Sociodemographic Characteristics and Immunologic Parameters of Newly Diagnosed Patients with HIV at OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Sociodemographic characteristics of newly diagnosed patients with an infection help in determining the risk factors and management plan of that disease.

Aims and Objectives: This study was aimed at determining the sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, clinical presentation and laboratory parameters of newly diagnosed patients with HIV infection compared with matched controls at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Forty-six HIV positive, HAART-naïve and 46 HIV sero-negative matched controls were recruited into the study at OAUTHC, Ile-Ife. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics. Subjects were physically examined and staged, using the WHO criteria.  Blood samples were analysed for total IgE, CD4+ lymphocytes, ESR and FBC. The results obtained were compared between groups.

Results: The mean age of the subjects was 36±10.8 years with females making up 58.7%. Most of them had stage II disease. The commonest risk factor in them was multiple sexual partners; the commonest presenting complaint was significant weight loss. The median serum IgE level was significantly higher in HIV+ subjects 658.33iu/ml vs 145.83iu/ml + -( P=0.004, 95% CI, 250.0-916.7HIV ,75.0-179.2HIV ), while the median CD4+ counts were found to be significantly lower in HIV+ subjects 424cells/mm vs. 791.5 cells/mm (P=0.036, 95% CI, 174+ 527HIV ,675-894HIV) than controls.  The mean ESR was significantly higher in HIV+ subjects 82±44 vs. 17±13 (p=0.008), while the PCV was significantly lower in HIV+ 33±5 vs. 39±5 (p=0.036).

Conclusion: There is a female preponderance among newly diagnosed HIV patients with multiple sexual partners + being the commonest risk factor. Reduced CD4 count and haematocrit were associated with elevated IgE and ESR in these patients.