Relation between Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, Clinical And Immune Status In HIV Infected Patients

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical and immunologic implications of an elevated ESR in HIV-infected patients. Method: One hundred and four consecutive HAART naïve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adult
patients and fifty one controls were studied. Detailed history was taken and full physical examination was conducted. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CD4+ T lymphocyte count, and complete blood count were performed. Results: The mean (± SD) of ESR in the patients was 84.5 ± 36.8 mm/1st one hour and that for the controls was 20.4 ± 17.6 mm/1st one hour. The patients\' ESR was significantly higher than those of the controls (p < 0.0001). There was a significant difference between the mean ESR of symptomatic (87.6 ± 37.0 mm/1st hr) and asymptomatic patients (61.0 ± 26.1 mm/1st hr) (p = 0.018), and between asymptomatic patients (mean ± SD = 61 ± 26.1 mm/1st one hour) and controls (mean ± SD = 20.4 ± 17.6 mm/1st one hour) (p = 0.000).The mean (± SD) CD4+
lymphocytes count of the patients and controls were 155.4 ± 90.6 cells/ μL, and 655.7 ± 17.6 cells/μL, respectively. The CD4+ cells count was significantly lower in the
patients than in the controls (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: ESR may be useful in monitoring HIV/AIDS disease.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, ESR, CD4+ T lymphocyte.

Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 17 (4) 2008: pp. 420-422