PREVALENCE OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AND METABOLIC SYNDROME IN A COHORT OF HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS IN SOUTHERN SPAIN. PREGO STUDY

Objective. To analyse the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in a cohort of HIV-infected patients. Methods. Observational, multicenter, and cross-sectional study of all HIV-infected outpatients from five hospitals in Malaga (Southern Spain). A questionnaire about CVRF, a physical exploration, and 12 hours fasting blood tests were performed in all cases. Cardiovascular risk at 10 years was assessed by Framingham equation, and MS diagnosis was based on the NCEP criteria. Results. 1155 patients were included. 76.9% were men, and the mean age was 44.3 years. 86.1% of the patients were on antiretroviral therapy. The prevalence of CVRF was the following: tobacco 59%, hypertriglicerydemia 38.2%, low cHDL 40.6%, hypertension 10.6%, diabetes 9.4%. 14.3% patients had MS, being hypertriglycerydemia (88.3%) and low cHDL (78.7%) the most frequent criteria. Patients with MS had a higher CVR at 10 years (10.9 vs 5.6%, p < 0.0001). Age was the only factor associated with MS (odds ratio = 4.7; 95% confidence interval 4.6-4.8). Conclusions. CVRF, mainly tobacco use, are very frequent among HIV-patients in our area. The prevalence of MS is similar as that of the Spanish general population and it is associated with a higher CVR. Age was the only factor associated with the development of MS.