Introduction:
This investigation provided insights on the clinical, laboratory, and nutritional characteristics in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sickle cell disease (SCD) comorbidity. Information gained from this study have the potential to inform tailored and optimized healthcare approaches, ultimately enhancing the overall management and well-being of HIV-SCD patients.

Material and methods:
Conducted at the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya, this retrospective cohort study examined the effects of HIV infection on clinical, laboratory, and nutritional characteristics in HIV and SCD comorbidity. The research involved 101 HIV-positive SCD patients and 102 HIV-negative SCD patients, aged 2 to 17 years. This study aimed to understand the effect of HIV infection on SCD presentation. Data encompassed demographics, medical history, laboratory results, and nutritional assessment using weighing scale.

Results:
The study highlighted a significant clinical, laboratory, and nutritional association in HIV infection with SCD. HIV-positive participants had 1.26 times higher odds of vaso-occlusion (p < 0.0001), 1.14 times more infections (p < 0.0001), 1.28 times higher odds of developing neuropathy (p < 0.0001), and 1.29 times higher chance of suffering from splenic sequestration (p < 0.0001). HIV-SCD comorbidity was 1.332 times higher (p < 0.0001), and pain incidence was over 2 times more frequent (p = 0.0142). Laboratory data showed that HIV-infected SCD patients were 1.53 times more likely to suffer from anemia (p < 0.0001), 1.25 times more likely having higher mean corpuscular volume (p < 0.0001), 1.26 times more likely to suffer from platelets deficiency (p < 0.0001), and 1.2 times more probable to suffer from low neutrophil count (p < 0.0001). Whereas among HIV-negative SCD participants, this was 1.222 (95% CI: 1.113-1.435), with p < 0.0001. A statistically significant relationship between neutrophil count and HIV status was found, showing that HIV-negative SCD patients were more likely to have high neutrophils count compared with HIV-negative SCD patients. Nutritional status assessment using weighing scale revealed that HIV-positive SCD patients were 1.39 more likely to be underweight (p < 0.0001). Nutritional outcomes showed HIV-negative individuals were 1.601 times more likely to have normal weight than being underweight (p < 0.001), while overweight likelihood was not significant (p = 0.174).

Conclusions:
This study holds significance in adopting the best model of care for patients with HIV and SCD comorbidity, which may influence their frequent hospitalization, use of medication, i.e., antibiotic prophylaxis and vaccination.