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Cardiovascular risk factors among Ghanaian patients with HIV: A cross-sectional study
Lambert T Appiah1,2, Fred S Sarfo1,2, Mark D Huffman3,4
1Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are prevalent in Ghanaian adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This highlights the critical need for targeted CVD prevention strategies in this population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of illness and death in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Limited data exist on the burden of CVD risk factors among HIV patients in Ghana.
- This study aimed to describe the prevalence of CVD risk factors in Ghanaian HIV patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Ghana.
- To compare CVD risk factor prevalence between HIV-infected individuals and uninfected controls.
- To inform the development of targeted CVD interventions for HIV patients in Ghana.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2013 to May 2014 at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
- Eligible participants included HIV patients (aged ≥18) and uninfected adult blood donors as controls.
- Data on demographics, clinical factors, laboratory results, and electrocardiography were collected and analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.
Main Results:
- 345 HIV patients (173 on HAART, 172 not on HAART) and 161 controls were recruited.
- HIV patients were older and more likely to be female than controls.
- Prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus was higher in HIV patients (9%, 29%, 5%) compared to controls (5%, 15%, 0.6%). HIV patients had significantly higher odds of prevalent diabetes (aOR=10.3).
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular disease risk factors are common among HIV patients in Ghana.
- There is an urgent need to implement strategic CVD interventions for this population.
- Early screening and management of CVD risk factors are crucial for improving health outcomes in HIV patients.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, data are limited on CVD risk burden among HIV patients in Ghana. We describe the age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of CVD risk factors among HIV patients in Ghana.
Methods:
From January 2013 to May 2014, we identified eligible HIV patients 18 years and older, as well as uninfected adult blood donors presenting to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as controls. Using a standardized protocol, we collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, and electrocardiographic data. We created multivariable logistic regression models to compare the prevalence of abnormal risk factors between the two groups.
Results:
We recruited 345 patients with HIV (n = 173 on HAART, n = 172 not on HAART) and 161 uninfected adult blood donors. Patients with HIV were older (mean [SD] age: 41 [11] vs 32 [11] years) and were more likely to be female (72% vs 28%) than blood donors. Among patients on HAART, median (interquartile range) treatment duration was 17 (4-52) months. The prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus among HIV patients was 9%, 29%, and 5%, respectively, compared with 5%, 15%, and 0.6% among uninfected blood donors. Smoking was the least prevalent CVD risk factor (1%-2%). After adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index, HIV patients had a 10-fold higher odds of prevalent diabetes compared with controls, (adjusted OR = 10.3 [95% CI: 1.2, 86.7]).
Conclusion:
CVD risk factors are common among HIV patients in Ghana, demonstrating the urgent need for creation and implementation of strategic CVD interventions.
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