Assessment of protein s and c level and its relationship with health-related factors in people living with hiv: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction. Not only does Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) threaten the complications associated with immunodeficiency, but also does it cause a set of chronic conditions that may lead to serious problems in these patients. Hypercoagulable state and other hematologic manifestations are reported as leading factors in various clinical problems like deep vein thrombosis in People Living with HIV (PLHIV). The present study aimed to investigate whether there is any correlation between proteins S and C levels (the thrombophilic conditions in HIV seropositive cases) and hematological factors, biochemical markers, CD4 count, HIV viral load, anti-retroviral therapy, Hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) confection, drug use, infectious diseases, and demographic characteristics.
 Materials and methods. Protein S and C levels in 100 PLHIV were measured. Coagulation tests, CD4 count, HIV viral load, biochemical and hematological factors, and infectious tests were measured in these cases to assess any possible correlation between these factors and the patients proteins S and C levels.
 Results. Protein S, and C deficiency among PLHIV 8% and 10%, respectively. Red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, fasting blood sugar, and albumin were directly related to protein S, and the patients with positive VDRL significantly had a lower level of protein S. The patients receiving anti-retroviral therapy and those with positive VDRL had a higher level of protein C. CD4 count, prothrombin time, and cholesterol had also a direct correlation with protein C level.
 Conclusion. According to our results and the reduction of protein S, protein C, and the other factors affecting the lifestyle of PLHIV, there is an urge to pay special attention to thromboembolic disease. Moreover, there is a more possibility of hemostatic imbalances and coagulation disorders in them.