article · African Health Sciences
A cross-sectional study evaluated metabolic syndrome and related markers among three cohorts: individuals living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy, therapy-naive patients, and HIV-negative controls. Antiretroviral therapy was linked to the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome, reaching up to half of the treated cohort depending on diagnostic criteria. Treated individuals displayed significant elevations in waist-to-hip ratio, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to untreated patients. Furthermore, rates of hypertension, diabetes, hypertriglyceridaemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were markedly higher in the treated cohort. Across all cohorts studied, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol emerged as the most common dyslipidaemic issue and the leading metabolic syndrome component among people living with HIV. The findings demonstrate that antiretroviral regimens heighten cardiovascular and metabolic risks, reinforcing the need for continuous clinical monitoring.
Antiretroviral treatment has substantially extended survival for individuals living with HIV, but it can trigger secondary metabolic complications. Recognising that long-term therapy increases the likelihood of developing diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders enables clinicians to pair life-saving viral management with regular risk factor screenings and structured lifestyle interventions.
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Background: Although an increasing access to ART in sub-Saharan Africa has made it possible for HIV/AIDS patients to live longer, clinicians managing such patients are faced with the challenge of drug-related metabolic complications. Methods: A cross -sectional study was carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, on three groups of participants; namely HIV patients on ART, ART-naïve patients and HIV negative subjects (n =75). Demographic and anthropometric data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire while biochemical parameters were measured using colorimetric methods. Results: The highest prevalence of MS was associated with the HIV/AIDS patients on ART (i.e. 32.0 %, and 50.3% for NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria respectively). Patients on ART had significant increases (p< 0.05) in waist to hip ratio, FPG, serum TG and LDL-c; and a significantly higher (p< 0.05) prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, low HDL-c and hypertriglyceridaemia compared to the ART-naïve patients. Low serum HDL-c was the most prevalent form of dyslipidaemia in all three groups and the most prevalent component of MS in HIV patients. Conclusion: ART increases the risk of MS and CVD. HIV/AIDS patients on ART should be advised on lifestyle modifications and undertake regular assessment of their cardiovascular risk factors.
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DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v22i1.50
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