Revista de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río (Nov 2017)
Changes in weight and CD4 + T cells in HIV / AIDS individuals with antiretroviral, Angola
Abstract
Introduction: There are several causes that lead to malnutrition in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. However, cellular immunosuppression with a decrease in CD4 + T lymphocytes represents the main conditioning factor. Objective: to relate antiretroviral changes on body weight and CD4 + T lymphocyte count in HIV / AIDS patients from the province of Benguela, Angola. Method: a case-control study was conducted in 190 adults with HIV / AIDS treated at Benguela Provincial External Bank Hospital, with three months or more of patients treated with antiretroviral (women: 70.5%, mean age: 36 , 1 year,> 35 years with HIV + diagnosis: 46.8%, 3-18 months with antiretroviral: 48.9%). The absolute CD4 + T cell count and weight were measured before starting the therapy (initial value) and at the last visit (final value). The relative changes or gradients (final value - initial value / initial value) of both variables were calculated. A comparison of means for related and independent samples was performed by non-parametric tests. The association between weight gradients and CD4 counts was estimated using the Odds-Ratio and its confidence interval; 95% of confidence was considered for all statistical tests. Results: the mean of weight and absolute CD4 + T cell counts increased significantly after the retroviral therapy (p <0.001). A significant association was found between the weight gradient and the CD4 gradient (OR = 3.61; CI (95%): 1.61-8.11). Conclusion: the relative changes in body weight in individuals suffering from HIV / AIDS as a result of antiretroviral therapy could be used to follow up and monitor the immune response to antiretroviral in countries with shortage of economic resources.
