Evaluation of Hematological Parameters in HIV Reactive Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy and Treatment Naïve Patients: A Comparative Study

Background: Hematological parameters are important monitoring tools for assessing treatment and prognosis in HIV. The use of antiretroviral drugs could positively or negatively affect these parameters, depending on the choice of combination used. The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the hematological parameters among HIV reactive patients on antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 months and treatment naïve patients and their comparative analysis. The secondary objective was to correlate the hematological parameters of all the patients with CD4 cell count. Methods: This analytical, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 18 months on 200 HIV reactive patients enrolled as per selection criteria in the department of Pathology, Rajindra hospital Patiala .Hematological parameters viz. Hemoglobin concentration, ESR, hematocrit (PCV), RBC indices like MCV, MCH, MCHC & Red cell distribution width, TLC, DLC, ANC, ALC, platelet count, complete PBF examination for type of anemia and absolute CD4 cell count were done and comparatively analyzed amongst the two groups. Results: The prevalence of anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia was relatively more in HIV infected treatment naïve patients as compared to those on ART and there was a positive correlation between derangements of these parameters with fall in CD4 cell count. Conclusion: The present study highlights that antiretroviral therapy has the capability of reducing the prevalence of anemia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and other deranged hematological parameters; and most importantly improving CD4 cell counts.