[Cross sectional study of comorbidities and concomitant medications in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients].

AIM

To assess the prevalence of comorbidities, concomitant therapies and adverse effects associated with the medication in a cohort of patients with HIV infection.

DESIGN

Multicentre cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

Infectious Diseases or Internal Medicine outpatient Clinics of 3 hospitals in the Basque Country.

PARTICIPANTS

During a 3 month period, patients with the following inclusion criteria were randomly selected: HIV infection, age>18years, antiretroviral treatment (ART) for at least 6months, and no changes in ART in the previous 4weeks. A total of 224 patients (of the 225 expected) were included.

MEASUREMENTS

Data were collected using a form, and include, epidemiological and anthropometric data, data related to HIV infection, comorbidities, current therapies, and adverse effects.

RESULTS

Of the 224 patients, 95.5% had at least one comorbidity, the most common being HCV infection (51.3%), dyslipidaemia (37.9%), diabetes mellitus or impaired fasting glucose (21.9%), and hypertension (21.9%). A total of 155 patients (69.2%) were taking concomitant medication: anxiolytics (21.4%), antihypertensives (19.6%), proton pump inhibitors (17.9%), statins (17%), and antidepressants (16.5%). Adverse effects (AE) were observed in 62.9% of subjects, the most common being, changes in body fat distribution (32.6%) and gastrointestinal (24.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HIV infection are getting older, with more comorbidities, with very frequent use of concomitant treatments, and high number of adverse effects. This requires a multidisciplinary approach and a coordinated effort within the Primary Care setting.