Risk Factor Control May Modify Link Between HIV Status and Heart Disease

MONDAY, Jan. 22, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Control of dyslipidemia and diabetes, but not hypertension, reduces the association of HIV status with cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study published online Jan. 16 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Michael J. Silverberg, Ph.D., M.P.H., from Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Oakland, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 8,285 people with HIV (PWH) and 170,517 people without HIV (PWoH) from an integrated health system. Control of risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and other modifiable factors, was measured using a novel disease management index (DMI), accounting for amount/duration above treatment goals (0 to 100 percent [perfect control]).

The researchers found that PWH and PWoH had similar DMIs (80 to 100 percent) apart from triglycerides, which was worse for PWH, and hemoglobin A1c, which was better for PWH. Compared with PWoH, PWH had an increased risk for CVD in adjusted models (hazard ratio, 1.18). In subgroups with controlled dyslipidemia and diabetes, the association was attenuated; however, it remained elevated for PWH with controlled hypertension or higher total cholesterol. The subgroup with frequent unhealthy alcohol use had the strongest HIV status association with CVD (hazard ratio, 2.13).

"While effective control of dyslipidemia and diabetes may help reduce the CVD disparity in PWH, elevated CVD risks are concerning despite well-controlled hypertension," the authors write.

Two authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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