Serum prolactin concentrations in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus

To analyze the prevalence, effects of HAART, and implications of hyperprolactinemia in HIV-infected patients.

192 HIV-infected men in stable clinical condition who underwent 355 measurements of prolactin were prospectively studied. Other clinical, immunologic, virologic, and laboratory parameters were also evaluated at the time of each prolactin measurement.

Hyperprolactinemia was observed in 21.4% of the patients. Hyperprolactinemia was more commonly found in patients receiving opioids than in those who were not (p =.03), but it was not influenced by a past diagnosis of AIDS, presence of metabolic disturbances, gynecomastia, or viral load. Patients noninfected with hepatotropic viruses had slightly higher prolactin levels than those who were infected (p =.049). There were significant differences in the rates of hyperprolactinemia according to different CD4 strata, with higher rates in patients with higher CD4 counts. Similarly, hyperprolactinemic patients had higher CD4 counts than patients with normal prolactin (p =.038). Antiretroviral therapy was not associated with prolactin levels.

Hyperprolactinemia is a common finding in HIV infection and is observed in about one fifth of male patients in stable clinical condition. It is not related to antiretroviral therapy, metabolic disturbances, liver disease, or viral load. The implications of its association with CD4 counts are unclear and should be investigated.