Progression of atherosclerosis as assessed by carotid intima-media thickness in patients with HIV infection.
BACKGROUND
HIV-infected patients may be at increased risk for coronary events. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in HIV patients at baseline and to measure IMT progression over 1 year.


RESULTS
We measured blood lipids, inflammatory markers, and IMT in 148 HIV-infected adults (mean age, 45+/-8 years) and in 63 age- and sex-matched HIV-uninfected control subjects. The mean duration of HIV infection was 11 years, and the median duration of protease inhibitor treatment was 3.3 years. Mean baseline IMT was 0.91+/-0.33 mm in HIV patients and 0.74+/-0.17 mm in control subjects (P=0.0001). Multivariable predictors of baseline IMT in HIV patients were age (P<0.001), LDL cholesterol (P<0.001), cigarette pack-years (P=0.005), Latino race (P=0.062), and hypertension (P=0.074). When the control group was added to the analysis, HIV infection was an independent predictor of IMT (P=0.001). The rate of progression among the 121 HIV patients with a repeated IMT measurement at 1 year was 0.074+/-0.13 mm, compared with -0.006+/-0.05 mm in 27 control subjects (P=0.002). Age (P<0.001), Latino race (P=0.02), and nadir CD4 count < or =200 (P=0.082) were multivariable predictors of IMT progression.


CONCLUSIONS
Carotid IMT is higher in HIV patients than in age-matched control subjects and progresses much more rapidly than previously reported rates in non-HIV cohorts. In HIV patients, carotid IMT is associated with classic coronary risk factors and with nadir CD4 count < or =200, suggesting that immunodeficiency and traditional coronary risk factors may contribute to atherosclerosis.
Hsue
Priscilla Y
PY
Division of Cardiology, San Francisco General Hospital, and the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
Lo
Joan C
JC
Franklin
Arlana
A
Bolger
Ann F
AF
Martin
Jeffrey N
JN
Deeks
Steven G
SG
Waters
David D
DD
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids