Metabolic syndrome among adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Lagos: A cross-sectional study

The availability and ease of accessibility of highly active antiretroviral therapy have changed the horizon of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) pandemic from a fatal illness to a chronic lifelong disease. People living with HIV (PLWH) are living longer, as such there is an increasing risk of acquiring chronic diseases such as non-communicable diseases A cross-sectional study among adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYLHIV) attending the HIV clinic of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference, and body mass index) were obtained and expressed as age and sex-adjusted z scores. Blood pressure readings were taken, and blood samples were collected and analyzed for fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was diagnosed if an individual satisfies at least three of five criteria as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III). Data obtained was analyzed using the SPSS version 23.0. The mean age of the participants was 15.8 ± 3.1 years with 63.6% on antiretroviral therapy for at least 5 years and non-Protease Inhibitor therapy respectively. The prevalence of MetS based on the NCEP ATPIII criteria was 1.3%, while 56.3% of the participants satisfied at least one component of MetS. The most prevalent metabolic disorder was low HDLc (41.6%), hypertriglyceridemia (19.5%), hypertension (11.7%), and hyperglycemia (5.2%). None of the participants was overweight/obese. These metabolic features may lead to early onset cardiovascular disease. Conclusion. It is therefore important that routine care of AYLHIV should include screening and follow-up for these risk factors.