International Journal of Community Health Nursing

EFFECT OF ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUG THERAPY ON IRON STATUS, URIC ACID, CD4+T-CELLS AND WEIGHT OF HIV SEROPOSITIVE SUBJECTS

Oluboyo AO1, Odogwu OC1, Oluboyo BO2,Ihim AC1,IbeNC1, Nnodim JK3, Ogenyi SI1,Akulue JC1,Ezekwueme EN,1Onyemelukwe AO1

aooluboyo@hotmail.com

Human immunodeficiency virus, CD4+T-cells, antiretroviral therapy, iron, total iron binding capacity, uric acid, weight

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) /Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the pandemic infections that ravage humans. HIV/AIDS diseases progress with decrease in weight, CD4+T cells count is lowered resulting to the production of uric acid which chelates the available iron leading to anemia. The use of antiretroviral agents further complicates the biochemical changes that take place.Methods: The study investigated the iron status, uric acid, CD4+T-cells and weight of HIV seropositive subjects and the effects of antiretroviral therapy on the parameters. A total number of 200 subjects between the ages of 20-65years were investigated out of which 20 subjects were HIV negative and they serve as the control. The remaining 180 subjects were grouped into six groups of 30 subjects per group depending on their antiretroviral drug combination. Serum iron and total iron binding capacity were estimated using commercial kit by TECO Laboratories while the uric acid level was estimated using kit by RANDOX Ltd, United Kingdom. CD4+Tcells were determined using flow cytometry. The weight was measured using high sensitive weighing balance.Results: This study revealed significant differences in the mean levels of total iron binding capacity (TIBC), iron, uric acid CD4+ T- cells and weight of HIV seropositive subjects when compared control whereas there was no significant difference when the mean levels of each of the drug combinations were compared with those not on antiretroviral therapies.Conclusion: Serum iron, total iron binding capacity uric acid, CD4+ T-cells count and weight should be assessed during HIV infection and during the use of antiretroviral therapy as these may predict HIV disease progression and treatment assessment.