Risk factors related to hypertension among patients in a cohort living with HIV/AIDS.
BACKGROUND
Studies disagree as to whether there is a greater prevalence of hypertension among HIV/AIDS patients and the role of antiretroviral therapy.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and risk factors in a cohort of HIV-infected patients, with emphasis on antiretroviral therapy.


METHODS
Case-control study conducted at baseline of a cohort, between June/2007 and December/2008 in Pernambuco/Brazil. Blood pressure was classified as normal, prehypertension, and hypertension.


RESULTS
Of 958 patients, 245 (25.6%) had hypertension (cases), 325 (33.9%) had prehypertension, and 388 (40.5%) were normotensive (controls). Comparison between hypertensive and normotensive patients showed that traditional factors, such as age > 40 (OR = 3.06, CI = 1.91-4.97), male gender (OR = 1.85, CI = 1.15-3.01), BMI > 25 (OR = 5.51, CI = 3.36-9.17), and triglycerides > 150 mg/dL (OR = 1.69, CI = 1.05-2.71), were independently associated with hypertension. Duration of antiretroviral therapy and CD4 > 200 cells/mm³ were associated with hypertension in univariate analysis, but did not remain in final model. Type of antiretroviral schema and lipodystrophy showed no association with hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertension in HIV/AIDS patients is partially linked to invariable factors, such as age and sex. Efforts should be directed toward controlling reversible factors, particularly excessive weight gain and unsuitable diet.
Arruda Junior
Evanizio Roque de
ER
Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Brazil. evanizio@cardiol.br
Lacerda
Heloisa Ramos
HR
Moura
Libia Cristina Rocha Vilela
LC
Albuquerque
Maria de Fatima Pessoa Militão de
Mde F
Miranda Filho
Democrito de Barros
Dde B
Diniz
George Tadeu Nunes
GT
Albuquerque
Valeria Maria Gonçalves de
VM
Amaral
Josefina Cláudia Zirpoli
JC
Ximenes
Ricardo Alencar de Arraes
RA
Monteiro
Verônica Soares
VS
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents