Protease inhibitor-associated hyperglycemia in Mexican patients with HIV infection.
BACKGROUND
The use of protease inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of HIV infection. These agents are well tolerated, although the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has warned U.S. doctors that protease inhibitors may precipitate hyperglycemia and diabetes (DM), based on isolated reports from physicians.


METHODS
Sixty-one patients with HIV infection with criterion of non-DM from the onset of the protease inhibitor therapy participated in the study. Plasma glucose levels were obtained every month during a 6-month period, with a basal determination prior to protease inhibitor therapy.


RESULTS
All Mexican patients enrolled in this study had the same Hispanic-American ethnic origin. Four patients (6.55%) developed hyperglycemia related with saquinavir. One had family history of DM type II. These patients were controlled with diet.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on present data, we believe the benefits of these drugs to patients suffering from HIV infection outweigh the various risks of taking protease inhibitors. However, physicians who use these drugs have to be on the alert for hyperglycemia in the Mexican population, while patients should know the warning symptoms of hyperglycemia and diabetes.
Palma-Aguirre
A
A
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Farmacología, México, D.F., Mexico. Apalma@chdr.nl
Halabe-Cherem
J
J
Nellen-Hummel
H
H
Aburto-Mejía
E
E
Ibarra-Herrera
E
E
Ponce-Monter
H
H
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors