Metabolic syndrome in patients on first-line antiretroviral therapy containing zidovudine or tenofovir in rural Lesotho, Southern Africa.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among patients in rural Lesotho who are taking first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) containing either zidovudine or tenofovir disoproxil.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey in 10 facilities in Lesotho among adult (≥16 years) patients on non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based first-line ART for ≥6 months. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria.

Alcohol use and depression: link with adherence and viral suppression in adult patients on antiretroviral therapy in rural Lesotho, Southern Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Depression and alcohol use disorder have been shown to be associated with poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Studies examining their association with viral suppression in rural Africa are, however, scarce.

Methods: This study reports prevalence of depressive symptoms and alcohol use disorder, and their potential association with adherence and viral suppression in adult patients on ART in ten clinics in rural Lesotho, Southern Africa.

Clinical and socio-demographic predictors for virologic failure in rural Southern Africa: preliminary findings from CART-1.

Introduction: In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended scaling up of routine viral load (VL) monitoring for patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings [1]. During the transition phase from no VL-testing at all to routine VL-monitoring, targeted VL for groups at particular risk of virologic failure (VF) may be an option [2]. We present socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for VF in a cohort in rural Lesotho with no access to VL prior to the study.

Higher rates of metabolic syndrome among women taking zidovudine as compared to tenofovir in rural Africa: preliminary data from the CART-1 study.

Introduction: Due to its side effects stavudine (D4T) has been replaced by zidovudine (AZT) and tenofovir (TDF) in most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In 2014 about 38% of adult first-line regimens contain AZT and 62% TDF [1]. Whereas the unfavourable metabolic outcomes of D4T in comparison to TDF have been described extensively, studies from LMICs comparing metabolic profiles between patients on AZT and TDF are scarce.