INFLUENCE OF VIROLOGICAL CONTROL AND ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY ON RESPIRATORY MUSCLE STRENGHT IN SUBJECTS WITH HIV

Abstract

Aim: to evaluate the influence of the viral control and the use of the antiretroviral therapy on the respiratory muscle strength in HIV patients. Methods: Cross-sectional study, 60 patients with HIV, both sexes, on antiretroviral therapy for at least three months or no use. They were subdivided in three groups: with ART and viral load not detectable (AGVL-; n=20); with ART and viral load detectable (AGVL+; n=20); without ART and viral load detectable (nAGVL+; n=20). The respiratory muscle strength was measured with a digital manovacuometer and the prediction values of the maximal respiratory pressure calculed using Neder et al, 1999 equation. We considered inspiratory muscle weakness values ​​of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) <70% of the predicted. Results: the viral load was lower in the AGVL+ than in nAGVL+, since the AGVL- showed viral load not detectable. The counting of T-CD4 was bigger in AGVL- than the others. The groups AGVL+ (60.5 [37.1-70.5]cmH₂O) and nAGVL+; n=20 (67.9 [50.3-93]cmH₂O, p<0.004) presented reduction of maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) compared with AGVL- (100,2 [71-121.9]cmH₂O), according to the predict percentage. The AGVL+ as well as the nAGVL+ has showed median values demonstrating inspiratory muscle weakness. Conclusions: The patients group using of ART and with load viral not detectable showed bigger expiratory muscle strength and was not classified with inspiratory muscle weakness. These favorable effects of the ART and of lower load viral may result in better functional outcomes which should be tested in future studies.