The Relationship Between CD4+ Cell Count and Posterior Segment Findings in HIV-Positive Patients in Nigeria

Aim: To determine the relationship between CD4 leucocyte counts and posterior segment findings among HIV- positive patients in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Study design: A cross-sectional hospital-based study on adult HIV- positive patients attending the HIV clinic in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

Methodology: Consecutive adult patients attending the Retroviral disease (RVD) clinic were included in the study. An informed consent was obtained and a structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used. Each patient had a comprehensive ophthalmic examination with dilated slit lamp bio microscopy to examine the fundus. Information on CD4 count was retrieved from the patient’s case notes. The data was analyzed using EPI-info version 7.0. Statistical methods such as the frequency and chi-square were used to test the significance of association. Level of significance was drawn at P<0.05.

Results: There was a female preponderance with a male to female ratio of 1:2. Fundal findings seen in HIV- positive patients were mostly retinal micro vasculopathy (4.6%) and occurred in patients with CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³.

Fundal findings seen in HIV- positive patients were mostly retinal micro vasculopathy (4.6%) and occurred in patients with CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³.

Keywords: Fundal findings; HIV positive; Tertiary hospital