Is anaemia frequent in HIV/AIDS patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital?

Objective: To determine the frequency of anaemia among patients with human immune-deficiency virus / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional single-blind study was conducted at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from June 25 to December 25, 2016, and comprised human immune-deficiency virus / acquire immunodeficiency syndrome patients diagnosed at least 3 months earlier. Demographic information was obtained along with sample of patient's blood for haemoglobin level estimation. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <13 g/dL in males and <12 g/dL in females. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.

Results: Of the 230 patients, 100(43.7%) were females and 130(56.5%) were males. The overall mean age was 37.99±14.48 years. The mean haemoglobin level was 11.08±2.44 g/dl; 113(49.1%) 8 12 g/dl, 26(11.3%) <8g/dl, and 91(39.6%) >12g/dl. Overall, 152(66.1%) patients were anaemic and 78(33.9%) were normal. Age and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with anaemia status (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Anaemia was a common finding among human immune deficiency virus / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients.