The Effect of First- and Second-Line Antiretroviral Therapies on Lipid Profile of HIV/AIDS Patients

There has been a significant decrease in HIV-related mortality following the introduction of antiretroviral therapies. This increase in life expectancy has caused an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Lipid metabolism could be affected by the virus itself or antiretroviral medications. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effect of first- and second-line HIV medications on lipid profile in HIV/AIDS patients.

The present study is a retrospective cohort study. The medical records of 66 AIDS patients older than 18 years, who referred to the Behavioral Counseling Center of Imam Khomeini Hospital during the years 2009 to 2014, were retrieved. The patients were assigned into two groups including first- (36 patients) and second-line (30 patients) treatment groups. To ensure that the patients’ baseline information was matched, demographic information and baseline lipid profile were compared between two groups and no significant difference was found between them. To examine and compare the effect of HIV medications on lipid metabolism, patients’ lipid profile at the baseline and 6 months after treatment was compared.

The results showed that only triglyceride level was significantly affected by the type of HIV medication regimen (p <0.05). It was significantly higher in second-line medication group. Although the lipid profile (Cholesterol, HDL, and LDL levels) showed an overall increase over the course of treatment in both groups, it was not statistically significant.

In both groups, following antiretroviral medications (the first-and second-line), lipid profiles increased. Moreover, the triglyceride level was higher in second-line medications. Therefore, early screening and lipid lowering agents should be considered in HIV/AIDS patients receiving the retroviral medications in long term to prevent further cardiovascular complications.