Prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in Hispanics living with HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and antiretroviral treatment are associated with metabolic and cardiovascular complications that resemble metabolic syndrome (MetS) and potentially increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of MetS and its individual components among Hispanics living with HIV in Puerto Rico.

Data from 909 clinical records were extracted and the prevalence of MetS determined using the NCEP-ATPIII criteria. Fisher's exact test was used to detect sex differences, and logistic regression to examine the effect of age, sex, smoking, years of HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, and Hepatitis C coinfection.

The prevalence of MetS in our study group (35.4%) was higher than previously reported in the United States, but not higher than in the general population in Puerto Rico. Females had a higher prevalence of MetS (44.2%) than males (30.5%); mostly explained by high body mass index and waist circumference. Age and sex were associated with the presence of MetS.

Understanding ethnic and sex differences in the prevalence of metabolic risk factors is essential for the implementation of specific targeted interventions to prevent subsequent vascular morbidity and mortality in this population.