Survival of HIV-Infected Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy in Uganda
Author Information
Author(s): Bakanda Celestin, Birungi Josephine, Mwesigwa Robert, Nachega Jean B., Chan Keith, Palmer Alexis, Ford Nathan, Mills Edward J.
Primary Institution: The AIDS Support Organization (TASO), Kampala, Uganda
Hypothesis
How do mortality outcomes for adolescents on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) compare to those of children and adults in Uganda?
Conclusion
Adolescents receiving cART in Uganda have similar mortality outcomes to children and adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Adolescents had a mortality rate of 8.5%, compared to 5.4% for children and 10% for adults.
- Mortality was higher among males and those with lower CD4 counts.
- The study included a large sample size of 23,367 patients.
Takeaway
This study looked at how well teenagers with HIV do on their medicine in Uganda. It found that they don't die more than younger kids or adults.
Methodology
An observational study analyzing data from patients who started cART at TASO in Uganda between 2004 and 2009, stratifying by age and using survival analysis methods.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to incomplete data on CD4 counts and reliance on assumptions about lost patients.
Limitations
Loss to follow-up may have misclassified mortality, and CD4 count data was incomplete.
Participant Demographics
The cohort included 3.5% children, 2.5% adolescents, and 94% adults, with a majority being female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 16.1, 29.5 for children; 95% CI: 26.3, 46.8 for adolescents; 95% CI: 35.9, 39.1 for adults.
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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