Risk factors for coronary heart disease in patients treated for human immunodeficiency virus infection compared with the general population

Clinical management of treatment-experienced, HIV/AIDS patients in the combination antiretroviral therapy era

Despite the success of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in improving clinical outcomes, treatment failure remains a significant challenge, particularly for highly treatment-experienced patients. This review evaluates current issues in the management of HIV-infected, treatment-experienced patients. It may provide guidance in selecting active, tolerable drug combinations that promote a reasonable quality of life, full adherence and a durable treatment response. Current treatment guidelines and clinical trial data were reviewed to identify reasons for treatment failure and to summarize therapy options for treatment-experienced and highly treatment-experienced patients. Current treatment options include nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), and inhibitors of viral fusion, entry and integration. The use of NRTIs may be limited by resistance and short- and long-term toxicities. Resistance has restricted the NNRTI class with cross-resistance preventing their sequential use. Etravirine, a next-generation NNRTI, however, demonstrates effective virological suppression in patients with baseline NNRTI resistance. Boosted PIs are key components of ART for treatment-experienced patients. The newer boosted PIs tipranavir and darunavir have demonstrated impressive activity in patients with resistance to NRTIs, NNRTIs and PIs, as well as in less treatment-experienced patients for darunavir. The fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide has demonstrated efficacy in heavily treatment-experienced patients, although injection-site reactions can be problematical. The recently approved integrase inhibitor raltegravir has also shown impressive potency and tolerability in highly treatment-experienced patients. Finally, the entry inhibitor maraviroc has also been approved recently, although its use is somewhat limited by the need for HIV tropism testing. The availability of potent next-generation PIs, NNRTIs, integrase and entry-inhibitors may offer improved therapy for treatment-experienced patients, including those with multiresistant virus. These new drugs may reduce HIV immunological and clinical progression and in doing so may also reduce treatment costs.

Cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected patients: does HIV infection in and of itself increase cardiovascular risk?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiovascular disease is increasingly recognized to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with chronic HIV infection in the current era of effective antiretroviral therapy. HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral therapy have increased traditional cardiovascular risk factors, but whether HIV infection in and of itself confers a significant increase in cardiovascular risk is largely unknown. This review summarizes recent data investigating cardiovascular risk in HIV patients and the evidence for an effect of HIV per se. The potential physiological mechanisms by which HIV might contribute to coronary artery disease are reviewed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several interesting studies in the last year have evaluated cardiovascular endpoints and surrogate measures such as carotid intima-media thickness and endothelial function in HIV-infected patients compared with uninfected control groups. Several studies to date using surrogate measurements such as carotid intima-media thickness and endothelial dysfunction suggest a possible independent HIV effect on cardiovascular risk, but some studies have yielded conflicting results. Numerous potential mechanisms by which HIV might contribute to coronary artery disease exist. These mechanisms include effects of HIV proteins to attract monocytes to the intimal wall, and impair cholesterol efflux, and effects of activated monocytes to induce an inflammatory response.

SUMMARY

More definitive prospective studies are needed to fully answer whether HIV infection per se promotes cardiovascular disease, but ample evidence suggests that HIV and related inflammatory responses could contribute to increased cardiovascular disease.

Vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular complications

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy has altered the course of HIV disease and dramatically increased the lifespan of HIV-infected individuals. Accumulating evidence, however, suggests that prolonged ARV use contributes to metabolic and cardiovascular changes. Understanding the toxicities of ARV treatment and sequelae of long-term infection is critical. This review will examine recent evidence related to vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular complications in HIV infection.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies investigating circulating markers of inflammation, surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerotic disease, and novel imaging modalities suggest the presence of endothelial dysfunction in HIV-infected patients. In addition, data from several recently updated cohort studies confirm an association between ARV therapy and cardiovascular events.

SUMMARY

New data suggest that cardiovascular disease is increased among HIV-infected patients receiving highly active ARV therapy. The mechanisms of increased cardiovascular disease may relate to direct effects of the HIV virus and inflammation on the vasculature or to toxicities from specific ARV therapies, which may increase traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Understanding and modifying these risks and preventing cardiovascular events are critical to the long-term management of the HIV-infected patient.

Human immunodeficiency virus and atherosclerosis

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy has led to a significant decline in the incidence of mortality and progression to AIDS in HIV-infection. With increased life expectancy, HIV-infected individuals are being affected by cardiovascular disease. Research studies have identified an increased prevalence of traditional coronary risk factors in HIV-infected patients. Additional investigations suggest that the virus itself may independently result in atherosclerosis. Further studies have linked the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy to the atherosclerotic processes. These findings suggest the need to reconsider HIV as one of the traditionally accepted risk factors for coronary artery disease, with treatment aimed at prevention of myocardial infarction.

Untreated HIV infection and large and small artery elasticity

BACKGROUND

Untreated HIV infection may increase risk for cardiovascular disease, and arterial elasticity is a marker of cardiovascular risk and early disease.

METHODS

HIV-infected participants not taking antiretroviral therapy (n=32) were compared with HIV-negative controls (n=30). Large and small artery elasticity (LAE and SAE) were estimated via analysis of radial pulse waveforms. Differences in LAE and SAE by HIV status were compared using analysis of covariance, with and without adjustment for Framingham risk (model 1); covariates that differed between groups [smoking, injection drug use, hepatitis C, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc); model 2]; or age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, injection frug use, hepatitis C, HDLc, and non-HDLc (model 3).

RESULTS

HIV infection was associated with impaired LAE (-2.55 mL/mm Hg x 10; P=0.02) and SAE (-1.50 mL/mm Hg x 100; P=0.02). Associations with traditional risk factors were often stronger for SAE than LAE, including with Framingham score (per 1% higher; SAE -0.18, P=0.01; LAE -0.19, P=0.13). Fasting lipid levels were not significantly associated with LAE and SAE. After adjustment, differences between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected participants were similar in model 1 (-2.36 for LAE, P=0.04; -1.31 for SAE, P=0.04), model 2 (-2.67 for LAE, P=0.02; -1.13 for SAE, P=0.07) and model 3 (-2.91 for LAE, P=0.02; -1.34 for SAE, P=0.03). CD4 count and HIV RNA level were not associated with LAE and SAE among HIV-infected participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Untreated HIV infection is associated with impaired arterial elasticity, of both the large and small vasculature, after controlling for additional risk factors. Pulse waveform analysis is a noninvasive technique to assess cardiovascular disease risk that should be evaluated in larger studies of HIV-infected persons.

Preclinical atherosclerosis due to HIV infection: carotid intima-medial thickness measurements from the FRAM study

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. However, it is controversial whether HIV infection contributes to accelerated atherosclerosis independent of traditional CVD risk factors.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of HIV-infected participants and controls without pre-existing CVD from the study of Fat Redistribution and Metabolic Change in HIV Infection (FRAM) and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Preclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by carotid intima-medial thickness (cIMT) measurements in the internal/bulb and common regions in HIV-infected participants and controls after adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors.

RESULTS

For internal carotid, mean IMT was 1.17 +/- 0.50 mm for HIV-infected participants and 1.06 +/- 0.58 mm for controls (P < 0.0001). After multivariable adjustment for demographic characteristics, the mean difference of HIV-infected participants vs. controls was 0.188 mm [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.113-0.263, P < 0.0001]. Further adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors modestly attenuated the HIV association (0.148 mm, 95% CI 0.072-0.224, P = 0.0001). For the common carotid, HIV infection was independently associated with greater IMT (0.033 mm, 95% CI 0.010-0.056, P = 0.005). The association of HIV infection with IMT was similar to that of smoking, which was also associated with greater IMT (internal 0.173 mm, common 0.020 mm).

CONCLUSION

Even after adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors, HIV infection was accompanied by more extensive atherosclerosis measured by IMT. The stronger association of HIV infection with IMT in the internal/bulb region compared with the common carotid may explain previous discrepancies in the literature. The association of HIV infection with IMT was similar to that of traditional CVD risk factors, such as smoking.

Non-AIDS-defining deaths and immunodeficiency in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether immunodeficiency is associated with the most frequent non-AIDS-defining causes of death in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

DESIGN

Observational multicentre cohorts.

METHODS

Twenty-three cohorts of adults with estimated dates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion were considered. Patients were seroconverters followed within the cART era. Measurements were latest CD4, nadir CD4 and time spent with CD4 cell count less than 350 cells/microl. Outcomes were specific causes of death using a standardized classification.

RESULTS

Among 9858 patients (71 230 person-years follow-up), 597 died, 333 (55.7%) from non-AIDS-defining causes. Non-AIDS-defining infection, liver disease, non-AIDS-defining malignancy and cardiovascular disease accounted for 53% of non-AIDS deaths. For each 100 cells/microl increment in the latest CD4 cell count, we found a 64% (95% confidence interval 58-69%) reduction in risk of death from AIDS-defining causes and significant reductions in death from non-AIDS infections (32, 18-44%), end-stage liver disease (33, 18-46%) and non-AIDS malignancies (34, 21-45%). Non-AIDS-defining causes of death were also associated with nadir CD4 while being cART-naive or duration of exposure to immunosuppression. No relationship between risk of death from cardiovascular disease and CD4 cell count was found though there was a raised risk associated with elevated HIV RNA.

CONCLUSION

In the cART era, the most frequent non-AIDS-defining causes of death are associated with immunodeficiency, only cardiovascular disease was associated with high viral replication. Avoiding profound and mild immunodeficiency, through earlier initiation of cART, may impact on morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected patients.

Loss of bone mineral density after antiretroviral therapy initiation, independent of antiretroviral regimen

BACKGROUND

Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) has been described in HIV-infected patients initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART), but the contributions of ART and immunologic and/or virologic factors remain unclear.

METHODS

We compared total BMD changes over 96 weeks in 106 ART-naive HIV-infected subjects who were randomized to receive efavirenz (EFV) + zidovudine/lamivudine (n = 32) or lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) + zidovudine/lamivudine induction (n = 74) for 24-48 weeks followed by LPV/r monotherapy. We also sought to identify factors associated with BMD loss, including markers of systemic inflammation [soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptors (sTNFR I and II)].

RESULTS

After 96 weeks, the mean percent change from baseline in total BMD was -2.5% (LPV/r) and -2.3% (EFV) (P < 0.01 for within-group changes in either arm; P = 0.86 for between-group differences). No alteration in the rate of BMD change was observed upon simplification to LPV/r monotherapy. Although soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor II concentrations at baseline and 24 weeks were at least marginally associated with subsequent changes in BMD (P = 0.06 and P = 0.028, respectively), these associations were no longer significant after adjustment for CD4 T cell count. Subjects with lower baseline CD4 T cell count, non-black race, and higher baseline glucose demonstrated a higher risk for >5% decrease in BMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar decreases in BMD over 96 weeks occurred in ART-naive subjects receiving either EFV-based regimen or LPV/r-based regimen, which was not altered by simplification to LPV/r monotherapy and was unrelated to markers of tumor necrosis factor-alpha activity.

Non-AIDS-defining cancers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Individuals with HIV infection are at higher risk for the development of a wide variety of non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs). Immunosuppressed patients following allograft organ transplantation are also at an increased risk for most of these tumour types implicating immune suppression in the pathogenesis rather than HIV itself. Although all three AIDS-defining malignancies and many NADCs are associated with viral etiopathogenesis, some, such as lung cancer, are not related to any known viral oncogenes and the reason for their increased incidence in immunosuppressed individuals remains unclear.

RECENT FINDINGS

The majority of the excess risk of NADC is accounted for by a limited number of specific cancers, which repeatedly occur with increased incidence in published series. Many of the data date from the pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy era and are thus not applicable to the 21st Century.

SUMMARY

NADCs are contributing significantly to the morbidity and mortality of HIV infection in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy and the risk of NADCs does not correlate with the degree of immunodeficiency in general.

The consequences of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy use for cardiovascular disease risk: shifting paradigms

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To explore the mechanisms by which HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) may increase risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), with attention to the implications of earlier initiation of ART (i.e. at higher CD4 cell counts than currently recommended by guidelines).

RECENT FINDINGS

Compared with the general population, HIV-infected patients who receive ART have a greater burden of subclinical and clinical atherosclerotic disease. Findings from a recent international treatment interruption trial (SMART) have redirected attention from ART-related drug toxicity toward a better appreciation for the consequences of untreated HIV infection, which may increase CVD risk through inflammation, upregulation of thrombotic pathways, and ultimately early vascular damage and dysfunction. In addition, CVD risk may increase with some ART, and this risk may be class-specific and/or drug-specific.

SUMMARY

Compared with untreated HIV, ART may increase or decrease risk of CVD. Reliable data on the relative risk do not exist. A randomized trial of early ART will provide the best data for assessment of the net risks and benefits of ART use on CVD.

Cardiovascular disease and HIV infection: host, virus, or drugs?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With effective antiretroviral therapy, cardiovascular disease has gained importance as a cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected persons. We review the risk of cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected persons compared with that in uninfected persons and discuss the relative contributions of host, HIV, and antiretroviral therapy in the light of current knowledge.

RECENT FINDINGS

The incidence of cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy is low. However, the risk of cardiovascular disease increased compared with that in uninfected persons. This fact is substantially due to a higher prevalence of underlying traditional cardiovascular risk factors that are mostly host dependent. HIV may additionally contribute both directly through immune activation and inflammation, and indirectly through immunodeficiency. In a more modest way than that of HIV infection, the type of antiretroviral therapy may also contribute through its impact on metabolic and body fat parameters, and possibly through other factors that are currently unclear.

SUMMARY

Prevention of cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected patients should be standard of care. Traditional risk factors should be investigated and aggressively treated when possible. Antiretroviral therapy should be initiated earlier in patients with high cardiovascular risk. From a purely cardiovascular perspective, the benefits of antiretroviral therapy clearly outweigh any potential risk.

Is estimated cardiovascular risk higher in HIV-infected patients than in the general population?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an increasing concern for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, and risk assessment is recommended in routine HIV care. The absolute cardiovascular risk in an individual is determined by several factors, and various algorithms may be applied. To date, few comparisons of HIV patients with persons of the same age from the general population have been conducted. We hypothesized that the calculated risk of CVD may be increased in HIV patients. The probability for acute coronary events within 10 y (Framingham Risk Score) and the probability for fatal cardiovascular disease (SCORE algorithm) were assessed in 403 consecutive HIV-positive subjects free from overt cardiovascular disease, as well as in 96 age- and gender-matched control subjects drawn from the general population living in the same geographical area. The average 10-y risk for acute coronary events (Framingham Risk Score) was 7.0%+/-5% in HIV subjects and 6.3%+/-5% in the control group (p =0.32). The 10-y estimated risk for cardiovascular mortality (SCORE algorithm) was 1.23%+/-2.3% and 0.83%+/-0.9%, respectively (p =0.01). The main contributor to the increased CVD risk was the high proportion of smokers, but not an increase in cholesterol level. In conclusion, a limited increase in estimated risk of CVD was found in HIV-infected patients compared to the general population. In HIV-infected individuals other factors of less value in the general population and not included in any cardiovascular algorithm might be important. In our patients intervention to modify traditional risk factors should be addressed primarily towards modifying smoking habits.

Characteristics of HIV-positive cigarette smokers: a sample of smokers facing multiple challenges

HIV-positive populations have high smoking rates and smoking puts HIV-positive individuals at higher risk for HIV-related health problems. Little information is available on the characteristics of HIV-positive smokers. The present study examines the baseline psychosocial characteristics of 184 HIV-positive cigarette smokers enrolled in a smoking cessation clinical trial. The sample was 82% male, and 53% Caucasian. Over half were unemployed and 43.8% reported an income of less than $10,000. Mean cigarettes per day was 19.2 and the mean Fagerström Test Nicotine Dependence score was 4.8. The majority reported a strong desire to quit however, only 45% endorsed a goal of complete abstinence. On average, 43.2% of the smokers' social support was made up of other smokers. Both licit and illicit drug use was common and there were significant rates of lifetime psychiatric diagnoses in this cohort of smokers. It is critical to evaluate interventions that consider the specific needs of this group.

Effect of cigarette smoking on HIV acquisition, progression, and mortality

Cigarette smoking is more common among those with HIV compared with the general population. However, it remains unclear whether smoking alters the natural history of HIV infection or if unique health consequences related to smoking occur in the context of HIV. In this article, we review the literature on the effect of smoking on acquisition of HIV, progression of HIV to AIDS, and mortality. Although there was significant heterogeneity in the study populations evaluated, we found little evidence that cigarette smoking increases the risk for acquiring HIV. Two studies observed that smoking was associated with more rapid CD4 cell count declines, but most data suggest that smoking does not accelerate progression to clinical AIDS. The most consistent finding was an increased risk for respiratory infections in smokers. Although no effect of smoking was seen with AIDS-related mortality, findings related to all-cause mortality were inconclusive. Owing to an increase in chronic non-AIDS outcomes in the post-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, smoking is likely an increasingly important contributor to morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected populations. Future investigation of the biological and clinical effects of smoking, and of preventive approaches to reduce the heavy burden among individuals with HIV is warranted.

[Hypertension, HIV infection, and highly active antiretroviral therapy]

The decline in mortality resulting from the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been accompanied by an increase in metabolic complications that produce accelerated atherosclerosis. Hypertension is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. Little is known about the impact of HAART on blood pressure, and it is uncertain whether chronic HIV infection or HAART have a role in the development of hypertension. In this study, the research on the relationships between hypertension and HIV infection published to date is reviewed. Antiretroviral therapy appears to have a modest impact on blood pressure and to be partially mediated by the metabolic changes occurring with this treatment.

Cardiovascular complications in HIV management: past, present, and future

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has significantly improved the prognosis for many individuals with HIV infection. Consequently, HIV infection has become a chronic and manageable disease. The focus on long-term management of patients with HIV infection has broadened to include comorbid conditions, most notably cardiovascular disease. Patients with HIV infection share many cardiovascular risk factors with the general population, and HIV infection itself may increase cardiovascular risk. Changes in lipid profiles associated with increased cardiovascular risk that have been observed with some HAART regimens have been a cause for concern among clinicians who treat HIV-infected patients. However, the lipid effects of HAART seem to depend on the type and duration of regimens employed. They can be managed effectively according to current guidelines that recommend lifestyle changes (eg, improved diet, increased exercise, smoking cessation) and pharmacologic therapy described in established treatment paradigms for patients on antiretroviral therapy and similar to measures currently used by the general population. A review of the clinical data indicates that the virologic and immunologic benefits of HAART clearly outweigh any metabolic effects observed in some patients over time and that preexisting, established cardiovascular risk factors contribute significantly to the potential development of cardiovascular events. These benefits of antiretroviral therapy have been demonstrated in studies comparing the superior efficacy of continuous vs. intermittent HAART.

Smoke and mirrors: HIV-related lung cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy has dramatically reduced AIDS-related illnesses and increased life expectancy for people living with HIV infection. At the same time, non-AIDS-defining cancers are becoming an increasing problem and now account for a large proportion of HIV-related deaths. Perhaps the most important and controversial of these is HIV-related lung cancer. There are a number of unresolved issues surrounding this illness, which are the subject of this review.

RECENT FINDINGS

Smoking does not account for all of the increase in the incidence of lung cancer seen in HIV patients. Other factors accounting for the increased incidence remain undefined. Highly active antiretroviral therapy may not have had a beneficial effect on either the incidence or outcome of the disease, which needs further investigation. Early diagnosis and offering these patients potentially curative therapy wherever appropriate is of utmost importance.

SUMMARY

HIV-related lung cancer is becoming an increasingly important problem as patients are living longer with HIV infection.

Diabetes mellitus, preexisting coronary heart disease, and the risk of subsequent coronary heart disease events in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D Study)

BACKGROUND

Although guidelines in individuals not infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) consider diabetes mellitus (DM) to be a coronary heart disease (CHD) equivalent, there is little information on its association with CHD in those infected with HIV. We investigated the impact of DM and preexisting CHD on the development of a new CHD episode among 33,347 HIV-infected individuals in the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D Study).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Over 159,971 person-years, 698 CHD events occurred. After adjustment for gender, age, cohort, HIV transmission, ethnicity, family history of CHD, smoking, and calendar year, the rate of a CHD episode was 7.52 times higher (Poisson regression, 95% CI 6.02 to 9.39, P=0.0001) in those with preexisting CHD than in those without preexisting CHD, but it was only 2.41 times higher (95% CI 1.91 to 3.05, P=0.0001) in those with preexisting DM compared with those without DM. No statistical interactions were apparent between either diagnosis and sex; although older people with DM had an increased CHD rate compared with younger people, older people with preexisting CHD had a lower event rate. A statistically significant interaction between preexisting DM and CHD (P=0.003) suggested that the CHD rate in those with preexisting CHD and DM is lower than expected on the basis of the main effects alone.

CONCLUSIONS

DM and preexisting CHD are both important risk factors for CHD events in HIV-infected individuals. There is a need for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of CHD in both high-risk groups of HIV-infected individuals.

Trends in the incidence of cancers among HIV-infected persons and the impact of antiretroviral therapy: a 20-year cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To describe trends in incidence rates of AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs) and non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs) during the HIV epidemic and to evaluate predictors, including the impact of antiretroviral therapy, of cancer development.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of a multicenter, prospective natural history study including 4498 HIV-infected US military beneficiaries with 33 486 person-years of follow-up.

METHODS

Predictors evaluated included demographics, clinical data, time-updated CD4 cell counts, HIV viral loads, and antiretroviral history. Time periods were classified as early pre (1984-1990), late pre (1991-1995), early post (1996-2000), and late post (2001-2006) HAART eras. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association of specific factors with cancer.

RESULTS

Ten percent of HIV-infected persons developed cancer. ADC rates increased between the early and late pre-HAART eras (7.6 and 14.2 cases per 1000 person-years) and have since declined from 5.4 to 2.7 in the early and late HAART eras, respectively (P < 0.001). Rates of NADCs have risen over the four periods (2.9, 2.8, 4.2, 6.7, P = 0.0004). During the late HAART era, 71% of cancers were NADCs. Predictors for ADCs included low CD4 cell count, noncancer AIDS diagnosis, and lack of HAART. NADCs were predicted by increasing age and white race (due to skin cancers).

CONCLUSION

Although the rate of ADCs continues to fall, the rate of NADCs is rising and now accounts for the majority of cancers in HIV-infected persons. The development of NADCs is associated with increasing age among HIV patients. HAART use is protective for ADCs, but did not significantly impact NADCs.

Hospitalization for pneumonia among individuals with and without HIV infection, 1995-2007: a Danish population-based, nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals with high CD4(+) cell counts may have increased susceptibility to other infections. We compared incidence rates of pneumonia among individuals with and without HIV infection and explored risk factors for pneumonia in the HIV-infected population.

METHODS

This was an observational cohort study conducted during 1995-2007. Each member of a Danish population-based nationwide cohort of HIV-infected individuals was matched with up to 99 control individuals from the general population. Data on age, mortality, emigration, and hospital discharge diagnoses from 1977 onward were obtained from nationwide administrative databases. Individuals without previous hospitalization for pneumonia were observed from the date of HIV diagnosis until the first hospitalization to treat pneumonia (excluding pneumonia attributable to Pneumocystis jiroveci). Risk factors were assessed by Poisson regression.

RESULTS

The study included 3516 persons with HIV infection and 328,738 persons without HIV infection, which provided 23,677 person-years and 2,944,760 person-years of observation, respectively. Incidence rates of pneumonia in HIV-infected individuals decreased from 50.6 hospitalizations per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 42.9-59.7 hospitalizations per 1000 person-years) during 1995-1996 to 19.7 hospitalizations per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 16.2-23.8 hospitalizations per 1000 person-years) during 2005-2007. Compared with control individuals, incidence rate ratios were 34.6 (95% CI, 28.4-41.8) during 1995-1996; 6.3 (95% CI, 5.1-7.7) during 2005-2007; and 5.9 (95% CI, 4.2-7.6) during 2005-2007 for the subgroup with a CD4(+) cell count >500 cells/microL. Injection drug use, low current CD4(+) cell count, nadir CD4(+) cell count, increasing age, and no current receipt of highly active antiretroviral therapy increased the risk of pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of pneumonia in persons with HIV infection has decreased substantially since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, but HIV infection remains a strong risk factor for the need for hospitalization to treat pneumonia, even in persons with high CD4(+) cell counts.

Cardiovascular complications and atherosclerotic manifestations in the HIV-infected population: type, incidence and associated risk factors

Before the introduction of successful antiretroviral therapy (ART), cardiovascular complications in HIV-infected patients were largely those resulting from immunosuppression (e.g. myocarditis, pericarditis, tamponade). With the advent of ART, there has been a spectacular decrease in morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals. However, alongside metabolic complications caused by ART such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and lipodystrophy syndrome have been observed, which potentially increase the risk of cardiovascular complications, in particular coronary artery disease. Whether HIV infection and ART are independent and individual coronary risk factors is still controversial. More and more data are available demonstrating that increasing the duration of exposure to ART, and in particular protease inhibitors, increases the risk of myocardial infarction. At the same time, chronic infection, inflammation and the disruption of immune balance as a result of HIV infection itself may have the potential to alter vascular structure and function. In this article, we will review cardiovascular complications in HIV-infected patients before and after the advent of ART, focusing on coronary artery disease, its diagnosis, prognosis and therapy.

AIDS-related malignancies: state of the art and therapeutic challenges

Despite the impact of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) on HIV-related mortality, malignancy remains an important cause of death in the current era. Although the advent of cART has resulted in reductions in the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-AIDS-defining malignancies present an increased risk for HIV-infected patients, characterized by some common clinical features, generally with a more aggressive behavior and a more advanced disease at diagnosis, which is responsible for poorer patient outcomes. Specific therapeutic recommendations are lacking for these new nonopportunistic malignancies, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, anal cancer, lung cancer, hepatocarcinoma, and many others. Antiretroviral agents have a propensity for causing drug interactions as a result of their ability to either inhibit or induce the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system. Because many antineoplastic drugs are also metabolized by the CYP system, coadministration with cART could result in either drug accumulation with increased toxicity, or decreased efficacy of one or both classes of drugs. Further research delineating the combined safety and pharmacokinetics of antiretrovirals and antineoplastic therapy is necessary. Special considerations of these AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related malignancies and their clinical and therapeutic aspects constitute the subject of this review.

Association of non-HDL cholesterol with subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV-positive patients

OBJECTIVES

To assess the relationship between non-classical cardiovascular (CV) risk factors including non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C), apolipoprotein B, triglycerides to HDL ratio, LDL size, inflammation or oxidative stress parameters and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), in order to better identify prevention or therapeutic targets. In addition, we studied the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and CIMT.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study including 232 HIV-positive (HIV+) adults (80% treated by combined antiretroviral therapy) extracted from the ANRS CO3 Aquitaine Cohort.

RESULTS

There was a significant association of higher non-HDL-C (p<0.01), apolipoprotein B (p<0.01) levels or TG/HDL ratio (p<0.05) with higher CIMT when compared the first vs fourth quartile, while there is no association between CIMT and LDL-C (p=0.09) or LDL size (p=0.55). In multivariate analysis, only the TG/HDL molar ratio > 1.5 tend toward significance (p=0.08). MS was observed in only 7.3% of patients with the NCEP-ATP III definition and 11.2% with the IDF criteria. Whatever the used definition, there was a significant association between MS presence and increased CIMT (p<0.05) in univariate and multivariate model.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-HDL-C, TG/HDL ratio and apolipoprotein B levels, which are closely linked to lipid disorders associated to the MS, appear as stronger predictive markers than LDL-C for screening subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV+ populations. Achieving non-HDL-C target defined by the NCEP-ATP III guidelines appears of great importance to reduce CV complications in HIV+ patients.

Metabolic abnormalities and overweight in HIV/AIDS persons-treated with antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE: To describe the proportion of overweight among patients with human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and correlate overweight and highly active antiretroviral therapy with metabolic complications. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome outpatients undergoing nutritional therapy from 2000 to 2006 in a University Health Center. The sample consisted of 393 human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome patients. Nutritional and medical records were used as a source of data on personal, clinical and biochemical information. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Sixty-nine percent of the patients were males aging from 26 to 49 years. Overweight and obesity were identified in 49% of this population. The most important metabolic complications were low levels of high-density lipoprotein (70%) and high levels of triglycerides (48%) and cholesterol (40%). Higher body mass index was associated with higher lipid levels and more evidence of insulin resistance. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated an important proportion of overweight and obesity among human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome patients. These results suggest that nutritional interventions and lifestyle modifications may be useful strategies to decrease the cardiovascular risk in this population.

Microalbuminuria associated with indicators of inflammatory activity in an HIV-positive population

Background. The survival of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients has increased significantly since the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy, leading to the development of important long-term complications including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and renal disease. Microalbuminuria, an indicator of glomerular injury, is associated with an increased risk of progressive renal deterioration, CVD and mortality. However, the prevalence of microalbuminuria has barely been investigated in HIV-infected individuals.

Methods. Based on three prospective urine samples in an unselected nonhypertensive, nondiabetic HIV-positive cohort (n = 495), we analysed the prevalence of microalbuminuria and compared the Caucasian share with that of a nonhypertensive, nondiabetic population-based control group (n = 2091). Significant predictors for microalbuminuria were analysed within the HIV-positive cohort.

Results. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 8.7% in the HIV-infected cohort, which is three to five times higher than that in the general population. HIV-infected patients with microalbuminuria were older, and had higher blood pressure, longer duration of HIV infection, higher serum beta 2-microglobulin, higher serum creatinine and a reduced glomerular filtration rate of ≤90 mL/min, compared with those with normal albumin excretion. In multivariate analysis, systolic blood pressure, serum beta 2-microglobulin and duration of HIV infection were found to be independent predictors of microalbuminuria.

Conclusions. Our findings indicate that in addition to haemodynamic effects, inflammatory activity may be implicated as a cause of the development of microalbuminuria. With respect to the increasing risk of developing CVD or renal diseases and mortality, the high prevalence of microalbuminuria in HIV-infected individuals warrants special attention.

Living with HIV, Antiretroviral Treatment Experience and Tobacco Smoking: Results from a Multisite Cross-Sectional Study

Background

To assess the prevalence of and factors associated with tobacco smoking and dependence in HIV patients.

Methods

In a one-day cross-sectional national survey of a representative sample of 82 French units specialized in HIV-infected patient care, 727 consecutive outpatients were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire, assessing smoking habits, dependence, cessation motivation, other substance abuse, sociocultural characteristics, life with HIV and its treatment. Smoking prevalence and dependence were assessed and compared with a representative sample of the general French population.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 593 (82%) patients: 12% were active or ex-intravenous drug users, 37% were homosexual men, and 43% were active smokers (compared with 31% in the French population) of whom 56% were classified as moderately or highly dependent. Fourteen percent of smokers were highly motivated and free of other substance abuse and of depressive symptoms. Smoking was independently associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR]=2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99–1.11), lower body mass index (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.14–1.03), smoking environment (OR 4.75; 95% CI 3.02–7.49), excessive alcohol consumption (OR 2.50; 95% CI 1.20–5.23), illicit drug use (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.41–4.19), HIV status disclosure to family (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.16–2.85) and experience of rejection due to disclosure (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.14–3.17). Disclosure and drug substitute usage were associated with high tobacco dependence.

Conclusions

Very few HIV smokers seem to be good candidates for a standard tobacco cessation program. Tobacco reduction or cessation strategies should be adapted to this population.

Do trans fatty acids from industrially produced sources and from natural sources have the same effect on cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy subjects? Results of the trans Fatty Acids Collaboration (TRANSFACT) study

BACKGROUND

The consumption of monounsaturated trans fatty acids (TFAs) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Putative differences between the effects of TFAs from industrially produced and natural sources on CVD risk markers were not previously investigated in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the effects of TFAs from industrially produced and natural sources on HDL and LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein particle size and distribution, apolipoproteins, and other lipids in healthy subjects.

DESIGN

In a randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover design, 46 healthy subjects (22 men and 24 women) consumed food items containing TFAs (11-12 g/d, representing approximately 5% of daily energy) from the 2 sources.

RESULTS

Forty subjects (19 men and 21 women) completed the study. Compared with TFAs from industrially produced sources, TFAs from natural sources significantly (P = 0.012) increased HDL cholesterol in women but not in men. Significant (P = 0.001) increases in LDL-cholesterol concentrations were observed in women, but not in men, after the consumption of TFAs from natural sources. Apolipoprotein (apo)B and apoA1 concentrations confirmed the changes observed in LDL and HDL cholesterol. Analysis of lipoprotein subclass showed that only large HDL and LDL concentrations were modified by TFAs from natural sources but not by those from industrially produced sources.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that TFAs from industrially produced and from natural sources have different effects on CVD risk factors in women. The HDL cholesterol-lowering property of TFAs seems to be specific to industrial sources. However, it is difficult in the present study to draw a conclusion about the effect of TFAs from either source on absolute CVD risk in these normolipidemic subjects. The mechanism underlying the observed sex- and isomer-specific effects warrants further investigation.

Therapy insight: Body-shape changes and metabolic complications associated with HIV and highly active antiretroviral therapy

Increasingly effective therapies for HIV infection are now available. These treatments, referred to collectively as highly active antiretroviral therapy, comprise various combinations of anti-HIV drugs from different drug classes. Recently, a range of metabolic complications have emerged as important toxicities in treated patients. Complications present as abnormalities of body-fat mass distribution in association with an often significant dyslipidemia and glucose homeostasis dysregulation. The body-shape changes, manifesting as peripheral lipoatrophy or central lipohypertrophy, can have a negative impact on quality of life and consequently on adherence to treatment. The combination of central lipohypertrophy, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance is associated with accelerated rates of atherosclerosis and other potentially significant long-term effects. The pathogenesis of these effects is complex and is still being actively investigated. Possible contributing factors relate to host characteristics, HIV viral parameters and specific effects of anti-HIV drugs on adipose-tissue biology and on intermediary metabolism. Management of these complications involves manipulation of the anti-HIV drugs using an understanding of their particular effects on lipid and glucose metabolism, in association with standard therapeutic interventions. Individualized approaches, taking into consideration quality-of-life issues, and assessment of potential cardiovascular risks, are now an important component of effective care of HIV-infected patients.

Asymptomatic myocardial ischaemia in HIV-infected adults

BACKGROUND

Asymptomatic ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in HIV-infected patients has not been studied.

METHODS

Resting, 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) were evaluated for asymptomatic IHD (Q-wave and/or ST segment depression) at baseline from HIV-infected participants with no known IHD enrolling in the SMART study. The ECG recordings were standardized and centrally analysed. Factors associated with asymptomatic IHD were identified by logistic regression, sequentially adjusted for demographics, clinical history, metabolic risk factors and type and duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

RESULTS

Of 4831 participants with an evaluable, baseline ECG and no prior IHD, mean age was 44 years (SD, 9.3); 28.4% were female; 6.6% had diabetes; 16.5% were receiving antihypertensive therapy; and 95.4% were ART experienced. ECG evidence of IHD was detected in 526 (10.9%) [Q-wave in 283 (5.9%), ST segment depression in 264 (5.5%)]; 16.7% in those 60 years or older. Variables independently associated with these abnormalities were older age [age > or= 60 versus < 40 years: odds ratio (OR), 2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-3.2; P < 0.001], current antihypertensive therapy (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9; P = 0.003) and recruitment in Europe (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7; P = 0.004) or Asia (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0-2.6; P = 0.05), both compared with North America. Diabetes was borderline significant (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-2.0; P = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

ECG evidence of asymptomatic IHD was common in this large cohort of HIV-infected adults and more common than a history of symptomatic IHD. Traditional factors were the predominant determinants of risk. No clear association between ART type or duration and asymptomatic IHD was noted.

A 6-Month Interruption of Antiretroviral Therapy Improves Adipose Tissue Function in HIV-Infected Patients: The ANRS EP29 Lipostop Study

Objective

To examine the reversibility of adipose tissue alterations in HIV-infected patients after a 6-month interruption of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods

Forty HIV-infected patients on stable effective ART were enrolled, 33 of them completed the study. Patients underwent a physical examination, laboratory tests and needle biopsy of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue both at inclusion and at month 6. Changes in fat morphology, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and gene expression were examined in 29, 23 and 20 patients, respectively.

Results

Body fat distribution was not clearly modified at month 6. Adipose tissue inflammation improved markedly, with fewer infiltrating macrophages and fewer tumour necrosis factor a (TNFα)- and interleukin 6 (IL6)-expressing cells. Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) and of markers of mitochondrial function and biogenesis (cytochrome oxidase 2 and PPAR-γ coreceptor 1α) improved after protease inhibitor (PI) withdrawal. In patients who stopped taking stavudine or zidovudine, the number of TNFα- and IL6-expressing cells was lower at month 6 than at month 0, and so was CD68 expression, a macrophage marker. Adipocyte mitochondrial status also improved, with lower mitochondrial density and cytochrome oxidase 4 mRNA levels, and higher mtDNA content. Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 mRNA levels increased, reflecting better adipocyte differentiation.

Conclusions

A 6-month ART interruption markedly improved adipose tissue functions, although fat distribution did not visibly change. Stavudine and zidovudine were associated with marked inflammation, which improved when these drugs were withdrawn; they also had a negative effect on differentiation and mitochondrial status. PIs were also associated with altered adipocyte differentiation and mitochondrial status. These data clearly show the detrimental effect of antiretroviral drugs, in particular thymidine analogues, on adipose tissue and argue for switch strategies sparing these drugs.

Use of metabolic drugs and fish oil in HIV-positive patients with metabolic complications and associations with dyslipidaemia and treatment targets

BACKGROUND

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with protease inhibitors (PI) is successful in suppressing viral replication, but may lead to a range of metabolic abnormalities associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

OBJECTIVES

The first objective of the study was to compare baseline demographic and clinical characteristics between PI users and non-PI users referred to a specialized metabolic clinic during 1999-2003. The second objective was to assess the associations of prescription drugs and fish oil with dyslipidaemia and to determine whether or not patients achieved treatment targets during 6 months of treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed using two sets of charts based on standardized forms with entries for personal data, drug treatment and clinical history. Anonymous linkage with the British Columbia HIV/AIDS Drug Treatment Program and the hospital laboratory was performed to gather information about HAART prescriptions and blood work.

RESULTS

In total, 237 patients were included in the study. There were few differences in any demographic or clinical factors between PI users and non-PI users. Compared with controls not taking lipid-lowering drugs or fish oil (n=48), statins appeared to be the only agent that was significantly associated with a reduced total cholesterol concentration (-15.6%; P=0.009). Fibrate treatment was associated with the largest reduction of triglyceride concentration (-37.4%; P=0.012), closely followed by fish oil (n=18;-32%; P=0.027). Six-month treatment success rates ranged between 17 and 43% of patients for total cholesterol (<5.2 mmol/L) and between 15 and 44% of patients for triglycerides (<2.3 mmol/L).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the apparent lowering of blood lipids with drug and fish oil treatments, a majority of patients in these treatment groups (56.5-83.3%) still had elevated concentrations after 6 months.

Metabolic issues associated with protease inhibitors

Metabolic changes characteristically observed with HIV infection include low total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and elevated triglycerides. Initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) may increase HDL but may also elevate low-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides as well as contribute to insulin resistance and morphologic changes (ie, visceral, breast, local fat accumulation, subcutaneous fat loss). This may result in a risk of cardiovascular disease substantially higher than among age- and sex-matched individuals in the general population. Cardiovascular risk calculators, such as the Framingham calculators, may underestimate risk in the setting of HIV and therapy. The degree of cardiovascular and metabolic risk can be managed with diet and lifestyle interventions and lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy, as in the general population. In addition, drug selection and treatment switching to agents with less impact on metabolic effects can reduce metabolic risk in HIV-positive individuals receiving ART.

Improved survival in HIV-infected persons: consequences and perspectives

A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patient in 2007 has the option to commence an antiretroviral regimen that is extremely efficacious in suppressing the virus and has few side effects. In a recent study, we estimated the median remaining lifetime of a newly diagnosed 25-year-old HIV-infected individual to be 39 years. The prospect of a near-normal life expectancy has implications for the HIV-infected persons as well as for the handling of the disease in the healthcare system. The patients can now on a long-term perspective plan their professional career, join a pension plan and start a family. Further, they may expect to be treated equally with other members of society with respect to access to mortgage, health insurance and life insurance. As the infected population ages, more patients will contract age-related diseases, and the disease burden on some individuals may even come to be dominated by non-HIV-related conditions that may have a worse prognosis and therefore become more important than HIV-related conditions. Despite the improvements in antiretroviral therapy, there is still an excess mortality among HIV patients, which appears to be only partially attributable to immunodeficiency, with lifestyle factors potentially playing a pronounced role. Consequently, an effort to further increase survival must target risk factors for both HIV-related and -unrelated mortality. The continuation of the positive trend may be achieved by increased HIV testing, earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy, improved drug adherence, prevention and treatment of HIV-unrelated co-morbidity and collaboration with other medical specialists to treat an ageing co-morbidity-acquiring HIV population.

Long-term assessment of nevirapine-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy in antiretroviral-naive HIV-infected patients: 3-year follow-up of the VIRGO study

OBJECTIVES

Data on the durability of antiretroviral regimens over a 3-year period have only rarely been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of one or two daily doses of nevirapine (NVP), in combination with stavudine (d4T) and didanosine (ddI), in HIV-infected patients.

METHODS

This study was a follow-up of the VIR (amune) Grand Ouest (VIRGO) study, a 12-month open-label trial to assess the safety and immunovirological activity of NVP-d4T-ddI combination therapy in antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected adults with baseline CD4 counts > or =200 cells/microL and plasma viral loads > or =5000 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL. Of the 100 patients included in the study, the 67 patients remaining on the initial triple therapy at the end of the study (1 year) were offered an extra 24 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 60 patients who extended follow-up, 46 were still being treated with d4T-ddI-NVP at month 36; 91% (39/43) had a plasma viral load <500 copies/mL (data were missing for three patients). CD4 cell counts increased over 36 months. Safety and tolerance were good with no unexpected long-term toxicity.

CONCLUSION

After 3 years of treatment with NVP-d4T-ddI, nearly half of the patients were still receiving the initial antiretroviral therapy with a sustained and durable immunovirological benefit. Long-term toxicity was mainly related to the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor components of the regimen.

Global cardiovascular risk in patients with HIV infection: concordance and differences in estimates according to three risk equations (Framingham, SCORE, and PROCAM)

To compare cardiovascular risk stratification according to Framingham, PROCAM (Prospective Cardiovascular Münster), and SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) equations in patients with HIV infection, a cross-sectional study of a well-characterized cohort of 760 HIV-infected adults managed at the outpatient Infectious Disease Unit in 2003 was conducted. Cardiovascular risk score was examined and patients were classified as having low, moderate, or high risk using Framingham and PROCAM (<10%, 10%-20%, and <20%, respectively) and SCORE (<3%, 3%-4%, and >/=5%, respectively) equations. The prevalence of patients with low, moderate and high cardiovascular risk was 76.6%, 15.1%, and 8.3% by the Framingham, respectively, 90.1%, 4.9%, and 5% by the PROCAM, respectively, and 88.6%, 3%, and 8.4% by SCORE, respectively. Concordance between these three risk functions was significant, but globally moderate (Framingham and PROCAM, kappa 0.36, p < 0.0001; Framingham and SCORE, kappa 0.32, p < 0.0001; PROCAM and SCORE, kappa 0.46, p < 0.0001). The Framingham equation categorized a higher proportion of HIV-infected male patients with moderate cardiovascular risk and a lower proportion of those with low risk (p < 0.0001) compared with PROCAM and SCORE. The present study showed a high prevalence of HIV-infected patients at low cardiovascular risk regardless of the assessed coronary risk system used. However, compared with PROCAM and SCORE, Framingham risk equation in HIV-infected patients identified a higher number of male patients with moderate cardiovascular risk.

Tobacco addiction and HIV infection: toward the implementation of cessation programs. ANRS CO3 Aquitaine Cohort

In treated HIV-infected patients, mortality is now dominated by non-AIDS-related causes in which tobacco smoking is a predominant risk factor. The implementation of tobacco smoking cessation programs is therefore warranted to increase survival but should consider the specificities of this population to be successful. All outpatients consulting in May to June 2004 within the ANRS CO3 Aquitaine Cohort of HIV-infected patients were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire including questions about tobacco and other drugs consumption, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), a visual scale to estimate motivation to stop smoking and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) scale. Among 509 patients included, mean age was 44 years, 74% were men, 19% were infected through injection drug use, and 257 (51%) were regular smokers (at least one cigarette per day). Among them, 60% had a medium or strong nicotine dependence (FTND = 5), 40% were motivated to quit smoking and 70% had already tried at least once. An FTND of 5 or more was more frequently reported in the 146 smokers (62%) with depressive symptoms compared to other smokers (70% versus 48%). Fifty-five regular smokers (23%) were codependent on cannabis and 31 (12%) to alcohol. Overall, only 35 (14%) regular smokers were motivated, non-codependent, without depressive symptoms, and could be proposed a standard tobacco cessation program. Depressive symptoms were highly prevalent in this representative population of HIV-infected patients. To be successful, smoking cessation interventions should be specifically built to take into account depression and codependencies in addition to nicotine dependence and motivation.

[Lung cancer in HIV-positive patients]

Since 1996, AIDS-related mortality has declined considerably with the introduction of tritherapy (HAART). This decline in mortality has been associated with an increase in the proportion of deaths caused by cancers unrelated to AIDS, particularly lung cancer. The risk of developing lung cancer is higher in the HIV-seropositive population than in the aged-matched general population, undoubtedly because of the high rate of smoking, particularly among drug abusers, but also because of other reasons which remain to be determined. Mean age at the discovery of lung cancer in HIV+ patients is 45 years, and most are symptomatic. The diagnosis is established at a locally advanced or metastatic stage in 75-90% of patients, as in the general population. Adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type. The prognosis is worse in HIV+ patients than in patients with an undetermined HIV status. Evidence on the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy is insufficient to draw any conclusions. Surgery remains the treatment of choice for locally advanced disease if allowed by the clinical status and respiratory function. Prospective clinical studies are needed to define a better management strategy for lung cancer in HIV-positive patients.

HIV infection is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer, independent of smoking

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons have an elevated risk for lung cancer, but whether the increase reflects solely their heavy tobacco use remains an open question.

METHODS

The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Link to the Intravenous Experience Study has prospectively observed a cohort of injection drug users in Baltimore, Maryland, since 1988, using biannual collection of clinical, laboratory, and behavioral data. Lung cancer deaths were identified through linkage with the National Death Index. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the effect of HIV infection on lung cancer risk, controlling for smoking status, drug use, and clinical variables.

RESULTS

Among 2086 AIDS Link to the Intravenous Experience Study participants observed for 19,835 person-years, 27 lung cancer deaths were identified; 14 of the deaths were among HIV-infected persons. All but 1 (96%) of the patients with lung cancer were smokers, smoking a mean of 1.2 packs per day. Lung cancer mortality increased during the highly active antiretroviral therapy era, compared with the pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy period (mortality rate ratio, 4.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-16). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and calendar period, HIV infection was associated with increased lung cancer risk (hazard ratio, 3.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-7.9). Preexisting lung disease, particularly noninfectious diseases and asthma, displayed trends for increased lung cancer risk. Illicit drug use was not associated with increased lung cancer risk. Among HIV-infected persons, smoking remained the major risk factor; CD4 cell count and HIV load were not strongly associated with increased lung cancer risk, and trends for increased risk with use of highly active antiretroviral therapy were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV infection is associated with significantly increased risk for developing lung cancer, independent of smoking status.

Metabolic effects of protease inhibitor-sparing antiretroviral regimens given as initial treatment of HIV-1 Infection (AIDS Clinical Trials Group Study A5095)

OBJECTIVE

To assess metabolic changes after initiation of protease inhibitor (PI)-sparing regimens in antiretroviral-naive patients.

METHODS

Metabolic changes were analyzed within the triple-nucleoside (zidovudine [ZDV]/lamivudine [3TC]/abacavir [ABC])-containing, 3-drug efavirenz (EFV) [ZDV/3TC + EFV]-containing, and 4-drug EFV [ZDV/3TC/ABC + EFV]-containing arms of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group multicenter trial A5095. Metabolic values were compared with published US general population norms.

RESULTS

From week 0 to week 24, all arms exhibited similar mild median increases in glucose and decreases in insulin sensitivity, whereas changes in lipids were greater in the ZDV/3TC + EFV and ZDV/3TC/ABC + EFV arms than in the ZDV/3TC/ABC arm: triglyceride (TG; 7, 18, and -1 mg/dL, respectively), total cholesterol (TC; 23, 28, and 5 mg/dL, respectively), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; 9, 14, and 1 mg/dL, respectively), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 10, 10, and 5 mg/dL, respectively). Adjusted mean study lipid values of all study participants at week 0 and week 96 compared with those of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 through 2002 values were: TG (148, 187, and 123 mg/dL, respectively), TC (164, 195, and 203 mg/dL, respectively), HDL-C (35, 47, and 51 mg/dL, respectively), and LDL-C (101, 117, and 123 mg/dL, respectively) (P < or = 0.005 for each value vs. NHANES values).

CONCLUSIONS

Similar mild increases in glucose and decreases in insulin sensitivity were observed in all regimens, whereas lipids were modestly higher in the EFV-containing arms. Compared with general population norms, the metabolic dysfunctions of concern after these PI-sparing therapies were increasingly abnormal TC and lower (but improved relative to baseline) HDL-C levels.