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 parameters