Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: July | Volume: 8 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 365-368
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20210751
Correlation between Leptin Levels and CD4 Count in HIV Patients Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)
Lydia Theresia Tampubolon1, Dharma Lindarto2, Santi Syafril2, Tambar Kembaren3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan
2Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan
3Division of Tropical Infection Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan
Corresponding Author: Lydia Theresia Tampubolon
ABSTRACT
Background: HIV/AIDS is an immunodeficiency disease with CD4 T lymphocytes as the main target. Although antiretroviral therapy has increased life expectancy of HIV patients, its adverse effect, lipodystrophy, causes a decrease in leptin production by adipose tissue and reduce leptin effect on T lymphocytes’ stimulation. Previous studies had examined the correlation between leptin levels and CD4 count, although the results were inconclusive. This study aims to assess the association between leptin levels and CD4 count in HIV patients receiving HAART.
Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted at the outpatient clinic of Tropical and Infectious Disease Haji Adam Malik General Hospital Medan between April and July 2020. Correlation between variables were assessed through Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlations. Data were analyzed using the SPPS program where p <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: A total of 40 HIV patients were analyzed. The mean age of the subjects were 33.62 ± 7.61 years. The mean leptin levels were 1198.97 ± 832.47 ng/mL and the mean CD4 count was 330.55 ± 163.98 cells/mm3. There were no significant differences in leptin levels between HIV stage III and IV (1067.71 ± 902.39 vs. 1090.80 ± 1185.74, p = 0.961). No significant differences were found between CD4 count and HIV clinical stage (392.34 ± 164.70 vs. 339.0 ± 177.46, p = 0.904). There was a significant association between leptin levels and CD4 count in HIV patients receiving HAART (r = 0.351, p = 0.026).
Conclusion: Leptin levels were significantly correlated with CD4 count in HIV patients receiving HAART.
Keywords: Leptin, CD4 lymphocyte count, HIV, highly active antiretroviral therapy.
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