title: Comparison between potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV/AIDS in areas of Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coronary heart disease and its risk factors depend on genetic characteristics, behaviors, and habits, all of which vary in different regions. The use of antiretroviral therapy (ARV) has increased the survival of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), who begin to present mortality indicators similar to the general population. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of factors potentially associated with coronary heart disease in three cohorts of PLWHA from three different regions of Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population was composed of participants of the cohorts of Pernambuco, Goiás, and Rio Grande do Sul states. In these sites, adult patients attending reference centers for treatment of HIV/AIDS were consecutively enrolled.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pernambuco and Goiás had a higher proportion of males and of individuals with high-risk high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Pernambuco also had a greater proportion of individuals with hypertension, elevated triglycerides, and CD4 counts below 200 cells/mm(3). Lower education was more frequent in Rio Grande do Sul, and the use of cocaine was higher in this state.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results confirm the importance of risk factors for coronary heart disease in PLHIV and highlight differences in the three cohorts. Specific measures against smoking and sedentary lifestyle, avoidance of advanced stages of immunosuppression, and appropriate treatment of dyslipidemia and dysglicemia are urgently needed to cope with the disease in Brazil.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. raaximenes@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Ricardo Aa
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ximenes
authors.forename: Heloisa R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Lacerda
authors.forename: Democrito B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Miranda-Filho
authors.forename: Maria de Fatima Pm
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
authors.forename: Ulisses R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Montarroyos
authors.forename: Marilia D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Turchi
authors.forename: Max W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Nery
authors.forename: Celina Mt
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.forename: Paulo R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Alencastro
authors.forename: Maria Leticia R
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Fernando H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: Ajacio Bm
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Brandao
authors.forename: Nemora T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Barcellos
authors.forename: Sandra C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Fuchs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult