2 research outputs found
The evolution of haematological and biochemical indices in HIV patients during a six-month treatment period
Objective: To assess haematological and biochemical parameters in
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients under going antiretroviral
therapy. Methods: We enrolled HIV patients from, 18-65 years, who
were under first line antiretroviral therapy and followed them for six
months from February 2010 for changes in haematological and biochemical
parameters. Profiles for ALAT, creatinine, amylase, cholesterol, CD4+
and total lymphocytes, haemoglobin, and monocytes were studied every
three months. Results: There was an increase of both, CD4+ lymphocyte
counts from 233.57 cells/mm3 to 336.45 cells/mm3 and total lymphocytes
from 45 to 46.6 103 cells /μl, after six months. The haemoglobin
level dropped from 8.8 g/L to 7.52 g/L. We observed an increase in ALAT
from 40.27 to 47.42 U/L, amylase from 178.9 to 193.97 U/L, and
cholesterol from 5.88 to 8.40 mmol/L. Creatinine levels decreased from
117.4 to 115.0 μmol/L. Conclusion: The use of ARVs boosts CD4+
and total lymphocyte counts. Prolonged use of antiretroviral drugs
(ARVs) is associated with variable degrees of liver and pancreatic
damage, hypercholesteremia, and anaemia in some patients. Since many of
these side effects are multi-factorial, management of HIV patients
should take into consideration such side effects in making treatment
decisions based on periodic evaluation of these parameter