To investigate the variation of CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ ratio and related influencing factors after receiving antiviral treatment for HIV/AIDS in Shandong province.

HIV/AIDS patients in Shandong province initially received HAART from 2010 to 2015, at least 15 years old with the CD4⁺ T and CD8⁺ T cell count tested at baseline, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years after treatment initiation were selected. According to their retrospectively collected baseline and follow-up data, the variation of CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ and the related influencing factors were described and analyzed by using rank sum test and generalized estimating equation(GEE).

A total of 557 subjects were included in the study. The median baseline CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ ratio was 0.20, and the CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ ratio was inverted in 99.82% of the patients. The proportion of patients with CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ ratio > 1 was 0.18% at baseline, and increased to 13.11% after 5 years of treatment. The trend of time change was statistically significant ( χ² =95.01, P< 0.05). The result of GEE analysis showed that baseline CD4⁺ T lymphocytes count level and baseline symptoms/signs were the main factors influencing the variation trend of CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ ratio.

After 5 years of antiviral treatment with HIV/AIDS in Shandong province, the CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ ratio increased significantly. Baseline CD4⁺ T cell count level and baseline symptoms/signs of patients are the main factors affecting the rate of improvement of CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ ratio.

AIDS; Highly active antiretroviral therapy; CD4⁺ /CD8⁺; Influencing factors