Metabolic syndrome among HIV-infected Taiwanese patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: prevalence and associated factors

Prevalence and associated factors of metabolic syndrome among people living with HIV in a medical center of Northern Taiwan

HIV acquisition has been found to be associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic syndrome in the past. In this study, we attempt to delineate the associated factors of metabolic syndrome among persons living with HIV in a single medical center in Taiwan using mostly integrase inhibitors-based regimen as HAART. A cross-sectional study involving all people living with HIV (PLWH) aged ≥ 18 years who visited MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan between September 7, 2022 to January 31, 2023 was performed. A modified National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III definition of metabolic syndrome was used to define metabolic syndrome and body mass index was used as surrogate for waist circumference. 809 PLWH participated in the study, in which 81.3% of patients were on integrase inhibitor-based HAART regimen. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 10.0%, which is markedly lower than those reported in the literature. Age was a significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome. HIV-related factors (CD4, viral load, HAART regimen) did not affect the presence of metabolic syndrome. Prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome appeared to have declined among PLWH compared to previous reports, possibly secondary to widespread use of integrase inhibitors. Age remains a strong risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome among PLWH.

Forty years of HIV infection and AIDS in Taiwan: Reflection on the past and looking toward the future

We review the epidemiology, policies, and control programs of HIV infection in Taiwan in the past 40 years since the first case of HIV infection was diagnosed in 1984. With the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Taiwan in 1997, the incidences of HIV-related opportunistic illnesses and mortality have significantly declined. However, despite improved access to HIV testing and treatment, late presentation of HIV infection remains common. Unprotected sex, particularly among men who have sex with men, continues to be the leading risk for HIV transmission after implementation of harm reduction program to control an outbreak of HIV infection among people who inject drugs that occurred in 2003-2007. The sequential introduction of well-tolerated, effective, single-tablet antiretroviral regimens has facilitated the implementation of "treat-all" policy in 2016, rapid ART initiation within 7 days of diagnosis in 2018, and same-day ART initiation in 2021 when immunochromatography was used for rapid confirmation of HIV infection. Government-funded pilot program of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection, which was launched in 2016 followed by wider enrollment of people at high risk for HIV acquisition in 2018, have contributed to sustained declines of the incidence of HIV infection since 2018, along with high rates of linkage to HIV care, ART initiation, viral suppression, and retention in care in Taiwan. Challenges remain to achieve HIV elimination and long-term successful management of HIV infection, which include stigma and discrimination, late presentation of HIV infection, and accelerated ageing with increasing rates of co-morbidities among people with HIV.

Metabolic Outcomes of Changing From Rilpivirine/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine to Rilpivirine/Tenofovir Alafenamide/Emtricitabine: A Longitudinal Study

Background and Aims

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PLWH) are aging, and there are growing concerns regarding combined antiretroviral therapy (cART)-associated negative metabolic consequences. We aimed to investigate the metabolic outcomes of PLWH by replacing rilpivirine (RPV)/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC) with RPV/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/FTC.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled PLWH who changed from RPV/TDF/FTC to RPV/TAF/FTC between January 2019 and September 2023. Metabolic profiles were compared 1 year before and 3 years after changing cART using Cochran's Q and one-way ANOVA. The independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 182 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome has increased from 28% to 40.7%. The prevalence of hypertension and abnormal lipid levels significantly increased in the first year after changing cART, but the prescription of medicine for dyslipidemia increased in the second year (p = 0.025) and that for hypertension increased in the third year (p < 0.001). In addition to the criteria, body mass index (BMI) before changing cART was the only predictor of metabolic syndrome in the third year (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.19-1.55; p < 0.001). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and BMI did not increase significantly during the second and third years.

Conclusions

A gradually higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome among PLWH occurred with changes from RPV/TDF/FTC to RPV/TAF/FTC but plateaued beyond 2 years. However, fewer drugs for dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension were prescribed within the first year after changing cART.

Burden of metabolic syndrome in the global adult HIV-infected population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) elevates the risk of heart disease and stroke. In recent decades, the escalating prevalence of MetS among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has garnered global attention. Despite MetS development being associated with both traditional and HIV-related factors, evidence from prior studies has shown variability across geographical regions. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of MetS burdens in adult PLWHA at the regional and global levels, focusing on the common effect size of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on MetS.

METHODS

This review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search and review of original articles related to MetS and HIV published in peer-reviewed journals between January 2000 and December 2023 were conducted. A random effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence/incidence of MetS and the common effect size of HIV infection and ART exposure on MetS.

RESULTS

A total of 102 studies from five continents comprising 78,700 HIV-infected participants were included. The overall pooled prevalence of MetS was 25.3%, 25.6% for PLWHA on ART, and 18.5% for those not receiving treatment. The pooled incidence of MetS, calculated from five studies, was 9.19 per 100 person-years. The highest pooled prevalence of MetS was observed in the Americas (30.4%), followed by the Southeast Asia/Western Pacific regions (26.7%). HIV-infected individuals had 1.6 times greater odds of having MetS than non-HIV-infected individuals did (pooled OR = 1.604; 95% CI 1.154-2.230), and ART exposure had 1.5 times greater odds of having MetS than nontreatment had (pooled OR = 1.504; 95% CI 1.217-1.859).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV infection and ART exposure contribute significantly to the increased burden of MetS. Regions with a high burden of HIV and MetS should prioritize awareness and integrated care plans for major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease and stroke. The implementation of integrated care for HIV/AIDS patients and NCDs is essential for addressing the high burden of multimorbidity in PLWHA.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY202290018.

Framingham risk score based vascular outcomes in acute versus chronic HIV cohorts after 6 years of ART

INTRODUCTION

Immune dysregulation persists in people with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and may lead to accelerated vascular ageing and cardiovascular disease (CVD). While delayed time to initiation of ART has been linked to worse cardiovascular outcomes, the effect of ART initiation during acute infection on these outcomes is not well understood.

METHODS

Participants were enrolled from the SEARCH010/RV254 acute HIV (AHI) and HIV-NAT chronic HIV (CHI) cohorts in Thailand. Participants with 6-year follow-up and viral suppression (viral load < 50 copies/μL) at follow-up were included. Both unmatched cohorts and age and gender-matched cohorts were analysed. Demographics, HIV laboratories, and cardiovascular risk factors from enrolment and 6-year follow-up were obtained from electronic records. Framingham Risk Score (FRS), vascular age (VA), vascular age deviation (VAD), and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk were calculated from previously published equations. Vascular outcomes in AHI and CHI cohorts were compared, and univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to investigate risk factors associated with worse vascular scores.

RESULTS

In all, 373 AHI participants and 608 CHI participants were identified. AHI participants were of younger age, had a higher prevalence of syphilis and a lower prevalence of prior hepatitis B, tuberculosis, diabetes, and hypertension. Higher CD4 T-cell and lower CD8 T-cell counts were seen in the AHI cohort at enrolment and 6-year follow-up. In all participants, the AHI cohort had a lower median FRS (p < 0.001) and VA (p < 0.001), but higher VAD (p < 0.001). However, in matched cohorts, no differences were found in FRS-based outcomes. In all participants, higher VAD after 6 years of ART was associated with higher body mass index (p < 0.001) and higher CD4 count (p < 0.001), which persisted in multivariable analysis. When FRS components were analysed individually, CD4 count was associated only with male sex and cholesterol.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not identify differences in FRS-based vascular outcomes at 6 years in matched cohorts of participants who started ART during AHI versus CHI. We identified a correlation between higher CD4 count and worse FRS-based vascular outcomes, which may be driven by underlying metabolic risk factors. Further study is needed to confirm these findings and evaluate underlying mechanisms.

Co-administration of HAART and antikoch triggers cardiometabolic dysfunction through an oxidative stress-mediated pathway

BACKGROUND

Antikoch and highly active anti-retroviral therapy are effective drugs in the management of tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus, respectively. However, these cocktails have been independently associated with the aetiopathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. This study investigated whether or not the co-administration of antikoch and anti-retroviral, as seen in tuberculosis/Human Immunodeficiency Virus co-infection, will produce a similar effect. Also, it evaluated the role of glutathione and adenine deaminase/xanthine oxidase/uric acid signaling in antikoch/anti-retroviral-induced cardiometabolic dysfunction.

METHODS

Male rats of Wistar strain were randomized into four groups: the control, which had 0.5 mL of distilled water as a vehicle, anti-Koch-treated rats that were administered a cocktail of anti-Koch, HAART-treated rats that had a combination of anti-retroviral drugs, and anti-Koch + HAART-treated rats that had treatments as anti-Koch-treated and HAART-treated rats. The treatment was once daily and lasted for eight weeks. One way-analysis of variance followed by Tukey's posthoc test was used to test for significance and pairwise comparisons respectively.

RESULTS

Although no changes in body weight gain and cardiac weight were noted, it was found that antikoch and/or HAART caused insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose level. In addition, antikoch and/or HAART led to dyslipidaemia, increased atherogenic indices, and elevated cardiac injury markers. These were accompanied by increased plasma and cardiac concentrations of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, C-reactive protein, and myeloperoxidase activity, as well as suppressed activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase, and a fall in reduced glutathione level. The observed alterations were more pronounced in animals that received a combination of antikoch and HAART.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first evidence that antikoch and/or HAART induce cardiometabolic dysfunction via glutathione suppression and up-regulation of adenine deaminase/xanthine oxidase/uric acid-dependent oxidative stress and inflammatory response. These events were associated with dyslipidaemia and increased atherogenic indices. This infers that regular monitoring of glucose level, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, and oxido-inflammatory markers is important in patients on antikoch and/or HAART for prompt diagnosis and management of cardiometabolic disorder if it ensues.

Incidence of cardiometabolic diseases in a Lesotho HIV cohort: Evidence for policy decision-making

Background

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) has been associated with the development of certain cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). The burden of CMDs amongst ART-experienced patients in sub-Saharan Africa was unknown.

Objective

We quantified the burden of CMDs and identified the associated risk factors in a large treatment cohort on ART at a high-volume facility in Lesotho.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we extracted data from the daily dispensing electronic system and routine clinical records of 785 adults on ART between 2011 and 2015 in Maseru, Lesotho. CMD was defined as a diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes mellitus or dyslipidaemia (singly or collectively). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the disease burden; Kaplan–Meier curves and cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to examine the impact of the ART regimen and identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of CMD.

Results

Of the 785 participants, 473 (60%) were women. The median age of the group was 42 years, interquartile range (IQR), 36–51 years. The overall incidence of CMD was 5.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.4–7.1) per 100 person-months of follow-up. The median time to onset of CMD was 16.6 months (IQR = 7.4–23.4). ART was not associated with the occurrence of CMD (cause-specific hazard ratio [CHR] = 1.55; 95% CI = 0.14–16.85; P = 0.72). Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with the occurrence of diabetes mellitus (CHR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.14–1.38; P = 0.026).

Conclusion

The incidence of CMD in this relatively young patient population is low yet noteworthy. We recommend that patients living with HIV and AIDS should be routinely screened for CMD. Higher BMI is generally associated with the occurrence of CMD.

An observational study of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in treatment-experienced people living with HIV in Singapore

Background

While the use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has conferred significant reduction in morbidity and mortality, there are growing concerns about the metabolic complications of antiretroviral regimens in HIV-infected patients. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Singapore.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study using the clinical database maintained by the Clinical HIV Programme at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore. Treatment-experienced PLHIV on follow-up during 2015–2017 were included. MetS was defined as having three or more of the following five abnormalities: hypertriglyceridemia, HDL hypocholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.

Results

A total of 2,231 PLHIV were included in this study. 93.9% were men, and the median age at latest follow-up was 48 years. The median duration of HIV infection and duration of exposure to cART was 6.8 years and 5.7 years, respectively. All had been exposed to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) as the first line of treatment, 93.9% to non-NRTIs, 28.6% to protease inhibitors (PIs) and 12.8% to integrase strand transfer inhibitors. The most common metabolic abnormality among PLHIV was HDL hypocholesterolemia (60.2%) followed by hypertriglyceridemia (45.5%). Of all the 2,231 individuals, 68.8% had at least one component of MetS. The overall prevalence of MetS was 23.6% (95% confidence interval 21.9%–25.4%). Of the 526 with MetS, the most common combination was HDL hypocholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension (51.0%), followed by HDL hypocholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension and diabetes (25.1%). Compared with PLHIV without MetS, a significantly higher proportion of those with MetS were ever on protease inhibitors (33.5% vs. 27.1%).

Conclusion

MetS is common in PLHIV. In view of the progressive aging of HIV-infected population and long-term use of cART, regular monitoring for metabolic abnormalities, surveillance of drug effects and behavioural interventions are needed to optimize management and prevention of metabolic disorders in PLHIV.

A study of effect of anti-retroviral therapy regimen on metabolic syndrome in people living with HIV/AIDS: Post hoc analysis from a tertiary care hospital in western India

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Indian guidelines for anti-retroviral therapy (ART) are changing. More patients are now on protease-inhibitor (PI) based therapy. While the association of dyslipidemia with nucleoside reverse transcriptase (NRTI) based regimens is well-reported, the effect of Tenofovir (TDF) or PIs has not been studied in detail in India. This study looks at the impact of ART regimen on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA).

METHODS

This study is a post hoc analysis of a cross-sectional study in ART clinics of a hospital in India between Dec 2016 and Nov 2018. A total of 1208 PLHA on ART were part of this study. Chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression analysis was done.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MetS is 21.3%. This study found TDF based PI regimens had a two fold risk of MetS against patients of HIV on other ART regimens. Also, risk is significantly higher than both TDF based 2NRTI/NNRTI regimens and AZT based PI regimens.

CONCLUSION

Patients on TDF based PIs have a significantly higher prevalence of MetS. This has significance in India which relies heavily on TDF as a backbone of ART and is seeing increased use of PIs.

[Metabolic syndrome among people with HIV in central Tunisia: Prevalence and associated factors]

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic abnormalities are frequently reported in HIV infection. They were mainly related to the chronic infection and the use of antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVE

Describe the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and treatment features of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy and determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study in the service of Infectious Diseases of the University Hospital of Monastir. We included all PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy for at least 3 months. Biological explorations based on metabolic parameters were performed systematically for all patients after informed consent. Metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the definitions of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2005. We divided the patients into two groups: Group A: PLHIV with metabolic syndrome (n=19) and Group B: PLHIV without metabolic syndrome (n=51).

RESULTS

We included in this study 70 PLVIH. The metabolic syndrome was noted in 19 cases (27.1%). The average age was 43.7 years in group A and 36.7 years in group B. Gender distribution were uniform in the two groups (P=0.4). HIV infection has been evolving for 9.7 and 5.8 years respectively in group A and B, P=0.017. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in group A (26.4 vs 23.5kg/m², P=0.008). Two patients in group A (10.5%) and 14 patients in group B (27.4%) had a low CD4 count (<200/mm³). Protease inhibitor regimens were prescribed in five cases (26.3%) in group A and 26 cases (50.9%) in group B. In multivariate models, Age over 40 (OR=9.9, 95% CI 2.4-40.6, P=0.001) and BMI ≥25 Kg/m² (OR=8.47, 95% CI 1.94-36.8, p=0.004) were both independently associated with the presence of the metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Metabolic syndrome is common among PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy. The identification of factors associated is a main parameter for early detection of metabolic risk and personalized management.

Metabolic Syndrome in HIV-patients in Antiretroviral Therapy

INTRODUCTION

The global prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among people living with HIV/AIDS varies from 20% to 33%.

OBJECTIVE

to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated factors in a group of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study with HIV-infected patients from a reference center in Bahia, Brazil. We evaluated clinical, socio-demographic and anthropometric data. MS was defined according to the guidelines of International Diabetes Federation.

RESULTS

We evaluated 152 patients with mean age of 47.3±11.6 years, 59.2% male. The main comorbidities detected were diabetes (3.3%) hypertriglyceridemia (9.3%) and metabolic syndrome (MS,38.2%). Patients with MS were predominantly women (55.2% vs 31.9%; p=0.005), older [52.1 (10.4) vs 44.3 (11.3); p<0.001], and had overweight (74.1% vs 23.4%; p<0.001). After multivariate analysis MS remained associated with age (OR = 1.076; 95% CI: 1.030 - 1.125), female sex (OR = 2.452; 95% CI: 1.114 - 5.374) and family history of hypertension (OR = 3.678; 95% CI: 1.431 - 9.395).

CONCLUSION

Almost half of the HIV-infected patients in Bahia presents with MS which seems to be driven by classical risk factors.

Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome Among People Living with HIV in Gedeo-Zone, Southern-Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study

Background

Intensive access to antiretroviral therapy improved the prognosis of HIV. As a result, a non-communicable disease risk marker known as metabolic syndrome (MS) has emerged. It is a public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. However, there is little literature on predictors of MS among people living with HIV (PLHIVs) in the study area context.

Purpose

To identify predictors of metabolic syndrome among PLHIVs, Gedeo Zone, Southern-Ethiopia.

Methods

Health institutions-based unmatched case–control study was conducted. All HIV-infected adult persons who are receiving routine care in the randomly selected two hospitals and two health centers of the Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia were involved in the study, conducted from December 29^th, 2017, to January 22^nd, 2019. PLHIVs diagnosed with MS using ATP III criteria were considered as a case, and subjects free of MS in the survey were enrolled as controls. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of MS.

Results

A total of 633 (139 cases and 494 controls) PLHIVs were included in the study. The multivariable analysis result found that age (AOR=1.09, 95% CI (1.05–1.12)); educational status being completed secondary school (AOR=0.22, 95% CI (0.02–0.42)); occupational status being of students (AOR=0.11, 95% CI (0.24–0.51)); wealth index being in the middle quintile (AOR=0.22, 95% CI (0.06–0.79)); ART status exposed to ART (AOR=3.07, 95% CI (1.37–6.89)); total physical activity state being physically active (AOR=0.36, 95% CI (0.16–0.79)), and engaged in low levels physical activity (AOR=3.83, 95% CI (1.46–10.05)) were the factors significantly associated with MS.

Conclusion

While education, occupation, wealth index, antiretroviral therapy status, total physical activity, and lower physical activity levels were concluded by the study as modifiable predictors of metabolic syndrome, age was found as a non-modifiable independent risk of metabolic syndrome. There is a need for an ongoing effort to realize an integrated care plan that addresses both the routine care and regular screening programs to reduce the risks associated with MS and its traits in these subjects.

Therapeutic management of HIV-infected patients with chronic kidney disease

CKD and HIV infection are two chronic diseases impacting heavily on the survival of the affected patients. The interplay between HIV infection and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is complex and interactions occur at multiple levels. Approach to the management of HIV-infected patients requires special attention to face the numerous therapeutic difficulties ranging from drug-drug interactions to drug-toxicity. The most effective strategy is targeted to suppression of HIV viral load, as it dramatically changes the prognosis of the patients as well as prevents the development of HIV-associated kidney disease. As shown in this review, the approach to the therapeutic management of CKD in the setting of HIV infection varies in relation to the degree of renal impairment.

Diabetes, mortality and glucose monitoring rates in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database Low Intensity Transfer (TAHOD-LITE) study

OBJECTIVES

Diabetes is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). We investigated the association between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and mortality, and factors associated with FPG monitoring rates in Asia.

METHODS

Patients from the Therapeutics Research, Education, and AIDS Training in Asia (TREAT Asia) HIV Observational Database Low Intensity Transfer (TAHOD-LITE) cohort were included in the present study if they had initiated ART. Competing risk and Poisson regression were used to analyse the association between FPG and mortality, and assess risk factors for FPG monitoring rates, respectively. FPG was categorized as diabetes (FPG ≥ 7.0 mmol/L), prediabetes (FPG 5.6-6.9 mmol/L) and normal FPG (FPG < 5.6 mmol/L).

RESULTS

In total, 33 232 patients were included in the analysis. Throughout follow-up, 59% had no FPG test available. The incidence rate for diabetes was 13.7 per 1000 person-years in the 4649 patients with normal FPG at ART initiation. Prediabetes [sub-hazard ratio (sHR) 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.64] and diabetes (sHR 1.90; 95% CI 1.52-2.38) were associated with mortality compared to those with normal FPG. FPG monitoring increased from 0.34 to 0.78 tests per person-year from 2012 to 2016 (P < 0.001). Male sex [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.08; 95% CI 1.03-1.12], age > 50 years (IRR 1.14; 95% CI 1.09-1.19) compared to ≤ 40 years, and CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/μL (IRR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00-1.09) compared to < 200 cells/μL were associated with increased FPG monitoring.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes and prediabetes were associated with mortality. FPG monitoring increased over time; however, less than half of our cohort had been tested. Greater resources should be allocated to FPG monitoring for early diabetic treatment and intervention and to optimize survival.

The global magnitude of metabolic syndrome among antiretroviral therapy (ART) exposed and ART-naïve adult HIV-infected patients in gedio-zone, southern Ethiopia: Comparative cross-sectional study, using the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria

AIM

The global operation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has averted 30 million new infections and nearly 8 million deaths; however, it has an impact on metabolic syndrome (MS) acquisition. As a result, there is growing concern about MS; but strangely the magnitude of MS in HIV-infected cohort, and its differential contribution ART status in Ethiopia has yet to be abundantly studied. Hence, the aim of this study was to estimate and evaluate the difference of the overall magnitude of MS among ART exposed and ART naïve people living with HIV (PLWH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted at the randomly chosen two hospitals and health centers, in Gedio zone, southern Ethiopia between December 29th, 2017 and January 22nd, 2019. Data were collected using the WHO three step tools. The collected data were fed into Epidata version.3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. The descriptive complex sample analysis method was employed, and the prevalence and differences between groups were computed with a 95% CI.

RESULT

A total of 633 (n = 422 ART and n = 211 ART naive) PLWH was involved, with the response rate of 92.1%. Of whom, 22.0% (95% CI: 19.0-25.4) of PLWH had MS. It was slightly higher in the ART-exposed (22.5%, 95% CI: 18.7-26.8) than ART naïve (20.9%, 95% CI: 15.2-27.1) group.

CONCLUSION

The global magnitude of MS in the ART-exposed was relatively higher than ART naïve groups. This dictates the existence of HIV associated MS that necessitates immediate prevention and management strategies.

Kidney Disease in HIV Infection

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved life expectancy of infected subjects, generating a new epidemiological setting of people aging withHuman Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). People living with HIV (PLWH), having longer life expectancy, now face several age-related conditions as well as side effects of long-term exposure of ART. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common comorbidity in this population. CKD is a relentlessly progressive disease that may evolve toward end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and significantly affect quality of life and risk of death. Herein, we review current understanding of renal involvement in PLWH, mechanisms and risk factors for CKD as well as strategies for early recognition of renal dysfunction and best care of CKD.

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.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus Among HIV Positive Patients in Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND

The introduction of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has resulted in the emergence of some metabolic complications including hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus among HIV positive patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus and their associated risk factors in HIV positive patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on HIV positive patients who visited Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) center of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran (2004-2013). Medical records of patients were reviewed retrospectively. A logistic regression model was applied for analysis of the association between glycemic status and relevant risk factors.

RESULTS

Out of 480 patients who were included in this study, 267 (55.6%) had hyperglycemia, including 28 (5.8%) with diabetes mellitus and 239 (49.8%) with pre-diabetes. The higher frequency of hyperglycemia, was found to be significantly associated with older age (OR for patients ˃40 years old, 2.260; 95% CI, 1.491, 3.247), male gender (OR, 1.555; 95% CI, 1.047, 2.311), higher Body Mass Index (OR for patients with BMI˃25 Kg/m², 1.706; 95% CI, 1.149, 2.531) and prolonged duration of HIV infection (OR for patients with duration of HIV infection ≥60 months, 2.027; 95% CI, 1.372, 2.992).

CONCLUSION

Hyperglycemia, especially pre-diabetes, is highly frequent among Iranian people living with HIV. Male gender, older age, prolonged duration of HIV infection, and higher BMI were associated with a higher prevalence of hyperglycemia. Hence, it is important to screen all HIV infected patients at the time of diagnosis and then periodically for hyperglycemia.

Non-AIDS-related comorbidities in people living with HIV-1 aged 50 years and older: The AGING POSITIVE study

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the profile of non-AIDS-related comorbidities (NARC) in the older HIV-1-infected population and to explore the factors associated with multiple NARC.

METHODS

This was a multicentre, cross-sectional study including HIV-1-infected patients aged ≥50 years, who were virologically suppressed and had been on a stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen for at least 6 months. A multiple regression model explored the association between demographic and clinical variables and the number of NARC.

RESULTS

Overall, 401 patients were enrolled. The mean age of the patients was 59.3 years and 72.6% were male. The mean duration of HIV-1 infection was 12.0 years and the median exposure to ART was 10.0 years. The mean number of NARC was 2.1, and 34.7% of patients had three or more NARC. Hypercholesterolemia was the most frequent NARC (60.8%), followed by arterial hypertension (39.7%) and chronic depression/anxiety (23.9%). Arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most frequently treated NARC (95.6% and 92.6% of cases, respectively). The linear regression analysis showed a positive relationship between age and NARC (B=0.032, 95% confidence interval 0.015-0.049; p=0.0003) and between the duration of HIV-1 infection and NARC (B=0.039, 95% confidence interval 0.017-0.059; p=0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of NARC was found, the most common being metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychological conditions. NARC rates were similar to those reported for the general population, suggesting a larger societal problem beyond HIV infection. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to reduce the burden of complex multi-morbid conditions in the HIV-1-infected population.

Magnitude and associated factors of diabetes mellitus and hypertension among adult HIV-positive individuals receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy at Jugal Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

People with HIV infection are at increased risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension are recognized as the major NCDs. Except few findings in general population, there is no well-documented evidence on the magnitude of NCDs and associated factors among HIV-positive patients.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude and associated factors of DM and hypertension among adult HIV-positive subjects receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

METHODS

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April at Jugal Hospital, Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data and blood pressure (BP) were collected by senior clinical nurses. A total of 5 mL of venous blood was collected. Serum glucose and lipid profile were measured using the Autolab 18 clinical chemistry analyzer. Data were analyzed using STATA version 13.

RESULTS

A total of 425 HIV-infected individuals taking HAART of age ranging from 18 to 68 years were included. The prevalence of DM and hypertension were 7.1% (95% CI: 4.9-9.9) and 12.7% (95% CI: 9.8-16.2), respectively. Increased blood triglyceride (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =4.7, 95% CI: 1.7-13.1), high BP (AOR =3.3, 95% CI: 1.1-9.5), and high baseline body mass index (BMI) (AOR =8.7, 95% CI: 2.4-31.8) were significantly associated with DM. In contrast, raised waist-hip ratio (AOR =4.6, 95% CI: 1.6-13.3), raised blood glucose (AOR =3.5, 95% CI: 1.1-11.4), increased total cholesterol (AOR =3.9, 95% CI: 1.3-11.9), high current BMI (AOR =3.8, 95% CI: 1.5-9.6), drinking alcohol (AOR =3.4, 95% CI: 1.5-8.1), CD4 count <500 cell/mL (AOR =2.7, 95% CI: 1.3-5.6), and longer duration of HAART (AOR =2.3, 95% CI: 1.1-5.1) were significantly associated with hypertension.

CONCLUSION

DM and hypertension were frequent among HIV patients on HAART, and they were linked to the well-known risk factors. Therefore, regular screening and monitoring of DM and hypertension before and after the initiation of HAART is of paramount importance.

Lipodystrophy Increases the Risk of CKD Development in HIV-Positive Patients in Switzerland: The LIPOKID Study

Introduction

Antiretroviral therapy has improved the life expectancy of patients living with HIV. However, lipodystrophy syndrome (LD) remains prevalent, affecting mostly patients treated with first-generation antiretroviral drugs. This syndrome is characterized by changes in body fat distribution with or without associated metabolic changes. Here, we studied whether clinically evaluated LD is independently associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) development (sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m²) in HIV-positive patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study (the LIPOKID Study) among all the patients from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) with an eGFR >60 ml/min per 1.73 m² upon their entry into the cohort with more than 3 months of follow-up from January 2002 to August 2016. Cox regression models were used to estimate the association between LD and CKD development.

Results

Among the 5384 patients included, 1341 (24.9%) developed LD during the follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 72.3 months (SD ±48.4). In total, 252 patients (4.7%) reached the primary endpoint after a median time of 51.3 months (±SD 39.9 months) from inclusion. A diagnosis of LD significantly increased the risk of an eGFR on univariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.72; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.07−3.58; P < 0.001) and remained significantly higher after adjustment for known HIV and non-HIV risk factors for CKD (HR = 2.37; 95% CI = 1.67−3.36; P < 0.001). The effect of LD on CKD was not mediated through the use of nephrotoxic antiretroviral drugs.

Conclusion

Lipodystrophy syndrome is independently associated with CKD after adjustment for previously reported risk factors.

Metabolic syndrome among HIV infected patients: A comparative cross sectional study in northwestern Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

The increasing availability of antiretroviral drugs has made HIV-positive patients to live longer, and conditions that are associated with longevity such as metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular related conditions have become relevant in them. This is less well studied among African populations. Therefore the study aimed at estimating and comparing the prevalence of and associated risk factors for the metabolic syndrome (MS) among African HIV infected patients.

METHOD

In this comparative cross-sectional study, we analyzed the data of 300 participants matched for age and gender who satisfied the inclusion criteria with half of the subjects on HAART, while the other half was HAART naïve. The MS was diagnosed using ATP-III criteria.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 34.8±9.9years. The majority of the patients were females 64%. The prevalence of MS among HAART-exposed patients was found to be 19.3%, while it was 5.3% among HAART naïve patients (p=0.001). Raised triglyceride and elevated blood pressure were the criteria with the highest occurrence among HAART-exposed, 82.8% for each. Advanced age, longer duration of HIV diagnosis and HAART exposure, increased BMI, weight gain after HAART exposure, exposure to PIs and increased mean CD4 cell count were found to be significantly associated with MS (p<0.05). However, only age (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.6-11.8, p=0.005) and BMI (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5-11.9, p=0.007) were found to be independently associated with the development of MS.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to HAART particularly protease inhibitor based regimen increases the risk of MS among HIV-infected patients.

Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in HIV-Positive Populations in the Asian Region

Introduction:

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are becoming more prevalent in HIV-infected populations as they age largely due to improved treatment outcomes. Assessment of CVD risk and CVD risk factors in HIV-positive populations has focused on high income settings, while there are limited studies evaluating CVD in HIV-positive populations in the Asian region.

Materials and Methods:

We provided an overview of the prevalence and incidence of CVD and its risk factors in adult HIV-positive populations, and of the strategies currently in place for CVD management in the Asian region.

Results:

Studies from the Asian region showed that CVD and CVD risk factors, such as dyslipidaemia, elevated blood glucose, obesity and smoking, are highly prevalent in HIV-positive populations. A number of studies suggested that HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy may contribute to increased CVD risk. National HIV treatment guidelines provide some directions regarding CVD risk prevention and management in the HIV-infected population, however, they are limited in number and scope.

Conclusion:

Development and consolidation of guidelines for integrated CVD and HIV care are essential to control the burden of CVD in HIV-positive populations. To inform guidelines, policies and practice in the Asian region, research should focus on exploring appropriate CVD risk screening strategies and estimating current and future CVD mortality and morbidity rates.

Metabolic Complications among Korean Patients with HIV Infection: The Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort Study

Currently, metabolic complications are the most common problem among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, with a high incidence. However, there have been very few studies regarding metabolic abnormalities published in Asia, especially in Korea. This cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for metabolic abnormalities in 1,096 HIV-infected patients of the Korea HIV/AIDS cohort study enrolled from 19 hospitals between 2006 and 2013. Data at entry to cohort were analyzed. As a result, the median age of the 1,096 enrolled subjects was 46 years, and most patients were men (92.8%). The metabolic profiles of the patients were as follows: median weight was 63.8 kg, median body mass index (BMI) was 22.2 kg/m², and 16.4% of the patients had a BMI over 25 kg/m². A total of 5.5% of the patients had abdominal obesity (waist/hip ratio ≥ 1 in men, ≥ 0.85 in women). Increased levels of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides were present in 10.4%, 6.0%, 5.5%, and 32.1% of the patients. Decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were observed in 44.2% of the patients. High systolic blood pressure was present in 14.3% of the patients. In multivariate analysis, high BMI and the use of protease inhibitors (PIs) were risk factors for dyslipidemia in HIV-infected patients. In conclusion, proper diagnosis and management should be offered for the prevalent metabolic complications of Korean HIV-infected patients. Further studies on risk factors for metabolic complications are needed.

Cancer risk factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cancer is a leading cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate prevalence of cancer risk factors among Chinese PLWHA based on 102 articles. Random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate the summary prevalence estimate (sPrev) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each cancer risk factor by demographic group. Overall, the sPrev for each risk factor among Chinese PLWHA was: 41.1% (95% CI: 35.3–46.9%) for current smoking; 30.3% (95% CI: 23.3–37.4%) for current alcohol consumption; 24.4% (95% CI: 14.7–30.2%) for overweight and obesity; 12.5% (95% CI: 10.6–14.3%) for hepatitis B virus infection; 29.1% (95% CI: 23.6–34.5%) for hepatitis C virus infection; 33.9% (95% CI: 24.3–43.5%) for high-risk human papillomavirus infection from cervical samples and 78.6% (95% CI: 69.4–87.7%) from anal samples; 2.7% (95% CI: 0.7–4.7%) for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) positivity, 94.7% (95% CI: 90.7–98.8%) for EBV IgG positivity and 25.6% (95% CI: 12.4–38.8%) for EBV DNA positivity; 14.9% (95% CI: 12.4–17.4%) for human herpes virus 8 infection. The prevalence of major cancer risk factors was high among PLWHA in China, suggesting an urgent need for interventions to reduce cancer risk in this high-risk group.

[Obesity, high blood pressure, hypercholesterolaemia, and untreated diabetes in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected Adults in Mbuji-Mayi (Democratic republic of congo)]

Little is known about the major cardiovascular risk factors in HIV-infected as compared to the HIV-uninfected patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). We determined the prevalence of hypertension, obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), total cholesterol > 200 mg/dl, HDLcholesterol &≤ 40 mg/dl, and glycemia > 126 mg/dl. We also calculated the average and/or median of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and glycemia among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients.We conducted a cross-sectional study that enrolled 592 HIV-uninfected and 445 HIV-infected patients of whom 425 (95.5%) were on first-line antiretroviral therapy based on stavudine-lamivudine-nevirapine. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients were collected. The results were analyzed by chi-square, t-student, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. 11.5% of HIV-infected patients had an average blood pressure suggesting hypertension versus 10.6% of HIV-uninfected (P = 0.751). But in absolute value, HIVinfected patients had a median of diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg versus 85 mmHg of HIV-uninfected (P < 0.001). 4.04% of HIV-infected patients had a BMI suggesting obesity versus 6.08% of HIV-uninfected patients (P = 0.187). For fasting glucose: 2.50% of HIV-infected patients versus 4.20% of HIV-uninfected patients had a serum fasting glucose suggesting diabetes (P<0.176). 11.9% of HIV-infected patients had a total cholesterol greater than 200 mg/dl versus 7.4% of HIVuninfected patients (P=0.019). For HDL-cholesterol: 36.40% of HIV-infected patients had a serum fasting ≤ 40 mg/dl versus 15.70% of HIV-uninfected patients (P < 0.001). HIV-infected patients had a median fasting total cholesterol higher (140 mg/ dl) thanHIV-uninfected patients (133mg/dl) [P=0.015].HIVuninfected patients had a median fasting HDL-cholesterol higher (58.5 mg/dl) than HIV-infected patients (49 mg/dl) [P < 0.001]. HIV-infected women were more likely to have a higher mean of total cholesterol: 147.70 #x00B1; 52.09 mg/dl versus 135.72 &#x00B1; 48.23 mg/dl for the HIV-infected men (P = 0.014) and of HDL-cholesterol: 55.80 ± 30.77 mg/dl versus 48.24 ± 28.57mg/dl for the HIV-infected men (P = 0.008). In this study population, prevalence of hypertension was elevated in HIVinfected versus HIV-uninfected patients. Being HIV positive on first-line antiretroviral therapy based on stavudine-lamivudine-nevirapine was associated with high prevalence of total cholesterol > 200 mg/dl and HDL-cholesterol ≤ 40 mg/dl. Proactive screening and prompt management of dyslipidemia and hypertension in this population should be a priority.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected patients naive to antiretroviral therapy or receiving a first-line treatment

BACKGROUND

The combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has dramatically improved the life expectancy of patients with HIV infection, but may lead to several long-term metabolic abnormalities. However, data about the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MS) in HIV-infected people vary considerably across different observational studies.

METHODS

The prevalence of MS among HIV-infected patients was evaluated by a cross-sectional study conducted among subjects naive to cART or receiving the first antiretroviral regimen and referring to our Clinics from January 2015 to December 2015. The diagnosis of MS was made based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III), and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.

RESULTS

The study recruited 586 patients: 98 naive to cART and 488 under the first antiretroviral treatment. The prevalence of MS, according to NCEP-ATP III criteria, was significantly higher among treated patients than among naive ones (20.9% vs. 7.1%; p = 0.014). The most frequently reported components of MS among treated patients were high triglycerides (44.3%), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (41.1%), and hypertension (19.7%). On multivariate analysis, long duration of HIV infection, low nadir of CD4 lymphocytes, high body mass index, current use of one protease inhibitor, and long duration of cART were significantly associated with a higher risk of MS, while current use of one integrase inhibitor was significantly associated with a lower risk of MS.

CONCLUSIONS

The non-negligible prevalence of MS among HIV-infected patients under cART requires a careful and periodic monitoring of its components, with particular attention to dyslipidemia and hypertension.

Hypertension Is a Key Feature of the Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects Aging with HIV

With widespread and effective antiretroviral therapy, the life expectancy in the HIV population has dramatically improved over the last two decades. Consequently, as patients are aging with HIV, other age-related comorbidities, such as metabolic disturbances and cardiovascular disease (CVD), have emerged as important causes of morbidity and mortality. An overrepresentation of traditional cardiovascular risk factors (RF), toxicities associated with long exposure to antiretroviral therapy, together with residual chronic inflammation and immune activation associated with HIV infection are thought to predispose to these metabolic complications and to the excess risk of CVD observed in the HIV population. The metabolic syndrome (MS) represents a clustering of RF for CVD that includes abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. Hypertension is a prevalent feature of the MS in HIV, in particular in the aging population, and constitutes an important RF for CVD. Physicians should screen their patients for metabolic and cardiovascular risk at the regular visits to reduce MS and the associated CVD risk among people aging with HIV, since many of RF are under-diagnosed and under-treated conditions. Interventions to reduce these RF can include lifestyle changes and pharmacological interventions such as antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapy, and treatment of glucose metabolism disturbances. Changes in antiretroviral therapy to more metabolic neutral antiretroviral drugs may also be considered.

A Meta-Analysis of the Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence in the Global HIV-Infected Population

BACKGROUND

Cardio-metabolic risk factors are of increasing concern in HIV-infected individuals, particularly with the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the subsequent rise in longevity. However, the prevalence of cardio-metabolic abnormalities in this population and the differential contribution, if any, of HIV specific factors to their distribution, are poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the global prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in HIV-infected populations, its variation by the different diagnostic criteria, severity of HIV infection, ART used and other major predictive characteristics.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive search on major databases for original research articles published between 1998 and 2015. The pooled overall prevalence as well as by specific groups and subgroups were computed using random effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 65 studies across five continents comprising 55094 HIV-infected participants aged 17-73 years (median age 41 years) were included in the final meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of MS according to the following criteria were: ATPIII-2001:16.7% (95%CI: 14.6-18.8), IDF-2005: 18% (95%CI: 14.0-22.4), ATPIII-2004-2005: 24.6% (95%CI: 20.6-28.8), Modified ATPIII-2005: 27.9% (95%CI: 6.7-56.5), JIS-2009: 29.6% (95%CI: 22.9-36.8), and EGIR: 31.3% (95%CI: 26.8-36.0). By some MS criteria, the prevalence was significantly higher in women than in men (IDF-2005: 23.2% vs. 13.4, p = 0.030), in ART compared to non-ART users (ATPIII-2001: 18.4% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.001), and varied significantly by participant age, duration of HIV diagnosis, severity of infection, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) use and date of study publication. Across criteria, there were significant differences in MS prevalence by sub-groups such as in men, the Americas, older publications, regional studies, younger adults, smokers, ART-naïve participants, NNRTIs users, participants with shorter duration of diagnosed infection and across the spectrum of HIV severity. Substantial heterogeneities across and within criteria were not fully explained by major study characteristics, while evidence of publication bias was marginal.

CONCLUSIONS

The similar range of MS prevalence in the HIV-infected and general populations highlights the common drivers of this condition. Thus, cardio-metabolic assessments need to be routinely included in the holistic management of the HIV-infected individual. Management strategies recommended for MS in the general population will likely provide similar benefits in the HIV-infected.

Features of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Associated Factors during Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

BACKGROUND

To study the features of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its associated factors during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), in Ouagadougou.

METHODS

It was a cross-sectional study from March to November 2011 in Yalgado Ouédraogo hospital. A nonprobability sample of adults receiving antiretroviral drugs for at least 6 months was studied. Pregnancy, ascites, or abdominal mass were noninclusion criteria. Metabolic syndrome met the criteria of International Diabetes Federation 2005.

RESULTS

The authors studied 300 patients. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 54 (18%) patients: mean age 44.8 ± 7.4 years, sex ratio 0.17, and mean duration of HAART 71 ± 30.9 months. The current anomaly of MS was low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in 37 patients (68.5%), and the common profile of MS was high waist circumference + low HDL-cholesterol + abnormal blood pressure (29.6%). Associated factors were protease inhibitor regimens (P = .000), female gender (P = .004), age > 42 years (P = .001), and lipodystrophy (P = .01).

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular risks should be regarded during the care of HIV-infected patients.

Multicenter cohort study of diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glucose in HIV-infected patients in China

BACKGROUND

As life expectancy increases, HIV-infected patients are facing a wide array of metabolic complications, including diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG). However, little is known about the incidence of and risk factors for glycemic disorders in Chinese HIV-infected patients.

METHODS

Longitudinal data were pooled from a multicenter clinical trial of combination antiretroviral regimens between 2009 and 2010 across Mainland China. DM was defined as fasting glucose level ≥7.0 mmol/L and IFG as between 5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L on 2 separate measurements. We calculated the incidence densities of DM and IFG. Risk factors for DM and IFG were also identified.

RESULTS

Four hundred fifteen patients contributed 457.35 person-years of follow-up. The incidence densities of DM and IFG were 2.62 and 35.64 per 100 person-years, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, advanced age [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01 to 1.04], hepatitis B virus coinfection (adjusted HR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.38), and baseline fasting glucose (adjusted HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.63) were associated with DM and IFG.

CONCLUSIONS

A high incidence of DM and IFG was detected in Chinese HIV-infected patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for an increased risk of glycemic disorders in Chinese HIV-infected patients, particularly those of advanced age, with hepatitis B virus coinfection or high baseline fasting glucose.

Comorbidities among the HIV-infected patients aged 40 years or older in Taiwan

Background

With the widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), life expectancy of HIV-infected patients has significantly prolonged. An increasing number of HIV-infected patients are aging and concurrent use of medications are not uncommon for management of metabolic complications and cardiovascular diseases related to aging and prolonged exposure to cART.

Methods

We reviewed medical records of all HIV-infected patients aged 40 years or older who had been followed at a university hospital for HIV care in Taiwan between January and December 2013. A standardized case record form was used to collect information on demographics and clinical characteristics, comorbidity, cART, and concurrent medications.

Results

During the study period, 610 patients aged 40 to 49 years (mean, 44.1) and 310 aged 50 years or older (mean, 58.8) sought HIV care at this hospital. Compared with patients aged 40 to 49 years, those aged 50 years or older were significantly more likely to be female (15.9% vs 3.8%); to have received cART (97.7% vs 94.8%) and a lower plasma HIV RNA load (1.6 vs 1.7 log₁₀ copies/ml); and to have diabetes mellitus (18.4% vs 4.6%), hypertension (31.0% vs 10.8%), hyperlipidemia (29.4% vs 11.6%), coronary artery disease (6.8% vs 0.5%), and an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m² (11.5% vs 2.7%); and were significantly less likely to have syphilis. Other than HIV infection, patients aged 50 years or older were more likely to have been receiving two or more concurrent medications than those aged 40 to 49 years (22.9% vs 6.4%).

Conclusions

Our findings show a significant proportion of the HIV-infected patients aged 50 years or older have multiple comorbidities that may increase the risk for cardiovascular and renal complications. Issues of poly-pharmacy among the HIV-infected patients who are aging should be addressed to ensure adherence and minimize drug-drug interactions.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among antiretroviral-naive and antiretroviral-experienced HIV-1 infected Thai adults

Metabolic syndrome (MS), a group of interrelated risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes, has been increasingly reported among HIV-infected patients. Data on the prevalence and risk factors for MS among HIV-1 infected Thai adults are limited. The study collected cross-sectional data from 580 HIV-1 infected adults-46.2% were men and 71% were antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced. The majority (78.8%) of them used non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens. Data on lipid profiles, fasting blood glucose, CD4 count, HIV RNA, antiretroviral therapy (ART), anthropometry, food intake, and exercise were recorded. MS was defined using American Heart Association/National Heart Lung and Blood Institute criteria. Overall prevalence of MS was 22.2%; 15.9% in ART-naïve group vs. 24.9% in ART-experienced group, p = 0.018. Significant risk factors for MS in multivariate analyses included age ≥35 years (odds ratio, OR, 4.2, 95%CI 1.6-11.0, p = 0.004), high cholesterol (OR 4.7, 95%CI 1.7-12.9, p = 0.002), and living outside Bangkok (OR 4.2, 95%CI 1.6-10.8, p = 0.003) in the ART-naïve group, and female gender (OR 1.7, 95%CI 1.0-2.8, p = 0.05), lipodystrophy (OR 1.8, 95%CI 1.0-3.0, p = 0.032), high cholesterol (OR 1.9, 95%CI 1.1-3.1, p = 0.015), and food insecurity (OR 1.8, 95%CI 1.0-3.3, p = 0.05) in the ART-experienced group. All variables, except for female gender in the ART-experienced group, remained significantly associated with MS in a model where lipodystrophy was excluded. We concluded that MS was common among HIV-1-infected Thai adults. As HIV-infected patients get older, early screening and intervention, such as ART modification to avoid lipodystrophy, may reduce MS and CVD-related morbidities and mortalities in long-term care.

Cancer incidence in a Nationwide HIV/AIDS patient cohort in Taiwan in 1998-2009

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were to investigate the cancer incidence and risk in HIV/AIDS patients relative to the general population in Taiwan.

METHODS

Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, 15,269 HIV/AIDS patients were identified between 1998 and 2009. Gender-specific incidence densities (IDs) of both AIDS-defining cancers (ADC) and non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADC) after HIV infection were calculated. Age-, sex-, and period-adjusted standardized incidence rates (SIRs) were obtained using 1.8 million people from the general population as controls.

RESULTS

A total of 1117 male and 165 female HIV/AIDS patients were diagnosed with cancer. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 196; ID = 328.79/100,000 person-years) and cervical cancer (n = 50; ID = 712.08/100,000 person-years) were the most common ADCs, whereas liver cancer (n = 125; ID = 184.52/100,000 person-years) and colon cancer (n = 11; ID = 156.66/100,000 person-years) were the most common NADCs in males and females, respectively. Period-adjusted gender-specific ADC and NADC rates decreased from more than 1500 cases/100,000 person-years to less than 500 cases/100,000 person-years (P < 0.001 for trend). SIRs of ADCs and NADCs also decreased. However, relative to the general population, increased SIRs were still seen for most cancers, many of which had an infectious etiology. The highest SIRs in ADCs and NADCs were seen in Kaposi sarcoma [SIR = 298.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 258.16 to 343.85] and anal cancer (SIR = 19.10, 95% CI: 12.80 to 27.50).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that although the cancer incidence rates have significantly decreased in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era, HIV/AIDS patients were still at increased risk of ADCs and most NADCs. Cancer screening, especially for infection-related NADCs, should therefore be promoted.

Burden of metabolic syndrome among HIV-infected patients in Southern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

HIV infection and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can induce metabolic disturbances including lipodystrophy, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance, which are reminiscences of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, little is known regarding the magnitude of MS in Ethiopian HIV population. This study, aimed to estimate the prevalence of MS among HIV positive patients with and without HAART.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hawassa University Referral Hospital, southern Ethiopia between February 2012 and April 2013. Data on demographic and anthropometric characteristics were collected from a total of 374 HIV positive participants (188 on ART and 186 on Pre-ART) using WHO stepwise approach. Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol was measured. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the National Cholesterol Education Program: Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP) Criteria were used to define MS.

RESULT

Of the 374 study participants 68% were females, and 50.3% were receiving ART. Using the IDF criteria, metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 25% of patients receiving ART compared to 22.5% of the ART naïve group (OR: 1.14 CI: 0.71-1.84). Using the ATP criteria, the prevalence of MS was 18.1% in the ART groups compared to 15.6% in ART naïve group (OR: 1.20, CI: 0.69-2.06). Patients receiving ART had significantly elevated Cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and LDL-c levels but lower CD4(+) cell counts than the Pre-ART groups. Being a female, having BMI of at least 25, older age (i.e. age≥45 years) and having total cholesterol of at least 200mg/dl were significantly associated with the presence of MS. Using the ATP criteria to define MS, taking d4T-3TC-EFV regimen was significantly associated with higher odds of MS.

CONCLUSION

Almost a quarter of HIV patients on ART developed metabolic syndrome. Furthermore patients on ART had elevated lipid profile and glucose metabolism disturbance than the ART naïve.

Prevalence of and associated factors with chronic kidney disease in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important issue for individuals who live with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) following the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy; however, the prevalence rate of CKD varies between countries.

METHODS

The present study screened HIV-infected patients in a medical center and a regional teaching hospital in southern Taiwan from January 2008 to December 2012. CKD was defined as a urine microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g, and/or a protein ≥1 + on urine dipstick examination, and/or an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) for 3 months. The prevalence rate and the analyzed associated factors of CKD were determined.

RESULTS

Among 1639 HIV-infected patients, only 512 had adequate data to be enrolled in the study. Thirty-six (7.03%) of these patients had CKD, and 476 did not. In a univariate analysis, CKD was associated with an older age, a higher peak HIV RNA load, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, exposure to antiretroviral therapy, and cholesterol levels ≥240 mg/dL. Multivariate analysis revealed that DM, hypertension, and cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL were statistically significant factors.

CONCLUSION

In Taiwan, the prevalence of CKD in HIV-infected patients was low (7.03%). The classical risk factors for CKD, such as DM, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia, were demonstrated to be associated with CKD in Taiwanese HIV-infected patients.

Metabolic abnormalities in adult HIV infected population on antiretroviral medication in Malaysia: a cross-sectional survey

Background

In the current two decades, dyslipidemia and increased blood glucose as metabolic abnormalities are the most common health threats with a high incidence among HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Scientific investigations and reports on lipid and glucose disorders among HIV infected communities are inadequate especially in those developing such as Malaysia. This cross-sectional survey was mainly aimed to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic abnormalities and associated risk factors among HIV infected population patients on ARV medication.

Methods

In a single reference health center in Malaysia, 2739 adult HIV positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were studied cross-sectionally using medical records. Besides demographic variables and associated health disorders, those factors which can change the lipid and glucose levels were collected. Logistic Regression was used to find the potential risk factors (p < 0.05).

Results

Majority of the studied population were male (81.1%) and aged between 30–49 (68.6%). Mean CD4 count was 474.25 (cells/mm³) while undetectable RNA viral load was common among 83.3 (%) of subjects. Among 1,583 patients with the recent blood lipid and glucose tests, increased levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were frequently prevalent in half of the population as 59 (%) and 54.2 (%) while 28.7 (%), 35.1 (%) and 38.2 (%) had declined level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), raised low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) which were less common. Dyslipidemia was common in 82.3 (%) of the subjects. Notably, medication with protease inhibitor (PI) was a potential risk for elevated triglyceride (odds ratio (OR) = 2.309, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.605–3.324, P = 0.001), high TC (OR = 1.561, 95% CI = 1.123–2.169, P = 0.008) and low HDL (OR = 1.449, 95% CI = 1.037–2.024, P = 0.029). As lifestyle factor, alcohol consumption results as significant risk factor for raised TG (OR = 2.653, 95% CI = 1.353–5.202, P = 0.004). Also having hepatitis raised risk of high FPG level (OR = 1.630, 95% CI = 1.197-2.220, P = 0.002) in this sample population.

Conclusions

Dyslipidemia is highly common in Malaysian HIV subjects receiving ARV medication. Lifestyle modification, changing PI and switch to other ARV regimen can help in reduction of these abnormalities. Also suitable strategies and plans are necessary to prevent cardiovascular diseases in future.

Metabolic syndrome in human immunodeficiency virus-positive subjects: prevalence, phenotype, and related alterations in arterial structure and function

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection itself and highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) have been proposed to be associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, but, to date, prevalence and phenotype of metabolic syndrome among HIV subjects and the related structural and functional vascular alterations are not conclusively defined.

METHODS

We analyzed the data of 108 HIV-infected subjects without known cardiovascular risk factors: 72 were on HAART (group A, age 46.5±7.5 years, clinical blood pressure 125.7/74.9±11.6/7.8 mmHg) and there 36 in a naïve group (group B, age 40.7±7.9 years, blood pressure 126/75.8±9.8/7.7 mmHg). A total of 224 healthy subjects served as controls (group C, age 44.9±6.9 years, blood pressure 123.7/75.7±9.8/7.1 mmHg). Arterial stiffness was measured by aorto-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV, sfigmocor), and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) was measured by a semiautomatic echotracking system (Esaote-WTS).

RESULTS

Metabolic syndrome was more frequent in HIV-positive subjects than in controls (19.4%, 13.8%, 4.5% for groups A, B, and C; P<0.001), with no significant difference between HAART and naïve. In metabolic syndrome subjects, group A displayed lipid profile alterations more frequently (91%, 50%, 57% for groups A, B, and C; P<0.05), whereas others metabolic syndrome components were equally represented in the three groups. In metabolic syndrome subjects, IMT was similar [556±108, 542±164, and 564±110.4 μm for groups A, B, and C; P=not significant (NS)], whereas PWV was significantly greater in HAART subjects when compared with controls (10.8±1.8, 9.±1.1, 9.3±1 cm/sec for groups A, B, and C; P=0.02 for A vs. C). Moreover, in this group (metabolic syndrome+HAART), PWV was higher than in subjects on HAART but without metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV subjects showed a higher prevalence and a different pattern of metabolic syndrome components. HAART, more than HIV infection per se, appeared to be responsible for the increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome and arterial function derangement.

Effects of PPARγ and RBP4 gene variants on metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected patients with anti-retroviral therapy

Background

PPARγ and RBP4 are known to regulate lipid and glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. The influences of PPARγ (C1431T and Pro12Ala) and RBP4 (−803GA) polymorphisms on metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected patients receiving anti-retroviral therapy were examined in this study.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study of HIV-1 infected adults with antiretroviral therapy for more than one year in the National Cheng Kung University Hospital was conducted. The gene polymorphisms were determined by quantitative PCR.

Results

Ninety-one patients were included in the study. Eighty-two (90.1%) patients were males with a mean age of 44.4 years. For the C1431T polymorphism in PPARγ, while patients with the T allele (48.4%) had trends toward lower rate of hypertriglyceridemia, the borderline significance together with insignificant power did not support the protective effect of the T allele against development of hypertriglyceridemia. For the Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPARγ, although patients with the Pro/Ala genotype (8.8%) had a higher level of serum LDL (138.0 vs. 111.5 mg/dl, P = 0.04) and trends toward higher rates of hypercholesterolemia and serum LDL>110 mg/dl, these variables were found to be independent of the Pro/Ala genotype in the multivariate analysis. For the −803GA polymorphism in RBP4, patients with the A allele (23.1%) more often had insulin resistance (HOMA>3.8; 33.3 vs. 8.7%, P = 0.01) and more often received anti-hypoglycemic drugs (14.3 vs. 1.4%, P = 0.04). The detrimental effect of the A allele in RBP4 −803GA polymorphism on development of insulin resistance was supported by the multivariate analysis adjusting for covariates.

Conclusion

The impacts of PPARγ C1431T and Pro12Ala polymorphisms on metabolism in HIV-infected patients are not significant. RBP4 −803GA polymorphism has increased risk of insulin resistance in HIV-infected patients with anti-retroviral therapy.

Metabonomic analysis of HIV-infected biofluids

Monitoring the progression of HIV infection to full-blown acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and assessing responses to treatment will benefit greatly from the identification of novel biological markers especially since existing clinical indicators of disease are not infallible. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) are powerful methodologies used in metabonomic analyses for an approximation of HIV-induced changes to the phenotype of an infected individual. Although early in its application to HIV/AIDS, (biofluid) metabonomics has already identified metabolic pathways influenced by both HIV and/or its treatment. To date, biofluid NMR and MS data show that the virus and highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) mainly influence carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, suggesting that infected individuals are susceptible to very specific metabolic complications. A number of well-defined biofluid metabonomic studies clearly distinguished HIV negative, positive and treatment experienced patient profiles from one another. While many of the virus or treatment affected metabolites have been identified, the metabonomics measurements were mostly qualitative. The identities of the molecules were not always validated neither were the statistical models used to distinguish between groups. Assigning particular metabolic changes to specific drug regimens using metabonomics also remains to be done. Studies exist where identified metabolites have been linked to various disease states suggesting great potential for the use of metabonomics in disease prognostics. This review therefore examines the field of metabonomics in the context of HIV/AIDS, comments on metabolites routinely detected as being affected by the pathogen or treatment, explains what existing data suggest and makes recommendations on future research.

Reduced bone mineral density among HIV-infected patients in Taiwan: prevalence and associated factors

BACKGROUND

Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) is an emerging threat to the successful long-term management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among patients with access to combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Data on the prevalence and associated factors of reduced BMD in Asian populations remain scarce.

METHODS

From March 2002 to April 2006, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among HIV-infected patients aged ≥ 20 years at the National Taiwan University Hospital. BMD of the lumbar spine was measured with the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Osteopenia was defined as a BMD T-score between -1.0 and -2.5, and osteoporosis was defined as a BMD T-score ≤ -2.5. Linear and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Among 320 patients with a median age of 37.3 years, body mass index (BMI) of 21.4kg/m(2) and 94.4% on cART, osteopenia and osteoporosis were diagnosed in 35.6% and 3.8%, respectively. On multivariate linear analysis, factors associated with reduced BMD were increasing age (p=0.006), longer duration on antiretroviral therapy (p=0.007), and a decreasing BMI (p=0.002). Using ordinal logistic regression, being underweight with a body mass index (BMI)<18.5kg/m(2) was independently associated with reduced BMD (proportional odds ratio, 4.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.93-8.82).

CONCLUSION

Reduced BMD was prevalent among HIV-infected Taiwanese adults on cART. Increased age, lower BMI, and exposure to antiretroviral therapy were significantly associated with decrease of BMD.