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Published on: July 24, 2013

Increased cardiovascular disease risk indices in HIV-infected women

Sara E Dolan1, Colleen Hadigan, Kathleen M Killilea

  • 1Program in Nutritional Metabolism, General Clinical Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (1999)
|April 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

HIV-infected women have increased cardiovascular disease risk factors, including higher inflammation and abnormal fat distribution. These factors are linked to body composition, highlighting a need for targeted cardiovascular care in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is not well understood in HIV-infected women.
  • HIV infection may influence CVD risk through various inflammatory and metabolic pathways.
  • Abnormal body composition and fat distribution are potential contributors to CVD risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cardiovascular disease risk indices in HIV-infected women compared to healthy controls.
  • To assess differences in inflammatory markers, lipid profiles, glucose metabolism, and body composition.
  • To explore the relationship between body composition and CVD risk factors within the HIV-infected group.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study comparing 100 HIV-infected women and 75 healthy female controls.
  • Measured inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6).
  • Assessed metabolic markers: lipids, glucose, insulin, and adiponectin.
  • Evaluated body composition using CT scan, DXA, and anthropometry (waist-to-hip ratio - WHR).

Main Results:

  • HIV-infected women showed higher CRP, IL-6, triglycerides, 2-hour glucose, and fasting insulin.
  • HIV-infected women had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin levels.
  • HIV-infected women exhibited increased abdominal visceral fat, reduced extremity fat, and higher WHR.
  • Within the HIV group, CRP and other indices correlated with body composition; WHR correlated with CVD risk factors in all subjects.

Conclusions:

  • HIV-infected women present with significantly elevated cardiovascular disease risk factors.
  • Abnormal fat distribution, particularly increased visceral fat, is associated with these increased risks.
  • Findings underscore the importance of monitoring and managing CVD risk in HIV-infected women, considering body composition.

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