CMV Retinitis Management in Myanmar
Author Information
Author(s): Tun Ni, London Nikolas, Kyaw Moe Kyaw, Smithuis Frank, Ford Nathan, Margolis Todd, Drew W Lawrence, Lewallen Susan, Heiden David
Primary Institution: Medical Action Myanmar
Hypothesis
Can non-ophthalmologists effectively manage CMV retinitis in resource-poor settings?
Conclusion
CMV retinitis can be effectively diagnosed and treated by trained AIDS clinicians in resource-poor settings.
Supporting Evidence
- CMV retinitis was diagnosed in 24% of new patients screened.
- A total of 1296 injections of ganciclovir were administered.
- Training improved the ability of AIDS clinicians to diagnose CMV retinitis.
Takeaway
Doctors who treat HIV can learn to check for and treat a serious eye disease called CMV retinitis, helping patients avoid blindness.
Methodology
Retrospective descriptive study involving training of AIDS clinicians and systematic screening of high-risk patients.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on non-ophthalmologists for diagnosis and treatment.
Limitations
Some clinical events may have been missed due to missed appointments or unrecorded events.
Participant Demographics
Majority of patients were male (64.3%), median age was 32 years, and median CD4 cell count was 38 cells/mm3.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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