Study of Coagulation parameters in HIV patients and its relation to CD4 counts and ART status

Introduction: We started this study with a research question that whether prolonged APTT, prolonged PT and decreased platelet counts have any correlation with the patients having HIV, as compared to normal healthy controls and also do these changes go hand in hand with the level of CD4 count thus reflecting disease progression. We look for an answer to the question that, can these coagulation parameters be included in the routine testing and care of the HIV patients? Does the treatment have an effect on these parameters? Aims and Objectives: 1) To evaluate PT, APTT, and platelet count of HIV patients and compare them with normal healthy controls. 2) To analyse these parameters with respect to their CD4 count. Conclusion: In the present study the mean APTT value was prolonged which was statistically significant when compared to normal healthy controls. The mean PT value was not prolonged and the difference between HIV patients and controls was not statistically significant. Mean platelet count was not decreased, but the difference was statistically significant when compared to normal controls. The difference in mean APTT, PT and platelet count was not statistically significant when patients with CD4 count <200cell/mm³ were compared with those having CD4 count >200cells/mm³. Hence these parameters cannot be used for disease monitoring.