Abstract:

Introduction: HIV infection and ART therapy are both toxic to the pancreas and may lead to both acute and chronic pancreatitis. Currently in Tanzania, there is no routine screening of pancreatic function in HIV patients attending at CTC clinic, despite being at a high risk of developing pancreatitis. This study aimed to determine the serum amylase and lipase levels among HIV patients attending CTC.

Methodology: A hospital based cross-sectional study that was conducted on 200 HIV patients on antiretroviral treatment from May to August 2024 at Bugando Medical Centre. Venous blood (4 mls) was collected in plain tube and separated to obtain serum by centrifugation. About 350µl of serum was used to determine the serum amylase and lipase levels using COBAS C111. Data were analyzed by STATA software version 15.

Result: A total of 200 HIV patients on ARV drugs were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 48.9 ± (11.8) years. Majority of the study participants were female 134/200 (67%). Among the 200 enrolled HIV patients on ARV drugs, 44% (88/200) had high levels of serum amylase and about 4% (8/200) had high level of serum lipase. The levels of serum amylase were significantly associated with female gender, P value = 0.001, whereas the serum lipase levels were significantly associated with alcohol consumption, P value =0.024. however, there was no significant association of high levels of serum amylase and lipase on the types of ARV drugs used, and cigarette smoking.

Conclusion and recommendation: High levels of serum amylase and lipase for pancreatic function are associated with female gender and alcohol consumption. There is need for routine screening for pancreatic enzymes profiles among HIV patients on ARV drug just as in other organs such as liver and kidney