Peripheral Arterial Disease and Ankle-Brachial Index Abnormalites in Young and Middle-Aged HIV-Positive Patients in Lower Silesia, Poland

Abstract

BackgroundPeripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis and mainly refers to elderly patients, having a negative impact on their functionality and quality of life. The findings of previous studies in HIV-infected patients have shown that cardiovascular risk is higher and PAD occurs more frequently than in the general population. There are also contradictory observations. Much less is known about the ankle-brachial index (ABI) value in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PAD and ankle-brachial index abnormalities as well as to determine risk factors related to the disease in a group of Polish HIV–positive patients.Methods and FindingsOne hundred and eleven young to middle aged HIV–positive subjects and 40 noninfected subjects were enrolled into the study. Resting ABI measurements were performed and cardiovascular risk was analysed as well. Subgroups were created according to the ABI values: low (PAD), borderline, normal, high and altered ABI. Symptomatic PAD was observed in 2 HIV–positive patients, asymptomatic PAD was not diagnosed. The ABI value is lower and more varied, in 22.5% of the study group altered ABI values were found. Six subjects demonstrated borderline ABI, and 15 high ABI, including >1.4. In the control group no low or very high values were reported. A relation between low ABI and cardiovascular family history and between altered ABI and high–density–lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL–C) level was demonstrated.ConclusionsIn young and middle–aged HIV–positive patients, symptomatic PAD prevalence is comparable to that observed in the overall population. Among asymptomatic patients PAD is not reported. The ABI value in HIV–positive patients is more varied compared to the HIV–negative subjects; the altered ABI shows a strong relation with low HDL–C levels and metabolic syndrome.

HIV Infection and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases Beyond Coronary Artery Disease

“…However, studies have been inconsistent on whether the prevalence of PAD in HIV+ populations is higher or lower than in the general population [79–81]. Recent studies have shown low prevalence of PAD as measured by ABI in HIV+ populations that is similar to the prevalence in the general population [82, 83]. More importantly, ABI in HIV+ patients was not correlated with CIMT or traditional risk factors for CVD [83].…”

Peripheral artery disease in HIV‐infected older adults on antiretroviral treatment in Thailand

“…A Spanish study reported a 10 times higher prevalence of PAD in HIV‐infected patients aged > 50 years than in age‐matched healthy persons who came to hospital for their annual check‐up (10 versus 1%, respectively) . An estimated 7.3% of HIV‐infected patients with a median age of 42 years had abnormal ABI in a Polish study (median time on ART 6 years) versus none in the HIV‐negative control group .…”

Lipodystrophy syndrome in HIV-infected patients – a cohort study in Lower Silesia, Poland

“…The same study population was analyzed in our previous publications [28]. The preliminary inclusion criteria were: documented HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy, of no less than 2 years.…”