BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral therapy has allowed a clear improvement in prognosis for HIV patients, but metabolic problems, such as dyslipidemia, remain. This can lead to the development of atheromatous plaques. Our study aims to evaluate whether HIV-positive (HIV+) patients show higher myo-intimal media thickness (IMT) and atheromatous plaques compared to HIV-negative (HIV-) patients.

METHODS

To evaluate the association between HIV infection in experienced patients and vascular pathology, we performed a cross-sectional study, observing 1006 patients, 380 HIV+ enrolled in the Archiprevaleat cohort, and 626 HIV- as a control group. All patients underwent a Doppler scan of the supra-aortic vessels. We compared the prevalence of IMT > 1.0 mm and plaques in the two groups.

RESULTS

Patients in the HIV+ group were younger than those in the HIV- group, with a lower prevalence of hypertension and diabetes and higher dyslipidemia. The prevalence of plaques in strata of age was higher in the HIV+ group than in the HIV- group and was associated with the length of ART exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Our cross-sectional, retrospective study shows that HIV+ experienced patients are at greater risk of IMT and atheromatous plaques compared to HIV-. The risk is associated with being HIV+ and with the length of ART exposure. This finding may be useful in preventing cardiovascular risk.