Abstract
BackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated anemia is common and it is a challenge for prognosis of HIV positive patients. It is stated in different literature that the prevalence of anemia due to HIV before highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation is more prevalent than after HAART initiation. Thus this study aimed to assess anemia prevalence before and after initiation of HAART among HIV patients attending university of Gondar hospital from 2008 – 2013.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted by collecting data from antiretroviral clinic of University of Gondar Hospital from January 1, 2008 to December 30, 2013. Data was collected by using data collection sheet which contains age, sex, regimen type, hematological parameters and CD4 cell count. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. In order to compare means paired t-test was used. P- Value <0.05 was considered as significant.ResultsPrevalence of anemia before and after HAART initiation was 21.2% and 11.5% respectively. There is a significance difference in CD4 cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit values on patients before and after HAART initiation (P <0.001). Opportunistic infection and CD4 cell count were associated with prevalence of anemia before HAART initiation.ConclusionThere was a decline in the prevalence of anemia and increment of mean CD4 cell count among HIV infected patients after HAART initiation. HIV patients are recommended checking up their CD4 cell counts regularly and starting HAART when it is appropriate with regular follow-up.
Highlights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated anemia is common and it is a challenge for prognosis of HIV positive patients
Study setting and study population This retrospective study was conducted in the Antiretroviral treatment (ART) clinic of the University of Gondar Hospital which is found in Northwest of Ethiopia
There was a decline in the prevalence of anemia and increment of mean Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T cell count among HIV infected patients after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated anemia is common and it is a challenge for prognosis of HIV positive patients. This study aimed to assess anemia prevalence before and after initiation of HAART among HIV patients attending university of Gondar hospital from 2008 – 2013. Anemia is the most common hematological abnormality in HIV positive patients. It is developed in close to 95% of HIV infected patients before the initiation of HAART, and still found in up to 46% of patients in the HAART [2,3]. Previous studies have found that the incidence of anemia increases with progression of HIV infection. Several other etiologic factors may be involved in the development of HIV-associated anemia, including micronutrient deficiencies, immunological myelosuppression, impaired erythropoietin production and blood loss from intestinal opportunistic disease [4]
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