Background
Physical activity has anti-inflammatory effects and reduces morbidity and mortality in general population, but its role in the clinical, CD4/CD8 ratio and immune activation status in HIV-infected patients has been poorly studied.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out in a cohort of 155 HIV-infected patients on stable ART to compare clinical, biochemical, CD4/CD8 ratio and immune-activation status according to their physical activity in the last two years (sedentary/low vs. moderate/intense) assessed by the iPAQ. A binary logistic regression and mixed ANOVA were performed to evaluate the impact of levels of physical activity on CD4/CD8 ratio.
Results
In our series 77 (49.7%) out of 155 patients were sedentary and 78 (50.3%) practiced moderate/intense physical activity. Moderate/intense physical activity was associated with lower CDC HIV-stage (p=0.046), better metabolic control (lower BMI, p=0.024; glucose, p=0.024; and triglyceride, p=0.002), higher CD3 +CD4 + T lymphocytes (p=0.016), lower CD8 + T lymphocytes (p=0.018), higher CD4/CD8 ratio (p=0.001), lower CD4 +CD8 + (p=0.026), CD4 +CD86 + (p=0.045), CD4 +HLA-DR + (p=0.011), CD8 +HLA-DR + (p=0.048) T lymphocytes and CD16 +HLA-DR + NK cells (p=0.026). Sedentary lifestyle (OR=2.12, p=0.042), CD4 nadir (OR=1.005, p<0.001) and CD8 +CD38 + T cells (OR=1.27, p=0.006) were independently associated with low CD4/CD8 ratio (<0.8). Earlier and more intense CD4/CD8 ratio recovery was observed in patients with higher physical activity in the two-year follow-up with a significant interaction between these variables: F(2, 124) = 3.31, p=0.049, partial η2=0.042).
Conclusions
Moderate to high physical activity is associated with beneficial health effects, improving metabolic profile and reducing chronic inflammation in patients living with HIV. Although more studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings, healthy lifestyle, including at least moderate physical activity, should be recommended to HIV patients on stable ART.