title: Prevalence of Hypertension in HIV/AIDS Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) Compared with HAART-Naïve Patients at the Limbe Regional Hospital, Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has greatly reduced the morbidity and mortality of HIV/AIDS patients but has also been associated with increased metabolic complications and cardiovascular diseases. Data on the association between HAART and hypertension (HTN) in Africa are scarce.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Primarily to compare the prevalence of HTN in HIV/AIDS patients on HAART and HAART-naïve patients in Limbe, Cameroon; and secondarily to assess other socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with HTN in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Limbe Regional Hospital HIV treatment center between April and June 2013, involving 200 HIV/AIDS patients (100 on first-line HAART regimens for at least 12 months matched by age and sex to 100 HAART-naïve patients). HTN was defined as a systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of HTN in patients on HAART was twice (38%; 95% CI: 28.5-48.3) that of the HAART-naïve patients (19%; 95% CI, 11.8-28.1), p = 0.003. In multivariate analyses adjusted for age, gender, smoking, family history of HTN, and BMI-defined overweight, HAART was associated with HTN, the adjusted odds ratio of the HAART-treated versus HAART-naïve group was 2.20 (95% CI: 1.07-4.52), p = 0.032. HTN was associated with older age and male gender, in the HAART group and with BMI-defined overweight in the HAART-naïve group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of hypertension in HIV/AIDS patients in Limbe stands out to be elevated, higher in patients on HAART compared to those not on treatment. Blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors should be routinely monitored. Other factors such as diet, weight control and physical exercise should also be considered.
authors: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Christian Akem
authors: CA
authors: Dimala
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors: Julius
authors: J
authors: Atashili
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors: Josephine C
authors: JC
authors: Mbuagbaw
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors: Akam
authors: A
authors: Wilfred
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors: Gottlieb L
authors: GL
authors: Monekosso
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002163:Cameroon; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents