ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CD4 T-CELL COUNTS AND HEMATOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES IN HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS RECEIVING ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY
Keywords:
HIV/AIDS, Antiretroviral Therapy, CD4 T-Cell Count, Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, Leukopenia, Hematology.Abstract
Background: Hematological abnormalities are common complications in HIV infection. While cytopenias are common even on ART, the prognosis is better.
Objective: To assess relationship of CD4+ T-cell count and hematological parameters in HIV infected people on ART.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 100 HIV-positive adults receiving treatment with ART was undertaken. Patients were stratified by CD4 counts: <200, 200–349, 350–499, and ≥500 cells/µL. ANOVA, chi-square and Pearson/Spearman correlation were used to check for hematological parameters.
Results: The overall prevalence of hematological abnormality was 65.0%. Primary anemia (60.0 %), leukopenia (12.0 %) and thrombocytopenia (6.0 %) were the main abnormalities. There was a significant step-wise increase in hemoglobin, RBC count, and HCT in the different ascending CD4 categories (p<0.0001). Anemia prevalence was 100.0% at CD4<200 versus 0.0% at CD4≥500 (Chi-Square=73.19, p<0.0001). Thrombocytopenia occurred exclusively in CD4<200 (24.0%, p=0.00025). Strong positive correlation was seen between CD4 and Hb (r=0.931), CD4 and HCT (r=0.902), and CD4 and RBC (r=0.721).
Conclusions: There is a strong association between severe CD4 immunosuppression and high prevalence of anemia and low platelet counts. Regular hematological monitoring is still critical for the assessment of the severity of the disease and decision making about treatment.
