Resolution of diabetes after initiation of antiretroviral therapy in two human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.
OBJECTIVE
To describe two cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients who had diabetes mellitus, which resolved after initiation of antiretroviral therapy.


METHODS
We present the clinical and laboratory findings and describe the clinical course of these two patients.


RESULTS
A 48-year-old HIV-infected black woman presented with multiple infections and hyperglycemia. After her acute infections were treated and she was feeling well, she continued to have diabetes that necessitated insulin therapy. Administration of a protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral regimen resolved her diabetes and eliminated the need for insulin or oral therapy. Our second patient, a 37-year-old HIV-infected black man, presented with polyuria and polydipsia and a hemoglobin A1c value of 11%. He received antiretroviral therapy, and his diabetes resolved after a period of 2 1/2 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy is associated with diabetes mellitus in up to 6% of HIV-infected patients. Although most HIV-infected patients in whom diabetes develops have this disorder after initiation of protease inhibitor therapy, the current two cases illustrate patients in whom diabetes resolved after use of antiretroviral therapy. This finding supports the presence of other mechanisms that affect glucose metabolism in patients infected with HIV and suggests that control of HIV infection may have a role in controlling diabetes.
Canadian HIV Trials Network and the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Natasha M
NM
Press
Julio S G
JS
Montaner
Gregory
G
Bondy
D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents