Age and Gender Differences in D-dimer, NGAL, and CD4 Levels Among HIV-Infected and Non-Infected Adults: A Case–Control Study
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Abstract
Background: Globally, HIV remains a major public health concern, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the greatest burden. Despite advances in antiretroviral therapy, complications such as coagulation abnormalities and subclinical kidney injury continue to contribute to morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV. This study compared the influence of age and gender on D-dimer, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and CD4⁺ T-cell counts among HIV-infected patients and healthy controls.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted among 50 randomly selected HIV-infected patients and 40 healthy controls at a tertiary hospital. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), reference number NAUTH/CS/66/VOL.16/VER.3/70/2025/220. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and analyzed using the independent Student’s t-test, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: HIV-infected participants had significantly lower CD4⁺ counts and higher D-dimer and NGAL levels than controls (p < 0.01). Gender showed no significant influence on these parameters among HIV-infected participants. In controls, CD4⁺ count and D-dimer differed significantly by gender (p < 0.01), whereas NGAL did not (p = 0.760). Age was not significantly associated with CD4⁺ count, D-dimer, or NGAL in either group.
Conclusion: HIV infection was associated with reduced CD4⁺ counts and elevated D-dimer and NGAL, irrespective of age or gender. Routine HIV monitoring should, where feasible, include these biomarkers to facilitate early detection of coagulation and renal abnormalities.
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