BODY MASS INDEX AND CD4 COUNT IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HIGHLY ACTIVE ANTIRETROVIRAL TREATMENT AT THE BAMENDA REGIONAL HOSPITAL, CAMEROON

Background: 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 outcome in non-HIV and HIV populations.

Aim of the Study: To evaluate the relationship between BMI, and CD4 count among HIV infected subjects undergoing treatment with HAART.

Methodology: 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.

Results: 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 prevalence 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).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that there was a direct and significant association between CD4 count and BMI in HIV-infected persons. However more research is needed to prove the credibility of obesity, as a protective factor for HIV infected person especially.