Coagulation system abnormalities in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive African (Black) patients with acute upper segment deep vein thrombosis(DVT) of the lower limbs.

Abstract

Background Several case reports and studies have alluded to an increased prevalence of venous thrombosis in human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV-positive) patients. Although a relationship between HIV infection and thrombotic disease has been suggested, the mechanisms predisposing to thrombosis have not been fully elucidated. Aim A prospective study, to determine possible coagulation factor abnormalities that could explain the predisposition to thrombosis in HIV-infected African (Black) patients, was undertaken. Method African (Black) patients, with acute upper segment deep vein thrombosis (DVT) confirmed by duplex ultrasound, were enrolled. Patients who had recognisable risk factors such as recent surgery, pregnancy or malignancy, were excluded. After informed consent, blood samples were taken for baseline tests as well as a thrombophilia screen. The control group comprised known HIV-positive African (Black) patients without DVT. Patients with DVT who were found to be HIV-negative were also analysed. Analysis was done in 2 parts: HIV-positive patients with and without thrombosis and HIV-positive and negative patients with thrombosis were compared. Results Part A: HIV-positive patients with and without thrombosis Of the 77 patients with DVT, 50 patients tested HIV-positive. These 50 patients (HIV-positive DVT-arm), as well as 56 controls (HIV-positive, no DVT), were enrolled into the study. The groups were well matched with regard to age, sex and cluster designation 4 (CD4) count. On univariate analysis, significant findings in the DVT-arm were a history of active tuberculosis on treatment, low protein C levels and a positive qualitative D-dimer, whereas on multivariate analysis, only tuberculosis and an elevated D-dimer proved to be significant. Part B: HIV-positive and negative patients with thrombosis There were 20 HIV-negative patients with DVT who met our inclusion criteria Limited assessment was done on this group owing to unavailability of some data. The mean age of the HIV positive DVT group was significantly lower than the HIV-negative group with DVT (31.78 vs. 41.45 years; p=0.005). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of tuberculosis between the HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with thrombosis (p = 0.269). Mean protein C levels were reduced in the HIV-positive group and normal in the HIV-negative group. They were significantly lower in the HIV-positive patients compared to the negative group (p=0.02). Conclusion The findings of the study suggest a relationship between HIV, its complications and DVT. Although this study confirms HIV infection as a risk factor for thrombosis, clear pathogenetic mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In our population, tuberculosis appears to be an important risk factor predisposing patients to the development of DVT, both in the HIVpositive and negative population. Further studies will need to be done to confirm this hypothesis.