Magnitude and Predictors of Leukopenia and Thrombocytopenia in Adults With HIV/AIDS Attending Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are common hematological problems among individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS), with a reported prevalence of 6%-43.4%. Despite their clinical and public health significance, there is a limited number of studies done on their magnitude and associated predictors.

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed at assessing the magnitude and predictors of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia among adults with HIV/AIDS at Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH), Southwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

An institution-based analytical cross-sectional study was carried out among adults living with HIV/AIDS attending MTUTH, Southwest Ethiopia, from March to April 2023. A semistructured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic and clinical data. Five milliliters of venous blood sample was collected from each participant in EDTA tubes and analyzed using the UniCel DxH 800 hematology analyzer. CD4+ T-cell counts were measured using the BD FACS flow cytometer, while HIV-1 viral load was assessed using the GeneXpert HIV-1 PCR assay. Data was entered into EpiData 4.6 and analyzed by STATA 14. Descriptive statistics were computed, and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess determinants at p < 0.05.

RESULT: The study enrolled 358 participants. The magnitude of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia was 14.8% (95% CI: 13.75-15.85), 10.34% (95% CI: 9.34-11.34), and 36.9% (95% CI: 35.90-37.90), respectively. Leukopenia was significantly associated with age > 65 years (AOR = 2.80; 95% CI: 1.41, 3.36; p = 0.001), pregnancy (AOR = 3.92; 95% CI: 1.76, 8.71; p = 0.04), MTB (AOR = 3.67; 95% CI: 1.89, 7.12; p = 0.001), viral load (AOR = 5.12; 95% CI: 3.01, 8.19; p = 0.046), and CD4+ (AOR = 4.32; 95% CI: 2.02, 7.45). Thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with age > 65 years (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.72-2.72; p = 0.009), hypertension (AOR = 4.1; 95% CI: 3.63, 4.63; p = 0.03), undernutrition (AOR = 5.42; 95% CI: 4.82, 5.92; p = 0.007), and alcohol consumption (AOR = 4.21; 95% CI: 4.01, 4.31; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Among HIV patients, leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia are common public health problems that have been associated with age > 65 years, pregnancy, MTB infection, undernutrition, hypertension, alcohol consumption, high viral load, and low CD4+ count. To improve clinical outcomes and reduce HIV-related problems, routine blood count monitoring and targeted management of high-risk patients are recommended.