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

Cumulative HIV Viremia Copy-Years and Hypertension in People Living with HIV

BACKGROUND

Evidence regarding the association between HIV viral load (VL) and hypertension is inconsistent. In this study, we investigated the relationship using viremia copy-years (VCY), a cumulative measure of HIV plasma viral burden.

METHODS

Data were analyzed for 686 PLWH in the Florida Cohort Study, who had at least five years of VL data before the baseline. VL data were extracted from Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS) and used to define peak VL (pVL), recent VL (rVL), and undetectable VL (uVL: rVL<50copies/mL). A five-year VCY (log10 copy × years/mL) before the baseline investigation, was calculated and divided into 5 groups (≤2.7, 2.8-3.7, 3.8-4.7, 4.8-5.7 and >5.7) for analysis. Hypertension was determined based on hypertension diagnosis from medical records. Multivariable logistic regression was used for association analysis.

RESULTS

Of the total sample, 277 (40.4%) participants were hypertensive. Compared to the participants with lowest VCY (≤2.7 log10 copy × years/mL), the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval [95% CI] for hypertension of the remaining four groups, in order, were 1.91 [1.11, 3.29], 1.91 [1.03, 3.53], 2.27 [1.29, 3.99], and 1.25 [0.65, 2.42], respectively, controlling for confounders. The association was independent of pVL, rVL, and uVL, each of which was not significantly associated with hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Persistent HIV infection is a risk factor for hypertension among PLWH. Information provided by VCY is more effective than single time-point VL measures in investigating HIV infection- hypertension relationship. The findings of this study support the significance of continuous viral suppression in hypertension prevention among PLWH.

Systemic Arterial Hypertension in people living with HIV/AIDS: integrative review

OBJECTIVE

To analyze scientific productions about the relationship between HIV and Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

METHOD

Integrative literature review in six databases, held in March 2016. "AIDS" and "hypertension" were the keywords used in Portuguese, English and Spanish languages. We found 248 articles and selected 17. The categories formulated were "prevalence of SAH in PLWHA," "risk factors for SAH in PLWHA" and "adverse events of antiretroviral therapy (ART) that contribute to HAS."

RESULTS

There is no consensus whether HIV and ART influence the SAH development, but there are several risk factors for SAH among PLWHA. It was observed that protease inhibitors medicines influence SAH the most.

CONCLUSION

Guidelines for SAH prevention must be performed in all individuals, however, in PLWHA, they must focus on characteristic risk factors of this population.

HIV treatment is associated with a two-fold higher probability of raised triglycerides: Pooled Analyses in 21 023 individuals in sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) regimes for HIV are associated with raised levels of circulating triglycerides (TG) in western populations. However, there are limited data on the impact of ART on cardiometabolic risk in sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations.

METHODS

Pooled analyses of 14 studies comprising 21 023 individuals, on whom relevant cardiometabolic risk factors (including TG), HIV and ART status were assessed between 2003 and 2014, in SSA. The association between ART and raised TG (>2.3 mmol/L) was analysed using regression models.

FINDINGS

Among 10 615 individuals, ART was associated with a two-fold higher probability of raised TG (RR 2.05, 95% CI 1.51-2.77, I2=45.2%). The associations between ART and raised blood pressure, glucose, HbA1c, and other lipids were inconsistent across studies.

INTERPRETATION

Evidence from this study confirms the association of ART with raised TG in SSA populations. Given the possible causal effect of raised TG on cardiovascular disease (CVD), the evidence highlights the need for prospective studies to clarify the impact of long term ART on CVD outcomes in SSA.

Prevalence, evolution, and related risk factors of kidney disease among Spanish HIV-infected individuals

Prevalence of kidney disease (KD) is increasing among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population. Different factors have been related, varying on different published series.The objectives were to study prevalence of KD in those patients, its evolution, and associated risk factors.An observational cohort study of 1596 HIV-positive patients with cross-sectional data collection in 2008 and 2010 was conducted. We obtained clinical and laboratory markers, and registered previous or current treatment with tenofovir (TDF) and indinavir (IDV). The sample was divided according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation. Group 1: eGFR ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m; group 2: eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m.Among the patients, 76.4% were men, mean age (SD) 45 ± 9 years, time since diagnose of HIV 14 ± 7 years, and 47.2% of the patients received previous treatment with TDF and 39.1% with IDV. In 2008, eGFR ≤60: 4.9% (91.4% of them in chronic kidney disease [CKD] stage 3, eGFR 59-30 mL/min); this group was older, presented higher fibrinogen levels, and more patients were treated previously with TDF and IDV. In 2010, eGFR ≤60: 3.9% (87.1% stage 3 CKD). The 2.4% of cohort showed renal improvement and 1.3% decline of renal function over time. The absence of hypertension and treatment with TDF were associated with improvement in eGFR. Increased age, elevated fibrinogen, decreased albumin, diabetes mellitus, hyperTG, and worse virological control were risk factors for renal impairment.The HIV-positive patients in our area have a CKD prevalence of 4% to 5% (90% stage 3 CKD) associated with ageing, inflammation, worse immune control of HIV, TDF treatment, and metabolic syndrome.

Global prevalence of hypertension among people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to estimate, through meta-analysis, the global prevalence of hypertension among people living with HIV (PLWH). A total of 49 studies published during 2011-2016 with 63,554 participants were included in analysis. These studies were conducted in America (25), Europe (13), Africa (10), and Asia (1) with data collected during 1996-2014. Prevalence of hypertension and confidence interval was estimated and stratified by participants' age, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and calendar-years using random effects modeling. The quality assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool was high for all included studies. The estimated prevalence (95% confidence interval) of hypertension was 25.2% (21.2%, 29.6%) for the overall sample, 34.7% (27.4%, 42.8%) for ART-experienced, and 12.7% (7.4%, 20.8%) for ART-naïve participants. The estimated prevalence was found increased with age and in studies conducted after 2010. Hypertension among PLWH shows an increasing trend and is associated with receiving ART and older age. Findings of this study provide data for decision makers to incorporate blood pressure assessment in primary prevention and for researchers to further investigate factors and mechanisms related to hypertension among PLWH.

Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Risk Factors among 34,111 HAART Naïve HIV-Infected Adults in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Background. Elevated blood pressure has been reported among treatment naïve HIV-infected patients. We investigated prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors in a HAART naïve HIV-infected population in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among HAART naïve HIV-infected patients. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg. Overweight and obesity were defined as body mass index (BMI) between 25.0-29.9 kg/m2 and ≥30 kg/m2, respectively. We used relative risks to examine factors associated with hypertension. Results. Prevalence of hypertension was found to be 12.5%. After adjusting for possible confounders, risk of hypertension was 10% more in male than female patients. Patients aged ≥50 years had more than 2-fold increased risk for hypertension compared to 30-39-years-old patients. Overweight and obesity were associated with 51% and 94% increased risk for hypertension compared to normal weight patients. Low CD4+ T-cell count, advanced WHO clinical disease stage, and history of TB were associated with 10%, 42%, and 14% decreased risk for hypertension. Conclusions. Older age, male gender, and overweight/obesity were associated with hypertension. Immune suppression and history of TB were associated with lower risk for hypertension. HIV treatment programs should screen and manage hypertension even in HAART naïve individuals.

Prevalence of Hypertension in HIV/AIDS Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) Compared with HAART-Naïve Patients at the Limbe Regional Hospital, Cameroon

BACKGROUND

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has greatly reduced the morbidity and mortality of HIV/AIDS patients but has also been associated with increased metabolic complications and cardiovascular diseases. Data on the association between HAART and hypertension (HTN) in Africa are scarce.

OBJECTIVES

Primarily to compare the prevalence of HTN in HIV/AIDS patients on HAART and HAART-naïve patients in Limbe, Cameroon; and secondarily to assess other socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with HTN in this population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Limbe Regional Hospital HIV treatment center between April and June 2013, involving 200 HIV/AIDS patients (100 on first-line HAART regimens for at least 12 months matched by age and sex to 100 HAART-naïve patients). HTN was defined as a systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HTN in patients on HAART was twice (38%; 95% CI: 28.5-48.3) that of the HAART-naïve patients (19%; 95% CI, 11.8-28.1), p = 0.003. In multivariate analyses adjusted for age, gender, smoking, family history of HTN, and BMI-defined overweight, HAART was associated with HTN, the adjusted odds ratio of the HAART-treated versus HAART-naïve group was 2.20 (95% CI: 1.07-4.52), p = 0.032. HTN was associated with older age and male gender, in the HAART group and with BMI-defined overweight in the HAART-naïve group.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of hypertension in HIV/AIDS patients in Limbe stands out to be elevated, higher in patients on HAART compared to those not on treatment. Blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors should be routinely monitored. Other factors such as diet, weight control and physical exercise should also be considered.

Fasting blood glucose and insulin sensitivity are unaffected by HAART duration in Cameroonians receiving first-line antiretroviral treatment

AIMS

This study assessed the relationship between highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) duration and cardiometabolic disorders in HIV-infected Cameroonians.

METHODS

HIV-infected Cameroonians aged 21 years or above were cross-sectionally recruited at the Yaoundé Central Hospital, a certified HIV care centre, and their anthropometry, body composition (impedancemetry), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid levels, and insulin sensitivity (IS; short insulin tolerance test) were measured.

RESULTS

A total of 143 participants with various durations of HAART [treatment-naïve (n=28), 1-13 months (n=44), 14-33 months (n=35) and 34-86 months (n=36)] were recruited. They were mostly women (72%), and had a mean age of 39.5 (SD: 9.8) years. Half (52%) were using a stavudine-containing regimen. There was a significant trend towards a positive change in body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio with increasing duration of HAART (all P=0.02). Systolic (P=0.04) and diastolic (P=0.03) blood pressure, total cholesterol (P=0.01), prevalence of hypertension (P=0.04) and hypercholesterolaemia (P=0.007) were also significantly increased with HAART duration, whereas triglycerides, FBG and IS were unaffected. Clustering of metabolic disorders increased (P=0.02 for ≥1 component of the metabolic syndrome and P=0.09 for ≥2 components) with HAART duration.

CONCLUSION

HAART duration is associated with obesity, fat distribution, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in HIV-infected Cameroonians, but does not appear to significantly affect glucose metabolism.