Hematological Profile of Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS: Comprehensive Study

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS patients often experience hematological abnormalities like anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and leukopenia, which require understanding for effective care and management. Therefore, the present research was designed to study the hematological profile of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). Methods: A study involved 120 inpatient and outpatient patients who underwent comprehensive clinical, hematological, radiological, and microbiological investigations. Patients were given two blood samples for CD4 count analysis and hematological parameters assessment. Hematologic values were calculated based on specific cutoffs, including anemia (Hb<13% for men and Hb<12 gm% for non-pregnant women), thrombocytopenia (platelet count <1.5 lakh/mm 3), and leucopenia (white blood cell count <4000/mm 3). Mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin, and concentration assessments were also conducted. Results: The study involved 120 patients, with 53.3% being male and 46.7% female. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was the highest, with a maximum of 38.3% in the 80-100 fml range, indicating anemia. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) was the most common, with 55% having MCH between 27-32 picogm. The mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was the most common, with 52.5% having MCHC between 31-35%. The highest rectic count was 93.3%, with a TLC between 4000-11000/Cumm (94.2%). The study also showed that 49.2% of patients had normocytic normochromic anaemia, 17.5% had microcytic hypochromic anaemia, and 25% had macrocytic anaemia. Furthermore, various haematological parameters showed statistically significant associations with CD4 count levels among individuals studied. Conclusion: Hematological abnormalities, including anemia, are prevalent in patients with PLHA, contributing to their morbidity. Although ART may be responsible for anemia, the study found all patients on ART, making it difficult to prove this definitively. Identifying and correcting these abnormalities is crucial for improving patients' quality of life.