Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases (May 2010)

Risk factors related to hypertension among patients in a cohort living with HIV/AIDS

  • Evanizio Roque de Arruda Junior, MD, PhD,
  • Heloisa Ramos Lacerda, MD, PhD,
  • Libia Cristina Rocha Vilela Moura, MD, MSc,
  • Maria de Fatima Pessoa Militão de Albuquerque, MD, PhD,
  • Democrito de Barros Miranda Filho, MD, PhD,
  • George Tadeu Nunes Diniz, MSc,
  • Valeria Maria Gonçalves de Albuquerque, MD, MSc,
  • Josefina Cláudia Zirpoli Amaral, MD, MSc,
  • Ricardo Alencar de Arraes Ximenes, MD, PhD,
  • Verônica Soares Monteiro, MD, MSc

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 3
pp. 281 – 287

Abstract

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Introduction: Studies disagree as to whether there is a greater prevalence of hypertension among HIV/AIDS patients and the role of antiretroviral therapy. Objective: Evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and risk factors in a cohort of HIV-infected patients, with emphasis on antiretroviral therapy. Method: Case-control study conducted at baseline of a cohort, between June/2007 and December/2008 in Pernambuco/Brazil. Blood pressure was classified as normal, prehypertension, and hypertension. Results: Of 958 patients, 245 (25.6%) had hypertension (cases), 325 (33.9%) had prehypertension, and 388 (40.5%) were normotensive (controls). Comparison between hypertensive and normotensive patients showed that traditional factors, such as age > 40 (OR = 3.06, CI = 1.91- 4.97), male gender (OR = 1.85, CI = 1.15-3.01), BMI > 25 (OR = 5.51, CI = 3.36-9.17), and triglycerides > 150 mg/dL (OR = 1.69, CI = 1.05-2.71), were independently associated with hypertension. Duration of antiretroviral therapy and CD4 > 200 cells/mm3 were associated with hypertension in univariate analysis, but did not remain in final model. Type of antiretroviral schema and lipodystrophy showed no association with hypertension. Conclusion: Hypertension in HIV/AIDS patients is partially linked to invariable factors, such as age and sex. Efforts should be directed toward controlling reversible factors, particularly excessive weight gain and unsuitable diet. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, hypertension, antiretroviral therapy, cardiovascular risk