Thrombocytopenia in Patients with HIV/AIDS at a General Hospital in Calabar, Cross River State, South South Nigeria

This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of thrombocytopenia in HIV/AIDS patients at the General Hospital Calabar, Cross River State, South South Nigeria. Thrombocytopenia is a common haematological complication in HIV infection, arising from immune-mediated platelet destruction, bone marrow suppression, and ART-related toxicity. A cross-sectional study enrolled 200 HIV-positive patients attending the antiretroviral clinic, comprising 120 on ART and 80 ART-naive patients. Platelet count was measured as part of routine full blood count assessment. CD4 count, viral load, and ART regimen data were extracted from patient records. The overall thrombocytopenia prevalence was 28.5 percent, with severe thrombocytopenia (below 50 times ten to the ninth per litre) in 7 percent of patients. ART-naive patients had significantly higher thrombocytopenia prevalence than those on treatment. Thrombocytopenia correlated significantly with low CD4 count and high viral load. Among patients on ART, zidovudine-containing regimens were associated with greater platelet count suppression than tenofovir-based regimens. The study identifies thrombocytopenia as a significant and potentially preventable haematological complication in HIV management. Routine platelet count monitoring is recommended at initiation of ART and at quarterly intervals thereafter, with particular vigilance for patients with CD4 counts below 200 cells per microlitre at the General Hospital Calabar. Keywords: thrombocytopenia, HIV, antiretroviral therapy, CD4 count, Cross River State.