Azidothymidine (AZT) in the treatment of symptomatic HIV-1-infected hemophiliacs

Thromb Haemost. 1990 Aug 13;64(1):108-12.

Abstract

Twenty-one immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV 1)-positive hemophilic patients were treated with Azidothymidine (AZT) for symptomatic HIV infection. The median observation period was 20.5 months. At 25 months the probability of survival was 82%, the probability of progression of disease from CDC III or IV C2 to IV C1 (AIDS) was 20% in patients on continuous AZT treatment and 50% in patients with interruption of treatment. Three patients developed severe leukopenia and 3 patients severe anemia during AZT treatment. In 1 patient a dose-dependent striking increase of transaminases during AZT treatment was observed. In 7 patients treatment was interrupted, in 1 patient because of anemia, in 1 because of pruritus and in 5 patients because of non-compliance. No significant changes in the consumption of clotting factor concentrates and number of bleeding episodes before and during AZT treatment were noted. We conclude, that both hematological and non-hematological side effects of AZT in HIV 1-infected hemophilic patients are comparable to those seen in other risk groups. AZT does not increase the bleeding tendency in this patient group.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Cell Count / drug effects
  • Blood Coagulation Factors / therapeutic use
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / etiology
  • HIV Infections / mortality
  • HIV-1*
  • Hemophilia A / complications*
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance
  • Survival Rate
  • Transfusion Reaction
  • Zidovudine / adverse effects*
  • Zidovudine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Blood Coagulation Factors
  • Zidovudine