Key result
HIV infection was associated with a higher likelihood of developing subclinical carotid atherosclerosis compared to HIV-negative controls (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.57-4.50).
Why the study?
Current evidence regarding the prevalence of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in people living with HIV is inconsistent.
Does HIV infection increase the risk of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis compared to HIV-negative controls?
Meta-Analysis (n=6,590)
Does HIV infection increase the risk of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis compared to HIV-negative controls?
Odds Ratio: 2.66 (95% CI 1.57–4.5)
People living with HIV have a significantly higher prevalence and a more than 2.5-fold increased odds of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis compared to HIV-negative controls.
May inform intensified CV risk assessment in HIV; extends pooled observational evidence on subclinical atherosclerosis.
The current evidence regarding the prevalence of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (SCA) for people living with HIV(PLWH) is inconsistent. In this study, we aimed to synthesize data on the prevalence and association of SCA patients with HIV infection. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Medline, SinoMed, and CNKI from inception to March 2, 2020. The pooled proportion, odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. For inclusion, SCA was measured by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), with a B-mode ultrasound machine. Twenty-six studies consisting of 6590 participants were identified. The overall prevalence of SCA was 31.6% (95% CI 13.4‐53.3; I 2 = 99%; 4 studies) according to CIMT ≥ 0.78 mm criteria, and 32.3% (19.6‐46.4; 97%; 10 studies) according to CIMT ≥ 0.90 mm criteria. SCA prevalence was higher in Europe, over 40 years old and male. What’s more, PLWH have a higher likelihood of developing SCA comorbidity than HIV-negative controls (pooled OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.57‐4.50, I 2 = 74%; 9 studies), even after sensitivity analysis (pooled OR 2.58, 1.54‐4.31, 73%). This study suggests a high prevalence and risk of SCA in the global population with HIV. As a result, subclinical carotid atherosclerosis deserves more attention from policymakers, HIV health-care providers, researchers, and stakeholders.
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Liu et al. (2021) conducted a meta-analysis in HIV infection (n=6,590). HIV infection vs. HIV-negative controls was evaluated on Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.57-4.50). HIV infection was associated with a higher likelihood of developing subclinical carotid atherosclerosis compared to HIV-negative controls (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.57-4.50).
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