Predicting AIDS-related events using CD4 percentage or CD4 absolute counts

Yasmin Pirzada , Sadik Khuder and Haig Donabedian

College of Medicine, University of Toledo, Department of Internal Medicine, 3120 Glendale Ave, Toledo, OH 43614, USA

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AIDS Research and Therapy 2006, 3:20doi:10.1186/1742-6405-3-20


Published:	17 August 2006

Abstract

Background

The extent of immunosuppression and the probability of developing an AIDS-related complication in HIV-infected people is usually measured by the absolute number of CD4 positive T-cells. The percentage of CD4 positive cells is a more easily measured and less variable number. We analyzed sequential CD4 and CD8 numbers, percentages and ratios in 218 of our HIV infected patients to determine the most reliable predictor of an AIDS-related event.

Results

The CD4 percentage was an unsurpassed predictor of the occurrence of AIDS-related events when all subsets of patients are considered. The CD4 absolute count was the next most reliable, followed by the ratio of CD4/CD8 percentages. The value of CD4 percentage over the CD4 absolute count was seen even after the introduction of highly effective HIV therapy.

Conclusion

The CD4 percentage is unsurpassed as a parameter for predicting the onset of HIV-related diseases. The extra time and expense of measuring the CD4 absolute count may be unnecessary.