Serum lipid profile of anti-retroviral (ARV) naïve human immunodeficiency (HIV) patients

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus infection has become pandemic in Nigeria and affects the immune system. Most HIV/ AIDS patients develop multiple metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Objective: To assess the lipid profile of HIV/AIDS patients attending antiretroviral (ARV) clinic in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria.

Design and Setting: A cross-sectional study involving human immunodeficiency virus patients who are antiretroviral drug naïve.

Materials and Methods: One Hundred ARV -naive HIV-seropositive patients and also 50 HIV-negative controls were assessed for lipid profile status. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 16.0. A P- value ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The mean values of lipid profile showed a significantly higher total cholesterol (P < 0.01) and HDLcholesterol (P < 0.001) in HIV-positive patients ARV-naïve patients when compared with the controls.

Conclusion: HIV leads to dyslipidaemia , and the latter is useful in monitoring disease progression.

Keywords: Lipid Profile, Lipodystrophy, HIV, Irrua, dyslipidemia