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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Amplifying and Quantifying HIV-1 RNA in HIV Infected Individuals with Viral Loads Below the Limit of Detection by Standard Clinical Assays
Published on: September 26, 2011
Detectable HIV viral load is associated with metabolic syndrome
Nicola Squillace1, Stefano Zona, Chiara Stentarelli
1Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Infectious Diseases Clinic, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. nicosqui@inwind.it
Background:
The aim of our study was to assess the association between HIV viral load (HIV-VL) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in a cohort of HIV-infected patients.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study including 1324 consecutive HIV-infected patients on stable antiretroviral therapy regimens.
Results:
Variables significantly associated with MS in univariate analysis were: age [mean +/- SD: 47.04 +/- 7.41 vs 44.07 +/- 6.82, (P < 0.0001)]; male sex [224 (69.35%) vs 614 (61.34%) (P = 0.009)]; Apo B (mg/dL) [111.51 +/- 29.64 vs 100.57 +/- 31.22, (P < 0.0001)]; homeostasis model assessment equation [median (interquartile range), 5.14 (3.00-8.15) vs 2.95 (1.93-4.57), (P < 0.0001)]; body mass index [25.17 +/- 4.40 vs 22.80 +/- 3.38, (P < 0.0001)]; protease inhibitor current use (%) [199 (61.61) vs 529 (52.85), (P = 0.006)]; and log10 HIV-VL [2.17 +/- 0.94 vs 2.02 +/- 0.79, (P = 0.0048)]. MS associated variables in multivariable analysis were: log10 HIV-VL [odds ratio (OR): 1.25; P = 0.003], age (per 10-year increment) [OR: 1.60; P < 0.0001], homeostasis model assessment equation > or =3.8 [OR: 2.77; P < 0.0001].
Conclusions:
Persistent viremia is a significant predictor for the development of MS. Viral control through effective antiretroviral therapy is paramount not only for the control of HIV disease progression but also for the prevention of MS and associated cardiovascular disease.
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