Effect of Antiretroviral Therapy on CD 4 cell count and WHO Staging among PLHIV Accessing Services at Tertiary care Hospital, Coastal Karnataka

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus attacks CD4 cells primarily. Current CD4 count is a strong predictor of the immediate risk of acquired immune deficiency syndrome or death. Antiretroviral therapy results in an improvement in immunologic status, one feature of which is an increase in the CD4 cell count.Objectives: To study the effect of Antiretroviral therapy on CD4 cell count & WHO staging among people living with HIV/AIDS.Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using data available from Antiretroviral therapy centre attached to Teaching Hospital of Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences, Karwar.Conclusion: Antiretroviral therapy among People Living with HIV was significantly associated with the increase in their CD4 cell count. The mean difference of the CD4 count increase in patients obtained was of 451 and is statistically significant (P < 0.01). There is improvement in the WHO staging of the disease after the start of Antiretroviral therapy