Observations Concerning the Use of Zidovudine in an Outpatient Setting

This work analyzed 28 charts of patients receiving zidovudine to determine if proper indications for commencement of therapy were present, recommended dosage followed, toxicity discovered, length of time between visits was appropriate, and whether patients were compliant.

Abstract

To the Editor.— Due to the increasing cost of providing inpatient care for the patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, more emphasis is being placed on outpatient care. This includes preventive measures such as zidovudine (AZT) and aerosolized pentamidine therapy, as well as regular follow-up examinations and laboratory usage. We analyzed 28 charts of patients receiving zidovudine to determine if proper indications for commencement of therapy were present, recommended dosage followed, toxicity discovered, length of time between visits was appropriate, and whether patients were compliant. The indication that we used for commencement of zidovudine therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals was their CD4count of less than 500 × 106/L.1Twenty-seven (96.4%) of 28 patients met this criterion, with the sole exception of an individual with oral hairy leukoplakia and a CD4count of 584 × 106/L. The recommended dosage of 500 to 600