Carotid intima-media thickness in heavily pretreated HIV-infected patients was 8% higher than in controls without lipid/glucose disturbances (p <.05), but similar to controls with such disturbances.
Case-Control
Do lipid disturbances in heavily pretreated HIV-infected patients increase carotid intima-media thickness compared to controls?
Increased carotid intima-media thickness in heavily pretreated HIV patients appears to be driven by associated lipid disturbances, particularly low HDL, rather than the HIV infection or antiretroviral therapy itself.
Effect estimate: 8% higher
p-value: p=<.05
The authors used ultrasonography to measure carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in 36 HIV-infected patients taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (cases) and in two control groups without (control group 1) or with (control group 2) blood lipid and glucose disturbances similar to those of the patients. Case IMT values were 8% higher than control group 1 IMT values (p <.05) but not different from control group 2 IMT values. Positive independent associations of IMT with the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio and waist circumference existed for cases (p <.05) but not for controls. Case IMT did not correlate with parameters of HIV infection and antiretroviral treatment. This case-control study suggests that lipid disturbances, mainly hypoHDLemia, may be involved in the early atherosclerotic process in HIV-infected patients.
Chironi et al. (Tue,) conducted a case-control in HIV infection. HIV infection and highly active antiretroviral therapy vs. Controls without or with similar blood lipid and glucose disturbances was evaluated on Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) (8% higher, p=<.05). Carotid intima-media thickness in heavily pretreated HIV-infected patients was 8% higher than in controls without lipid/glucose disturbances (p <.05), but similar to controls with such disturbances.