was also listed as a risk factor, but this is secondary to liver damage rather than causal.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
