title: Early clinical and programmatic outcomes with tenofovir-based antiretroviral therapy in Zambia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In July 2007, amid some controversy over cost, Zambia was the first African country to introduce tenofovir (TDF) as a component of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) on a wide scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared drug substitutions, mortality, and "programmatic failure" among adults starting TDF-, zidovudine (ZDV)-, and stavudine (d4T)-containing ART. Programmatic failure was defined as death, withdrawal, or loss to follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between July 2007 and January 2009, 10,485 adults initiated ART (66% on TDF, 23% on ZDV, 11% on d4T), with a median follow-up time of 239 (interquartile range 98, 385) days. Those starting TDF were more likely to be male and more likely to have indicators of severe disease at baseline. In adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, ZDV- (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 2.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.30-3.28) and d4T-based regimens (AHR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.55-2.38) were associated with higher risk for drug substitution when compared with TDF-based regimens. Similar hazards were noted for overall mortality (ZDV: AHR = 0 .81, 95% CI = 0.62-1.06; d4T: AHR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.74-1.43) and programmatic failure (ZDV: AHR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.88-1.11; d4T: AHR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.96-1.28) when compared with TDF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TDF is associated with similar clinical and programmatic outcomes as ZDV and d4T but appears to be better tolerated. Although further evaluation is needed, these results are encouraging and support Zambia's policy decision.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. bchi@uab.edu
authors.forename: Benjamin H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mwango
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giganti
authors.forename: Lloyd B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Mulenga
authors.forename: Bushimbwa
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tambatamba-Chapula
authors.forename: Stewart E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bolton-Moore
authors.forename: Namwinga
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chintu
authors.forename: Priscilla L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Mulenga
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Stringer
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sheneberger
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mwaba
authors.forename: Jeffrey S A
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Stringer
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068698:Tenofovir; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015024:Zambia
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D063065:Organophosphonates; D000068698:Tenofovir; D000225:Adenine