Metabolic syndrome before and after initiation of antiretroviral therapy in treatment-naive HIV-infected individuals

IFIH1 (MDA5) is required for innate immune detection of intron-containing RNA expressed from the HIV-1 provirus

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses HIV-1 viremia and prevents progression to AIDS. Nonetheless, chronic inflammation is a common problem for people living with HIV-1 on ART. One possible cause of inflammation is ongoing transcription from HIV-1 proviruses, whether or not the sequences are competent for replication. Previous work has shown that intron-containing RNA expressed from the HIV-1 provirus in primary human blood cells, including CD4+ T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, activates type 1 interferon. This activation required HIV-1 rev and was blocked by the XPO1 (CRM1)-inhibitor leptomycin. To identify the innate immune receptor required for detection of intron-containing RNA expressed from the HIV-1 provirus, a loss-of-function screen was performed with shRNA-expressing lentivectors targeting twenty-one candidate genes in human monocyte derived dendritic cells. Among the candidate genes tested, only knockdown of XPO1 (CRM1), IFIH1 (MDA5), or MAVS prevented activation of the IFN-stimulated gene ISG15. The importance of IFIH1 protein was demonstrated by rescue of the knockdown with non-targetable IFIH1 coding sequence. Inhibition of HIV-1-induced ISG15 by the IFIH1-specific Nipah virus V protein, and by IFIH1-transdominant inhibitory CARD-deletion or phosphomimetic point mutations, indicates that IFIH1 filament formation, dephosphorylation, and association with MAVS, are all required for innate immune activation in response to HIV-1 transduction. Since both IFIH1 and DDX58 (RIG-I) signal via MAVS, the specificity of HIV-1 RNA detection by IFIH1 was demonstrated by the fact that DDX58 knockdown had no effect on activation. RNA-Seq showed that IFIH1-knockdown in dendritic cells globally disrupted the induction of IFN-stimulated genes. Finally, specific enrichment of unspliced HIV-1 RNA by IFIH1 was revealed by formaldehyde crosslinking immunoprecipitation (f-CLIP). These results demonstrate that IFIH1 is required for innate immune activation by intron-containing RNA from the HIV-1 provirus, and potentially contributes to chronic inflammation in people living with HIV-1.

Mechanisms underlying HIV-associated cognitive impairment and emerging therapies for its management

People living with HIV are affected by the chronic consequences of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) despite antiretroviral therapies that suppress viral replication, improve health and extend life. Furthermore, viral suppression does not eliminate the virus, and remaining infected cells may continue to produce viral proteins that trigger neurodegeneration. Comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus are likely to contribute substantially to CNS injury in people living with HIV, and some components of antiretroviral therapy exert undesirable side effects on the nervous system. No treatment for HIV-associated NCI has been approved by the European Medicines Agency or the US Food and Drug Administration. Historically, roadblocks to developing effective treatments have included a limited understanding of the pathophysiology of HIV-associated NCI and heterogeneity in its clinical manifestations. This heterogeneity might reflect multiple underlying causes that differ among individuals, rather than a single unifying neuropathogenesis. Despite these complexities, accelerating discoveries in HIV neuropathogenesis are yielding potentially druggable targets, including excessive immune activation, metabolic alterations culminating in mitochondrial dysfunction, dysregulation of metal ion homeostasis and lysosomal function, and microbiome alterations. In addition to drug treatments, we also highlight the importance of non-pharmacological interventions. By revisiting mechanisms implicated in NCI and potential interventions addressing these mechanisms, we hope to supply reasons for optimism in people living with HIV affected by NCI and their care providers.

Prevalence of Cardiometabolic Disease Risk Factors in People With HIV Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy at a High-Volume HIV Clinic in Kampala, Uganda

Background

Cardiometabolic diseases are a leading cause of HIV-related morbidity and mortality, yet routine screening is not undertaken in high-burden countries. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in adult Ugandan people with HIV (PWH) initiating dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study using baseline sociodemographic and clinical data of PWH aged ≥18 years enrolled in the Glucose metabolism changes in Ugandan HIV patients on Dolutegravir (GLUMED) study from January to October 2021. MetS was defined as having ≥3 of the following: abdominal obesity, hypertension (HTN), hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess associations between potential risk factors and MetS and its components.

Results

Three hundred nine PWH were analyzed (100% ART-naïve, 59.2% female, median age 31 years, and median CD4 count 318 cells/mm3). The prevalence of MetS was 13.9%. The most common cardiometabolic condition was dyslipidemia (93.6%), followed by abdominal obesity (34.0%), hyperglycemia (18.4%), and HTN (8.1%). In adjusted analysis, MetS was associated with age >40 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.33; 95% CI, 1.45-7.67) and CD4 count >200 cells/mm3 (aOR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.23-11.63). HTN was associated with age >40 years (aOR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.32-6.64), and dyslipidemia was associated with urban residence (aOR, 4.99; 95% CI, 1.35-18.53).

Conclusions

Cardiometabolic risk factors were common in this young Ugandan cohort of PWH initiating dolutegravir-based ART, underscoring the need for programmatic implementation of surveillance and management of comorbidities in Uganda and similar settings.

Preventing cardiovascular disease in midlife women with HIV: An examination of facilitators and barriers to heart health behaviors

Midlife women with HIV (WWH) are disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet little is known about perceptions of CVD risk and the factors that influence engagement in heart health behaviors in this population. Few (if any) studies have used a qualitative approach to examine these perceptions, which has important implications for minimizing the negative impact of HIV-related noncommunicable diseases, the risk for which increases after midlife. Eighteen midlife WWH (aged 40-59) in Boston, MA, completed semistructured interviews to explore perceptions of CVD, HIV, and barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle behaviors. Interviews were analyzed via thematic analysis. Participants viewed heart health as important but were unaware of HIV-associated CVD risk. Facilitators included family and generational influences, social support, and access to resources. Physical symptoms, menopause, mental health challenges, and limited financial resources were barriers. Midlife WWH may benefit from tailored CVD prevention interventions that target their unique motivations and barriers to healthy behaviors.

Evidence gaps on weight gain in people living with HIV: a scoping review to define a research agenda

BACKGROUND

Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) dramatically improved survival in people living with HIV (PLWH) but is associated with weight gain (WG), raising concern for a possible obesity epidemic in PLWH. This scoping review aims to identify the gaps in the existing evidence on WG in PLWH and generate a future research agenda.

METHODS

This review was conducted according to the methodology for scoping studies and reported according to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review checklist. Articles published in English in the last 10 years indexed in Pubmed, WHO Global Index Medicus, or Embase were searched using specific queries focused on WG in PLWH.

RESULTS

Following the selection process, 175 included articles were reviewed to search for the available evidence on four specific topics: (I) definition of WG in PLWH, (II) pathogenesis of WG in PLWH, (III) impact of ART on WG, (IV) correlation of WG with clinical outcomes. A summary of the data enabled us to identify gaps and clearly define the following research agenda: (I) develop a data-driven definition of WG in PLWH and define noninvasive assessment methods for body weight and fat composition; (II) further investigate the interaction between HIV/cART and immunity, metabolism, and adipose tissue; (III) establish the specific role of individual drugs on WG; (IV) clarify the independent role of WG, cART, HIV, and metabolic factors on clinical events.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed research agenda may help define future research and fill the knowledge gaps that have emerged from this review.

Blood glucose trajectories and incidence of diabetes mellitus in Ugandan people living with HIV initiated on dolutegravir

BACKGROUND

Following reports of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) experienced Ugandan people living with HIV (PLHIV) presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis weeks to months following a switch to dolutegravir (DTG), the Uganda Ministry of Health recommended withholding DTG in both ART naïve and experienced PLHIV with diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as well as 3-monthly blood glucose monitoring for patients with T2DM risk factors. We sought to determine if the risk of T2DM is indeed heightened in nondiabetic ART naïve Ugandan PLHIV over the first 48 weeks on DTG.

METHODS

Between January and October 2021, 243 PLHIV without T2DM were initiated on DTG based ART for 48 weeks. Two-hour oral glucose tolerance tests (2-h OGTT) were performed at baseline, 12, and 36 weeks; fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured at 24 and 48 weeks. The primary outcome was the incidence of T2DM. Secondary outcomes included: incidence of pre-Diabetes Mellitus (pre-DM), median change in FBG from baseline to week 48 and 2-h blood glucose (2hBG) from baseline to week 36. Linear regression models were used to determine adjusted differences in FBG and 2hBG from baseline to weeks 48 and 36 respectively.

RESULTS

The incidence of T2DM was 4 cases per 1000 PY (1/243) and pre-DM, 240 cases per 1000 person years (PY) (54/243). There was a significant increase in FBG from baseline to week 48 [median change from baseline (FBG): 3.6 mg/dl, interquartile range (IQR): - 3.6, 7.2, p-value (p) = 0.005] and significant reduction in 2hBG (2hBG: - 7.26 mg/dl, IQR: - 21.6, 14.4, p = 0.024) at week 36. A high CD4 count and increased waist circumference were associated with 2hBG increase at week 36.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated a low incidence of T2DM in Ugandan ART-naïve patients receiving DTG. We also demonstrated that longitudinal changes in BG were independent of conventional risk factors of T2DM in the first 48 weeks of therapy. Restricting the use of dolutegravir in Ugandan ART naïve patients perceived to be high risk for diabetes mellitus may be unwarranted.

Association between integrase strand transfer inhibitor use with insulin resistance and incident diabetes mellitus in persons living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Whether integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are associated with a higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) than other antiretroviral therapies (ART) needs to be established.MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov registries were searched for studies published between 1 January 2000 and 15 June 2022. Eligible studies reported incident DM or mean changes in insulin resistance measured by Homeostatic Model for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) in patients on INSTIs compared with other ARTs. We performed random-effects meta-analyses to obtain pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% CIs.A total of 16 studies were pooled: 13 studies meta-analyzed for incident diabetes with a patient population of 72 404 and 3 for changes in HOMA-IR. INSTI therapy was associated with a lower risk of incident diabetes in 13 studies (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.96, I²=29%), of which 8 randomized controlled trials demonstrated a 22% reduced risk (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.96, I²=0%). INSTIs had a lower risk compared with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.89, I²=0%) but similar to protease inhibitor-based therapy (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.01, I²=27%). The risk was lower in studies with longer follow-up (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.94, I²=24%) and among ART-naïve patients (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.94, I²=3%) but increased in African populations (RR 2.99, 95% CI 2.53 to 3.54, I²=0%).In conclusion, exposure to INSTIs was not associated with increased risk of DM, except in the African population. Stratified analyses suggested reduced risk among ART-naïve patients and studies with longer follow-up.International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration number: CRD42021273040.

Synergic effect of metabolic syndrome and lipodystrophy on oxidative stress and inflammation process in treated HIV-patients

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of lipodystrophy (LD) associated to metabolic syndrome (MS) on oxidative stress and inflammation in a cohort of 243 HIV-infected patients with MS, all of them under three different antiretroviral regimens. We collected immunovirological, biochemical and metabolic data, as well as anthropometric measurements. In addition, cardiovascular risk was also assessed by means of Atherogenic Index of Plasma (API) and Framingham Risk Score. The MS-LD patient set was characterized by a lower initial lymphocyte CD4 count and CD4/CD8 ratio and a higher initial viral load than the group without LD. We also found worse lipidic and glycaemic profiles (with lower HDL-cholesterol and higher triglyceride and glucose levels) in the MS-LD group. BMI, systolic blood pressure and Framingham score were significantly increased compared to MS-Non LD. In addition, patients with MS and LD had significantly higher levels of carbonylated proteins, lipid peroxidation, IL-6 and IL-8, as well as a significant decrease in the levels of leptin, adiponectin and antioxidant activities of catalase, super oxide dismutase and glutathione associated enzymes. In MS-LD HIV-1 patients, a significant negative correlation was found between Framingham Risk Score and the antioxidant biomarkers, however a positive association was found between API and protein-C reactive and carbonylated proteins. Segregating by ART, the above-mentioned conditions were worse within the MS-LD group whose treatment contained protease inhibitors, such as lopinavir. In conclusion, HIV-1 infected patients treated for at least six months, especially with regimens including PIs, showed a worsening of inflammatory process and oxidative stress.

Weight Gain and Related Comorbidities Following Antiretroviral Initiation in the 2000s: A Systematic Literature Review

Antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) benefit millions with human immunodeficiency virus. However, concerns about subsequent weight gain and related metabolic complications have emerged. Early ARTs are associated with adipose tissue changes. While newer ARTs may have fewer adipose alterations, it is unclear whether they lead to increased weight gain. A systematic literature review was performed to describe current published literature describing the use of newer ARTs, weight gain, and related comorbidities. Titles and abstracts were screened, focusing on studies that examined ART initiation and subsequent weight gain; publications were then ranked based on publication type, methodology, and comorbidities, emphasizing US studies with large patient cohorts. This yielded a comprehensive review of the 50 publications on weight gain and a range of related comorbidities, including diabetes and hypertension. Most of the studies describing weight gain found the most significant gains during the first year after initiating ART. Overall, patients gained ∼5 kg 18-96 months after initiating ART. Many of the studies reported altered weight-related comorbidities, including increased risk of diabetes and hypertension. Despite an expectation that newer ARTs may be safer, a review of the literature suggests that contemporary ART use is associated with pronounced weight gain and related comorbidities. Future studies should define and quantify the direct role of newer ARTs in weight gain and related comorbidities, as well as clarify the role of specific drug classes in metabolic disturbance, to improve intervention strategies.

Direct, indirect and total effect of HIV coinfection on the risk of non-liver-related cancer in hepatitis C virus-infected patients treated by direct-acting antivirals: a mediation analysis

OBJECTIVES

HIV-coinfected patients experience higher incidences of non-liver-related cancers than HCV-monoinfected patients. Chronic inflammation, immunosuppression, but also higher tobacco or alcohol consumption and metabolic dysregulation could explain this higher risk. We aimed to estimate the direct, indirect and total effects of HIV coinfection on the risk of non-liver-related cancers in HCV participants treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).

METHODS

Up to four HCV-monoinfected participants from the ANRS CO22 HEPATHER cohort were matched by age and sex to HIV/HCV-coinfected participants from the ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH cohort. Participants were followed from DAA initiation until the occurrence of a non-liver-related cancer. Counterfactual mediation analysis was carried out to estimate the direct (chronic inflammation and immunosuppression), indirect (tobacco and alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome) and total effect of HIV coinfection on the risk of non-liver-related cancers.

RESULTS

548 HIV/HCV-coinfected and 2016 monoinfected participants were included. Overall, HIV coinfection was associated with a 3.7-fold [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7-7.0] higher risk of non-liver-related cancers in HCV participants. This increased risk was explained by significant direct effect [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.7-6.6] but not indirect effect (HR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.8-1.5) of HIV coinfection.

CONCLUSIONS

In HCV participants treated with DAAs, the direct effect of HIV coinfection, reflecting chronic inflammation and immunosuppression, was associated with a 3.7-fold higher risk of non-liver-related cancer. By contrast, the indirect effect of HIV coinfection, reflecting higher tobacco and alcohol consumption and metabolic dysregulation, was not significantly associated with the risk of non-liver-related cancers.

Metabolic syndrome and its associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common complex entity that has emerged as a worldwide epidemic and major public health concern. The incidence of MetS often parallels the incidence of obesity and it is even worst among people living with comorbidities like; HIV/AIDS, hypertension, and mental illness. Therefore, there was an urgent need to summarize the extent and risk factors of MetS in Ethiopia.

METHODOLOGY

This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline to investigate the prevalence of MetS and contributing factors. English language-based databases (PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, and Cochrane library) were exhaustively searched to identify studies related to the prevalence of MetS. A random-effects model was employed to estimate the pooled prevalence of MetS, and it was computed using STATA 16.0 software. Heterogeneity analysis was reported using I2.

RESULT

A total of 25 studies with 21,431 study participants were included for this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of MetS was 30.0% (95% CI: 24.0-36.0%, I2 = 99.19%, p < 0.001) with a high degree of heterogeneity across studies. Subgroup analysis with the target population showed that metabolic syndrome was most prevalent among type II diabetic 56% (95% CI: 47 - 64) and hypertensive patients 44% (95% CI: 35 - 53). Increased age, female gender, being overweight and obese, having a high educational level and income, physical inactivity, and being on treatment of chronic diseases like, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and HIV/AIDS were the most frequently reported risk factors of MetS regardless of the study population.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of the MetS is high and rising in Ethiopia. Therefore, the preventative strategy should be considered to reduce the risk of morbidity or mortality related to metabolic syndrome.

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 in Zambian adults with human immunodeficiency virus on antiretroviral therapy: Prevalence and associated factors

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of factors including hypertension, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance that separately and together significantly increase risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. In sub-Saharan Africa, with a substantial burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and increasing prevalence of CVD and diabetes, there is a paucity of epidemiological data on demographic, laboratory, and clinical characteristics associated with MetS among people with HIV (people with human [PWH]). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the burden and factors influencing MetS in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced individuals in Zambia.We collected cross-sectional demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory data in a cohort of ART-experienced (on ART for ≥6 months) adults in 24 urban HIV treatment clinics of Zambia between August, 2016 and May, 2020. MetS was defined as having ≥3 of the following characteristics: low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (<1.0 mmol/L for men, <1.3 for women), elevated waist circumference (≥94 cm for men, ≥80 cm for women), elevated triglycerides (≥1.7 mmol/L), elevated fasting blood glucose (≥5.6 mmol/L), and elevated blood pressure (BP) (systolic BP ≥130 or diastolic BP ≥85 mm Hg). Virological failure (VF) was defined as HIV viral load ≥1000 copies/mL. The following statistical methods were used: Chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and multivariable logistic regression.Among 1108 participants, the median age (interquartile range [IQR]) was 41 years (34, 49); 666 (60.1%) were females. The prevalence of MetS was 26.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 23.9-29.1). Age (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.07; 95% CI 1.04-1.11), female sex (OR 3.02; 95% CI 1.55-5.91), VF (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.01-3.87), dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimen (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.05-4.20), hip-circumference (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05), T-lymphocyte count (OR 2.23; 95% CI 1.44-3.43), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.01-1.29), and fasting insulin (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.04) were significantly associated with MetS.Metabolic syndrome was highly prevalent among HIV+ adults receiving ART in Zambia and associated with demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and inflammatory characteristics. The association between MetS and dolutegravir requires further investigation, as does elucidation of the impact of MetS on ART outcomes in sub-Saharan African PWH.

Synergic effect of metabolic syndrome and lipodystrophy on oxidative stress and inflammation process in treated HIV-patients

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of lipodystrophy (LD) associated to metabolic syndrome (MS) on oxidative stress and inflammation in a cohort of 243 HIV-infected patients with MS, all of them under three different antiretroviral regimens. We collected immunovirological, biochemical and metabolic data, as well as anthropometric measurements. In addition, cardiovascular risk was also assessed by means of Atherogenic Index of Plasma (API) and Framingham Risk Score. The MS-LD patient set was characterized by a lower initial lymphocyte CD4 count and CD4/CD8 ratio and a higher initial viral load than the group without LD. We also found worse lipidic and glycaemic profiles (with lower HDL-cholesterol and higher triglyceride and glucose levels) in the MS-LD group. BMI, systolic blood pressure and Framingham score were significantly increased compared to MS-Non LD. In addition, patients with MS and LD had significantly higher levels of carbonylated proteins, lipid peroxidation, IL-6 and IL-8, as well as a significant decrease in the levels of leptin, adiponectin and antioxidant activities of catalase, super oxide dismutase and glutathione associated enzymes. In MS-LD HIV-1 patients, a significant negative correlation was found between Framingham Risk Score and the antioxidant biomarkers, however a positive association was found between API and protein-C reactive and carbonylated proteins. Segregating by ART, the above-mentioned conditions were worse within the MS-LD group whose treatment contained protease inhibitors, such as lopinavir. In conclusion, HIV-1 infected patients treated for at least six months, especially with regimens including PIs, showed a worsening of inflammatory process and oxidative stress.

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

INTRODUCTION

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSIONS

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

PROSPERO-NUMBER

CRD42018107187.

Determinants of Metabolic Syndrome and 5-Year Cardiovascular Risk Estimates among HIV-Positive Individuals from an Indian Tertiary Care Hospital

Longer survival due to use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has made human immunodeficiency virus- (HIV-) infected individuals prone to chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Metabolic syndrome (MS), a constellation of risk factors which increase chances of the cardiovascular disease and diabetes, can increase the morbidity and mortality among this population. Hence, the present study was conducted with the objectives of estimating the prevalence and determinants of MS among ART naïve and ART-treated patients and assess their 5-year CVD risk using the reduced version of Data Collection on Adverse Effects of Anti-HIV Drugs (D : A : D) risk prediction model (D : A : D(R)). This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 182 adults aged ≥ 18 years. MS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel-3 (NCEP ATP-3) criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done to identify the factors associated with MS. Prevalence of MS was 40.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 33.0%-47.2%). About 24.7% of the participants had at least a single criterion for MS. Age >45 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1-4.9, p < 0.018) and body mass index (BMI) > 23 kg/m² (AOR = 6.4; 95% CI = 3.1-13.1, p < 0.001) were positively associated with MS, whereas daily consumption of high sugar items was inversely associated (AOR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.1-0.5, p < 0.001). More than 50% of the participants were found to have moderate or high 5-year CVD risk. Observed prevalence of MS among HIV patients was higher than other studies done in India. Considering a sizeable number of participants to be having moderate to high CVD risk, culturally appropriate lifestyle interventions need to be planned.

Improvement in insulin sensitivity and serum leptin concentration after the switch from a ritonavir-boosted PI to raltegravir or dolutegravir in non-diabetic HIV-infected patients

OBJECTIVES

An observational, prospective, cohort study was performed to assess changes in insulin sensitivity and serum leptin level after a switch from a ritonavir-boosted PI (PI/r) to raltegravir or dolutegravir in HIV-infected adults on stable combination ART (cART).

METHODS

Non-diabetic HIV-infected patients receiving suppressive cART including tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine plus one PI/r, who underwent a switch from the PI/r to raltegravir (group A) or dolutegravir (group B), were enrolled in the study. Serum levels of insulin, leptin and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA) index were evaluated during a 12 month follow-up.

RESULTS

Overall, 86 patients were enrolled: 45 patients were included in group A and 41 were included in group B. The mean age was 45.7 years and 74 (86%) patients were male. After 12 months of follow-up, a significant reduction in the mean concentration of leptin and insulin was reported both in group A [-0.61 ng/mL (P < 0.001) and -2.5 mIU/L (P = 0.008), respectively] and in group B [-0.54 ng/mL (P = 0.005) and -2.1 mIU/L (P = 0.017), respectively], without a significant difference between the groups. A significant and comparable reduction in the mean HOMA index was reported both in group A [-0.55 (P = 0.004)] and in group B [-0.49 (P < 0.001)], as well as a significant decrease in lipid levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In HIV-positive subjects on suppressive cART, the switch from a PI/r to raltegravir or dolutegravir led to a significant and comparable reduction in both HOMA index and serum leptin level, reflecting a similar and significant improvement in insulin sensitivity.

Rate of dyslipidemia higher among women living with HIV: A comparison of metabolic and cardiovascular health in a cohort to study aging in HIV

OBJECTIVES

Combination antiretroviral therapy has largely restored the lifespan of persons living with HIV. Data suggest early comorbidities of aging in this population. Past studies focused on men; limited data exist regarding the prevalence of dyslipidaemia in women living with HIV (WLWH). We investigated the prevalence of cardiometabolic abnormalities among WLWH and HIV-negative women in the Children and Women: Antiretrovirals and Markers of Aging (CARMA) cohort, and their relationships to cellular aging markers.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of nonpregnant female patients (156 WLWH and 133 HIV-negative controls, aged 12-69 years) enrolled in CARMA between 2013 and 2017. The Framingham risk score (FRS) and the prevalences of hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and dyslipideamia were determined using self-report, anthropometrics, chart review and laboratory data. Cellular aging was determined by assessing leukocyte telomere length and blood mitochondrial DNA content. Diagnoses were based on current Canadian guidelines and definitions.

RESULTS

HIV-infected status was associated with dyslipidaemia [odds ratio (OR) 2.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.69-5.01], but not diabetes, higher FRS, hypertension or metabolic syndrome. The median age was 43.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 36.8-50.9] years in WLWH and 46.2 (IQR 30.3-54.9) years in HIV-negative controls. WLWH were less likely to be menopausal or use alcohol, and more often had hepatitis C virus infection or a current or past smoking history. Lower mitochondrial DNA content was associated with metabolic syndrome; no other associations were noted between cardiometabolic abnormalities and markers of cellular aging.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite their relatively young age, almost two-thirds of WLWH had dyslipidaemia, a significantly greater proportion than in controls. Strategies to address dyslipidaemia and decrease smoking rates may improve long-term outcomes among WLWH.

Changes in cardiovascular risk and clinical outcomes in a HIV/AIDS cohort study over a 1-year period at a specialized clinic in Mexico

INTRODUCTION

The third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines recommends calculating the 10-year morbidity of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) using risk calculators when treating high blood cholesterol in adults. We analyzed the changes in cardiovascular risk (CVR) among Mexican patients with HIV.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This observational, prospective cohort study compared the CVR after 1 year of antiretroviral treatment among 460 HIV patients from a Mexican clinic. Changes using the ASCVD risk estimator and changes in clinical outcomes were analyzed. The results were categorized as low or high CVR using a cutoff of 7.5%.

RESULTS

The CVR initially had a median of 2.3% (interquartile range [IQR]: 1%-4.8%), which changed to 2.4% (IQR: 1.5%-5.5%) after 1 year (P=0.001). After CVR stratification, we found that 84.3% of the patients had a low CVR, and 18% in this subgroup had metabolic syndrome (MS). Moreover, 15.7% had high CVR, and 47% in this subgroup had MS. The 4.3% of patients had an increase in CVR from the low to high subgroup, and 2.6% had a decrease in CVR from the high to low subgroup. Out of all patients, 22.3% had MS.

CONCLUSION

More than 50% of the population had an increase in CVR after 1 year. Of these patients, 4.3% changed from the low to high CVR group. Although the guidelines proposed different time periods for performing CVR estimations, this study showed that such assessments offered valuable clinical data over a relatively short-term period.

Risk of diabetes mellitus in HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy: A nationwide population-based study

Previous studies have shown that the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has increased in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with long-term exposure to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, the factors associated with DM among HIV-infected patients in Asia remain unclear in the HAART era.A nationwide cohort studyData from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) between 2000 and 2010 were used to investigate the incidence of and factors associated with DM among HIV-infected patients. Propensity score matching was conducted to match 4797 patients receiving HAART (HAART cohort) with 4797 patients not receiving HAART (non-HAART cohort). HAART use was treated as a time-dependent variable in a Cox regression model.HAART cohort had a significantly higher 10-year incidence of DM (7.16%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.30%-10.03%) than non-HAART cohort (2.24%; 95% CI, 1.28%-3.20%) (P < .001). After adjusting for age, gender, and comorbidities, receiving HAART was associated with an increased incidence of DM, with a subdistribution hazard ratio (sHR) of 2.39 (95% CI, 1.65-3.45). Hypertension (sHR = 5.27; 95% CI, 3.21-8.65), gout (sHR = 2.39; 95% CI, 1.38-4.16), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (sHR = 2.43; 95% CI, 1.28-4.61) were significantly associated with a higher risk of DM. Sensitivity analyses showed exposure to HAART remained significantly associated with an increased risk of DM, particularly in those without pre-existing hypertension, gout, or HCV infection.Exposure to HAART increased the risk of DM in HIV-infected Taiwanese patients, particularly in those without pre-existing hypertension, gout, or HCV infection.

Metabolic syndrome in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

The objective of this study was to investigate the factors underlying the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in HIV-infected patients. Two hundred and sixty-six clinical cases were selected for a retrospective study. The sample was classified using the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines and the identification of risk or protective factors associated with MetS evaluated via multivariate logistic or multinomial regressions. HIV-infected individuals diagnosed with MetS tend to be older, overweight, or obese (85% have a BMI ≥ 25), with a waist circumference > 90 cm (96.5 [88.8-105.5] cm, median [interquartile range]). Blood testing these individuals revealed high fasting levels of insulin (8.1 [5.8-21.6] pg/ml), glucose (98.0 [84.0-116.0] mg/dl), triglycerides (201.0 [142.0-267.3] mg/dl), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (36.5 [29.8-43.3] mg/dl) in addition with higher levels of inflammatory mediators such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (2.5 [1.0-4.9] mg/dl) and interleukin-6 (3.4 [2.8-3.8] pg/ml). The likelihood of HIV-infected individuals who are virally suppressed developing MetS is about 60% higher than those with acute infection. Treatment with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs) increases the chance of developing MetS by around 2.4 times. Individuals with a lower antioxidant capacity (total antioxidant status [TAS] <1.33) have a 2.6 times higher risk of developing MetS. HIV-related chronic inflammation, a low TAS, and treatment with NRTIs in association with PIs are additional MetS risk factors.

Metabolic Syndrome Among Antiretroviral Therapy-Naive Versus Experienced HIV-Infected Patients Without Preexisting Cardiometabolic Disorders in Western Kenya

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of cardiovascular disease risk factors, is increasingly common in people living with HIV; however, data on prevalence and the role of antiretroviral therapy (ART) as a risk factor for MetS in sub-Saharan Africa are lacking. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence and risk factors for MetS among ART-naive and ART-experienced HIV-infected adults without preexisting cardiometabolic disorders in Western Kenya using validated questionnaires and laboratory tests after overnight fasting. We used logistic regression to identify associations between traditional risk factors, HIV disease characteristics, ART, and MetS. Study participants included 164 ART-experienced patients, majority (56%) on tenofovir/lamivudine/nevirapine regimen, and 136 ART-naive patients. The median age was 40 (interquartile range, 33-46) years and 64% were women. Median HIV infection and ART use were 4.6 (1.7-7.9) and 4.8 (2.7-7.8) years, respectively. Prevalence of MetS did not differ between ART-experienced (16.9%) and -naive (15.2%) groups. ART-experienced patients had higher rates of elevated fasting blood sugars and lower rates of low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. The prevalence of abnormal waist circumference, elevated blood pressure, and hypertriglyceridemia were comparable between the two groups. Older age, female sex, and high body mass index were independently associated with diagnosis of MetS. Traditional risk factors rather than ART-related effects were more important predictors of MetS in this cohort and may have been influenced by ART type and exclusion of preexisting hypertension and diabetes. HIV-infected patients without preexisting cardiometabolic disorders should be monitored for metabolic abnormalities regardless of ART.

Cardiovascular Disease in the Setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Background:

Since the introduction of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), the life expectancy and health quality for patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have significant-ly improved. Nevertheless, as a result of not only the deleterious effects of the virus itself and pro-longed ART, but also the effects of aging, cardiovascular diseases have emerged as one of the most common causes of death among these patients.

Objective:

The purpose of this review is to explore the new insights on the spectrum of Cardiovascu-lar Disease (CVD) in HIV infection, with emphasis on the factors that contribute to the atherosclerot-ic process and its role in the development of acute coronary syndrome in the setting of infection.

Methods:

A literature search using PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science was performed. Ar-ticles up to Mar, 2017, were selected for inclusion. The search was conducted using MeSH terms, with the following key terms: [human immunodeficiency virus AND (cardiovascular disease OR coronary heart disease) AND (antiretroviral therapy AND (cardiovascular disease OR coronary heart disease))].

Results:

Clinical cardiovascular disease tends to appear approximately 10 years before in infected in-dividuals, when compared to the general population. The pathogenesis behind the cardiovascular, HIV-associated complications is complex and multifactorial, involving traditional CVD risk factors, as well as factors associated with the virus itself - immune activation and chronic inflammation – and the metabolic disorders related to ART regimens.

Conclusion:

Determining the cardiovascular risk among HIV-infected patients, as well as targeting and treating conditions that predispose to CVD, are now emerging concerns among physicians.

Effectiveness of a bioactive food compound in anthropometric measures of individuals with HIV/AIDS: A nonrandomized trial

Background

Highly Active Antiretroviral therapy (HAART) promotes anthropometric changes in lipid metabolism and glucose in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Functional foods play an important role on metabolism. Bioactive Food Compound (BFC) has shown effective results in changes arising from decompensated lipid metabolism due to the effects of HAART on HIV patients. From this perspective, the objective of this study is to evaluate anthropometric indicators and the body composition of patients undergoing HAART before and after consumption of BFC.

Methods

This is a prospective intervention with 180 individuals with HIV undergoing HAART. They formed two groups and were monitored for 3 months: the first group consisted of individuals who consumed BFC (n = 121) at the recommended daily intake of 40 g. The second group consisted of individuals who did not consume BFC (n = 59). We determined body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), conicity index (CI) and antiretroviral regimen used by the patients.

Results

The BMI among adults (p<0.001), the WC (p<0.001 and p<0.014 for men and women, respectively) and the CI (p = 0.001 and p<0.001 for men and women, respectively) increased at the end of the study in the group of individuals who did not consume BFC and remained stable in the BFC group. There were no changes in WHR in any of the groups evaluated. Regarding the antiretroviral regimens used, we observed that there was no difference between regimens as for BMI, WC, WHR and CI.

Conclusions

The BFC consumed by HIV patients undergoing HAART allowed the maintenance of anthropometric measures without increasing the mean values of conicity index, suggesting that the consumption of this bioactive compound protects the individual against the development of metabolic syndrome (MeS) in patients infected with HIV undergoing antiretroviral therapy.

Controlled attenuation parameter and magnetic resonance spectroscopy-measured liver steatosis are discordant in obese HIV-infected adults

OBJECTIVE

Hepatic steatosis is common in HIV-infected individuals. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is the preferred noninvasive method for hepatic steatosis measurement but is expensive. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) also assesses hepatic steatosis and is conveniently performed concomitantly with transient elastography. We aimed to assess the accuracy of CAP in the setting of HIV infection.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

CAP and MRS were performed in 82 study participants (39 HIV monoinfected; seven hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfected; 21 HIV/HCV coinfected; 15 with neither infection). We used concordance correlation coefficients to compare log-transformed and standardized CAP and MRS values and linear regression to examine factors associated with CAP and MRS-measured hepatic steatosis (MRS-HS). The accuracy of CAP to detect at least mild hepatic steatosis, defined as MRS-liver fat fraction more than 0.05, and the factors associated with discordance between CAP and MRS were evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, CAP-measured hepatic steatosis and MRS-HS correlated moderately well (rc = 0.63; P < 0.001), and correlation was strongest in the HIV-monoinfected group (rc = 0.67; P < 0.001). Body composition factors (higher BMI, waist circumference, visceral and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue) and insulin resistance were significantly associated with both greater CAP-measured hepatic steatosis and MRS-HS. Using a validated CAP cut-off of at least 238 dB/m, sensitivity and specificity for at least mild hepatic steatosis were 84% and 75% in the entire cohort; 89% and 80% in the HIV-monoinfected group. Participants with higher body composition parameters were more likely to be misclassified as having hepatic steatosis by CAP.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest CAP is an acceptable noninvasive surrogate for hepatic steatosis in HIV-infected individuals but may overestimate hepatic steatosis prevalence, especially in individuals with high BMI. Evaluation of factors that improve CAP accuracy and determination of optimal cut-offs are warranted.

Association of Metabolic Syndrome and Oxidative DNA Damage in HIV/AIDS Patients

HIV-infected adults may be likely to have metabolic syndrome (MS) at younger ages and in the absence of obesity compared with general population. In the present study, we determined prevalence of MS and its association with oxidative deoxy nucleic acid (DNA) damage in HIV-1 infected patients with different ART status. We used plasma level of the oxidized base, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage. To measure plasma 8-OHdG we used 8-OHdG enzyme-linked, immunosorbent assay. The biomarkers of MS were insulin resistance, Cholesterol/HDL ratio, Waist circumference and Hypertension. MS and oxidative DNA damage were significantly higher in HIV-positive patients with second line ART and first line ART than ART-naive patients. In a logistic regression analysis, increased MS was positively associated with the increased DNA damage (OR: 29.68, 95%:13.47, CI: 65.40) P = 0.0001. ART plays a significant role in the development of MS and oxidative DNA damage in HIV-positive patients taking antiretroviral therapy. Awareness and knowledge of MS and DNA damage in HIV/AIDS patients may prove helpful to clinicians to manage non-AIDS diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. To determine exact role of ART in induction of MS and DNA damage larger studies are warranted.

Metabolic Syndrome After HIV Acquisition in South African Women

BACKGROUND

Noncommunicable diseases are common among chronically infected patients with HIV in the developed world, but little is known about these conditions in African cohorts. We assessed the epidemiology of metabolic syndrome among young South African women during the first 3 years after HIV acquisition.

METHODS

A total of 160 women were followed prospectively in the CAPRISA 002 Acute Infection study. Metabolic syndrome was defined as a constellation of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia/diabetes, and abdominal obesity. Time trends were assessed using generalized estimation equation models.

RESULTS

Median age was 24 years and body mass index 27 kg/m. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome at infection was 8.7% increasing to 19.2% over 36 months (P = 0.001). The proportion of women with body mass index >30 kg/m increased from 34.4% to 47.7% (P = 0.004), those with abnormal waist circumference and elevated blood pressure increased from 33.5% to 44.3% (P = 0.060) and 23.8% to 43.9% (P < 0.001), respectively. Incidence of metabolic syndrome was 9.13/100 person-years (95% CI: 6.02 to 13.28). Predictors of metabolic syndrome were age (per year increase odds ratio (OR) = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.16), time postinfection (per year OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.92), family history of diabetes (OR = 3.13; 95% CI: 1.71 to 5.72), and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*81:01 allele (OR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.21 to 7.17), whereas any HLA-B*57 or B*58:01 alleles were protective (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.77). HIV-1 RNA (OR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.62 to 1.27) and CD4 count (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.11) did not predict metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

The high burden of metabolic conditions in young South African HIV-infected women highlights the need to integrate noncommunicable disease and HIV care programs. Interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease must start at HIV diagnosis, rather than later during the disease course.

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.

Metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected middle-aged women on antiretroviral therapy: prevalence and associated factors

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated factors in a group of HIV-infected middle-aged women.

Methods

Cross-sectional study including 273 HIV-infected climacteric women of 40–60 years of age under care in two HIV outpatient reference centers in Brazil. Metabolic syndrome diagnosis was based on 2006 International Diabetes Federation criteria. Sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral factors were evaluated as well as HIV infection-related parameters.

Results

Mean age was 47.7 years; 59.1% of women were premenopausal, 91% were on antiretroviral therapy. Current CD4 count was >500 cells/mm³ in 61.7%, current viral load undetectable in 76.9% of women, and a quarter had previous diagnosis of aids. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the subgroup of menopausal women was 46.9%. Univariate analysis showed an association between metabolic syndrome and age ≥50 years (p = 0.002), schooling <8 years (p = 0.003), post-menopause (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m² (p < 0.001), and FSH ≥40 mIU/mL (p = 0.002). In the multivariate analysis only increased BMI (PR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.05–1.13; p < 0.001) and FSH levels ≥40 mIU/mL (PR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.14–2.40; p = 0.008) maintained statistical significance. There was no association between PI use or any other factor related to HIV-infection and MetS in any of the analyses performed.

Conclusion

High BMI and FSH levels compatible with menopause were the only factors associated with MetS in these middle aged HIV-infected women. In the context of well-controlled, early treated HIV infection, traditional rather than HIV-related factors were associated with MetS.

Antiretroviral Therapy-induced Insulin Resistance and Oxidative Deoxy Nucleic Acid Damage in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Insulin resistance (IR) is frequent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and may be related to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Increased oxidative stress parameters and carbonyl protein are linked to insulin sensitivity. The present study is aimed to determine IR, its association with oxidative deoxy nucleic acid (DNA) damage in HIV-1-infected patients with different ART status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this case-control study, a total 600 subjects were included. We used plasma levels of the oxidized base, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), as our biomarker of oxidative DNA damage. 8-OHdG was measured with the highly sensitive 8-OHdG check enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. IR was determined using homeostasis model assessment.

RESULTS

All subjects were randomly selected and grouped as HIV-negative (control group) (n = 300), HIV-positive without ART (n = 100), HIV-positive with ART first line (n = 100), and HIV-positive with ART second line (n = 100). IR and oxidative DNA damage were significantly higher in HIV-positive patients with second-line ART and HIV-positive patients with first-line ART than ART-naive patients. In a linear regression analysis, increased IR was positively associated with the increased DNA damage (odds ratio: 3.052, 95% confidence interval: 2.595-3.509) P < 0.001.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we observed that ART plays a significant role in the development of IR and oxidative DNA damage in HIV-positive patients taking ART. Awareness and knowledge of these biomarkers may prove helpful to clinicians while prescribing ART to HIV/AIDS patients. Larger studies are warranted to determine the exact role of ART in the induction of IR and DNA damage.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Among People Living with HIV in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a group of components associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of MS in the HIV population is increasing in epidemic proportions globally. However, the magnitude and characteristics of MS are not fully elucidated in developing countries. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the prevalence of MS and its components among people living with HIV (PLWH) in developing countries. Searches were carried out in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, other web sources, and by hand search. Articles were restricted to English language studies reporting on the prevalence of MS among PLWH in developing countries. Eighteen articles were included in the review. The studies were divided into Africa, South America, and Asia regions. The most frequent criterion used in the review was the National Cholesterol Education Program: Adult Treatment Program III 2001 definition. The prevalence of MS among PLWH ranged from 8.4% to 47% across the developing regions and comparable to the overall prevalence across the developed regions (7.8-52.2%). The mean prevalence was 30.5%, 21.5%, and 21.4% in Africa, Asia, and South America, respectively. The most frequent component observed was low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (50.1%). This systematic review provides an essential overview on the distribution of MS in the HIV population across the developing regions. As these prevalences were comparably high in the developed regions, this review highlights the need for more robust research in developing countries.

Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity and the Overlap of Comorbidities in HIV+ Hispanics Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading health threat for HIV+ patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART); cardiometabolic comorbidities are key predictors of risk. Data are limited on incidence of metabolic comorbidities in HIV+ individuals initiating ART in low and middle income countries (LMICs), particularly for Hispanics. We examined incidence of diabetes and obesity in a prospective cohort of those initiating ART in the Dominican Republic.

Methods

Participants ≥18 years, initiating ART <90 days prior to study enrollment, were examined for incidence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), diabetes mellitus (DM), overweight, and obesity. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 100-125mg/dl defined IFG; FPG ≥126 mg/dl, diagnosis per medical record, or use of hypoglycemic medication defined DM. Overweight and obesity were BMI 25–30 and ≥30kg/m², respectively. Dyslipidemia was total cholesterol ≥240mg/dl or use of lipid-lowering medication. Framingham risk equation was used to determine ten-year CVD risk at the end of observation.

Results

Of 153 initiating ART, 8 (6%) had DM and 23 (16%) had IFG at baseline, 6 developed DM (28/1000 person-years follow up [PYFU]) and 46 developed IFG (329/1000 PYFU). At baseline, 24 (18%) were obese and 36 (27%) were overweight, 15 became obese (69/1000 PYFU) and 22 became overweight (163/1000 PYFU). Median observation periods for the diabetes and obesity analyses were 23.5 months and 24.3 months, respectively. Increased CVD risk (≥10% 10-year Framingham risk score) was present for 13% of the cohort; 79% of the cohort had ≥1 cardiometabolic comorbidity, 48% had ≥2, and 13% had all three.

Conclusions

In this Hispanic cohort in an LMIC, incidences of IFG/DM and overweight/obesity were similar to or higher than that found in high income countries, and cardiometabolic disorders affected three-quarters of those initiating ART. Care models incorporating cardiovascular risk reduction into HIV treatment programs are needed to prevent CVD-associated mortality in this vulnerable population.

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.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in Older Adults

Improved survival with combination antiretroviral therapy has led to a dramatic increase in the number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals 50 years of age or older such that by 2020 more than 50% of HIV-infected persons in the United States will be above this age. Recent studies confirm that antiretroviral therapy should be offered to all HIV-infected patients regardless of age, symptoms, CD4+ cell count, or HIV viral load. However, when compared with HIV-uninfected populations, even with suppression of measurable HIV replication, older individuals are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, malignancies, liver disease, and other comorbidities.

Drug therapies for HIV-related metabolic disorders

INTRODUCTION

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

AREAS COVERED

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

EXPERT OPINION

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

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among HIV-infected patients in Ghana: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in HIV-infected patients is very limited in the Ghanaian setting and may vary across the globe by the different study populations and criteria used.

AIM

We investigated the prevalence of MetS among HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at the St. Dominic Hospital, Akwatia, Ghana.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study recruited 433 HIV-infected patients (294 on HAART and 139 HAART-naïve) from the period of February 2013 to December 2013. Information on the demographic, clinical, anthropometric characteristics were obtained and lipid profile for each patient was assessed. MetS was assessed based on the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MetS was 24.5% according to WHO criteria, 48.3% by NCEP-ATP III criteria, and 42.3% by IDF criteria. In general, participants on HAART were significantly associated with higher prevalence of MetS compared to those without HAART (P < 0.05) irrespective of the criteria used. Prevalence of clustering components of MetS was significantly higher among those on HAART when risk scores of 2 and above were used compared with those not on HAART (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HAART recipient developed MetS as indicated by dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and abnormal body fat. It is incumbent on health giver to incorporate MetS assessment as a part of treatment and management plan in patients receiving HAART.

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.

Prevalence of non-HIV cancer risk factors in persons living with HIV/AIDS: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The burden of cancer among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is substantial and increasing. We assessed the prevalence of modifiable cancer risk factors among adult PLWHA in Western high-income countries since 2000.

DESIGN

Meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched PubMed to identify articles published in 2011-2013 reporting prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, overweight/obesity, and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) among PLWHA. We conducted random effects meta-analyses of prevalence for each risk factor, including estimation of overall, sex-specific, and HIV-transmission-group-specific prevalence. We compared prevalence in PLWHA with published prevalence estimates in US adults.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 113 publications. Overall summary prevalence estimates were current smoking, 54% [95% confidence interval (CI) 49-59%] versus 20-23% in US adults; cervical high-risk HPV infection, 46% (95% CI 34-58%) versus 29% in US females; oral high-risk HPV infection, 16% (95% CI 10-23%) versus 4% in US adults; anal high-risk HPV infection (men who have sex with men), 68% (95% CI 57-79%), with no comparison estimate available; chronic HCV infection, 26% (95% CI 21-30%) versus 0.9% in US adults; and HBV infection, 5% (95% CI 4-5%) versus 0.3% in US adults. Overweight/obesity prevalence (53%; 95% CI 46-59%) was below that of US adults (68%). Meta-analysis of alcohol consumption prevalence was impeded by varying assessment methods. Overall, we observed considerable study heterogeneity in prevalence estimates.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of smoking and oncogenic virus infections continues to be extraordinarily high among PLWHA, indicating a vital need for risk factor reduction efforts.

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

Objectives

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

Methods

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

Results

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

Conclusion

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

Effects of raltegravir combined with tenofovir/emtricitabine on body shape, bone density, and lipids in African-Americans initiating HIV therapy

BACKGROUND

Raltegravir (RAL) plus tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) is a recommended initial antiretroviral regimen. A substantial proportion of persons diagnosed with HIV infection and starting antiretrovirals in the U.S. are African-American (AA); however, the effects of this regimen on metabolic parameters have largely been studied in white patients.

METHODS

Single-arm, open-label study of untreated AA HIV-infected patients administered RAL with TDF/FTC for 104 weeks. Changes in fasting lipids, insulin resistance, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), limb and trunk fat, and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed at weeks 56 and 104.

RESULTS

Thirty (85% men) participants were included. Median entry characteristics included age of 38 years, CD4 323 cells/mm3, HIV RNA level 29,245 copies/ml, and body mass index 28.1 kg/m2. At 56 and 104 weeks, significant increases in VAT, trunk fat, limb fat, and overall fat were observed. Bone mineral density decreased by 1.5% by week 104.There were no significant changes in non-HDL-cholesterol, fasting triglycerides, or insulin resistance. A median CD4 cell count increase of 318 cells/mm3 (IQR 179, 403; full range 40, 749) (P<0.001) was observed. Assuming missing=failure, 78 and 70% had HIV RNA levels<40 copies/ml at weeks 56 and 104, respectively. There were no treatment-related discontinuations and no new antiretroviral resistance mutations were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of AAs, initiation of RAL with TDF/FTC was associated with significant general increases in fat. Significant changes in lipids or insulin resistance were not observed and there was a small decline in BMD. Therapy was well tolerated and effective. These results are consistent with findings of studies of initial antiretroviral therapy in racially diverse cohorts and inform treatment selection for AA patients starting therapy for HIV infection.

Comparison of the metabolic effects of ritonavir-boosted darunavir or atazanavir versus raltegravir, and the impact of ritonavir plasma exposure: ACTG 5257

BACKGROUND

Metabolic effects following combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) vary by regimen type. Changes in metabolic effects were assessed following cART in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5257 study, and correlated with plasma ritonavir trough concentrations (C24).

METHODS

Treatment-naive adult subjects were randomized to ritonavir-boosted atazanavir or darunavir, or raltegravir-based cART. Changes in lipids and other metabolic outcomes over time were estimated. Differences between arms were estimated with 97.5% confidence intervals and compared using pairwise Student t tests. Associations between ritonavir C24 and lipid changes at week 48 were evaluated via linear regression.

RESULTS

Analyses included 1797 subjects with baseline fasting data. Baseline lipid profiles and metabolic syndrome rates (approximately 21%) were similar across arms. Comparable increases occurred in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with the boosted protease inhibitors (PIs); each PI had greater increases relative to raltegravir (all P ≤ .001 at week 96). Metabolic syndrome incident rates by week 96 (approximately 22%) were not different across arms. Ritonavir C24 was not different by arm (P = .89) (median, 69 ng/mL and 74 ng/mL in the atazanavir and darunavir arms, respectively) and were not associated with changes in lipid measures (all P > .1).

CONCLUSIONS

Raltegravir produced the most favorable lipid profile. Metabolic syndrome rates were high at baseline and increased to the same degree in all arms. Ritonavir C24 was not different in the PI arms and had no relationship with the modest but comparable increases in lipids observed with either atazanavir or darunavir. The long-term clinical significance of the lipid changes noted with the PIs relative to raltegravir deserves further evaluation.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

NCT 00811954.

Changes in metabolic syndrome status after initiation of antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND

Data on changes in metabolic syndrome (MetS) status in HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are limited.

METHODS

MetS was assessed at ART initiation and every 48 weeks on ART in ART-naive HIV-infected individuals from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group Longitudinal Linked Randomized Trials (ALLRT) cohort. MetS, defined using the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, required at least 3 of the following: elevated fasting glucose, hypertension, elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Prevalence of MetS and the individual criteria were compared between ART initiation and during follow-up using McNemar test.

RESULTS

At ART initiation, 450 (20%) ALLRT participants had MetS. After 96 weeks of ART, 37% of the 411 with MetS at ART initiation and with available data at this time point did not meet the MetS criteria. Among these participants, there was a dramatic decline in the proportion with low HDL (95% versus 26%, P < 0.0001). Among the 63% who continued to meet MetS criteria at week 96, the proportion with ≥4 criteria was higher at week 96 compared to at the time of ART initiation (48% versus 40%, P = 0.03); at week 96, the proportion with high triglycerides was greater (87% versus 69%, P < 0.0001) as was the proportion with high glucose (59% versus 42%, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

One in 5 ART-naive subjects met criteria for MetS at ART initiation. Although more than half of these individuals continued to have MetS after 96 weeks of ART, 37% with MetS at ART initiation no longer met criteria for MetS; this decrease was driven largely by increases in HDL cholesterol.

Cardiovascular disease risk in an aging HIV population: not just a question of biology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The objective of this review is to appraise recently published literature that describes the relationship between HIV, biologic and environmental risk factors, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk with particular emphasis on the aging HIV population and to demonstrate that these biologic and environmental factors may interact to increase the risk of CVD in the HIV population.

RECENT FINDINGS

The mechanisms linking HIV and CVD are multifactorial and encompass biological and 'environmental' modalities including multimorbid conditions that co-occur with HIV, immunologic alterations associated with HIV, polypharmacy (which affects adherence and increases likelihood of adverse drug-drug interactions) and healthcare disparities in CVD risk reduction by HIV status.

SUMMARY

Data regarding optimal treatment strategies that balance immunological restoration and CVD risk reduction are needed.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in HIV infection and disease

HIV infection induces hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis derangements. Partial glucocorticoid resistance has been observed in a subset of AIDS patients, possibly owing to HIV-induced altered cytokine secretion and action. Because glucocorticoids have immunomodulatory effects, the severity of the HPA axis disorder could play a central role in disease progression. The characteristic phenotype of AIDS patients (visceral obesity, lipodystrophy) may be owing to effects of HIV proteins on the HPA axis, including changes in glucocorticoid and insulin sensitivity of target tissues, as well as altered cytokine production and interaction with the HPA axis, genetic causes, comorbidities, and, possibly, use of antiretroviral agents.

Metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk in HIV

HIV infection and its treatment have been associated with adipose tissue changes and disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism. The proportion of HIV-infected adults over the age of 50 is also growing placing HIV-infected adults at particular risk for metabolic perturbations and cardiovascular disease. The metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected adults has been increasingly studied but whether HIV is associated with greater risk remains unclear, likely because of the interplay of host, viral and antiretroviral factors that are associated with the components of the metabolic syndrome. The relationship between HIV and diabetes mellitus (DM) risk has also been debated. While the Framingham Risk Score is a well-accepted measure of 10-year cardiovascular risk in the general population, it may not accurately predict risk in the HIV setting due to HIV-related factors such as inflammation that are not accounted for. We summarize the recent literature on metabolic syndrome, DM, and cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected adults.

Food insecurity with hunger is associated with obesity among HIV-infected and at risk women in Bronx, NY

Background

Food insecurity, insufficient quality and quantity of nutritionally adequate food, affects millions of people in the United States (US) yearly, with over 18 million Americans reporting hunger. Food insecurity is associated with obesity in the general population. Due to the increasing prevalence of obesity and risk factors for cardiovascular disease among HIV-infected women, we sought to determine the relationship between food insecurity and obesity in this cohort of urban, HIV-infected and –uninfected but at risk women.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional design, we collected data on food insecurity, body mass index and demographic and clinical data from 231 HIV-infected and 119 HIV-negative women enrolled in Bronx site of the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). We used multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with obesity.

Results

Food insecurity was highly prevalent, with almost one third of women (110/350, 31%) reporting food insecurity over the previous six months and over 13% of women reported food insecurity with hunger. Over half the women were obese with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥30. In multivariate analyses, women who were food insecure with hunger had higher odds of obesity (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.56, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.27, 5.20) after adjusting for HIV status, age, race, household status, income, drug and alcohol use.

Conclusion

Food insecurity with hunger was associated with obesity in this population of HIV-infected and –uninfected, urban women. Both food insecurity and obesity are independent markers for increased mortality; further research is needed to understand this relationship and their role in adverse health outcomes.

Using health surveillance systems data to assess the impact of AIDS and antiretroviral treatment on adult morbidity and mortality in Botswana

Introduction

Botswana's AIDS response included free antiretroviral treatment (ART) since 2002, achieving 80% coverage of persons with CD4<350 cells/µl by 2009–10. We explored impact on mortality and HIV prevalence, analyzing surveillance and civil registration data.

Methods

Hospital natural cause admissions and deaths from the Health Statistics Unit (HSU) over 1990–2009, all-cause deaths from Midnight Bed Census (MNC) over 1990–2011, institutional and non-institutional deaths recorded in the Registry of Birth and Deaths (RBD) over 2003–2010, and antenatal sentinel surveillance (ANC) over 1992–2011 were compared to numbers of persons receiving ART. Mortality was adjusted for differential coverage and completeness of institutional and non-institutional deaths, and compared to WHO and UNAIDS Spectrum projections.

Results

HSU deaths per 1000 admissions declined 49% in adults 15–64 years over 2003–2009. RBD mortality declined 44% (807 to 452/100,000 population in adults 15–64 years) over 2003–2010, similarly in males and females. Generally, death rates were higher in males; declines were greater and earlier in younger adults, and in females. In contrast, death rates in adults 65+, particularly females increased over 2003–2006. MNC all-age post-neonatal mortality declined 46% and 63% in primary and secondary level hospitals, over 2003–2011. We estimated RBD captured 80% of adult deaths over 2006–2011. Comparing empirical, completeness-adjusted deaths to Spectrum estimates, declines over 2003–2009 were similar overall (47% vs. 54%); however, Spectrum projected larger and earlier declines particularly in women. Following stabilization and modest decreases over 1998–2002, HIV prevalence in pregnant women 15–24 and 25–29-years declined by >50% and >30% through 2011, while continuing to increase in older women.

Conclusions

Adult mortality in Botswana fell markedly as ART coverage increased. HIV prevalence declines may reflect ART-associated reductions in sexual transmission. Triangulation of surveillance system data offers a reasonable approach to evaluate impact of HIV/AIDS interventions, complementing cohort approaches that monitor individual-level health outcomes.

Impact of randomized antiretroviral therapy initiation on glucose metabolism

OBJECTIVE

Prior studies have found that early HIV protease inhibitors contribute to glucose dysregulation. Few randomized trials have evaluated glucose indices in antiretroviral-naive individuals on newer antiretroviral therapy (ART).

METHODS

A5224s was a substudy of A5202, a prospective trial of 1857 ART-naive participants randomized to blinded abacavir-lamivudine (ABC/3TC) or tenofovir DF-emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) with open-label efavirenz (EFV) or atazanavir-ritonavir (ATV/r). Analyses used two-sample t-tests, Spearman correlation coefficients and linear regression.

RESULTS

A5224s included 269 nondiabetic individuals: 85% men, 47% white non-Hispanic, baseline median age 38 years, HIV-1 RNA 4.6 log10 copies/ml and CD4 cell count 233 cells/μl. Overall, significant 96-week increases occurred in fasting glucose, insulin and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), P ≤ 0.004. Assignment to EFV (versus ATV/r) resulted in significantly greater glucose increase [mean difference 4.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3, 7.5 mg/dl; P = 0.006] but not insulin or HOMA-IR (P ≥ 0.72). Glucose indices were not significantly different between ABC/3TC and TDF/FTC arms, P ≥ 0.18. Significant correlations were detected between changes in glucose indices and changes in BMI; all r ≥ 0.23, P ≤ 0.001. In multivariable analyses, in addition to the EFV effect, higher baseline HIV-1 RNA and greater BMI change were significant independent factors associated with greater glucose increase.

CONCLUSION

Changes in glucose metabolism were not significantly different between TDF/FTC and ABC/3TC-based regimens. A small but significantly greater increase in glucose was observed in those assigned to EFV. As glucose dysregulation may increase with time on ART, longer term studies will be needed to further clarify the clinical significance of these findings.

Metabolic and body composition effects of newer antiretrovirals in HIV-infected patients

In the absence of a cure, HIV-infected patients are being successfully treated with antiretroviral therapies (ART) and living longer. Indeed, an increasing number of HIV-infected patients are living beyond the age of 50 years, and in that regard, the use of ART has transformed HIV into a chronic medical condition. As more HIV-infected patients are virologically controlled and living longer, the trajectory of disease morbidity has shifted, however, primarily from opportunistic infections and immune dysfunction to metabolic complications. Evidence suggests that HIV-infected patients acquire significant metabolic risks, including lipodystrophic changes, subclinical atherosclerosis, and insulin resistance. The etiology of these metabolic complications specifically in HIV-infected patients is not entirely clear but may be related to a complex interaction between long-term consequences of infection and HIV itself, chronic use of antiretrovirals, and underlying inflammatory processes. Previous classes of ART, such as protease inhibitors (PIs) and reverse transcriptase inhibitors, have been implicated in altering fat redistribution and lipid and glucose homeostasis. Advances in drug development have introduced newer ART with strategies to target novel mechanisms of action and improve patient adherence with multi-class drug combinations. In this review, we will focus on these newer classes of ART, including selected entry inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, and multi-class drug combinations, and two newer PIs, and the potential of these newer agents to cause metabolic complications in HIV-infected patients. Taken together, further reduction of morbidity in HIV-infected patients will require increasing awareness of the deleterious metabolic complications of ART with subsequent management to mitigate these risks.