Brief report: carotid intima-media thickness in heavily pretreated HIV-infected patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) used to manage HIV may contribute to metabolic disturbances.
• Early detection of atherosclerosis is crucial for cardiovascular risk management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between HIV infection, HAART, and subclinical atherosclerosis.
• To determine the role of lipid and glucose disturbances in the development of atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients.
• To assess carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) as a marker for early atherosclerotic changes.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 36 HIV-infected patients on HAART (cases) and two control groups.
• Ultrasonography was employed to measure carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT).
• Comparison of IMT between cases and controls, with analysis of associations with metabolic factors.

Main Results:

• HIV patients on HAART exhibited significantly higher IMT compared to controls without similar metabolic disturbances (p <.05).
• Increased IMT in HIV patients was independently associated with higher total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio and larger waist circumference.
• No correlation was found between IMT and HIV-specific parameters or HAART duration.

Conclusions:

• Lipid disturbances, especially hypoHDLemia, are implicated in the early atherosclerotic process in HIV-infected patients.
• Carotid IMT may serve as a valuable indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis in this population.
• Managing lipid profiles in HIV patients on HAART is essential for cardiovascular risk reduction.