Ezra Belay, Daniel Seifu, Wondwossen Amogne and Kelemu Tilahun Kibret
Introduction: Dyslipidemia is becoming one of the common problems in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. Data on lipid profile derangements induced by antiretroviral treatment in Ethiopia is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and patterns of lipid profile abnormalities among patients taking first line antiretroviral therapy in Tikur Anbesa hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: comparative cross sectional study was conducted between August and December 2012 in Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa. The study population consisted of 70 HIV positive individuals who had been receiving first line ART regimen for at least 6 months (treatment group) and 71 individuals with diagnosed HIV infection and who were not yet receiving antiretroviral therapy. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Lipid profile was determined after overnight fasting and dyslipidemia was diagnosed according to the United State National Cholesterol Education Program III criteria. Data comparison used chi-square test, Student t-test and logistic regressions.
Result: The prevalence of dyslipidemia was higher in antiretroviral treatment group (80%) as compared to antiretroviral treatment naïve groups (57.7%). Total cholesterol >200 mg/dL was 45.7% in Antiretroviral Therapy groups and 21.1% in Antiretroviral Therapy naïve groups. Similarly low density lipoprotein cholesterol > 130 mg/dL was 40% vs 29.6%, triglyceride >150 mg/dL; 40% vs 32.4%, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol <40; 22.9% vs 16.9% in Antiretroviral Therapy and Antiretroviral Therapy naïve groups respectively, showing more lipid alteration in ART group. Use of ART was also significantly associated with high total cholesterol (>200 mg/dL) (p<0.002), total cholesterol / high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio >5(P<0.026), an established risk indicator of coronary artery disease and triglyceride / high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio > 2.4(p<0.036).
Conclusion: Higher prevalence of dyslipidemia was observed among Antiretroviral Therapy treated groups as compared to ART naïve groups. Therefore lipid profiles should be screened in Antiretroviral Therapy treated populations periodically to monitor any changes in lipid profile.
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