title: Anemia in human immunodeficiency virus-infected and uninfected women in Rwanda.
abstract: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of anemia among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women in Rwanda and the influence of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on anemia, we analyzed 200 HIV-positive women and 50 HIV-negative women in a cross-sectional study. Clinical examinations and iron and vitamin B(12) assays were performed, and complete blood counts, serum folic acid levels, and CD4 cell count determined. The prevalence of anemia was significantly higher among HIV-positive women (29%) than among HIV-negative women (8%) (P < 0.001). Risk factors for anemia were lower body mass index (odds ratio [OR] = 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.4-4.1), zidovudine use (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01-1.29), lack of HAART (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.21-1.67), oral candidiasis (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2-1.6), pulmonary tuberculosis (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.7-2.2), cryptococcal meningitis (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.21-1.8), Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.20-1.65) and CD4 lymphocyte count < 200 cells/μL (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 2.01-3.07). The mean ± SD hemoglobin level of 10.9 ± 1.6 g/dL at HAART initiation significantly increased to 12.3 ± 1.5 g/dL in 8 months (P < 0.001). Anemia increases with HIV stage, and HAART is associated with a significant improvement in hemoglobin levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Belgium. kabasius@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Masaisa
authors.forename: Jean Bosco
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Gahutu
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mukiibi
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Delanghe
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Philippé
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012432:Rwanda / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents