The occurrence of Hyperglycemia among HIV positive: A Case of People Living with HIV Attending Nyeri Referral Hospital

Abstract

Background: The hallmark of HIV infection is the progressive loss of immune cells called the CD4 cells weakening the immune system and leaving individuals vulnerable to various opportunistic infections (OIs) and other illnesses, ranging from pneumonia to cancers. Diabetes/hyperglycemia complication on set among the HIV infected has been suggested by several authors although very a minimal interest has been paid on this subject. This study looked at the correlation between hyperglycemia (a risk factor of DM) and HIV infection among HIV-infected individuals in Nyeri County Hospital-Kenya. Methods:  This was a case-control study involving 193 individuals who were grouped into two groups of 97 HIV-positive HIV-Negative individuals (also referred to as study control group) based on negative HIV results and fasting blood glucose level 4.4 ± 2.2mmol/L. and 96 participants who were HIV positive. Results:  A total of 193 individuals were enrolled, grouped into 97 subjects of HIV-negative individuals (control group) and 96 participants who were HIV-positive. In the study 13.54% of HIV-positive were hyperglycemic compared to 6.18% HIV- ve individuals (mean glucose level 7.6 ± 5.1 and 4.4 ± 1.1mmol/L, respectively (P>0.05) r=0.023). Conclusion: The study identified Hyperglycemic as a likely complication in HIV-infected individuals with a need to study the effect of individual diabetes mellitus risk factors in HIV-infected individuals.