Association between Blood Pressure and HIV Status in Rural Uganda: Results of Cross-Sectional Analysis

Hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: the current profile, recent advances, gaps, and priorities

Recent global and regional reports consistently confirm the high and increasing prevalence of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with poor detection, treatment, and control rates. This narrative review summarises the burden of hypertension in SSA and recent findings from community-based hypertension management strategies. We further outline prominent risk factors according to recent data and associated underlying mechanisms for hypertension development. An extensive review of literature showed that most countries have reported on the prevalence of hypertension during 2017-2023, despite limitations linked to the lack of nationally representative studies, heterogeneity of sampling and data collection methods. Task-shifting approaches that assign roles to model patients and community health workers reported improved linkage to healthcare services and adherence to medication, with inconsistent findings on blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects over time. The regularly reported risk factors include unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, increased adiposity and underweight, ageing, level of education, and/or income as well as psychosocial factors. Newer data on the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to hypertension and potential areas of intervention are reported from children and adults and include, among others, salt-handling and volume overload, endothelial function, BP dipping patterns and the role of human immunodeficiency virus . To conclude, significant strides have been made in data reporting from SSA on the burden of hypertension in the region as well as biomarker research to improve understanding and identification of areas of intervention. However, gaps remain on linkage between knowledge generation, translation, and implementation research. Coordinated studies addressing both discovery science and public health are crucial to curb hypertension development and improve management in SSA.

Prevalence and Correlates of Frailty Among Older People With and Without HIV in Rural Uganda

BACKGROUND

The relationship between HIV and frailty, a predictor of poor outcomes in the face of stressors, remains unknown in older people in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Quality of Life and Ageing with HIV in Rural Uganda cohort study to estimate the prevalence and correlates of frailty among older people with HIV (PWH) on long-term antiretroviral therapy and among age- and sex-matched HIV-uninfected comparators. Frailty was defined as a self-report of 3 or 4 (and pre-frailty as 1 or 2) of the following phenotypic variables: weight loss, exhaustion, low activity, and slowness. We estimated the prevalence of frailty and prefrailty and fitted logistic regression models to estimate the association between HIV and frailty, adjusting for sociodemographic factors, depression, and other comorbidities.

RESULTS

We enrolled 599 participants (49% women) with a mean age of 58 years. PWH had a similar prevalence of frailty (8.1% vs. 10.9%, P = 0.24) but a lower prevalence of prefrailty (54.2% vs. 63.2%, P = 0.03) compared with their HIV-uninfected comparators. In multivariable regression models, people with depression [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 7.52 (95% CI: 3.67 to 15.40), P < 0.001] and those with ≥1 comorbidities [AOR 3.15 (95% CI: 1.71 to 3.82), P < 0.001] were more likely to be frail. HIV serostatus was not significantly associated with frailty [AOR 0.71 (95% CI: 0.37 to 1.34), P = 0.29].

CONCLUSIONS

Older PWH had a similar prevalence of frailty as those without HIV. These findings call for additional study of the factors that contribute to the robustness of older PWH in sub-Saharan Africa.

Hypertension among people living with human immunodeficiency virus in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of hypertension in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We searched the PubMed, Google Scholar, African Index Medicus, and Embase databases to identify studies published from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2021. We used a random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence of hypertension and mean SBP/DBP level on a sex-specific basis. We included 48 studies reporting data on a pooled sample of 193,843 people living with HIV (PLW-HIV) in SSA. The pooled mean SBP/DBP level was 120 (95% CI 113-128)/77 (95%CI 72-82) mmHg, while the overall pooled prevalence of hypertension was 21.9% (95% CI 19.9-23.9%). Further meta-regression analyses suggested that the prevalence of hypertension was 1.33 times greater in males, 1.23 times greater in individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 1.45 times greater in those individuals with a CD4-count ≥ 200. This meta-analysis of the contemporary pattern of BP levels among PLW-HIV in SSA, suggests that around one in five of such individuals also have hypertension. Given the further context of greater access to ART and subsequently greater longevity, study findings support calls to integrate cardiovascular management into routine HIV care.

No Evidence for an Association of HIV and Antiviral Treatment With Changes in Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score in the Ndlovu Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in high-income countries. The authors studied the longitudinal association between HIV and ART and nonlaboratory Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in a middle-income country.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This longitudinal analysis of the NCS (Ndlovu Cohort Study), South Africa used baseline to 36-month follow-up data. Demographics, HIV, ART status, and cardiometabolic measures were obtained. FRS was used as a CVD risk measure. Through linear mixed models, FRS trends over time and the association with HIV were studied. Analysis included 1136 participants, with 609 (54%) having HIV, and 495 (81%) taking ART. At baseline, 9.8% of participants had a high FRS. People living with HIV (PLHIV) had a 3.2% lower FRS than HIV-negative participants (P<0.001). FRS increased similarly for both groups over time. Other factors associated with FRS were secondary and higher education (ß value: -0.075, P<0.001; ß value: -0.084, P<0.001) and alcohol consumption (ß value: 0.011, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CVD risk increased for all participants over 36 months, suggesting classic risk factors rather than HIV status or ART to be drivers of CVD risk. People living with HIV had a significantly lower FRS than their HIV-negative counterparts, possibly related to HIV itself or a more frequent interaction with healthcare services. No association of HIV and ART with changes in FRS over 36 months was observed, suggesting the need for research using clinical endpoints to elucidate the effects of HIV and ART on CVD risk. Population-based prevention of CVD risk factors in sub-Saharan Africa is warranted, regardless of HIV status.

The burden of non-communicable diseases among people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing among people living with HIV (PLHIV), especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We determined the prevalence of NCDs and NCD risk factors among PLHIV in SSA to inform health policy makers.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of NCDs and risk factors among PLHIV in SSA. We comprehensively searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and EBSCOhost (CINAHL) electronic databases for sources published from 2010 to July 2023. We applied the random effects meta-analysis model to pool the results using STATA. The systematic review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021258769).

Findings

We included 188 studies from 21 countries in this meta-analysis. Our findings indicate pooled prevalence estimates for hypertension (20.1% [95% CI:17.5-22.7]), depression (30.4% [25.3-35.4]), diabetes (5.4% [4.4-6.4]), cervical cancer (1.5% [0.1-2.9]), chronic respiratory diseases (7.1% [4.0-10.3]), overweight/obesity (32.2% [29.7-34.7]), hypercholesterolemia (21.3% [16.6-26.0]), metabolic syndrome (23.9% [19.5-28.7]), alcohol consumption (21.3% [17.9-24.6]), and smoking (6.4% [5.2-7.7]).

Interpretation

People living with HIV have a high prevalence of NCDs and their risk factors including hypertension, depression, overweight/obesity, hypercholesterolemia, metabolic syndrome and alcohol consumption. We recommend strengthening of health systems to allow for improved integration of NCDs and HIV services in public health facilities in SSA. NCD risk factors such as obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and alcohol consumption can be addressed through health promotion campaigns. There is a need for further research on the burden of NCDs among PLHIV in most of SSA.

Funding

This study did not receive any funding.

The benefits of care: treated HIV infection and health-related quality of life among older-aged people in Uganda

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to explore how HIV care affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older people in Uganda.

METHODS

We enrolled older-aged (≥49 years) people with HIV receiving HIV care and treatment, along with age- and sex-similar people without HIV. We measured health-related quality of life using the EQ-5D-3L scale.

RESULTS

People with HIV (n = 298) and people without HIV (n = 302) were similar in median age (58.4 vs. 58.5 years), gender, and number of comorbidities. People with HIV had higher self-reported health status (b = 7.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2-9.7), higher EQ-5D utility index (b = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02-0.07), and were more likely to report no problems with self-care (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.3) or pain/discomfort (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI, 1.3-2.8). Relationships between HIV serostatus and health-related quality of life differed by gender, but not age.

CONCLUSIONS

Older people with HIV receiving care and treatment reported higher health-related quality of life than people without HIV in Uganda. Access to primary care through HIV programs and/or social network mobilization may explain this difference, but further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms.

Hypertension and associated factors in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral treatment in Burundi: a cross-sectional study

Currently, the life expectancy of people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the general population are similar. Hypertension is a major public health issue in Africa and is largely underdiagnosed. Most HIV-infected individuals, especially those on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) have hypertension. Our project aims to determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors amongst HIV-infected adults treated by ART in Burundi. A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected subjects over the age of 20, managed in five healthcare centers for people living with HIV (PLWH). The World Health Organization STEPWISE survey and anthropometric measurements were employed. Blood pressure was measured according to the ESC 2018 recommendations. 1 250 HIV-infected patients aged between 35.4 and 50.2 years were included (18.4% men). The prevalence of hypertension was 17.4% (95% CI 13.2-22.1). Approximately 47.25% of HIV patients with hypertension were previously undiagnosed. Other factors were associated with HTN, such as being overweight (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.46-5.62), obesity (OR 2.65; 95% CI 1.27-5.55), longer duration of HIV infection: ≥ 10 years (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.14-3.20), diabetes (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.37-3.32) and age (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.09-1.14). Despite their young age, almost 20% of HIV-ART treated patients had hypertension, 50% of these were undiagnosed. Blood pressure monitoring is crucial in these patients, especially those identified as high-risk, with prompt life and disability-saving interventions.

Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Hypertension Among People Living With HIV in Kebbi State, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT

The estimated number of people living with HIV (PLWH) globally in 2018 was 38 million, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 70%. Antiretroviral therapy has reduced morbidity among PLWH and has resulted in HIV now being considered a manageable chronic disease rather than a fatal one. The increase in the survival rate of PLWH has led to the emergence of chronic diseases, especially hypertension. The study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictive factors associated with hypertension among PLWH in Kebbi State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was adopted. The blood pressure of 301 PLWH was measured with an automated sphygmomanometer device. The median age of the respondents was 37 years. Females accounted for 61% of the respondents, and the majority were married (55.1%). The prevalence of hypertension was 17%. Older age, lack of exercise, and increasing weight were identified as the predictive factors of hypertension.