The prevalence and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus in treated HIV-infection

Risk of Stroke Among HIV Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Global Studies and Associated Comorbidities

BACKGROUND

Despite advancements in the management of HIV infection, the factors contributing to stroke development among HIV-positive individuals remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to identify and evaluate the relative risk factors associated with stroke susceptibility in the HIV population.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify studies investigating the risk of stroke development in HIV patients and assessing the role of different risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, sex, and race. The quality assessment of case-control studies was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, whereas cohort studies were assessed using the National Institute of Health tool. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model to determine pooled hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

A total of 18 observational studies involving 116,184 HIV-positive and 3,184,245 HIV-negative patients were included. HIV-positive patients exhibited a significantly higher risk of stroke compared with HIV-negative patients [OR (95% CI): 1.31 (1.20 to 1.44)]. Subgroup analyses revealed increased risks for both ischemic stroke [OR (95% CI): 1.32 (1.19 to 1.46)] and hemorrhagic stroke [OR (95% CI): 1.31 (1.09 to 1.56)]. Pooled adjusted HRs showed a significant association between stroke and HIV positivity (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.54). Among HIV-positive patients with stroke, hypertension [OR (95% CI): 3.5 (1.42 to 8.65)], diabetes [OR (95% CI): 5 (2.12 to 11.95)], hyperlipidemia, smoking, male gender, and black race were associated with an increased risk.

DISCUSSION

Our study revealed a significant increased risk of stroke development among people with HIV. A multitude of factors, encompassing sociodemographic characteristics, racial background, underlying health conditions, and personal behaviors, significantly elevate the risk of stroke in individuals living with HIV. The use of observational studies introduces inherent limitations, and further investigations are necessary to explore the underlying mechanisms of stroke in people with HIV for potential treatment strategies.

CONCLUSION

HIV patients face a higher risk of stroke development, either ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, male gender, and black race were identified as significant risk factors. Early identification and management of these risk factors are crucial in reducing stroke incidence among patients living with HIV.

Peripheral Neuropathy in Virologically Suppressed People Living with HIV: Evidence from the PIVOT Trial

The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with peripheral neuropathy and to explore neurofilament light chain (NfL) as a biomarker for peripheral neuropathy (PN) in effectively virologically suppressed adults living with HIV. All protease inhibitor monotherapy versus ongoing triple therapy in the long-term management of HIV infection (PIVOT) trial participants with data on PN at baseline were included in the study. NfL plasma levels (pNfL) were measured in a sub-set of participants. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations of PN with potential risk factors (including age, sex, nadir CD4 cell count, history of dideoxynucleoside (d-drugs) exposure, and blood glucose levels) and NfL levels. Of the 585 participants included, 131 (22.4%) reported PN during the study period (median of 44 months). The participants were predominantly male (76.6%), White (68.2%), and virologically suppressed for a median period of 37 months (range of 20-63) before recruitment. The age at baseline was 44.3 years (standard deviation (SD) of 9.2). PN was independently associated with age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.35, 95% CI of 1.20-1.52; additional 5 years), history of d-drugs (aOR 1.88, 95% CI of 1.12-3.16), height (aOR 1.19, 95% CI of 1.05-1.35; additional 5 cm), nadir CD4 cell count (aOR 1.10 CI of 1.00-1.20; 50 cells fewer), and metabolic syndrome (aOR 2.31, 95% CI of 1.27 4.20), but not pNfL. The excess risk for PN associated with d-drug use remains after the exposure has stopped for years, suggesting non-reversible toxicity. In people with HIV, metabolic syndrome is independently associated with PN. There was no additional value for pNfL as a screening test for peripheral neuropathy in effectively virologically suppressed adults living with HIV.

GLP-1 agonists for people living with HIV and obesity, is there a potential?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Obesity trends and metabolic dysregulation are rising in people living with HIV using antiretrovirals (ARVs). Underlying causes and preventive strategies are being investigated. Two glucagon like-peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, liraglutide and semaglutide, were formerly approved as glucose-lowering drugs and have been recently approved for long-term weight loss in people with obesity. Due to the lack of therapeutic guidelines or clinical trials in people with HIV, we discuss the potential benefits, safety aspects and pharmacological considerations of prescribing liraglutide and semaglutide in people with HIV.

RESULTS

Clinical experience is limited to two clinical cases of diabetic people with HIV using liraglutide after which a successful weight loss and glycaemic control were observed. None of the adverse events associated with liraglutide and semaglutide usage indicate an additional risk for people with HIV. Extra caution showed be warranted when initiating GLP-1 agonist therapy in people with HIV taking protease inhibitors who have pre-existing risk factors for heart rate variability to reduce the incidence of RP interval prolongation. GLP-1 agonists are metabolized by endopeptidases, and thus do not generate major drug-drug interactions with most drugs, including ARVs. GLP-s agonists are known to inhibit gastric acid secretion, which warrants caution and close monitoring when combined with atazanavir and oral rilpivirine, two ARVs that require low gastric pH for an optimal absorption.

CONCLUSION

Theoretical considerations and a few available clinical observations support semaglutide and liraglutide prescription in people with HIV, with, thus far, no indications of concern regarding efficacy, safety or pharmacological interactions with ARVs.

Sex-specific fat mass ratio cutoff value identifies a high prevalence of cardio-metabolic disorders in people living with HIV

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome (HALS) contributes to the increased cardiovascular risk connoting people living with HIV (PLHIV). HALS recognition, based on clinical ground, may be inaccurate urging an objective instrumental diagnosis. The aim of this study is to search for the DXA-derived fat mass ratio (FMR) threshold, among those suggested for the diagnosis of HALS, able to identify PLHIV at high cardiovascular risk.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a cross-sectional analysis of 101 PLHIV (age 53 ± 11 years, men 55%) and 101 age- and sex-matched uninfected controls, DXA-derived FMR and anthropometric as well as cardio-metabolic parameters were assessed. PLHIV showed a higher FMR (1.15 ± 0.42 vs 0.95 ± 0.18, p < 0.01) together with a greater cardio-metabolic derangement than controls, in spite of lower BMI (24.3 ± 4.3 vs 26.9 ± 4.0 kg/m², p < 0.01) and fat mass index (FMI, 6.6 ± 3.0 vs 9.2 ± 3.1 kg/m², p < 0.01). Particularly, PLHIV with HALS (n = 28), defined as those with a FMR above 1.260 and 1.329 for men and women, respectively, had a greater prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (18% vs 1%), insulin resistance (68% vs 27%), hypertriglyceridemia (50% vs 29%), hypertension (61% vs 30%) and metabolic syndrome (32% vs 10%) than those without HALS (p < 0.05 for all comparisons) and controls. At multivariate analyses, FMR in PLHIV was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with fasting glucose (β [95%CI] = 0.5, [0.1-0.9]), insulin (44.6, [14.9-74.2]), HOMA-IR (1.6, [0.5-2.7]), triglycerides (1.0, [ 0.2-1.8]) and HDL-cholesterol (-2.1, [-3.9/-0.4]) levels.

CONCLUSION

Sex-specific FMR thresholds, proposed for diagnosis of HALS, could represent new indices of cardio-metabolic derangement in PLHIV.

Self-Management Model fails to Predict Quality of Life for People Living with Dual Diagnosis of HIV and Diabetes

The objective of this study was to test a self-management model for self-management in people living with HIV and type 2 diabetes (PLWH + T2DM). We conducted a predictive, longitudinal study of data from a national research cohort of PLWH using lag analysis to test short- and long-term health outcomes for PLWH + T2DM. We used a dataset from the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Network of Integrated Clinic Systems (CNICS), a nation-wide research network of 8 clinics that serves PLWH. Patient-reported outcomes, collected at clinic visit, included depression, adherence, CD4 cell count, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We computed summary statistics to describe the sample. Using lag analysis, we then modeled the three variables of adherence, CD4 count, and HRQoL as a function of their predecessors in our conceptual model. In the final model, an increase of in medication adherence corresponded to a small increase in HRQoL. An increase in CD4 count corresponded to a small increase in HRQoL. An increase in lagged depression was associated with a small decrease in HRQoL. The model was not sufficient to predict short- or long-term outcomes in PLWH + T2DM. Although depression had a moderate impact, the final model was not clinically significant. For people with a dual diagnosis of HIV and T2DM, variables other than those traditionally addressed in self-management interventions may be more important.

Efficacy of Dulaglutide in a Patient With Type 2 Diabetes, High Cardiovascular Risk, and HIV: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a common comorbidity in people living with HIV (PLWH). Anti-hyperglycemic treatment in PLWH is still a challenge, and no randomized controlled studies using new glucose-lowering agents are currently available.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 55-year-old-women was admitted to our Diabetes Unit because of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) and sepsis. The medical history included HIV infection and insulin-treated diabetes. On clinical examination, the lady appeared dehydrated with dry buccal mucosa, tachycardia, altered mental status, genital infection, and fever. On admission, plasma glucose was 54.5 mmol/L, HbA1c 155 mmol/mol, osmolarity 389.4 mOsm/kg, bicarbonate 24.6 mmol/L with no detectable serum ketones. The patient was treated with i.v. fluid and insulin, and antibiotic therapy commenced. Upon HHS and sepsis resolution, a basal-bolus insulin therapy was implemented that was followed by significant improvement of daily glucose profiles and progressive reduction of insulin requirement until complete discontinuation. A low dose of metformin plus linagliptin was started. Since a severe atherosclerotic disease was diagnosed, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, dulaglutide, was added to metformin upon linagliptin withdrawal with maintenance of good glycemic control, treatment adherence and amelioration of quality of life and no side effects.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy may be effective and safe for treatment of T2D with high cardiovascular risk in PLWH, supporting the need of clinical trials directly assessing the safety and the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonist in these individuals.

The likelihood of severe COVID-19 outcomes among PLHIV with various comorbidities: a comparative frequentist and Bayesian meta-analysis approach

Introduction

The SARS‐CoV‐2 virus can currently pose a serious health threat and can lead to severe COVID‐19 outcomes, especially for populations suffering from comorbidities. Currently, the data available on the risk for severe COVID‐19 outcomes due to an HIV infection with or without comorbidities paint a heterogenous picture. In this meta‐analysis, we summarized the likelihood for severe COVID‐19 outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV) with or without comorbidities.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, we utilized PubMed, Web of Science and medRxiv to search for studies describing COVID‐19 outcomes in PLHIV with or without comorbidities up to 25 June 2021. Consequently, we conducted two meta‐analyses, based on a classic frequentist and Bayesian perspective of higher quality studies.

Results and discussion

We identified 2580 studies (search period: January 2020–25 June 2021, data extraction period: 1 January 2021–25 June 2021) and included nine in the meta‐analysis. Based on the frequentist meta‐analytical model, PLHIV with diabetes had a seven times higher risk of severe COVID‐19 outcomes (odd ratio, OR = 6.69, 95% CI: 3.03–19.30), PLHIV with hypertension a four times higher risk (OR = 4.14, 95% CI: 2.12–8.17), PLHIV with cardiovascular disease an odds ratio of 4.75 (95% CI: 1.89–11.94), PLHIV with respiratory disease an odds ratio of 3.67 (95% CI: 1.79–7.54) and PLHIV with chronic kidney disease an OR of 9.02 (95% CI: 2.53–32.14) compared to PLHIV without comorbidities. Both meta‐analytic models converged, thereby providing robust summative evidence. The Bayesian meta‐analysis produced similar effects overall, with the exclusion of PLHIV with respiratory diseases who showed a non‐significant higher risk to develop severe COVID‐19 outcomes compared to PLHIV without comorbidities.

Conclusions

Our meta‐analyses show that people with HIV, PLHIV with coexisting diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and chronic kidney disease are at a higher likelihood of developing severe COVID‐19 outcomes. Bayesian analysis helped to estimate small sample biases and provided predictive likelihoods. Clinical practice should take these risks due to comorbidities into account and not only focus on the HIV status alone, vaccination priorities should be adjusted accordingly.

Infection and Immunometabolism in the Central Nervous System: A Possible Mechanistic Link Between Metabolic Imbalance and Dementia

Metabolic syndromes are frequently associated with dementia, suggesting that the dysregulation of energy metabolism can increase the risk of neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. In addition, growing evidence suggests the link between infections and brain disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. The immune system and energy metabolism are in an intricate relationship. Infection triggers immune responses, which are accompanied by imbalance in cellular and organismal energy metabolism, while metabolic disorders can lead to immune dysregulation and higher infection susceptibility. In the brain, the activities of brain-resident immune cells, including microglia, are associated with their metabolic signatures, which may be affected by central nervous system (CNS) infection. Conversely, metabolic dysregulation can compromise innate immunity in the brain, leading to enhanced CNS infection susceptibility. Thus, infection and metabolic imbalance can be intertwined to each other in the etiology of brain disorders, including dementia. Insulin and leptin play pivotal roles in the regulation of immunometabolism in the CNS and periphery, and dysfunction of these signaling pathways are associated with cognitive impairment. Meanwhile, infectious complications are often comorbid with diabetes and obesity, which are characterized by insulin resistance and leptin signaling deficiency. Examples include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and periodontal disease caused by an oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. This review explores potential interactions between infectious agents and insulin and leptin signaling pathways, and discuss possible mechanisms underlying the relationship between infection, metabolic dysregulation, and brain disorders, particularly focusing on the roles of insulin and leptin.

Infectious disease consultations at a South African academic hospital: A 6-month assessment of inpatient consultations

Background

Infectious diseases (IDs) dominate the disease profile in South Africa (SA) and the ID department is increasingly valuable. There has been little evaluation of the IDs consultation services in SA hospitals.

Methods

A qualitative review of ID inpatient consultations was performed over 6 months at a SA tertiary hospital. Prospectively entered data from each consultation were recorded on a computerised database and retrospectively analysed.

Results

749 ID consultations were analysed, 4.8% of hospital admissions. Most consultations included initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) (27.8%), lipoarabinomannan antigen testing (24.8%) and change of ART (21.6%). Of patients reviewed, 93.3% were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive and the median CD4 count was 52 cells/mm³. The infectious diagnoses (excluding HIV) most frequently encountered were pulmonary and abdominal tuberculosis (TB) and acute gastroenteritis. When all subcategories of TB infection were combined, 42.9% were found to have TB. Patients had predominantly one (45.4%) or two (30.2%) infectious diagnoses in addition to HIV. Some (12%) had three infectious diagnoses during their admission. The number of diagnoses, both infectious (odds ratio [OR] 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-3.60) and non-infectious (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.25-4.11), was associated with increased odds of death.

Conclusion

The IDs department sees a high volume of patients compared to most developed countries. HIV, TB and their management dominate the workload. This study shows that HIV patients still have significant morbidity and mortality. The complexity of these patients indicates that specific expertise is required beyond that of the general physician.

Prevalence and predictors of diabetes mellitus among persons living with HIV: a retrospective cohort study conducted in 4 public healthcare facilities in KwaZulu-Natal

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic non-infectious medical condition which is evident by raised levels of glucose in the blood, because the body cannot produce any or enough of the hormone insulin or use insulin effectively. Diabetes, if not well managed leads to complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy which can be fatal. Some of the factors that predisposes to diabetes include older age, higher body mass index, heredity and hypertension.

With the availability of HAART for managing HIV/AIDS infection, life span of persons living with HIV (PLWHIV) has increased significantly. With increased longevity, the aging population of PLWHIV also face chronic diseases such as diabetes in addition to HIV. The burden of both HIV and diabetes is high in South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. Nevertheless, the prevalence of diabetes among PLWHIV in KwaZulu-Natal and its predictors is not well understood. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence, predictors of diabetes and the outcome of managing diabetes among PLWHIV.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in four public health care facilities in KwaZulu-Natal with a total sample size of 1203 after ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. A pretested questionnaire and hospital patient charts were used to collect data. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of diabetes among PLWHIV was 9%. Just over 47% of those who had diabetes, had uncontrolled blood sugar, with a mean fasting blood sugar (FBS) of 11.7 mmol/L. The predictors of diabetes among PLWHIV were male gender and older age. Male PLWHIV had 65% less chances of having diabetes and those who were between the ages of 18 and 48 years were 88% less probable to have diabetes compared to those who were older than 48 years.

Conclusion

Public sector health care facilities in KwaZulu-Natal need to do much more to manage diabetes in PLWHIV in order to prevent diabetic complications and possible negative impact on the outcome of HIV management.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10318-6.

Predictors of glucose metabolism and blood pressure among Ethiopian individuals with HIV/AIDS after one-year of antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE

Better understanding of glucose metabolism in patients with HIV after initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) is important to target treatment and follow-up for diabetes risk and other non-communicable diseases in resource-limited settings. The aim of this study was to assess the changes and predictors of glucose metabolism and blood pressure among patients with HIV on ART for 12 months.

METHODS

One-year follow-up of Ethiopian patients with HIV after initiation of ART was done. Outcomes were changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 30-minute (30mPG) and 2-hour plasma glucose (2hPG) after oral glucose tolerance test, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma insulin (p-insulin), homeostatic model assessment index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and blood pressure.   RESULTS: The mean age was 33 years, and the majority were women. During the first 12 months, levels of all plasma glucose parameters decreased, while p-insulin (10^B 3.1; 95% CI2.4, 4.0), HOMA-IR (10^B 3.1; 95% CI2.3, 4.0) and systolic blood pressure (B 4.0; 95% CI2.5, 5.5) increased. Fat-free mass at baseline predicted higher increments in p-insulin, HOMA-IR and blood pressure; whereas, fat mass predicted higher increment in HbA1c.

CONCLUSIONS

Among Ethiopian patients with HIV, blood pressure and insulin increased, and all glucose parameters declined during 12-month of ART. Only longer-term follow-up will tell us whether insulin increase is due to insulin resistance or from recovering β-cells.

Prevalence of cardiometabolic syndrome in HIV-infected persons: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

HIV infected persons are twofold likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, and other forms of Cardiometabolic Syndrome (CMetS).

METHODS

Electronic searches of databases (MEDLINE and Google Scholar) were queried for articles written in English from 2000 to 2019.

RESULTS

In this review (16 publications), a total of 14,002 participants from 8 countries were included. Two continents contributed to 62.5% of the CMetS studies while 38.1% from Latin America and 24.4% from North America. The studies were conducted in 113 different centers, with an average study length of 2.8 years. The majority of the study designs were cross-sectional (62%) followed by a cohort study (25%) and clinical trials (12.5%). The mean age of the population enrolled was 41.9 years and 54.6% of the participants were males. The overall prevalence of CMetS using the National Cholesterol Education Adult Treatment Panel definition was 20.6%. Only 31.3% of the studies were reported using the International Diabetes Federation definition. Smoking and high blood pressure were reported as a risk factor in 62.5% of the studies, while diabetes (31.3%), family history of CMetS (25%), and cardiac vascular and cancer diseases were reported in 12.5% of the studies. The average duration of stay with HIV after confirmation was 5.23 + 1.4 (years + SD) and the median duration on HAART was 4.5 + 2.3 (years + SD).

CONCLUSIONS

CMetS was a common problem among HIV infected persons. Several RFs can contribute to the development of CMetS with smoking and hypertension highly interrelated.

PROSPERO-NUMBER

CRD42018107187.

Increased Monocyte Inflammatory Responses to Oxidized LDL Are Associated with Insulin Resistance in HIV-Infected Individuals on Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy

Despite long term antiretroviral therapy (ART), insulin resistance (IR) is common among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) exposing this population to a greater risk of cardiometabolic complications when compared to their uninfected counterparts. We previously identified an expansion in monocyte subpopulations in blood that were linked to the degree of IR in persons with HIV on stable ART. In this study, we directly assessed monocyte inflammatory functional properties from PLWHA on ART (n = 33) and HIV-uninfected controls (n = 14) of similar age, gender, and cardiovascular disease risk and determined the relationship with IR (homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)), calculated from fasting blood glucose and insulin measurements. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) and polyfunctional monocyte cytokine responses (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, or TNF-α) were determined by flow cytometry. Higher monocyte IL-1β and IL-8 responses to oxLDL were associated with higher IR in PLWHA but not in the control group. We observed that higher basal monocyte cytokine responses were associated with both duration since HIV diagnosis and ART initiation. In the management of IR in chronic HIV, strategies lowering monocyte IL-1β and IL-8 responses should be considered in addition to ART in order to limit adverse cardio-metabolic outcomes.

Correlation between plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c in HIV-infected individuals receiving zidovudine and non-zidovudine containing antiretroviral therapy regimens

BACKGROUND

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has been used for the diagnosis of diabetes and glycemic monitoring. However, using HbA1c for glycemia estimation has some fallacies in anemic persons. Zidovudine (AZT) treatment is associated with anemia and/or increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the correlation between HbA1c and plasma glucose in HIV-infected individuals who were receiving AZT and non-AZT containing regimens.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 150 HIV-infected individuals. We evaluated the correlation of paired fasting plasma glucose (FPG), random plasma glucose (RPG), mean plasma glucose (MPG) and HbA1c values by using Pearson correlation. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine the associated factors of HbA1c.

RESULTS

The mean age was 49.0 ± 10.5 years, and 60.0% were male. Thirteen patients (8.7%) had diabetes and 14 patients (9.3%) had anemia. There were significant correlations between HbA1c and plasma glucose (FPG, RPG, and MPG; p < 0.05, all). The correlation between HbA1c and MPG in patients receiving AZT [HbA1c = 3.18 + 0.02MPG; R²=0.44] and not receiving AZT [HbA1c = 3.76 + 0.02MPG; R²=0.43] indicated that HbA1c in patients receiving AZT was 0.58% underestimated. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that hematocrit [β 0.192; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.003, 0.690; p = 0.032] and MCV [β -0.195; 95% CI -0.326, -0.002; p = 0.047] were associated with HbA1c levels.

CONCLUSIONS

HbA1c underestimates glycemia in HIV-infected individuals receiving AZT containing regimens. Factors associated with decreased HbA1c levels in HIV-infected individuals included decreased hematocrit and increased MCV. In HIV-infected individuals receiving AZT, using HbA1c for diabetes diagnosis or glycemia monitoring should be cautiously interpreted.

Diabetes prevalence by HbA1c and oral glucose tolerance test among HIV-infected and uninfected Tanzanian adults

BACKGROUND

The burden of diabetes is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, including among people living with HIV. We assessed the prevalence of diabetes and the roles of HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and traditional risk factors among adults in Tanzania.

METHODS

We analysed diabetes-relevant baseline data from 1,947 adult participants in the CICADA study in Mwanza, Tanzania: 655 HIV-uninfected, 956 HIV-infected ART-naïve, and 336 HIV-infected persons on ART. WHO guidelines for haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were used to define diabetes and prediabetes. Risk factors were evaluated using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Relative risk ratios (RRR) were generated comparing participants with diabetes and prediabetes against the reference of those with no diabetes.

RESULTS

Mean age was 41 (SD 12) years; 59% were women. The prevalence of diabetes was 13% by HbA1c and 6% by OGTT, with partial overlap among participants identified by the two tests. Relative to HIV-uninfected, HIV-infected ART-naïve persons had increased relative risks of diabetes (HbA1c: RRR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.25-3.03; OGTT: RRR = 1.90, 95% CI 0.96-3.73) and prediabetes (HbA1c: RRR = 2.89, 95% CI 1.93-4.34; OGTT: RRR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.22-2.13). HIV-infected participants on ART showed increased risk of prediabetes (RRR 1.80, 95% CI 1.09, 2.94) by HbA1c, but not diabetes. CD4 count < 200 cell/μL at recruitment increased risk and physical activity decreased risk of diabetes by both HbA1c and OGTT.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of diabetes was high, especially among HIV-infected ART-naïve adults. Being more physically active was associated with lower risk of diabetes. HbA1c and OGTT identified different participants as having diabetes or prediabetes. Overall, the finding of high burden of diabetes among HIV-infected persons suggests that health systems should consider integrating diabetes screening and treatment in HIV clinics to optimize the care of HIV patients and improve their health outcomes.

Trends in Chronic Diseases Reported by Refugees Originating from Burma Resettling to the United States from Camps Versus Urban Areas During 2009-2016

We examined changes in the prevalence of chronic health conditions among US-bound refugees originating from Burma resettling over 8 years by the type of living arrangement before resettlement, either in camps (Thailand) or in urban areas (Malaysia). Using data from the required overseas medical exam for 73,251 adult (≥ 18 years) refugees originating from Burma resettling to the United States during 2009-2016, we assessed average annual percent change (AAPC) in proportion ≥ 45 years and age- and sex-standardized prevalence of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and musculoskeletal disease, by camps versus urban areas. Compared with refugees resettling from camps, those coming from urban settings had higher prevalence of obesity (mean 18.0 vs. 5.9%), diabetes (mean 6.5 vs. 0.8%), and hypertension (mean 12.7 vs. 8.1%). Compared with those resettling from camps, those from urban areas saw greater increases in the proportion with COPD (AAPC: 109.4 vs. 9.9) and musculoskeletal disease (AAPC: 34.6 vs. 1.6). Chronic conditions and their related risk factors increased among refugees originating from Burma resettling to the United States whether they had lived in camps or in urban areas, though the prevalence of such conditions was higher among refugees who had lived in urban settings.

Prevalence and related drug cost of comorbidities in HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy in Taiwan: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

To determine the prevalence of chronic comorbidities and associated medication costs in Taiwanese HIV patients in order to increase awareness of the disease burden among healthcare providers and patients.

METHODS

HIV-diagnosed patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART; 2010-2013) were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database with the corresponding International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9) code. Comorbidities (type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, major depressive disorder, acute coronary syndrome, and cholelithiasis/nephrolithiasis) were identified according to ICD-9 or relevant medication use. Comorbidity medication and associated costs were identified using the drug classification code from the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system code series and series outpatient prescriptions.

RESULTS

Of 20,726 HIV-diagnosed Taiwanese patients (2010-2013), 13,142 receiving HAART were analyzed. Prevalence of all chronic comorbidities was significantly greater (p < 0.0001) in patients aged ≥40 years versus <40 years (diabetes mellitus, 14.95% vs. 3.30%; hypertension, 46.73% vs. 26.83%; dyslipidemia, 34.93% vs. 18.37%; depression, 23.75% vs. 19.88%; acute coronary syndrome, 1.16% vs. 0.21%; nephrolithiasis/cholelithiasis, 7.26% vs. 4.56%; >2 comorbidities, 24.80% vs. 7.21%). An increase in comorbidity medication spending (2010 vs. 2013 medication costs) was observed (antidyslipidemia, $88,878 vs. $168,180; antihyperglycemia, $32,372 vs. $73,518; antidepressants, $78,220 vs. $125,971; sedatives, $60,009 vs. $85,055; antihypertension, $47,115 vs. $95,134), contributing to overall treatment costs increasing almost two-fold from 2010 to 2013.

CONCLUSIONS

Among HIV-infected Taiwanese patients receiving HAART, significant increases in comorbidity prevalence with age, along with rising comorbidity medication costs, suggest the need for preventative as well as chronic care.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus prevalence and risk scores in treated PLWHIV: a cross-sectional preliminary study

Objective

This was a preliminary study whose objective was to estimate the prevalence and risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among people living with HIV (PLWHIV) based on diabetes risk assessment scores.

Results

The study was composed of 234 PLWHIV with median age (interquartile range, IQR) of 44 (36, 52) and a female preponderance of 66%. The median risk scores (IQR) for developing T2DM was 5 (2, 9). Based on the risk scores, 5% of PLWHIV were at high risk for developing T2DM close to 3.4% actual prevalence in the study population. This study demonstrated the importance of using a cheap and fast method for identifying high risk individuals for developing T2DM.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4183-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Immune reconstitution in ART treated, but not untreated HIV infection, is associated with abnormal beta cell function

HIV infection has been associated with increased diabetes risk, but prior work has mostly focused on insulin resistance, as opposed to beta cell effects, or included patients on antiretroviral therapies (ART) directly linked to metabolic toxicity. In this analysis, we measured markers of glucose homeostasis and beta cell function, stress, and death in fasting sera from a cross section of HIV+ individuals off ART (n = 43), HIV+ individuals on ART (n = 23), and HIV- controls (n = 39). Markers included glucose, HOMA%S, HOMA%B, proinsulin:C-peptide ratio (PI:C ratio), and circulating preproinsulin (INS) DNA. We performed multiple linear regressions with adjustments for age, sex, race, BMI, and smoking status. Compared to HIV- controls, HIV+ participants off ART exhibited similar beta cell function and insulin sensitivity, without increases in markers of beta cell stress or death. Specifically, in HIV+ participants with CD4 counts <350 cells/μL, PI:C ratios were lower than in HIV- controls (p<0.01), suggesting a reduction in intrinsic beta cell stress among this group. By contrast, HIV+ participants on ART had higher fasting glucose (p<0.0001) and lower HOMA%B (p<0.001) compared to HIV- controls. Among the entire HIV+ population, higher HIV RNA correlated with lower fasting glucose (r = -0.57, p<0.001), higher HOMA%B (r = 0.40, p = 0.001), and lower PI:C ratios (r = -0.42, p<0.001), whereas higher CD4 counts correlated with higher PI:C ratios (r = 0.2, p = 0.00499). Our results suggest that HIV seropositivity in the absence of ART does not worsen beta cell function or glucose homeostasis, but immune reconstitution with ART may be associated with worsened beta cell function.

Association between the use of protease inhibitors in highly active antiretroviral therapy and incidence of diabetes mellitus and/or metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis tries to determine whether there is an association between the use of protease inhibitors (PIs) and the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or metabolic syndrome (MS) in HIV-infected patients. A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed, CENTRAL, LILACS, and EMBASE. Included articles were observational studies published on or prior to November 2015 that met specific inclusion criteria. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria, describing 13,742 HIV patients. Use of PIs was associated with the development of MS (RR: 2.11; 95% CI 1.28-3.48; p-value 0.003). No association between the use of PIs and development of DM was found: the HR for the incidence of DM among patients using PIs was 1.23 (95% CI 0.66-2.30; p-value: 0.51) and the RR was 1.25 (95% CI 0.99-1.58; p-value 0.06). Use of PIs in HIV-infected patients is associated with an increased risk of MS. No evidence of an increased risk of DM was found. However, because MS is a precursor to DM, it is possible that studies with a longer follow-up duration are needed in order to detect an association between PI use and onset of DM.

The Utility of a Syndemic Framework in Understanding Chronic Disease Management Among HIV-Infected and Type 2 Diabetic Men Who Have Sex with Men

Syndemic theory posits that epidemics of multiple physical and psychosocial problems co-occur among disadvantaged groups due to adverse social conditions. Although sexual minority populations are often stigmatized and vulnerable to multiple health problems, the syndemic perspective has been underutilized in understanding chronic disease. To assess the potential utility of this perspective in understanding the management of co-occurring HIV and Type 2 diabetes, we used linear regression to examine glycemic control (A1c) among men who have sex with men (MSM) with both HIV and Type 2 diabetes (n = 88). Bivariable linear regression explored potential syndemic correlates of inadequate glycemic control. Compared to those with adequate glycemic control (A1c ≤ 7.5 %), more men with inadequate glycemic control (A1c > 7.5 %) had hypertension (70 vs. 46 %, p = 0.034), high triglycerides (93 vs. 61 %, p = 0.002), depression (67 vs. 39 %, p = 0.018), current substance abuse (15 vs. 2 %, p = 0.014), and detectable levels of HIV (i.e., viral load ≥75 copies per ml blood; 30 vs. 10 %, p = 0.019). In multivariable regression controlling for age, the factors that were independently associated with higher A1c were high triglycerides, substance use, and detectable HIV viral load, suggesting that chronic disease management among MSM is complex and challenging for patients and providers. Findings also suggest that syndemic theory can be a clarifying lens for understanding chronic disease management among sexual minority stigmatized populations. Interventions targeting single conditions may be inadequate when multiple conditions co-occur; thus, research using a syndemic framework may be helpful in identifying intervention strategies that target multiple co-occurring conditions.

Platelet function and cardiovascular risk in adult HIV-infected patients on HAART: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now at least threefold higher in HIV-infected patients as compared with the general population. Although platelet activation and reactivity are implicated in the development of CVDs in HIV-infected patients, its precise role remains inconclusive. We aim to assess the association between platelet activation and selected cardiovascular risk factors in HIV-1-infected individuals on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART).

METHODS

This will be a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies evaluating the association between platelet activation and CVD risk factors in HAART-treated adults. The search strategy will include medical subject headings words for MEDLINE, and this will be adapted to Embase search headings (Emtree) terms for the EMBASE database. The search will cover literature published between 1 January 1996 to 30 April 2017. Studies will be independently screened by two reviewers using predefined criteria. Relevant eligible full texts will be screened; data will be extracted, and a qualitative synthesis will be conducted. Data extraction will be performed using Review Manager V.5.3. To assess the quality and strengths of evidence across selected studies, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation approach will be used. The Cochran's Q statistic and the I² statistics will be used to analyse statistical heterogeneity between studies. If included studies show high levels of homogeneity, a random effects meta-analysis will be performed using R statistical software.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This will be a review of existing studies and will not require ethical approval. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and presented at local and international conferences. An emerging patient management dilemma is that of the increased incidence of CVD in people living with HIV on HAART. This review may inform treatment and cardiovascular risk stratification of HIV-infected patients at increased risk of developing CVD.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42017062393.

Incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus with HIV infection in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aims to investigate the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with HIV infection in African populations.

SETTING

Only studies reporting data from Africa were included.

PARTICIPANTS

A systematic search was conducted using four databases for articles referring to HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy, and T2DM in Africa. Articles were excluded if they reported data on children, animals or type 1 diabetes exclusively.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of T2DM and prevalence of T2DM. Risk ratios were generated for pooled data using random effects models. Bias was assessed using an adapted Cochrane Collaboration bias assessment tool.

RESULTS

Of 1056 references that were screened, only 20 were selected for inclusion. Seven reported the incidence of T2DM in patients with HIV infection, eight reported the prevalence of T2DM in HIV-infected versus uninfected individuals and five reported prevalence of T2DM in HIV-treated versus untreated patients. Incidence rates ranged from 4 to 59 per 1000 person years. Meta-analysis showed no significant differences between T2DM prevalence in HIV-infected individuals versus uninfected individuals (risk ratio (RR) =1.61, 95% CI 0.62 to 4.21, p=0.33), or between HIV-treated patients versus untreated patients (RR=1.38, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.87, p=0.39), and heterogeneity was high in both meta-analyses (I²=87% and 52%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Meta-analysis showed no association between T2DM prevalence and HIV infection or antiretroviral therapy; however, these results are limited by the high heterogeneity of the included studies and moderate-to-high risk of bias, as well as, the small number of studies included. There is a need for well-designed prospective longitudinal studies with larger population sizes to better assess incidence and prevalence of T2DM in African patients with HIV. Furthermore, screening for T2DM using gold standard methods in this population is necessary.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO42016038689.

Metabolic Disorders in HIV-Infected Adolescents Receiving Protease Inhibitors

Protease inhibitor (PI) may cause abnormal glucose metabolism, abnormal lipid metabolism, and metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected adults but less well studied in Asian adolescents. This cross-sectional study evaluated anthropometric factors, oral glucose tolerance test, and lipid profiles of perinatally HIV-infected Thai adolescents who had received PI-based antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 months. Eighty adolescents were enrolled [median (IQR) age 16.7 (14.6–18.0) years, 42 males]. Metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were found in 8 (10%), 17 (22.1%), and 3 (3.8%) adolescents, respectively. Dyslipidemia was found in 56 (70%) adolescents, with hypertriglyceridemia being the most common type. In multivariate analysis, presence of lipohypertrophy (OR: 25.7, 95% CI: 3.2–202.8; p = 0.002) and longer duration of PI use (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00–1.08; p = 0.023) were associated with metabolic syndrome. Obesity (OR: 7.71, 95% CI: 1.36–43.7; p = 0.021), presence of lipohypertrophy (OR: 62.9, 95% CI: 4.97–795.6; p = 0.001), and exposure to stavudine for ≥6 months (OR: 8.18, 95% CI: 1.37–48.7; p = 0.021) were associated with prediabetes/T2DM, while exposure to tenofovir for ≥6 months reduced the risk (OR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04–0.78; p = 0.022). Metabolic disorders were commonly found in adolescents receiving PI. Careful monitoring and early intervention to modify cardiovascular risk should be systematically implemented in this population particularly those with exposure to stavudine.

The association between HIV, antiretroviral therapy, and gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES

The widespread, chronic use of antiretroviral therapy raises questions concerning the metabolic consequences of HIV infection and treatment. Antiretroviral therapy, and specifically protease inhibitors, has been associated with hyperglycemia. As pregnant women are vulnerable to development of hyperglycemia, the objective of this study was to explore existing literature on the relationship between HIV infection, HIV treatment, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in six databases for articles providing data on HIV-positivity, protease inhibitor exposure, and GDM or glucose intolerance development in pregnancy. The quality of articles was evaluated using an adapted Cochrane Collaboration bias assessment tool. Risk ratios were generated from pooled data using meta-analysis by the Mantel-Haenszel method.

RESULTS

Of 891 references screened, six studies on the role of HIV-positivity, 10 on protease inhibitor use, and two on both were included. Meta-analysis showed no significant relationship between HIV infection and the development of GDM [risk ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47-1.37, I = 0%]. Meta-analysis of protease inhibitor exposure showed increased GDM in studies using first-generation protease inhibitors (risk ratio 2.29, 95% CI: 1.46-3.58) and studies using the strictest diagnosis criteria, the National Diabetes Data Group criteria for 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (risk ratio 3.81, 95% CI: 2.18-6.67).

CONCLUSION

Meta-analysis showed no significant association between HIV-positivity and GDM. Significance of protease inhibitor use was limited to studies using the strictest diagnostic criteria for GDM. Results are limited by high risk of bias. Well designed prospective studies are needed to further clarify this relationship and its consequences for clinical practice.

Drug therapies for HIV-related metabolic disorders

INTRODUCTION

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become a chronic disease often associated with dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance. Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) may contribute to metabolic disturbances, eventually leading to increased cardiovascular disease (CVR) in this population. Escalating interventions to decrease CVR include promoting a healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, diet and regular exercise. If they do not achieve the goals, a change of cART should be considered, followed by or used concomitantly with the use of chemical therapies.

AREAS COVERED

The aim of this article is to review the available drug therapies for the treatment of metabolic disorders in HIV-infected patients and to examine their safety and effectiveness in this population. A review of the literature was conducted, highlighting the most relevant articles.

EXPERT OPINION

Switching strategies can be useful but its expected benefit is not high. Therefore, chemical intervention is often needed. Statins have been proven to reduce CVR in the general population and in HIV-infected patients. Simvastatin is contraindicated in patients treated with boosted PI due to interactions; atorvastatin is safe at submaximal dose and needs close monitoring, while pravastatin lacks lipid-lowering potency, and rosuvastatin and pitavastatin are safe. Ezetimibe and fibrates are also safe and effective in HIV-infected patients and can be used in combination with statins. The management of glucose homeostatic disorders in HIV-infected patients follows the same guidelines as in the general population. However, there are specific considerations with respect to the interactions of particular medications with cART. When drug therapy is needed, metformin is the first-line drug. Decisions regarding second- and third-line drugs should be carefully individualized.

Peripheral neuropathy in HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa failing first-line therapy and the response to second-line ART in the EARNEST trial

Sensory peripheral neuropathy (PN) remains a common complication in HIV-positive patients despite effective combination anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Data on PN on second-line ART is scarce. We assessed PN using a standard tool in patients failing first-line ART and for 96 weeks following a switch to PI-based second-line ART in a large Randomised Clinical Trial in Sub-Saharan Africa. Factors associated with PN were investigated using logistic regression. Symptomatic PN (SPN) prevalence was 22% at entry (N = 1,251) and was associated (p < 0.05) with older age (OR = 1.04 per year), female gender (OR = 1.64), Tuberculosis (TB; OR = 1.86), smoking (OR = 1.60), higher plasma creatinine (OR = 1.09 per 0.1 mg/dl increase), CD4 count (OR = 0.83 per doubling) and not consuming alcohol (OR = 0.55). SPN prevalence decreased to 17% by week 96 (p = 0.0002) following similar trends in all study groups (p = 0.30). Asymptomatic PN (APN) increased over the same period from 21 to 29% (p = 0.0002). Signs suggestive of PN (regardless of symptoms) returned to baseline levels by week 96. At weeks 48 and 96, after adjusting for time-updated associations above and baseline CD4 count and viral load, SPN was strongly associated with TB (p < 0.0001). In summary, SPN prevalence was significantly reduced with PI-based second-line therapy across all treatment groups, but we did not find any advantage to the NRTI-free regimens. The increase of APN and stability of PN-signs regardless of symptoms suggest an underlying trend of neuropathy progression that may be masked by reduction of symptoms accompanying general health improvement induced by second-line ART. SPN was strongly associated with isoniazid given for TB treatment.

Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in people with HIV infection treated with ART in rural South Africa: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

The risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) from some rural parts of Africa is not well known. We assessed CVD risk factors, the estimated 5-year Data collection on adverse effects of anti-HIV drugs (DA.) risk score and the 10-year Framingham risk score in persons with HIV infection on ART in a rural area in South Africa.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study in which the data on demographic, lifestyle, and chronic disease were collected using the World Health Organization Stepwise approach to surveillance questionnaire. Biochemical parameters were tested using standard biochemical methods. CD4 counts were performed using PIMA analyser and viral load was tested using the branched deoxyribonucleic acid technique. Student t test and Chi square test were used on continuous and categorical variables respectively. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze predictors of CVD risk factors. Estimates of 5 and 10-year CVD risk were calculated using online tools. The Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to assess the agreement between CVD risk equations.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 44.8 ± 11.8 years; 79.9 % were females. Most of the participants (85 %) had an undetectable viral load and a mean CD4 count of 462 ± 235 cell/mm(3). The most common CVD risk factors were low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (43.8 %), hypercholesterolaemia (33.2 %) and a high Apolipoprotein (Apo) B/ApoA ratio (45.4 %).Using the Framingham equation, 6.7 % of participants had a moderate to high 10-year CVD risk while the DAD risk equation showed that 31.1 % of participants had a moderate to high 5-year CVD risk. Most participants had a low CVD risk by both risk equations. The level of agreement between the two risk equations was 73.8 % (k = 0.23; 95 % CI 0.10-0.35; p value 0.001).

CONCLUSION

CVD risk factors were common among this rural population on ART. The high proportion of participants with a moderate to high CVD risk, observed with the DAD risk equation, clearly represents a considerable health burden that can possibly be reduced by increasing educational programs on CVD prevention for people on ART. There is however a need to develop and evaluate a race/ethnicity-specific CVD risk estimation tool for HIV infected Africans.

Late Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Initiation Is Associated with Long-Term Persistence of Systemic Inflammation and Metabolic Abnormalities

Objectives

HIV-induced immunodeficiency is associated with metabolic abnormalities and systemic inflammation. We investigated the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on restoration of insulin sensitivity, markers of immune activation and inflammation.

Methods

Immunological, metabolic and inflammatory status was assessed at antiretroviral therapy initiation and three years later in 208 patients from the ANRS-COPANA cohort. Patients were compared according to their pre-ART CD4⁺ cell count (group 1: ≤ 200/mm³, n = 66 vs. group 2: > 200/mm³, n = 142).

Results

Median CD4⁺ cell count increased in both groups after 3 years of successful ART but remained significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (404 vs 572 cells/mm³). Triglyceride and insulin levels were higher or tended to be higher in group 1 than in group 2 at ART initiation (median: 1.32 vs 0.97 mmol/l, p = 0.04 and 7.6 vs 6.8 IU, p = 0.09, respectively) and remained higher after three years of ART (1.42 vs 1.16 mmol/L, p = 0.0009 and 8.9 vs 7.2 IU, p = 0.01). After adjustment for individual characteristics and antiretroviral therapy regimens (protease inhibitor (PI), zidovudine), insulin levels remained significantly higher in patients with low baseline CD4⁺ cell count. Baseline IL-6, sCD14 and sTNFR2 levels were higher in group 1 than in group 2. Most biomarkers of immune activation/inflammation declined during ART, but IL-6 and hsCRP levels remained higher in patients with low baseline CD4⁺ cell count than in the other patients (median are respectively 1.4 vs 1.1 pg/ml, p = 0.03 and 2.1 vs 1.3 mg/ml, p = 0.07).

Conclusion

After three years of successful ART, low pretreatment CD4⁺ T cell count remained associated with elevated insulin, triglyceride, IL-6 and hsCRP levels. These persistent metabolic and inflammatory abnormalities could contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

Epidemiology and management of antiretroviral-associated cardiovascular disease

Risk and manifestations of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) will continue to evolve as improved treatments and life expectancy of these patients increases. Although initiation of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy has been shown to reduce this risk, some ARV medications may induce metabolic abnormalities, further compounding the risk of CVD. In this patient population, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies should be employed to treat and reduce further risk of CVD. This review summarizes epidemiology data of the risk factors and development of CVD in HIV and provides recommendations to manage CVD in HIV-infected patients.

Primary care of women aging with HIV

Women are living longer with HIV infection, but their life expectancy remains shorter than for women in the general population. How best to manage the multiple comorbidities and polypharmacy that are common in individuals wtih HIV has not been studied. This article explores areas where the primary care of women with HIV may differ from that of aging women in the general population. We also discuss aspects of care that may not commonly be considered in those under the age of 65, specifically multimorbidity and polypharmacy. Incorporating a gerontologic approach in the care of these women may optimize outcomes until research provides more definitive answers for how best to collaborate with women with HIV in order to provide them with optimal care.

Diabetes Burden in Urban and Rural Senegalese Populations: A Cross-Sectional Study in 2012

Diabetes represents a challenging global health issue in the 21st century. Data from sub-Saharan African populations are scarce and are usually restricted to urban settings. The objective of this study was to compare prevalence and risk factors of diabetes in rural and urban areas in Senegal. Methods. In a community-based survey between January and May 2012, we included 1027 adults aged ≥18 years living in northern Senegal. Sociodemographic, clinical, and biological data were collected during household visits. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with diabetes. Results. Mean age of participants was 48.0 ± 16.9 years and 65.7% were female. Participants from urban area represented 55.7%. The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes was 7.6% (6.0% in men versus 9.0% in women). Prevalence of diabetes was higher in urban areas (8.1%) compared to rural areas (4.6%). Disease awareness rate was 43%. After multivariate analysis, age (OR = 1.63, p = 0.001), familial history of diabetes (OR = 1.42, p = 0.001), and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.17, p = 0.05) were associated with diabetes. Conclusion. Diabetes is frequent in urban and rural areas in Senegal. Awareness rate is very low among populations. Age, family history of diabetes, and abdominal obesity are the main risk factors identified.

Metabolic disease in HIV infection

The treatment of metabolic disease is becoming an increasingly important component of the long-term management of patients with well controlled HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Metabolic diseases probably develop at the intersection of traditional risk factors (such as obesity, tobacco use, and genetic predisposition) and HIV-specific and ART-specific contributors (including chronic inflammation and immune activation). This Review discusses present knowledge on adipose tissue dysfunction, insulin-glucose homoeostasis, lipid disturbances, and cardiovascular disease risk in people with HIV on ART. Although new antiretroviral drugs are believed to induce fewer short-term metabolic perturbations than do older drugs, the long-term effects of these drugs are not fully understood. Additionally, patients remain at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other metabolic comorbidities. Research and treatment should focus on selection of ART that is both virologically effective and has minimum metabolic effects, minimisation of traditional risk factors for metabolic disease, and development of novel therapies to treat metabolic disease in patients with HIV, including use of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs.

Diabetes and early postpartum methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in US hospitals

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in postpartum women is not well characterized. Because diabetes is a risk factor for some infections, we sought to characterize the relationship between diabetes and invasive MRSA infections in women admitted to US hospitals for delivery of an infant.

METHODS

We used data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a representative sample of US community hospitals. Multivariate hierarchical logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR), adjusting for age, race, selected comorbidities, and expected payer, and hospital teaching status, urbanicity, bed size, geographic region, and ownership.

RESULTS

The odds ratio for prepregnancy diabetes was 3.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.9-6.0). The relationship remained strong after external adjustment for obesity (OR, 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3-4.8). The OR comparing women with complicated versus uncomplicated diabetes was 1.5 (95% CI: 0.3-6.0). We did not find an association with gestational diabetes (OR, 1.1; 95% CI: 0.7-1.7).

CONCLUSION

Prepregnancy diabetes, but not gestational diabetes, appears to be a risk factor for invasive MRSA infection in the early postpartum period. Women with diabetic complications may be at additional risk, but estimates were imprecise.

Insulin resistance, lipodystrophy and cardiometabolic syndrome in HIV/AIDS

HIV associated insulin resistance, lipodistrophy and cardiometabolic syndrome have been extensively studied and continue to be the scope of much research. There is compelling evidence that both the HIV itself and the therapeutical regimes are major contributors to all of these associated comorbidities. HIV has increasingly been recognized as a disease of accelerated aging, manifested by increased progression of vascular disease and cellular markers of aging. The antiretroviral medication can increase insulin resistance and cause lipotoxocity and HIV-associated lipodystrophy leading to cardiovascular pathology. In this article we review the pathogenesis, management, and prevention of the long-term complications of HIV and its therapies, including cardiovascular disease, lipodystrophy, and insulin resistance along with the growing focus on biomarkers to predict development of end-organ disease. Through a focused literature search we review the established evidence, the developing research about the treatment strategies in treated HIV infection as well as identify potential areas for future research.

New insights on diabetes mellitus and obesity in Africa-part 1: prevalence, pathogenesis and comorbidities

Evidence continues to accumulate on the rising burden of diabetes mellitus at a higher pace in Africa. In a series of two papers, we sought to summarise recent evidence on diabetes and obesity in Africa based on a systematic review of studies published between January 2002 and October 2012. This first paper on the prevalence, pathogenesis and comorbidities shows that the increase in diabetes prevalence has paralleled that of obesity in Africa. Recent surveys on diabetes and obesity have been largely suboptimal. Hence, the need for more representative and robust continent-wide prevalence figures, which may be somehow achieved through pooling of existing data. Prospective studies linking environmental risk factors to disease occurrence and outcomes remain scarce, and genetic factors for diabetes or obesity have not been extensively assessed. The health consequences of diabetes are manifold, and include a complex interaction with other conditions like HIV infection and sickle cell disease/trait.

HIV stroke risk: evidence and implications

An estimated 34 million men, women, and children are infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Current technology cannot eradicate HIV-1, and most patients with HIV-1-infection (HIV+) will require lifelong treatment with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Stroke was recognized as a complication of HIV-1 infection since the early days of the epidemic. Potential causes of stroke in HIV-1 include opportunistic infections, tumors, atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, autoimmunity, coagulopathies, cardiovascular disease, and direct HIV-1 infection of the arterial wall. Ischemic stroke has emerged as a particularly significant neurological complication of HIV-1 and its treatment due to the aging of the HIV+ population, chronic HIV-1 infection, inflammation, and prolonged exposure to cART. New prevention and treatment strategies tailored to the needs of the HIV+ population are needed to address this issue.

The burden of diabetes and hyperlipidemia in treated HIV infection and approaches for cardiometabolic care

Treatment of HIV infection with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) confers survival and quality of life benefits. However, these significant benefits are at the cost of metabolic complications with associated increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These chronic diseases add complexity to the standards of care in HIV infection and much remains unknown about the natural histories of diabetes and hyperlipidemia in this setting. This review examines recent research findings in diabetes and hyperlipidemia in HIV infection, juxtaposed on our prior understanding of these diseases. It also reviews the current evidence base and clinical guidelines for diabetes and lipid management and cardiometabolic prevention in HIV-infected HAART recipients.

Dysregulation of glucose metabolism in HIV patients: epidemiology, mechanisms, and management

HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have increased prevalence of a number of chronic metabolic disorders of multifactorial but unclear etiology. These include disorders of lipid metabolism with or without lipodystrophy, insulin resistance, and an increased prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, and cardiometabolic syndrome. While much attention has been focused on the lipid and cardiovascular disorders, few investigations have attempted to characterize the prevalence, incidence, etiology, mechanisms, and management of glycemic disorders in HIV patients. In this review, we have focused specifically on a comprehensive assessment of dysglycemia in the context of HIV infection and HAART.