Evaluation of Zinc and Copper Serum Concentration in Relation to Clinical Status among Adult People Living with HIV/AIDS at Felege Hiwot Referal Hospital, Bahir Dar, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate Serum zinc and copper deficiency in relation to clinical status among People Living with HIV/AIDS) for possible interventions Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February 2013 and Serum concentrations of zinc and copper from 150 people living with HIV/AIDS were measured using fully automated flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In addition, WHO clinical staging, CD4+ T-cell count, CD8+ T-cell count, hemoglobin determination, and Body Mass Index were performed to evaluate the clinical status of study participants. Results: Serum zinc and copper deficiencies were observed in 46 (30.7%), 12 (8%) participants respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, pre-ART study participants were nearly four times more likely at risk of serum zinc deficiency than on-ART study participants. Similarly, pre-ART study participants were almost six times more likely at risk of serum copper deficiency than on-ART study participants. The odds of being serum zinc deficiencient were three times more in acutely malnourished study participants than in well nourished study participants. Furthermore, anemic study participants were likely at risk of having high serum copper to zinc ratio than study participants with normal hemoglobin. Conclusions: A relatively high percentage of study participants had serum zinc and copper deficiency and high serum copper to zinc ratio. Early evaluation of serum zinc and copper deficiency should be carried out and  appropriate mineral supplementation along with anti-retroviral treatment should be provided  especially for pre-ART, acutely malnourished and anemic adult people living with HIV/AIDS.