CD4 cell counts in adults with newly diagnosed HIV infection in Barbados.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the absolute CD4 cell counts of all the newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons who presented at the Ladymeade Reference Unit (LRU), which serves as the national HIV/AIDS referral and treatment center for the country of Barbados.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study group was comprised of HIV-infected adults who had been diagnosed with HIV infection and referred to the LRU between January and December 2002. All the patients referred to the LRU had a CD4 cell count done at their first visit to the unit, as part of the routine workup to assess their disease status and need for antiretroviral therapy.

RESULTS

Of the 106 newly diagnosed adults, 62 of them (58.5%) were males, who had a median age at presentation of 40 years; the other 44 of them (41.5%) were females, and their median age at presentation was 36 years. Nearly one-fifth (18.2%) of the females were aged 16-25 years, whereas only 8.1% of the males were in this age group. The majority (57.6%) of the study group were diagnosed because they presented with an HIV/AIDS-related illness. Overall, the median CD4 cell count at the time of diagnosis was 183/microL; 52 of 103 adults (50.5%) with a newly diagnosed HIV infection had a CD4 cell count that was < 200. Among males, the median CD4 cell count was 161/microL, and 32 (53.3%) of 60 males had CD4 cell counts < 200. In contrast, among females, the median CD4 cell count was 223, and 20 (46.5%) of 43 females had a CD4 cell count that was < 200/microL. However, this difference in the proportion of males and females with a CD4 cell count less than 200/microL was not statistically significant (P = 0.63).

CONCLUSIONS

At the time of HIV diagnosis, over one-half of the adults had an initial CD4 cell count that was consistent with relatively advanced disease. Proportionally more women than men presented at a younger age, and proportionally more women than men presented in the early stages of the disease. These patterns indicate a clear need for enhanced educational efforts regarding the importance of HIV testing for at-risk individuals across Barbados. This testing could improve efforts to reduce transmission as well as the prognosis for patients who receive antiretroviral therapy.