Prevalence and Pattern of Dyslipidemia among HIV Patients Receiving HAART in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital
Tarila Ngowari Aleruchi-Didia
*
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Helen Waribo
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Onengiyeofori Ibama
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Dyslipidemia is a recognized metabolic complication among people living with HIV receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). As survival improves with long-term antiretroviral treatment, lipid abnormalities are becoming increasingly important contributors to cardiovascular disease risk. This study assessed the prevalence and pattern of dyslipidemia among HIV patients receiving HAART at a Nigerian tertiary hospital and compared lipid parameters with HIV-negative controls.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A total of 150 adults were recruited consecutively, comprising 90 HIV-positive patients receiving HAART and 60 apparently healthy HIV-negative controls. Serum lipid parameters, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and non-HDL cholesterol, were measured using standard enzymatic techniques. Dyslipidaemia was defined according to established clinical threshold values. Statistical comparisons were performed using independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests, with a p-value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Overall dyslipidemia was observed in 85.7% of HIV-positive participants receiving HAART. Hypercholesterolemia and low HDL-C were the most prevalent abnormalities, each occurring in 42.9% of participants, while elevated LDL-C was observed in 14.3%. No cases of hypertriglyceridemia were identified. Comparative analysis demonstrated significantly higher mean total cholesterol, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C levels, as well as significantly lower HDL-C levels, among HIV-positive participants compared with controls (p < 0.05). Overall dyslipidemia was also significantly more prevalent among HIV-positive participants.
Conclusion: Dyslipidemia was highly prevalent among HIV patients receiving HAART, highlighting the need for routine lipid monitoring and integrated metabolic assessment in HIV care programs.
Keywords: HIV, HAART, dyslipidemia, lipid profile, HDL-C, antiretroviral therapy, Nigeria