Association between body mass index and cd4 cell counts in hiv-infected persons undergoing treatment in the bamenda regional hospital, Cameroon

CaHReF 20116, Yaoundé Conges hall, 23 – 26 August 2016 , PL091

The long-term effect of Highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) has caused weight gain among HIV-infected individuals, leading to an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity. Increased Body Mass Index (BMI) has been associated with adverse health outcomes in non-HIV and HIV populations. Among HIV-infected individuals, a higher BMI at diagnosis offers a slower progression from HIV infection to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Pre-HAART studies reported that obese HIV-infected individuals had higher increases in CD4 (Cluster of Differentiation type 4 T-cell) count over time. However in the post-HAART era, reports have been contradictory as concerns this relationship. 

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between BMI, its categories and CD4 count among HIV infected subjects undergoing treatment with HAART.

This was a cross-sectional retrospective study involving 205 HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) from the Day hospital of the Bamenda Regional Hospital (BRH). Past medical records were used to gather demographic, clinical and anthropometric information dating from August 2014 to September 2015. Records for CD4 counts were taken at 2 instances (first and second CD4 count) per patient after a strict interval of 6 months. Data was analysed using EPI Info version 3.5.1 and Excel 2007. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to measure proportions and associations respectively. 
Of the 205 subjects, 69.8% (n=143) were women and 30.2% (n=62) were men. Subjects were aged from 22-72 years. The prevalences of the weight categories were: obese (21.5%), overweight (35.1%), normal weight (42.4%) and underweight (1%). Women had significantly higher CD4 counts than men (P=0.05 and P=0.002 respectively). BMI was positively associated with CD4 count (P=0.002). Normal weight was a protective factor for the outcome of a CD4 decrease (OR=0.5033 95% CI 0.29-0.89).

There is evidence of an association between obesity and increased CD4 counts in the population of HIV infected persons. However, normal weight is a protective factor for the outcome of a decrease in CD4 count in this population. Also, there is a significant association between gender and CD4 counts. Females have more CD4 counts.

HIV infected subjects, BMI, CD4 counts, BRH