[Post-exposure prophylaxis against HIV, do we use our resources appropriately?]

Area of Science:

• Medical Science
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is crucial for preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission.
• PEP can be indicated following occupational, non-occupational, or vertical exposure.
• Effective PEP management requires appropriate drug selection, timely initiation, and consistent monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the indications for and management of PEP in a hospital.
• To evaluate the appropriateness of antiretroviral drug selection and treatment duration.
• To assess patient tolerance and follow-up adherence in PEP protocols.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study design.
• Inclusion of all patients receiving PEP between 2006 and 2014.
• Data collection on PEP initiation time, drug choice, duration, adverse effects, and follow-up.

Main Results:

• 54 PEP cases were evaluated, with an average initiation time of 11.8 hours.
• Antiretroviral drugs were appropriately selected, but treatment durations often deviated from guidelines.
• Good tolerance was observed, with gastrointestinal symptoms being the most common side effect; patient follow-up showed significant attrition.

Conclusions:

• The indications and drug choices for PEP were adequate across different exposure types.
• Treatment duration adherence to established guidelines needs improvement.
• Enhanced patient monitoring and follow-up strategies are recommended to optimize PEP effectiveness.