title: Outcomes of highly active antiretroviral therapy and its predictors: a cohort study focusing on tuberculosis co-infection in South West Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we hypothesized that TB co-infection independently increases the risk of poor treatment outcomes in such patients even if they are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating this hypothesis among cohort of adult PLWHs in South West Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study comparing the immunologic and clinical outcomes of 130 HIV/TB co-infected and 520 only HIV patients starting ART was enrolled. Chi square and student t test were used to compare outcome variables and logistic regression was used to assess the effect of TB on treatment failure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, TB co-infection didn't increase immunologic failure even in univariate analysis at both 6 [OR, 1.10 (0.59-1.69), P = 0.85] and 12 months [OR, 1.06 (0.58-1.93), P = 0.89] of ART initiation. However, it increased the risk of clinical failure at both 6 [Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR), 2.90 (1.41-6.09), P = 0.028] and 12 months [AOR, 2.93 (1.41-6.09), P = 0.004] of ART initiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that TB co-infection didn't adversely affect the immunologic outcomes, weight and hemoglobin responses even though it increased the risk of clinical failure nearly three times. Therefore, beside the concern given for TB prevention and treatment, several patient and policy related factors need to be addressed to maximally benefit from highly active antiretroviral therapy rollout in resource limited settings.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia. jimmapharm@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jimma Likisa
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lenjisa
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. sultan.suleman@ju.edu.et.
authors.forename: Sultan Suleman
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wega
authors.affiliation: Population and Family Health Department, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. teferabelachew@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tefera Belachew
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Lema
authors.affiliation: Medical Laboratory and Pathology Department, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. gemeda.abebe@ju.edu.et.
authors.forename: Gemeda Abebe
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ayana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D060085:Coinfection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005002:Ethiopia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins