Prevalence of severe cardiovascular abnormalities amongst West African HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy followed at a referral HIV centre.

Background: With success and effective long-term antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV-infected patients live longer and frequently developed non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Few studies have been conducted in low-income countries, particularly in West Africa.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study in the referral HIV centre of the Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales (SMIT) in Abidjan. From April to September 2015, we consecutively included HIV-1 infected patients aged 18 years and older, and on ART for a minimum of 12 months. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and entered into the centre's computerised HIV database. Clinical assessment, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography and vascular Doppler ultrasound were performed. The main outcome was the prevalence of patients with severe cardiovascular abnormalities (SCA). Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with SCA.

Results: Out of 278 patients (median age 46 years, interquartile range [IQR: 41-52]), 74.5% were female. Overall, the median duration of ART was 84 months (IQR: 54-126). One hundred and ninety-nine (71.6%) patients were on first-line ART regimen and 229 (82.4%) were virologically suppressed with a median CD4 count of 511 cells/mm (IQR: 347-529). Basically, cardiovascular abnormalities were mainly non-obstructive carotid plaques (19.1%) followed with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (16.5%). The overall prevalence of SCA in the study population was 7.6% (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: 4.7-11.3). The prevalence of SCA 7.6% (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: 4.7-11.3). In multivariate analysis, age > 50 years and nadir CD4 count > 200 cells/mm were significant predictors of SCA.

Conclusion: The prevalence of SCA is high in West African HIV-treated patients. Given the high mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases in the general population, refining disease preventive strategies in HIV-positive subjects is essential to continue prolonging their life.