Differences in Lipid Profile Findings in HAART Naive vs. HAART Treated HIV Positive Patients

Abstract

This study was to assess the lipid profile changes present in HIV positive HAART treated vs. HAART Naive patients. Data was obtained from seventy six patients each in three groups (HAART treated, HAART Naive and Controls) who met the inclusion criteria after written informed consent was obtained. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. The mean age for the treatment naïve patients was 41.39 ± 7.23years while HAART treated and normal controls had mean age of 44.01 ± 7.13years and 42.95 ± 9.55years respectively. There were statistically significant differences in most anthropometric measurements of patients in all three groups. Also, Obesity was present in 7.9% of HAART treated and 6.6% of HAART naive patients. Abnormal waist circumference was also noted in 65.8% of patients in both HIV positive patient groups while an abnormal waist-hip ratio was present in 43.4% and 48.7% of HAART treated and HAART naive patients respectively. Elevated total cholesterol and abnormalities in the HDL levels were the most prevalent abnormal lipid profile parameters. This study showed derangements in anthropometric and lipid profile parameters in HIV positive patients compared to controls with alterations in total cholesterol levels in HAART treated patients. These effects are possibly indicative of HAART's impact on lipid metabolism through multi-factorial mechanisms which would need to be elucidated by further studies.