Statin therapy and changes in hip circumference among HIV-infected participants in the ALLRT Cohort

Physical Function Impairment and Frailty in Middle-Aged People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the REPRIEVE Trial Ancillary Study PREPARE

BACKGROUND

People with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) are at risk for accelerated development of physical function impairment and frailty; both associated with increased risk of falls, hospitalizations, and death. Identifying factors associated with physical function impairment and frailty can help target interventions.

METHODS

The REPRIEVE trial enrolled participants 40-75 years of age, receiving stable antiretroviral therapy with CD4+ T-cell count >100 cells/mm3, and with low to moderate cardiovascular disease risk. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of those concurrently enrolled in the ancillary study PREPARE at enrollment.

RESULTS

Among the 266 participants, the median age was 51 years; 81% were male, and 45% were black, and 28% had hypertension. Body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) was 25 to <30 in 38% and ≥30 in 30%, 33% had a high waist circumference, 89% were physically inactive, 37% (95% confidence interval, 31%, 43%) had physical function impairment (Short Physical Performance Battery score ≤10), and 6% (4%, 9%) were frail and 42% prefrail. In the adjusted analyses, older age, black race, greater BMI, and physical inactivity were associated with physical function impairment; depression and hypertension were associated with frailty or prefrailty.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical function impairment was common among middle-aged PWH; greater BMI and physical inactivity are important modifiable factors that may prevent further decline in physical function with aging.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

NCT02344290.

Statins to improve cardiovascular outcomes in treated HIV infection

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To evaluate evidence that statins reduce cardiovascular risk in patients living with HIV.

RECENT FINDINGS

Moderate to high-dose atorvastatin and rosuvastatin appear to reduce noncalcified coronary plaque volume and slow progression of carotid intima-media thickness in patients with treated HIV infection. Expected lipoprotein changes with statins on the background of modern antiretroviral therapy are similar to the general population. In addition to lipids, the statin benefit may be mediated in part by improvements in vascular inflammation and levels of T-cell and monocyte activation. One concern is the potential for rosuvastatin to cause insulin resistance. Decisions to prescribe statins must be done in the context of global risk assessment, but traditional risk calculators such as the Framingham Risk Score or the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association pooled-risk equations underestimate risk in this population. Furthermore, many patients with subclinical disease would not be recommended for statins according to the most recent American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines.

SUMMARY

Statins are likely to improve cardiovascular outcomes for patients with HIV, but results of the first outcome study are not expected until 2020. In the meantime, clinicians should individualize statin prescriptions, and should consider using more potent statins (rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, and pitavastatin) when possible.

Effects of randomized rosuvastatin compared with placebo on bone and body composition among HIV-infected adults

BACKGROUND

Statins have a beneficial effect on bone mineral density (BMD) and lean mass in some studies of HIV-uninfected adults; however, this has never been investigated in the setting of HIV infection.

DESIGN

HIV-infected individuals on stable antiretroviral therapy with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of 130 mg/dl or less and evidence of heightened immune activation or inflammation were randomized to rosuvastatin 10 mg daily or placebo for 96 weeks.

METHODS

This was a prespecified interim analysis at 48 weeks. Between-group and within-group differences were compared; multivariable regression models were constructed.

RESULTS

Seventy-two individuals were randomized to statin therapy and 75 to placebo. Modest 48-week relative increases in trochanter BMD [0.9%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -0.9 to 0.6] and total hip BMD (0.6%; 95% CI 0.0-1.1) in the statin arm were significantly greater than placebo (P < 0.05). The relationship between statin use and total hip BMD change was robust to adjustment of age, sex, race and smoking status (P = 0.02) and strengthened by inclusion of baseline (P = 0.01) and week 48 change in soluble tumour necrosis factor-α receptor (sTNFR)-1 (P = 0.009). Relative increases in total body, trunk and limb fat were similar between statin and placebo arms (P ≥ 0.58). Although a significant gain in leg lean mass was seen in the statin arm, this was not significantly different compared with placebo (P = 0.36).

CONCLUSION

The improvements seen in total hip BMD after 48 weeks of rosuvastatin therapy support further potential benefits of statin therapy in HIV, beyond a reduction of cardiovascular risk.

Key data from the 11th International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Co-Morbidities in HIV

The effectiveness of current antiretroviral therapies has led to more patients receiving long-term therapy, and increasing numbers of older patients. The complex interactions between HIV infection, ageing, comorbid conditions and drug-related toxicities, and their combined effects on patient health and quality of life, were the subject of the 11th International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Co-Morbidities in HIV. Key topics included the metabolic effects of antiretroviral agents, cardiovascular disease, bone metabolism and age-related changes in disease and response to drug therapy. Data presented at the meeting reflect the growing recognition of common pathways that contribute to progression of mutiple types of disease and adverse drug reactions.