Revista de SIDA e investigación clínica

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anaemia during HIV Infection in Bangui

Abstract

Gaspard Tekpa, Sylvain Honore Woromogo*, Eudes Gbangba Ngai, Valentin Fikouma, Larissa Eleonor Kpengougna, Prince Wilikoe and Boniface Koffi

Background: Haematological manifestations during HIV infection in Bangui are common and poorly documented. The objective of our study was to evaluate the frequency of anaemia before and during antiretroviral treatment in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and to identify associated factors.

Methods: This was a retrospective analytical study covering the period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016. PLHIV who were naive or had been treated with ARVs for more than six months and whose medical records included a blood count and a CD₄ T-cell count were included. Sociodemographic and clinicobiological characteristics were collected using an anonymous questionnaire. The prevalence of anaemia was measured before and at the sixth month of antiretroviral treatment. Multiple logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors.

Results: We included 532 patients of whom 149 were men (28%). The average age was 37.5 ± 9.4 years. The patients were seen in stages 3 and 4 of the WHO classification of HIV infection in 70.81% of cases. The mean CD₄ T cell count increased from 201 ± 175/mm³ before antiretroviral therapy (ART) to 361 ± 182/mm3 after six months of ART. Risk factors for anaemia in PLHIV before ART were CD₄ 200/mm³ (p=0.0391) and thrombocytosis (p=0.0083); on ART, anaemia was associated with cotrimoxazole use (p=0.0285) and thrombocytosis (p=0.0212).

Conclusion: Anemia in PLWH is common and has multiple risk factors, some of which are preventable, such as late treatment and tuberculosis. Better knowledge of risk factors, early detection and management could help reduce anaemia-related morbidity and mortality.