Retrospective Investigation of the Impact of Combination Antiviral Drugs on Hiv/Aids Clients: With Special Attention to Clients on Renal and Diabetic Diets

Abstract

The effect and incidence of the combination drug therapy (protease inhibitors) on kidney failure and diabetes were studied retrospectively by reviewing computer data base of clients who were receiving freshly home cooked modified meals for renal and diabetic clinical conditions. Telephone contact was used to interview clients to update computer information. The study revealed the onset of side effects such as renal failure and diabetes in clients on protease inhibitors and the length of time after taking the medications, was two to twelve months when the side effects first occurred. A total of 1500 client's database was reviewed, out of which 73 were identified as having special modified renal and diabetic diets. The 44 out of 73 clients were reached by phone and their databases were reviewed according to study criteria. It was found that 14 (32%) developed kidney failure while on protease inhibitors and 5 (11%) developed diabetes. One client developed both diabetes and renal disease. Some of the twenty six clients had clinical conditions that existed prior to protease inhibitor drug therapy and were not included for further study. These findings are supporting studies as documented in literature. They clearly point to home meal delivery agencies to be aware of the need to employ well trained HIV/AIDS nutrition specialists to manage complicated dietary counseling needs of the clients. Patients with renal disease and diabetes demand superior dietary expertise and take longer to counsel than usual. Renal disease and diabetes are the commonest side effect in this study group. Dietary modifications as they increase in general, will require development of community teaching materials in these nutrition areas. The modified meal chef will require adequate staff to manage high volume of renal and diabetic diets. People with HIV/AIDS are living longer and they are developing other clinical conditions that need to be treated and managed to maintain a healthy life style.