Impact of highly active antiretroviral drug therapy (HAART) on biochemical, hematologic, atherogenic and anthropometric profiles of human immunodeficiency virus patients at a tertiary hospital in Owo, Nigeria

• Published in: Bulletin of the National Research Centre 2022-12, Vol.46 (1), p.1-9, Article 263
• Main Authors: Ademuyiwa, Success E. A., Saliu, Ibrahim Olabayode, Akinola, Busuyi Kolade, Akinmoladun, Afolabi Clement, Olaleye, Mary Tolulope, Ademuyiwa, Adewole I., Akindahunsi, Afolabi Akintunde
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Anthropometry; Antiretroviral agents; Antiretroviral drugs; Antiretrovirals; Biochemistry; Blood; Blood glucose; BMI; Body mass index; Body measurements; Body size; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular risk; Chemotherapy; Cholesterol; Chronology; Drug therapy; Dyslipidemia; Glucose; Health care facilities; Health risks; Highly active antiretroviral therapy; HIV; HIV/AIDS; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hyperglycemia; Immune response; Immune system; Infections; Leukocytes; Lipids; Lymphocytes; Medicine and Human Genetics; multidisciplinary; Patients; Science; Science (multidisciplinary)
• ISSN: 2522-8307; 2522-8307
• DOI: 10.1186/s42269-022-00953-3

Background Highly active antiretroviral drug therapy (HAART) remains the only officially available option for the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection at designated medical institutions in Nigeria. This study investigated the impact of HAART on glucose level, lipid profile, blood parameters and growth indices of HIV-infected patients at a tertiary health center in Nigeria. Biochemical and hematologic indices were determined in HIV patients on HAART at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Nigeria. Plasma glucose and lipid profile were biochemically determined in 140 age-matched individuals divided into three groups: Group I ( n  = 70) comprised seventy clinically diagnosed and laboratory-confirmed HIV-positive patients before receiving HAART (HIV-positive group); Group II ( n  = 70) comprised the same set of HIV-positive patients who had received HAART for 1 year (HAART group); and Group III ( n  = 70) comprised healthy controlled subjects who proved HIV-negative (HIV-negative group). Growth indices were used to monitor the changes in immune response (white blood cell counts) of the HIV-infected patients. Results HAART ameliorated reduced body mass index and disorder in white blood cell counts but not dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia caused by HIV infection. Results confirmed the effectiveness of HAART in preventing the development of full-blown acquired immune deficiency syndrome in HIV-positive patients. However, increases in cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels coupled with increased atherogenic index occasioned by HAART portend the risk of cardiovascular disease. Conclusions HIV infection has a negative impact on the anthropometric, hematologic and biochemical indices of patients. Although HAART is helpful to improve anthropometric and hematological indicators, there is a need to improve drug regimens to reduce or eliminate undesirable metabolic complications.