Correlation of Mean Corpuscular Volume and Hemoglobin

to
Zidovudine-induced Anemia in Patients Undergoing
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy at the Research
Institute for Tropical Medicine

Background of the Study

Zidovudine (ZDV) is a first-line drug used in antiretroviral therapy (ART)
One of the most severe side effects of ZDV intake is anemia
About 1-2% of patients taking ZDV develop anemia
Patients with ZDV in their therapy are at more risk of developing anemia than
patients without ZDV in their therapy

 Hemoglobin is the only parameter considered for ZDV initiation

Previous studies have suggested that a low MCV may be more useful in
predicting the risk of ZDV-induced anemia

General Objective
To determine if the hemoglobin and MCV is correlated before and after treatment of ZDV.

Specific Objectives

To determine if hemoglobin and MCV of patient before treatment is correlated to the

hemoglobin and MCV of those which developed anemia

To determine if hemoglobin and MCV of patient before treatment is correlated to the

hemoglobin and MCV of those which did not develop anemia

Significance of the Study

Preventing anemia in HIV patients is especially important to ensure a
high survival rate.
Methods to replenish blood is expensive.
Additional relevant parameters for safely recommending ZDV to HIV
patients are needed.

Scope and Limitation

Scope
This study focused on the MCV of the HIV patients undergoing HAART before
ZDV intake.

Limitations
All data is gathered from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)
The data obtained spanned from January 2015 to January 2016
Subjects had ZDV included in their therapy
Subjects have at least one follow up within the six months after ZDV intake.

Methodology

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

18 years old and above

Male and female

Treatment nave

Has at least one follow up within 6

months of treatment

Alive within 6 months of treatment

Has used ZDV

January 2015 January 2016

Did not have at least one follow up

within 6 months of treatment

Undergoing HAART for the first time

Already undergone HAART

Undergone blood transfusion 2 weeks

before start of therapy

Taking of HGFs

Taking of drugs that may induce anemia

Aged below 18

Died within 6 months of HAART

Not recorded within 6 months from the

start of HAART

Methodology

Statistical Tests
IBM SPSS Version 20.0
Pearson correlation
P-value < 0.05

Results
Before Treatment

Before
Treatment
HGB
MCV
After
Treatment
HGB
MCV

After Treatment

HGB

MCV

HGB

MCV

-0.199

- 0.199
-

0.665
0.065

0.227
0.858*

0.665
0.227

0.065
0.858*

0.415

0.415
-

Table 1. Correlation of hemoglobin and MCV before and

after treatment of ZDV of patients who did not develop
anemia
*r = 0.858, p = 0.006

Results
Before
Treatment
HGB

MCV

After Treatment
HGB

MCV

Before
Treatment
HGB
0.004
0.774* -0.177
MCV
0.004
-0.311 0.774*
After Treatment
HGB
0.774* -0.311
-0.417
MCV
-0.177 0.774*
-0.417
Table 2. Correlation of hemoglobin and MCV before and
after treatment of ZDV of patients who developed
anemia
*r = 0.858, p = 0.001

Conclusion

Hemoglobin and MCV are not accurate in assessing ZDV-induced anemia

in HIV patients undergoing HAART involving ZDV.

Recommendations

Larger sample size

Longer period duration period for sampling

Consider other parameters and/or tests to correlate with the occurrence

of ZDV-induced anemia in HIV patients undergoing treatment with ZDV

THANK YOU
Antiojo, Reno John Renzy
Chua, Tychicus
Chua, Vannesza Hendricke
Collado, John Joebert
Justo, Jan Martin
Mateos, Ma. Eloisa Carla
Pangan, Meryl Louis
Sy, Samantha Hope
4CMT

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