Lipoprotein particle subclasses, cardiovascular disease and HIV infection

To study the association of lipoprotein particles with CVD in a subgroup of HIV-infected patients who were enrolled in the Strategies for Management of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (SMART) study. SMART was a trial of intermittent use of ART (drug conservation [DC]) versus continuous of ART (viral suppression [VS]).

In a nested case-control study, lipoprotein particles (p) by nuclear magnetic resonance were measured at baseline and at the visit prior to the CVD event (latest levels) for 248 patients who had a CVD event and for 480 matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using conditional logistic models.

Total, large and small HDL-p, but not VLDL-p nor LDL-p, were significantly and inversely associated with CVD and its major component, non-fatal coronary heart disease. The HDL-p associations with CVD were reduced after adjustment for high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and D-dimer. Latest levels of total HDL-p were also significantly inversely associated with CVD; treatment interruption led to decrease of total HDL-p; adjusting for latest HDL-p did not explain the greater risk of CVD that was observed in the DC versus VS group.

Lipoprotein particles, especially lower levels of small and large HDL-p identify HIV-infected patients at increased risk of CVD independent of other CVD risk factors.