Browsing by Author "Edwin, Christina"

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    Retrospective analysis of outcomes in the programme of fast-tracking of antiretroviral therapy for patients admitted to a palliative care centre after diagnosis of opportunistic infections
    (2010) Edwin, Christina; Gwyther, Liz
    Although national guidelines in South Africa recommend starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) mainly to outpatients with WHO stage four disease and/or CD4 count of 200 cells/uL, immediate ART initiation after opportunistic infection (OI) treatment in the inpatient wards at several international sites has been shown to reduce the adverse outcomes of AIDS progression and death. Current South African policies of discharging patients after hospital admission for management of OIs for follow up and initiation of ART at ARV clinics result in poor patient outcomes as described by reports from South Africa. In contrast, this study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness, under routine programme conditions, of a rapid, supervised inpatient ART initiation. Further research is needed to reduce the high rate of early mortality among patients with advanced HIV disease.