To Study the Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in Newly Diagnosed HIV +ve Patients and Correlation between CD4 Count and Thyroid Dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is one of the common endocrine dysfunction in HIV Positive patients. Newly Diagnosed HIV Positive patients are rarely monitored for this problem. Objective:-To study the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in newly diagnosed HIV positive patients & to Correlate it with CD4 Count. Methods: A prevalence study was carried out on 150 newly diagnosed HIV Positive patients with different CD4 Counts divided in three groups (Group A; CD4<350, Group B; CD4 350-550 and Group C; CD4>550) who were evaluated for thyroid dysfunction. Blood samples were collected for CD4 T Lymphocytes. Counts were determined by flow cytometry and Thyroid function was evaluated by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: Out of 150 cases studied, 47 Patients (31.33%) had thyroid dysfunction. Group A, B and C had Thyroid dysfunction in 40 %( 20), 32 %( 16) and 22 %( 11) patients respectively. All except one had hypothyroid state (TSH above normal range).When the results were analyzed for 150 patients with Pearson correlation coefficient. There was an inverse correlation of CD4 count and TSH. There was progressive decline in T3, T4 levels as CD4 count decreased. Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction is frequent in newly diagnosed HIV positive patients and prevalence of thyroid dysfunction increased with decrease in CD4 count. TSH levels increased as CD4 count declined.