Effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy in HIV patients:

Knowledge, attitudes and practices in HIV-related chronic inflammation and cardiovascular risk in Spain

BACKGROUND

People with HIV (PWH) in suppressive antiretroviral treatment suffer from chronic inflammation-related comorbidities, mainly cardiovascular diseases. However, given the lack of specific evidence about inflammation in PWH, clinical guidelines do not provide recommendations for the management of this issue. To date, physician awareness of inflammation in PWH remains unclear. We analyzed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to inflammation, particularly in the clinical management of PWH, of infectious disease specialists (IDS)/internists compared to other specialists treating inflammation directly (rheumatologists) or its cardiovascular consequences (cardiologists).

METHODS

A committee of IDS/internists treating PWH, cardiologists, and rheumatologists designed the KAP questionnaire. The survey was completed by 405 participants (135 physicians per specialty) stratified by Spanish geography, hospital size, and number of PWH under care (IDS/internists only).

RESULTS

IDS/internists treating PWH scored higher than cardiologists and rheumatologists on knowledge of inflammation (5.5±1.4 out of 8 points vs. 5.2±1.3 and 4.6±1.4 points, respectively; p<0.05). Nevertheless, rheumatologists showed the most proactive attitude toward inflammation (i.e., biomarkers monitoring, anti-inflammatory drug prescription and cardiologist referral), followed by cardiologists and IDS/internists (13±3 of a total of 16 points vs. 11±3 and 10±3.3 points, respectively; p<0.05), irrespective of hospital size and years of experience. Most IDS/internists (59%) include inflammation in their therapeutic recommendations. However, in IDS/internists treating PWH, we observed a negative correlation between years of experience and concern about the clinical consequences of inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that, compared to other specialists, infectious disease specialists/internists have high knowledge about inflammation in HIV infection, but, in the absence of scientific evidence to base their decisions on inflammatory markers, the therapeutic implications are scarce. The results support the need for more evidence on the monitoring and treatment of inflammation in PWH.

Adherence to Lipid-Lowering Medication in People Living with HIV: An Outpatient Clinic Drug Direct Distribution Experience

OBJECTIVE

Adherence to lipid-lowering drugs could be challenging in our patients as it is in the general population, which is described as low as 25%. Our aim was to evaluate adherence to statins and to investigate clinical event impact on it.

METHODS

This retrospective study on HIV+ patients attending to Clinic of Modena (Italy) was conducted in order to evaluate characteristics, clinical events, and adherence on lipid-lowering drugs. All drugs for comorbidities are distributed by the hospital pharmacy and recorded in an electronical database. Adherence was also evaluated in patients who were supplied with antilipemics in external pharmacies through phone calls. Patients were considered adherent if the percentage of correct time of drug refill was >80%.

FINDINGS

Totally 1123 patients were evaluated. Lipid-lowering drugs (statins, fenofibrate, and omega-3 oil) were prescribed in 242 patients (21.5%). Prescription occurred mainly in those who were older, males, and Italians. Two hundred of them (82.6%) used statins alone, 23 (9.5%) only fenofibrate or omega-3 oil, and 19 (7.8%) a combination of both drugs. The median adherence was 90% while patients with adherence >80% resulted 153 (63.2%). Forty-six (19%) had a clinical history of cardiovascular events; 59% of them, placed in secondary prophylaxis, and 76%, already in treatment, continued to adhere. No differences in terms of adherence according to the type of drug distribution (hospital pharmacy or outside pharmacies) were found.

CONCLUSION

Linking the supply of these drugs to that of antiretrovirals led to a good level of adherence higher than that described in the general population. The majority of the patients who experienced a cardiovascular event remain adherent to the prescribed therapy.

Effects of pravastatin, phytosterols, and combination therapy on lipid profile in HIV-infected patients: an open-labelled, randomized cross-over study

BACKGROUND

To determine the effects of 40 mg of pravastatin, 2 g of phytosterols, and combination therapy on lipid profiles and to compare the reduction of LDL cholesterol between combination therapy and monotherapy.

METHODS

Thirty-six HIV-infected patients treated with ARVs who had high LDL cholesterol levels but no current usage of any lipid-lowering agents were enrolled into the open-labelled, randomized, cross-over study. All patients were assigned randomly into one of four intervention groups: (1) pravastatin 40 mg cross-over to the combination of pravastatin 40 mg and phytosterols 2 g (combination group), (2) the combination group cross-over to pravastatin 40 mg, (3) phytosterols 2 g cross-over to the combination group, and (4) the combination group cross-over to phytosterols 2 g. Each active treatment lasted 4 weeks with a wash-out period of 4 weeks.

RESULTS

The baseline mean TC, TG, HDL-c, and LDL-c levels in 36 HIV patients were 248.09 ± 34.73, 172.36 ± 125.44, 54.92 ± 16.67, and 175.13 ± 29.00 mg/dl, respectively. Pravastatin, phytosterols, and combination therapy reduced TC and LDL-c but TG and HDL-c were not significantly different from the baselines. The mean LDL-c reductions in the pravastatin, phytosterols, and the combination groups were 28.76 ± 9.32, 9.12 ± 7.84, and 27.08 ± 15.58%, respectively. The LDL-c levels in the pravastatin and combination groups were reduced more than in the phytosterols group (p < 0.01). There was no difference in the LDL-c reduction between the combination and pravastatin monotherapy groups (-25.61 ± 10.43 vs. -28.12 ± 14.07%, p = 0.555).

CONCLUSION

Pravastatin had moderate potency on LDL-c lowering in HIV patients but could not bring LDL-c to goal. Adding phytosterols to pravastatin for a 4-week duration could not demonstrate any additional lipid-lowering effect

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Thai Clinical Trial Registry: TCTR20150126002 date: January 23, 2015.

Impact of genetic factors on dyslipidemia in HIV-infected patients starting antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE

The impact of host genetic factors on the incidence of dyslipidemia in antiretroviral-naive HIV patients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) is not clear. We assessed the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified from previous genome-wide association studies adjusting for the contribution of nongenetic factors.

METHODS

We assessed 192 SNPs in an HIV cohort who started ART (1997-2008) including a protease inhibitor or a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Patients had fasting plasma lipids, total cholesterol (T-Chol), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides measured prior to their ART initiation and after 1 year. A logistic regression model was constructed and multiple test was corrected using 10% false discovery rate (FDR). Haplotypes and gene interactions were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 727 individuals were successfully genotyped (n = 381_PI-group; n = 346_NNRTI-group). Age and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection were associated with increases and decreases in T-Chol and LDL-C (P < 0.01), respectively. Protease inhibitor containing ART showed an unfavourable association with T-Chol (P < 0.01) and triglycerides (P = 7.4E-4) and NNRTI-containing ART was favourably associated with HDL-C (P < 0.01). Moreover, SNPs in apolipoprotein B (APOB) were associated with an increase of LDL-C [rs10495712 (P = 3.18E-4); rs754524 (P = 1.26E-3)]. Six SNPs in three genes showed an association with a favourable effect on HDL-C levels when ART included NNRTI: ABCA1 (rs4149313, P = 2.97E-4), LIPC (rs1800588, P = 2.13E-3; rs473224, P = 3.06E-4; rs261336, P = 2.23E-3) and CETP (rs173539, P = 2.96E-3; rs3764261, P = 1.52E-3). After 10% FDR correction for multiple testing, one and six SNPs displayed significant associations with LDL-C and HDL-C, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In HIV-infected patients staring ART, one SNP in APOB was associated with an increase of LDL-C. SNPs in ABCA1/LIPC/CETP were favourably associated with HDL-C when ART included NNRTI. However, an unfavourable effect on T-Chol and triglyceride levels was observed when ART included protease inhibitor. The risk of hypercholesterolaemia increased with age and decreased with HCV coinfection. These findings might help to individualize the selection of ART.

Dyslipidemia in HIV-infected individuals

Metabolic complications continue to play a major role in the management of HIV infection. Dyslipidemia associated with HIV infection and with the use of combined antiretroviral therapy includes elevations in triglycerides, reduced high-density cholesterol, and variable increases in low-density and total cholesterol. The association between dyslipidemia and specific antiretroviral agents has been underscored. Multiple pathogenic mechanisms by which HIV and antiretroviral agents lead to dyslipidemia have been hypothesized, but they are still controversial. The potential clinical and pathological consequences of HIV-associated hyperlipidemia are not completely known, but several studies reported an increased risk of coronary artery disease in HIV-positive individuals receiving combined antiretroviral therapy. HIV-infected persons who have hyperlipidemia should be managed similarly to those without HIV infection in accordance with the National Cholesterol Education Program. Life style changes are the primary target. Statins and fibrates and/or modification in antiretroviral therapy are possible approaches to this problem.

Cardiovascular complications of AIDS

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of the present review article is to present the recent data on the cardiovascular complications in patients infected with HIV as well as the preventive strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease in those patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Individuals infected with HIV frequently demonstrate a metabolic syndrome associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Extensive functional and structural arterial wall changes have been observed in these individuals. It is documented that these vascular changes are closely related to highly active antiretroviral treatment-induced metabolic disorders as well as characteristics of the HIV infection itself. Intensive treatment of vascular dysfunction might be helpful in preventing or retarding the atherosclerotic process in HIV patients.

SUMMARY

Marked changes in arterial function and structure are observed in HIV patients leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Early antiretroviral therapy and aggressive treatment of cardiovascular risk factors might be helpful.

Substitution of raltegravir for ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors in HIV-infected patients: the SPIRAL study

BACKGROUND

Switching to raltegravir in selected patients treated with ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors may result in similar efficacy and lower plasma lipids.

METHODS

SPIRAL is a 48-week multicentre, open-label trial in which HIV-infected adults with less than 50 copies/ml of plasma HIV RNA for at least the previous 6 months on ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor-based therapy were randomized (1: 1) to switch from the ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor to raltegravir or to continue on ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor-based therapy. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients free of treatment failure (noncompleter = failure) at 48 weeks. SPIRAL study was powered to show noninferior efficacy of raltegravir-based therapy with a margin of -12.5%.

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy-three patients assigned to switch to raltegravir (n = 139) or to continue ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (n = 134) were included in the efficacy analysis. At 48 weeks, 89.2% (raltegravir-based therapy) and 86.6% (ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor-based therapy) of the patients remained free of treatment failure [difference 2.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI) -5.2 to 10.6]. A total of 96.9% (raltegravir-based therapy) and 95.1% (ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor-based therapy) of the patients remained free of virological failure (difference 1.8%; 95% CI -3.5 to 7.5). Switching to raltegravir was associated with significant decreases in plasma lipids and total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio relative to continuing ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor. Severe adverse events and study drug discontinuations due to any adverse event occurred in 4 and 2% of the patients in each group.

CONCLUSION

In patients with sustained virological suppression on ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor-based therapy, switching from ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor to raltegravir demonstrated noninferior efficacy and resulted in a better lipid profile at 48 weeks than continuing ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor.

The effects of intermittent, CD4-guided antiretroviral therapy on body composition and metabolic parameters

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of decreased antiretroviral therapy exposure on body fat and metabolic parameters.

DESIGN

Substudy of the Strategies for Management of Anti-Retroviral Therapy study, in which participants were randomized to intermittent CD4-guided [Drug Conservation (DC) group] or to continuous [Viral Suppression (VS) group] antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS

Participants at 33 sites were coenrolled in the Strategies for Management of Anti-Retroviral Therapy Body Composition substudy. Regional fat was assessed annually by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and abdominal computed tomography. Fasting metabolic parameters were assessed at months 4, 8, and annually. Treatment groups were compared for changes in fat and metabolic markers using longitudinal mixed models.

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy-five patients were randomized to the DC (n = 142) or VS (n = 133) group and followed for a median of 2.0 years. By month 12, limb fat (DC-VS difference 9.8%, 95% confidence interval 3.5-16.1; P = 0.003) and subcutaneous abdominal fat (DC-VS difference 14.3 cm, 95% confidence interval -0.1 to 28.7; P = 0.05) increased in the DC group. There was no treatment difference in visceral abdominal fat (DC-VS difference -2.1%, 95% confidence interval -13.5 to 9.4; P = 0.72). Lipids significantly decreased in the DC group by month 4 and treatment differences persisted throughout follow-up (P < or = 0.001). By 12 months, hemoglobin A1C increased in the DC (+0.3%) and remained stable in the VS group (P = 0.003); the treatment difference remained significant throughout follow-up (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

After 12 months, intermittent antiretroviral therapy increased subcutaneous fat, had no effect on visceral abdominal fat, decreased plasma lipids, and increased hemoglobin A1C compared with continuous antiretroviral therapy.

Kidney function and the risk of cardiovascular events in HIV-1-infected patients

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular events (CVEs) are a significant cause of mortality in HIV/AIDS patients. The objective is to determine the correlation between kidney function and the risk of CVEs in the HIV-infected population.

DESIGN

Nested, matched, case-control study design was employed.

METHODS

: We performed a single-center study of 315 HIV-infected patients (63 patients who had CVEs and 252 controls). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), calculated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation, and proteinuria were the primary exposures of interest.

RESULTS

Mean eGFR was significantly lower in the patients compared with controls (68.4 vs. 103.2 ml/min per 1.73 m, P < 0.001 by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula and 69.0 vs. 103.1 ml/min per 1.73 m, P < 0.001 by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation). In univariate analysis, an eGFR of less than 60 ml/min per 1.73 m was associated with a 15.9-fold increased odds of a CVE compared with an eGFR of at least 60 ml/min per 1.73 m (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, a 10 ml/min per 1.73 m decrease in eGFR was associated with a 20% increased odds of a CVE (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.4). The prevalence of proteinuria in the patients was approximately twice that of controls (51 vs. 25%, P < 0.001). Proteinuria was associated with CVEs both in univariate and multivariate analyses (odds ratio 3.6, 95% confidence interval 1.9-7.0 and odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1-4.8, respectively). Traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as history of previous CVEs, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, along with low CD4 cell counts were also found as significant predictors of risk of CVEs.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows a significant independent association between decreased kidney function and increased risk of CVE in HIV-1-infected patients.