Table 1.
Correlates of elevated AST levels at baseline and while on antiretroviral therapy by multivariate analysis
| Variable | β (95% CI) | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline | ||
| Age (5-year increase) | 0.07(−0.33–0.47) | |
| Baseline AST | 0.02 (−0.00–0.04) | |
| Male sex | 1.63 (0.16–3.11) | 0.030 |
| Hepatitis B status | 0.26 (−2.20–2.73) | |
| Baseline CD4 <100 cell/μL | 0.53 (−0.86,1.92) | |
| Baseline WHO | ||
| 1 and 2 | 0 | |
| 3 and 4 | 0.93 (−0.38–2.24) | |
| Baseline ART regimen | ||
| NVP 1st line | 0 | |
| EFV | −1.76 (−3.99–0.46) | |
| Baseline HIV RNA log copies/mL | ||
| <5 | 0 | |
| ≥5 | −0.04 (−1.75–1.68) | |
| CD4 change from baseline | 0 | |
| − 0.005 (−0.009–0.001) | 0.005 | |
| Current ART regimen | ||
| NVP – first line | 0 | |
| EFV – first line | 1.62 (1.34–2.57) | |
| Second line* | −1.81 (−10.45–6.82) | |
| Others† | ||
| Current WHO stage | ||
| 1–2 | Ref | |
| 3–4 | −0.60 (−1.87–0.66) | |
| Current HIV RNA log copies/mL | ||
| <5 | 0 | |
| ≥5 | 0.52 (−2.57–3.62) |
AST = aspartate aminotransferase; NVP = nevirapine; EFV = efavirenz; ART = antiretroviral therapy; CI = confidence interval
*
Second-line regimens consisted of lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra) plus either didanosine/zidovudine, zidovudine/lamivudine, tenofovir/emtricitabine or lamivudine/efavirenz
†
Other regimens included two who were off therapy for sometime, one on abacavir lamivudine and efavirenz, and one on zidovudine, didanosine and Alluvia (lopinavir/ritonavir)