HIV related stigma, perceived social support and risk of premature atherosclerosis in South Asians

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to determine the association between social support and stigma experienced by HIV-positive patients and presence of subclinical cardiovascular disease. Methods: We implemented a cross sectional study in 67 HIV-positive patients and 52 controls from a community health care center in central India. The participants underwent an in-depth survey and a clinical and laboratory assessment of cardiovascular risk. Carotid-intimal thickness (CIMT) was used as a marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease. Results: On comparing the HIV and age and sex-matched control population, HIV patients had lower body weight (P= 25th percentile value (odds ratio:3.84, P = 0.037) were independent predictors of the abnormal CIMT. Conclusions: HIV-positive patients from central India have a higher prevalence of abnormal CIMT as a marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease than the general population. This predisposition to increased cardiovascular risk may be related to complex interactions between HIV disease and stigma-related healthcare inequalities.