AR Pazare

Total Lymphocyte Count and Haemoglobin Concentration Combined as a Surrogate Marker for Initiating Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in a Resource-limited Setting as against CD4 Cell Count

Issue:

Vol 63, Issue 5: Sep (2014)

DOI:

10.7727/wimj.2013.132

Pages:

460–4

Synopsis:

Adding haemoglobin to total lymphocyte count improves the sensitivity of the marker to predict CD4 count <200/mm3, thus ensuring initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy and thereby reducing investigational costs.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To find a sensitive and low-cost surrogate marker for CD₄ count for initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) [CD₄ < 200 /mm³], in the form of total lymphocyte count (TLC) < 1200 /mm³ combined with haemoglobin (Hb) with multiple Hb cut-offs.

Received:

09 Sep, 2013

Accepted:

29 Oct, 2013

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