Abstract
Kidney dysfunction is one of the most serious complications resulting from the use of traditional medicine which is common in Africa accounting for about 35% of renal damage in HIV-infected patients. In this cross sectional study, 250 HIV-infected patients were groups as follows: ART GrpA (100), ART + traditional medicine use GrpB (100) and ART treatment naive + traditional medicine GrpC (50). Tubular dysfunctions were defined when at least two or more of the following abnormalities were repeatedly present: Uricosuria ≥ 0.05 mg/dl, Phosphaturia ≥ 20.0 mg/dl, Glucosuria ≥ 0.1 mg/dl, Proteinuria = positive protein on dipstick urine. Renal dysfunctions were found to be significantly high (P = 0.001) in the group of patients treated with ART + traditional medicine. 27 (64.29%) patients followed by ART treatment naive patients + traditional medicine; 12 (28.57%) patients and only 4 (7.14%) patients developed renal toxicity in the ART treatment Grp. But strikingly CD4 counts were also significantly higher in Grp B (683 cell/ul) compared to group A (446 cell/ul) and C (206 cell/ul). Our results show that HIV-infected patients on ART combined with traditional medicine might develop renal abnormalities in the presence of high CD4 counts, in the course of incessant use of traditional medicine. Thus it is important that more research be conducted on its usage among the Black population with HIV infection.
Highlights
HIV-infected patients in both rural and urban settings usually preferred traditional medicine healers before or instead of consultation with a physician [1]-[3]
HIV-infected patients on different treatment regimen as well as those who are treatment naïve were group as follows: Group A (100 HIV infected patients on Antiretroviral therapy (ART)), Group B (100 HIV infected patients on ART combined with traditional medicine), and Group C (54 HIV infected patients who are ART treatment naïve but on traditional medicine)
100 patients were under ART (Group A), 100 on ART combined with traditional medicine (Group B) and 50 were ART treatment naïve patients on traditional medicine (Group C)
Summary
HIV-infected patients in both rural and urban settings usually preferred traditional medicine healers before or instead of consultation with a physician [1]-[3]. It is believed that due to the impending interactions between traditional medicine and antiretroviral drugs and the potentially harmful effects on adherence, it is important that more research be conducted on its usage among the Black population. This will help clinicians and other health care providers to be aware of popular types of traditional medicine and potential interactions, creating a reassuring environment where people living with HIV can reveal their traditional medicine use and be informed about their personal health choices
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