POINT PREVALENCE OF HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN HIV PATIENTS

Tasha Muise¹, Nancy Hiltz¹, Kathryn Slayter^1,2, David Haase^1,2
1Dalhousie University; ²QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Background: With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV infected individuals are experiencing delays in disease progression and a greater life expectancy. The use of these regimens, however, has recently been associated with the development of major metabolic complications, including dyslipidemias.
Objective: To describe the prevalence of hyperlipidemia in the HIV population at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, Infectious Disease Clinic.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 103 HIV infected patients observed in the Infectious Disease Clinic at the QEII Health Sciences Centre from January to February 2001. Descriptive data retrieved from the clinic chart included, age, sex, current antiretroviral therapy and risk factors for coronary heart disease. Blood pressure and serum lipid levels were also collected. The primary outcome measure was the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and combined hyperlipidemia.
Results: Elevation of levels was observed in 56.3% of patients. Mean HDL, LDL, and TG values were 1.11±0.21, 3.21±1.01, and 2.84±2.18 respectively. The prevalence of isolated hypercholesterolemia, isolated mild hypertriglyceridemia, combined hyperlipidemia, and marked hypertriglyceridemia was 19.4%, 11.65%, 6.8%, and 18.45% respectively.
Conclusion: Results of our retrospective chart review indicate that over half of the sample population have some form of hyperlipidemia. Given concomitant risk factors, these patients may potentially be at risk to experience a cardiovascular event.