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Cardiovascular disease risk factors and antiretroviral therapy in an HIV‐positive UK population
Author(s) -
Smith CJ,
Levy I,
Sabin CA,
Kaya E,
Johnson MA,
Lipman MCI
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
hiv medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.53
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1468-1293
pISSN - 1464-2662
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2004.00191.x
Subject(s) - medicine , body mass index , population , diabetes mellitus , blood pressure , disease , environmental health , endocrinology
Aim Although the benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been dramatic, studies have started to report a variety of drug‐related side effects and toxicities. We sought to characterize the risk factors for cardiovascular disease present in an HIV‐positive population. Methods A total of 394 HIV‐positive ambulant patients attending the Royal Free Hospital, London, were asked to complete a questionnaire. Questions focused on smoking habits and general health. Results In total, 34% of patients were aged >40 years, 29% had a family history of heart disease, 3% had diabetes, 14% suffered from raised blood pressure, 20% had a body mass index (BMI)>26 kg/m 3 , 7% had an alcohol consumption above the recommended UK limit, and 18% had total cholesterol levels >6.3 mmol/L. The rate of smoking observed (45%) was much higher than that observed amongst the general population in the British Health Survey for England (34%). There were significant differences between those receiving and not receiving ART. Those on ART tended to be younger ( P <0.0001) and less likely to smoke cigarettes ( P= 0.06) or have an alcohol consumption above the recommended limit ( P= 0.08), but were more likely to have diabetes ( P =0.05). More patients receiving ART reported, and so perceived themselves to have, raised blood fats ( P <0.0001). This was confirmed when considering blood lipid levels, where those on ART had significantly raised total cholesterol levels compared to those not currently receiving ART ( P <0.0001). Conclusion We have demonstrated an excess of cardiovascular risk factors in this cohort. These issues must be addressed if we wish to maintain the benefit of treating HIV infection.