The Prevalence of Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders Among HIV-infected Patients in a Population From the South of Iran

Since the beginning of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic, the number of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has shown a steady increase. Previous evidence exists regarding the evaluation of endocrine dysfunction in HIV-infected individuals. The present study sought to investigate the prevalence of metabolic and endocrine disorders in HIV-positive patients.

In this cross-sectional study, 72 HIV-positive patients supported by the Behavioral Diseases Center of Bandar Abbas, Iran were recruited from April, 2016 to September, 2017. Patients who did not consent to participate were excluded from the study. Several parameters were measured, including serum free T3, free T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), free testosterone, cortisol, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour plasma glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and low- and high-density lipoprotein levels. Finally, data were analyzed using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.

High serum lipoprotein levels, diabetes, and prediabetes were observed in 28/72 (38.9%), 13/72 (18.1%), and 17/72 (23.6%) patients, respectively. The prevalence of overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism, as well as overt hyperthyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 32.8% (22/67), 9% (6/67), 1.5% (1/67), and 7.5% (5/67), respectively. Primary and secondary gonadal dysfunction were found in 1/47 (2.1%) and 9/47 (19.1%) patients, respectively. Primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency were detected in 8/53 (15.1%) and 1/53 (1.9%) patients, respectively. Diabetes was significantly more frequent among older patients and those with a history of addiction.

The results of this study indicated a relatively high frequency of metabolic and endocrine disorders, especially dyslipidemia and hypothyroidism in HIV-positive pa