Trends of CD4+T lymphocyte counts in HIV infected/AIDS patients after antiviral treatment
Objective To analyze the dynamic changes of CD4+T lymphocytes (hereinafter referred to as CD4 cells) in different populations after of HIV infected/AIDS patients antiviral treatment,aiming to understand the characteristics of CD4 cell changes in different populations after antiviral treatment and provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on HIV infected/AIDS patients who received treatment in a hospital in Yunnan Province from 2018 to 2019. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,a total of 605 eligible patients were included as research subjects. Analyze the baseline of antiviral therapy and CD4 cell count levels at 6,12,18,and 24 months,with the baseline blood collection time of HIV infected/AIDS patients as the starting point and the last follow-up time as the endpoint. Results Among the 605 patients,patients aged ≤30 years had higher CD4 cell levels after antiviral therapy than patients aged>30 years;unmarried patients had higher CD4 cells than married and divorced patients;patients who acquired HIV through homosexual transmission had higher CD4 cell levels than those with heterosexual transmission;patients with mother-to-child transmission had higher CD4 cells at some follow-up points than those with heterosexual transmission and intravenous drug users;patients using regimen groups A,C,and E had higher CD4 cells than those using regimen groups B and D. The CD4 cell count increased rapidly within the first 6 months of ART initiation. Patients with a baseline CD4 cell count of≤200 cells/µL did not reach normal levels after 2 years of treatment,while patients with a baseline CD4 cell count of>200 cells/µL maintained relatively higher CD4 cell levels throughout ART and reached normal levels after 2 years of treatment. Conclusions The early stage of ART is the rapid growth period of CD4 cells. The earlier the initiation of ART,the quicker the CD4 cell levels recover,leading to better immune function restoration in HIV infected/AIDS patients. Therefore,intensifying monitoring and detection efforts to identify infections earlier can facilitate easier immune function rebuilding,improve treatment effects,reduce the risk of death,and extend patients' lifespans.