Low body mass index increases risk of anemia in patients with HIV-AIDS receiving antiretroviral therapy
Abstract In acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases, cytopenias of all major blood cell
lines were increasingly recognized in patients with HIV infection. Anemia
commonly occurs during HIV infection and has been associated with increased
progression to AIDS and decreased survival. The aim of this study was to
determine the prevalence of anemia and associated risk factors in adults with
HIV-AIDS receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Methods
A cross sectional study was conducted involving 90 adults with HIV-AIDS.
Sociodemographic data were collected using a questionnaire. In all patients,
CD4+ lymphocyte counts were performed by means of a PIMA analyzer, while
hemoglobin was determined using a Sysmex hematology analyzer. The WHO cutoff
value of hemoglobin was adjusted to altitude to define anemia. Mild to moderate
anemia was defined as hemoglobin 8-13 g/dL for men and 8-12 g/dL for women.
Severe anemia was defined as hemoglobin 8 g/dL. Data was analyzed by using
logistic regression test.
Results
There were 90 subjects with HIV-AIDS in this study. Anemia was found in
50 subjects (55.6%), consisting of 12.2% with mild anemia and 43.4% with
moderate to severe anemia. Multiple logistic regression showed that an
important risk factor for anemia was low body mass index (BMI) between
<17-18.5 (OR=4.20; 95% CI=1.23-14.36). However, the CD4 <350 cells/mm3
was not a significant risk factor for anemia (OR=1.03; 95% CI=0.21-5.04).
Conclusions
Low BMI increases the risk of anemia in subjects with HIV receiving ART.
Better screening for anemia and infectious diseases, and modified harm
reduction strategy for injection drug users are primary needs in HIV patients.
Keywords: Anemia; body mass
index; CD4+; HIV-AIDS
Author: Mirna Widiyanti,
Reynold Ubra, Eva Fitriana
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg170044
