Study Of Effect Of Antiretroviral Therapy On Clinical Profile And Hematological Parameters In HIV Positive Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND:-Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a state of profound immunodeficiency. HIV infection is a multisystem disease and is associated often with a wide range of hematological abnormalities, including impaired hematopoiesis, immune mediated cytopenias and coagulopathies, particularly in the later part of the disease. These hematological abnormalities include anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and sometimes pancytopenia with variable bone marrow abnormalities. Here we study the hematological abnormalities and clinical profile in HIV positive patients before and after 3 months of ART. Hence all newly diagnosed HIV patients were investigated for hematological abnormalities as it has a significant impact on the clinical outcome and treated accordingly to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life.
METHODOLOGY:- A comparison study was conducted in a tertiary care center Guru Gobind Singh Medical College & Hospital Faridkot, Punjab for a period of 18 months on 100 HIV positive patients. The patients admitted to the Department of Medicine, attended OPD and ART center with the diagnosis of HIV infection as per standard NACO criteria were included in the study. A detailed history, physical examination, and relevant investigations were conducted. Data were collected using a pre-tested proforma to meet the objectives of the study.
RESULT:-In total 100 HIV positive patients the mean age (years) was 37.90 ± 11.66 and males were more common than females .35.0% of the participants had infection of HIV by heterosexual route of transmission, followed by intravenous drug use, by needle injury, by unknown source and only one percent had from mother to child transmission. In clinical profile common symptoms were malaise 38%, followed by fever 27%, weight loss 27%, than females .35.0% of the participants had infection of HIV by heterosexual route of transmission, followed by intravenous drug use, by needle injury, by unknown source and only one percent
had from mother to child transmission. In clinical profile common symptoms were malaise 38%, followed by fever 27%, weight loss 27%, rash 14%, oral thrush 13%, cough 11%, seizure 2%, lymphadenopathy 1% and diarrhea 1% before taking ART. In hematological profile anemia (46%) was the most common laboratory finding in the study, followed by thrombocytopenia (24%) and leucopenia (8%).A significant improvement was seen in hematological parameters and clinical profile after 3 months of ART. Non significant changes was observed in liver function test and renal function test in the study.
CONCLUSION:- The prevalence of anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia was relatively more common in HIV infected treatment naïve patients as compared to those on ART.