title: Human immunodeficiency virus infection is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiovascular risk is increased in HIV-infected individuals compared with the general population, making HIV disease an ideal model to investigate the pathogenesis and natural history of atherosclerosis. In this pilot study, we compared the progression of coronary artery calcium (CAC) between HIV-infected and uninfected patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Atherosclerosis progression was assessed in 25 HIV-infected men and 13 HIV-negative controls by means of sequential CAC scans using CT. A CAC score progression ≥ 15%/year was used as a surrogate marker of increased risk of cardiovascular events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During a median follow-up of 11 months, a CAC score increase ≥ 15%/year was detected in 14 HIV-infected patients (56%) and 4 HIV-negative individuals (31%). HIV infection, age and hypercholesterolaemia were independently associated with a CAC score increase ≥ 15%/year in an adjusted Cox regression model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV infection, age and hypercholesterolaemia were independently associated with CAC progression. HIV as well as traditional risk factors contribute to accelerate atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Metabolic Clinic, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. giovanni.guaraldi@unimore.it
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guaraldi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zona
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carli
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ligabue
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fiocchi
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menozzi
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Modena
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raggi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000737:chemistry; D006678:HIV / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium