[Assessing cardiovascular risk factors among patients living with HIV/AIDS - survey of patients treated at the Hadassah Aids Center, Hadassah Ein Kerem, Jerusalem].

BACKGROUND

It has recently become evident that people living with HIV/AIDS have an increased cardiovascular risk. The reasons leading to this risk are multifactorial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular risk (CVR) among patients treated at the Hadassah AIDS Center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study. CVR was calculated using the Framingham risk score (FRS). LDL-cholesterol optimal levels were defined using National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criteria.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 150 patients during 2010. Their median age was 41 years and 60% were male. Nearly 52% of our patients were immigrants from Ethiopia. Most patients (90%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The median time for ART exposure was 6.5 years. Rates of hypertension (HTN) (18.5%), diabetes (5.7%) and smoking (25%) were similar to the rates found in the general Israeli population (15%, 5.7% and 24%, respectively). Smoking was significantly less frequent among patients originating from Ethiopia (8%). Increased CVR (FRS >10%) was observed in 21% of the patients. Significantly lower rates were observed among Ethiopian patients (11%), compared with non-Ethiopians (39%). Increased CVR was correlated with increased age (p<0.05), male gender (p=0.034) and HTN (p=0.002), but not with smoking (p=0.53), change in CD4 (p=0.7) or viral suppression (p=0.64).

CONCLUSION

Rates of hypertension, diabetes and smoking among patients living with HIV/AIDS were comparable to those found in the general Israeli population. Significantly lower rates of increased Framingham risk score (>or=10%) were observed among Ethiopian HIV/AIDS patients, than among non-Ethiopians. .