Cohort Of HIV-infected Adults Research Articles

Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Adults and Prevalence Relative to the US Population (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey)

Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular outcomes and type II diabetes. Most of the metabolic abnormalities defining metabolic syndrome are observed in HIV. To determine the incidence and risk factors for metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected adults in the Nutrition for Healthy Living (NFHL) study (2000-2003) and prevalence relative to the findings of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999-2002). Metabolic syndrome is > or =3 of the following: hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, hypertension, abdominal obesity, and high serum glucose. The baseline prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the NFHL study (n = 477) was compared to that in the NHANES (n = 1876), adjusted for age, race, gender, poverty, exercise, and diet. Almost one quarter of NFHL subjects had metabolic syndrome. Most with metabolic syndrome (77%) had low HDL and hypertriglyceridemia plus > or =1 additional abnormality. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly lower in HAART and non-HAART users compared with NHANES participants unadjusted for body mass index (BMI). After adjustment for BMI, it was no longer significant but the trend remained. The incidence of metabolic syndrome in the NFHL study was higher with increasing viral load, higher BMI, higher trunk-to-limb fat ratio, and Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) or didanosine (ddI) use and lower among college-educated persons. Metabolic syndrome is mostly diagnosed through low HDL and high triglycerides in HIV. The risk of developing the syndrome is related to HIV, specific medications, and body fat.

Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Adults: A Study Using Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Coronary Artery Calcium Score

There is concern that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy lead to accelerated atherosclerosis and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We measured 2 surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores, in HIV-infected adults. A cross-sectional analysis of 242 men and 85 women with HIV infection was used. Carotid ultrasonography and coronary computed tomography were performed, and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors were examined. Among men, the mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) common c-IMT was 0.62+/-0.2 mm, the mean (+/-SD) internal c-IMT was 0.76+/-0.5 mm, and 136 patients (56.1%) had detectable CAC. Among women, the mean (+/-SD) common c-IMT was 0.59+/-0.2 mm, the mean (+/-SD) internal c-IMT was 0.66+/-0.4 mm, and 40 patients (47.1%) had detectable CAC. Neither the c-IMT nor the CAC score differed by antiretroviral therapy class or individual medications for either sex. For men, age and waist circumference independently predicted common c-IMT; age, systolic blood pressure, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level independently predicted internal c-IMT; and age, apolipoprotein B level, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level independently predicted CAC score. For women, age and body mass index independently predicted common c-IMT; age independently predicted internal c-IMT; and age and glucose level independently predicted CAC score. Our participants had more abnormal surrogate markers than expected at a relatively young age, but those were not associated with use of highly active antiretroviral therapy or protease inhibitors. At present, the positive associations were primarily with traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors. Some HIV-specific (not treatment-specific) factors were observed; they may become more evident with prolonged HIV infection and treatment.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in a cohort of HIV-infected adults: incidence and risk factors, 1990–2003

To investigate the association between the introduction of HAART and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in HIV-infected patients. Incidence of IPD was determined from 1990 to 2003 in a cohort of HIV-infected individuals and a nested case-control study assessed risk factors of IPD. There were 72 cases over 19,020 person-years of follow-up (overall IPD rate, 379/100,000 person-years). In the calendar periods 1990-1995, 1995-1998, and 1998-2003, the IPD incidence per 100,000 person-years was 279 [95% confidence interval (CI), 150-519], 377 (95% CI, 227-625) and 410 (95% CI, 308-545), respectively (P = 0.516). CD4 cell count < 200 cells/microl [odds ratio (OR), 3.0; 95% CI, 1.2-7.6), HIV RNA > 50,000 copies/ml (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2-6.5), hepatitis C (OR, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.7-14.9), serum albumin (OR, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.04-0.5), injection drug use in women (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.6-8.8), and education beyond high school (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.05-0.8) were significantly associated with IPD in multivariate analysis. No treatment factor, including HAART (OR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.3-1.5) and pneumococcal vaccination (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.5-1.6), was associated with IPD. IPD incidence did not change significantly during the widespread dissemination of HAART in this cohort. IPD risk was associated with several sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Incidence of and Risk Factors for Clinically Significant Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Adults

Outbreaks of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) have been noted in multiple sites in the United States. This study's purpose was to estimate trends in the incidence of and risk factors for clinically significant MRSA (CS-MRSA) infection in a cohort of HIV-infected adults. A retrospective clinic-based cohort (January 1, 2000-December 31, 2003) study. We ascertained all initial episodes of CS-MRSA and categorized them by primary site. Incidence rates were estimated by half year. Risk factors for CA-MRSA infection were identified using Cox modeling. Of 126 potential events, 94 were CS. Their primary sources were 83% skin or soft tissue, 10% blood, 6% respiratory, and 1.0% other sites. Among these, 60% were CA and 40% were nosocomial. Of antibiotics tested, only cotrimoxazole resistance was associated with nosocomial acquisition. The 3455 patients contributed 7003 person-years at risk. The incidence of CS-MRSA infection increased 6.2-fold from the first to the last half year. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of CA-MRSA infection included HIV transmission by men who have sex with men or by injection drug use, CD4 count <50 cells/muL, log10 HIV plasma viral load, and absence of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. The incidence of initial CS-MRSA events increased more than 6-fold in a 4-year period. The associations between CA-MRSA infection and HIV severity indicators merit examination in other cohorts.

Reasons for early abacavir discontinuation in HIV-infected patients.

To determine incidence of and reasons for discontinuation of abacavir within the first 6 months of therapy. Retrospective study performed in the cohort of HIV-infected adults who started abacavir in a medical unit between 1997 and December 2000. All adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (especially hypersensitivity) observed in this cohort were reported. The association between drugs and complications were evaluated, using the French method to assess unexpected and toxic drug reactions. According to the variables studied, statistical analysis was performed using the chi2 test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, or Kruskal-Wallis tests. All 331 patients treated with abacavir during this time period were included in this study. Early discontinuation of abacavir was observed in 34.1% of patients, the main reasons being adverse effects (20.8%), virologic failure (3.3%), drug holidays (2.7%), poor adherence (2.7%), and death (1.8%). Adverse effects were mostly represented by hypersensitivity reactions. After retrospective analysis, abacavir was stopped for likely hypersensitivity in 8.5% of patients, for doubtful hypersensitivity in 4.2%, and for other adverse effects in 8.1% of patients. This study shows that abacavir is mainly stopped during the first 6 months of therapy for ADRs. The rate of likely hypersensitivity reaction observed in this study (8.5%) is higher than that observed in clinical trials (5%). After retrospective evaluation, the causality assessment of abacavir is not always certain.

Mortality in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Adults Started on a Protease Inhibitor-Containing Therapy

Mortality in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Adults Started on a Protease Inhibitor-Containing Therapy

Measles Vaccination in a Small Cohort of HIV-Infected Adults

Measles Vaccination in a Small Cohort of HIV-Infected Adults