Background:
Studies have shown that there is a connection between erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid profile, and death among individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) not taking human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medications. Those, who later developed AIDS or died during the analysis had their inflammatory markers measured (tumor necrosis factor – TNF, interleukin (IL)-6, CD27, ESR, and CRP). This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the role of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in newly diagnosed people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), and their correlation with inflammatory markers and lipid profile.

Material and methods:
This prospective study was conducted among 222 newly diagnosed PLWHA arriving at ART center or in-patients for a duration of one year. 181 were started on TLD (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine, and dolutegravir), and 41 on TLE (tenofovir, lamivudine, and efavirenz). Subjects were examined, and a pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data, including age, sex, comorbidity, history of disease, family history, treatment compliance, clinical profile, and laboratory parameters. Blood sample was taken among subjects using aseptic precautions for blood investigation, inflammatory markers, CD4, and lipid profile. Data was then entered into MS excel spreadsheet for analysis.

Results:
Low HDL (high-density lipoprotein) was the commonest lipid profile abnormality in PLWHA before ART and after ART. No significant correlation between WHO stage and CD4 count with altera­tion of lipids in both the groups was observed.

Conclusions:
Significant number of patients showed improvement in inflammatory markers, more among those with recently added TLD regimen, which was evident due to normalization of ESR and CRP. Low HDL was the commonest lipid profile abnormality in PLWHA before ART and after ART.