title: QTc interval prolongation in HIV-negative versus HIV-positive subjects with or without antiretroviral drugs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  QTc interval prolongation signifies an increased risk of life-threatening arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Cardiac manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome have become increasingly important causes of morbidity and mortality. We investigated HIV-positive patients to determine the effects of HIV infection, antiretroviral drugs, and identifiable confounders on QTc prolongation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was conducted in a rural tertiary health center in Nigeria. Data collected included demographic variables, body mass index, blood pressure, HIV status, antiretroviral treatment (ART), duration of HIV infection and treatment, CD4 T-lymphocyte count, heart rate (HR), and QT interval. QT was corrected for HR using Bazett's formula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample frame comprised 89 (42.4%) HIV-negative subjects (39.3% male, 60.7% female; mean age, 36.28 ± 7.03 years); 45 (21.4%) HIV-positive, ART-naïve patients (31.1% male, 68.9% female; mean age, 36.48 ± 9.12 years); and 76 (36.2%) HIV-positive patients on ART (27.6% male, 72.4% female; mean age, 39.00 ± 7.68 years). The QTc interval and resting HR were higher in HIV-positive, drug-naïve patients than in the other two groups (P < 0.001). Female sex was associated with prolonged QTc intervals in all groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV-positive patients may be at higher risk of sudden cardiac death due to fatal arrhythmia secondary to QTc interval-related cardiac events. Healthcare providers should be aware that a prolonged QTc interval is a potential indicator of increased cardiovascular risk and should exercise caution in prescribing potentially QT-prolonging medications to HIV-positive patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiac Care Centre, Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olarinde Jeffrey
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Ogunmola
authors.forename: Yusuf O
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: Oladosu
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Olamoyegun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012307:Risk Factors