Table 5 Baseline characteristics and treatment responses of 360 children enrolled in the parasitaemia elimination half-life study
Variables | 2009–2010 (n = 254) | 2012–2015 (n = 106) | All (n = 360) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Baseline characteristics | ||||
 Male∶Female | 141∶113 | 53∶53 | 194∶166 | 0.4 |
 Age (month) | ||||
  Mean | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 0.64 |
  95% CI | 6.9–7.7 | 6.8–8.1 | 7.0–7.7 | |
  Number 5 years (%) | 54 (21.3) | 22 (20.8) | 76 (21.1) | 1.0 |
 Temperature (°C) | ||||
  Mean | 38.4 | 38 | 38.3 | 0.009 |
  95% CI | 38.2–38.5 | 37.8–38.3 | 38.2–38.4 | |
 No. with | ||||
   ≥ 37.5 °C (%)* | 196 (77.2) | 67 (23.6) | 263 (73.1) | 0.01 |
   ≥ 40 °C (%) | 26 (10.2) | 4 (3.8) | 30 (8.3) | 0.06 |
 Haematocrit (%) | ||||
  Mean | 32.1 | 32.1 | 32.1 | 0.98 |
  95% CI | 31.6–32.6 | 32.1–33.0 | 31.7–32.6 | |
  No with anaemia (%) | 60 (23.6) | 25 (23.6) | 85 (23.6) | 1.0 |
 Parasitaemia (μl−1) | ||||
  Geometric mean | 71 393 | 41 404 | 60 811 | <  0.0001 |
  Range | 1800–1 096 636 | 2220–454 875 | 1800–1 096 636 | |
   > 100 000 μl− 1 (%) | 165 (65) | 83 (78.3) | 248 (68.9) | 0.02 |
 Gametocytaemia (%) | 7 (2.8) | 2 (1.9) | 9 (2.5) | 1.0 |
Treatment responses | ||||
 Fever clearance time (day) | ||||
  Mean (95% CI) | 1.1 (1.0–1.1) | 1.1 (1.0–1.2) | 1.1 (1.05–1.13) | 0.26 |
 Parasite clearance time (day) | ||||
  Mean (95% CI) | 1.1 (1.1–1.2) | 1.4 (1.3–1.5) | 1.2 (1.2–1.3) | <  0.0001 |
   APPD1 (%) | 28 (11) | 37 (34.9) | 65 (18.1) | <  0.0001 |
   APPD2 (%) | 4 (1.6) | 2 (1.9) | 6 (1.7) | 1.0 |
   APPD3 (%) | 3 (1.2) | 0 (0) | 3 (0.8) | - |
 Parasite reduction ratio 1 day | ||||
  Geometric mean | 3.3 × 104 | 3.9 × 103 | 1.7 × 104 | <  0.0001 |
  Range | 2.7 × 100–1.1 × 106 | 8.0 × 10−1–2.4 × 105 | 8.0 × 10−1–1.1 × 106 | |
 Parasite reduction ratio 2 days | ||||
  Geometric mean | 6.6 × 104 | 3.8 × 104 | 5.6 × 104 | <  0.0001 |
  Range | 1.6 × 101–1.1 × 106 | 1.8 × 103–3.6 × 105 | 1.6 × 101–1.1 × 106 | |