Age and sex modulate metabolic and cardiovascular risk markers of patients after 1 year of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Objective: Primary aim: To evaluate the modulating effects of age and sex on changes in plasma lipid levels in the response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Secondary aim: To study insulin, leptin, adiponectin, E-selectin and P-selectin levels and their relation to demographics.

Design: Comparative, longitudinal, open cohort-study.

Sex differences in HAART-associated dyslipidaemia.

Objectives: Because female sex protects against dyslipidaemia and atherosclerosis in normal subjects, we aimed to reveal potential sex differences in metabolic side-effects of a newly initiated highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen, and to relate these changes to endothelial cell activation as measured by levels of circulating E-selectin (cE-selectin).

Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary care centre at a University Hospital.

Beneficial effects of protease inhibitors on body composition and energy expenditure: a comparison between HIV-infected and AIDS patients.

Objectives: (i) To investigate whether protease inhibitor (PI) (nelfinavir)-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) affects body composition differently in HIV-infected and AIDS patients without wasting syndrome. (ii) To delineate the changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) under PI therapy, and to determine whether sustained reductions in HIV RNA would decrease REE.

Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study with individually matched healthy controls.