HAEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE IN HIV PATIENTS AND ITS CORRELATION WITH WHO CLINICAL STAGING

BACKGROUND The aim of the study is to study the spectrum of haematological manifestations and CD4 counts and evaluate the relationship between haematological manifestations and CD4 counts in relation to WHO clinical staging in a hospital-based study of HIV infected adults in and around Kottayam. MATERIALS AND METHODS Clinical and haematological profile of patients attending medicine department and antiretroviral therapy clinic, Kottayam, were recorded. The relationship between WHO clinical staging and CD4 counts and various haematological manifestations was analysed. RESULTS A total of 120 HIV infected individuals, in which, 71 were males and 49 were females. Candidiasis was most common opportunistic infection followed by tuberculosis. Anaemia and elevated ESR was most common haematological abnormality. Anaemia (Pearson correlation -0.827), ESR (Pearson correlation +0.78), total lymphocyte count (Pearson correlation -0.807), CD4 counts (Pearson correlation -0.944) were correlating with WHO clinical staging and falling tendency of these parameters were statistically significant, but total count and platelet count had no correlation with WHO clinical staging or falling tendency were not correlating with progression of disease. CONCLUSION Anaemia, elevated ESR was the most common haematological manifestation. CD4 count, total lymphocyte count can be used to assess the progression of disease in HIV patients. CD4 count is best indicator of disease progression