Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Factors in People Living With Hiv in Outpatient Follow-Up in a Reference Center in Vitória-Es

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by a set of metabolic alterations, such as central obesity, systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance, resulting in increased cardiovascular risk. In the general adult population in Vitória-ES the estimated prevalence of MS is 29.8%, the prevalence of SAH is 25.4% and that of Diabetes Mellitus is 9.6%. In recent years, MS has become a growing concern among people living with HIV (PLHIV), a reflection of increased life expectancy provided by advances in antiretroviral therapies (ART), associated with the chronic effects of the virus and of ART itself, which contribute to a greater predisposition to metabolic disorders in this population. To determine the prevalence of MS in PLHIV, the prevalence of its individual components, and to identify the main risk factors associated with its occurrence in this population. Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in PLHIV in outpatient follow-up at a reference center in Vitória-ES between May 2024 and February 2025. Anthropometric data, such as weight, height, and abdominal circumference (AC) were measured, and after that a chart review was performed in order to obtain data necessary for the International Diabetes Federation MS criteria and a baseline questionnaire. We obtained 137 PLHIV, 53.3% men and with mean age 53 ± 13 years. The prevalence of MS was 48.2%. MS prevalence was observed in 59% of female patients (p 0.14), 78% in patients aged 65 years or more (p 0.0), 65% in those with diagnosis for more than 21 years (0.005) and 70% in patients with obesity (p 0.032). The prevalence of the components of MS in PLHIV were low HDL in 60.6% (< 40 mg/dL in men and < 50 mg/dL in women), hypertriglyceridemia in 56.9%, altered AC in 65.7% (abdominal ≥ 94 cm in men and ≥88 cm in women), SAH in 40.9% and altered fasting glucose in 33.6%. The prevalence of MS and its components was expressively higher than that of the general population, reinforcing the importance of early and continuous screening of risk factors in this population. Among the main risk factors associated with MS were female sex, advanced age, and longer time since HIV diagnosis. The findings highlight the need for individualized care strategies and continuous surveillance to prevent metabolic outcomes in PLHIV.