Greater carotid intima media thickness at a younger age in HIV ‐infected patients compared with reference values for an uninfected cohort

Objectives In contrast to the general population, no decline in cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) has been noted in HIV ‐infected patients over the last 10 years. We compared the carotid artery intima media thickness ( CIMT ) of HIV ‐infected patients to that of age‐ and gender‐matched reference values and determined the relationship between CVD risk factors and CIMT . Methods A total of 292 HIV ‐infected patients were enrolled in the study. Data collected included vascular screening data, data obtained using a questionnaire, data obtained from laboratory assessments and CIMT measurement. Using linear regression (adjusted for age/gender/known HIV ), the association between HIV ‐specific and classical cardiovascular risk factors and CIMT was evaluated. Results The cohort comprised for 91% of male patients, aged 49.4 ± 10.5 years, with a known duration of HIV infection of 8.8 ± 6.7 years. The mean with standard deviation (mean ± SD) CIMT was 0.77 ± 0.19 mm, compared with 0.58 ± 0.05 mm in the controls. A steeper increase of CIMT per age was seen in the HIV ‐infected patients. A significant relationship between CIMT and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, systolic blood pressure, HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) and ankle brachial index was found. Of the HIV ‐specific variables, only a relationship between CIMT and length of cART use and between CIMT and (inversely) current cART use was seen. Conclusions A greater CIMT was found in HIV ‐infected patients compared with controls. In contrast to HIV ‐specific variables, classical CVD risk factors were associated with a greater CIMT and should therefore be the focus of preventive measures.