Author : Naod gebrekrstos zeru
Keyword : Art, cd4 cell count, gee, glmm, longitudinal data analysis
Subject : Medical research
Article Type : Original article (research)
Article File : Full Text PDF
Abstract : HIV attacks an immune cell called CD4 cell which is responsible for the body’s immune response to infectious agents. Even if, HIV is treated through ART, the occurrence of event is still continued. The objective of this study was identifying risk factors of the change in CD4 cell counts on HIV positive patients initiated on Anti Retroval Therapy. The study population of this study were consists of 632 HIV+ patients who were under ART follow up from September 2016 - August 2019 in Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Retrospective Longitudinal study was used with minimum three and maximum six times follow up time per individual. The CD4 cell count data were explored using basic descriptive statistics and a profile of the mean CD4 cell count over the period of the study. Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) and Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE) models were used to modeling the change in CD4 cell count over time. The mean of CD4 cell count revealed that there is an improvement with duration of treatment in linear trend. From the Generalized Linear Mixed Model covariates time, sex, age, weight, hemoglobin level, functional status, regimen class, WHO stage, TB status, time by WHO stage and time by weight significantly determined a change in the CD4 cell count over time. Generalized Linear Mixed Model was the better fitted model compared to GEE as proven by the minimum standard error. Moreover, CD4 count increases in a linear trend over time after patients initiated to the ART program i.e. the immune system increases whereas the progression of the disease turn down due to the therapy. Therefore, patients should start ART treatment early to increase their CD4 cell count.
Article by : Naod Gebrekrstos
Article add date : 2021-05-25
How to cite : Naod gebrekrstos zeru. (2021-May-25). Longitudinal analysis of cd4 cell counts data on hiv positive patients initiated on anti-retroviral therapy: in case of ayder comprehensive specialized hospital, tigray, ethiopia. retrieved from https://openacessjournal.com/abstract/736