title: Long-term and concentration-dependent beneficial effect of efavirenz on HDL-cholesterol in HIV-infected patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the long-term effects of efavirenz on cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four HIV-infected patients who commenced efavirenz therapy were monitored for 36 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients with baseline HDL-C<40 mg.dL-1 an increase in HDL-C from 31+/-1 mg.dL-1 to 44+/-2 mg.dL-1 (95% confidence interval 5.9, 21.9, P<0.01) was observed and remained throughout the follow-up period. Median efavirenz plasma concentration was 1.98 mg.L-1 and a direct correlation between percentage of HDL-C variation or TC/HDL-C ratio and efavirenz plasma concentrations was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is evidence of a long-term and concentration-dependent beneficial effect of efavirenz on HDL-C in HIV-infected patients.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, New University of Lisbon and Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa, Zona Central, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: Sofia A
authors: SA
authors: Pereira
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Branco
authors: Rita M
authors: RM
authors: Côrte-Real
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Germano
authors: Fátima
authors: F
authors: Lampreia
authors: Umbelina
authors: U
authors: Caixas
authors: Emília C
authors: EC
authors: Monteiro