Correlation of lipid profile with CD4 count in HIV treatment naïve patients

Introduction: Dyslipidemia is more common in HIV patients especially in patients on Protease inhibitors. Coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease are also more prevalent in HIV patients. However, there is not much literature on lipid abnormalities in treatment naïve HIV patients. Hence we aim to correlate the lipid profile with CD4 count in untreated HIV patients. Material and Method: This was a cross sectional study of 97 newly diagnosed HIV patients who were not on anti-retroviral drugs. Their total cholesterol (TC), LDL, HDL and Triglycerides (TG) were compared with the CD4 count levels and with the stage of HIV infection. Results: Total cholesterol and HDL did not show any significant correlation with CD4 count or with the stage of HIV. There was significant negative correlation between LDL and CD4 count as the Pearson’s correlation coefficient was -.201 (p value 0.04). The level of CD4 count of 373 had a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 65% in predicting an abnormal high LDL level. There was significant positive correlation between triglycerides and CD4 count as the Pearson correlation coefficient was .202 (p value 0.004). The CD4 count of 479 and above had a sensitivity of 61% and specificity of 63% in predicting high triglycerides. Conclusion: In treatment Naïve HIV patients, LDL cholesterol had negative correlation with the CD4 count whereas Triglycerides had positive correlation with the CD4 count.