Metabolic syndrome in human immunodeficiency virus positive patients

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients. Prevalence of MetS was compared in patients who were not on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to patients who were on HAART. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy HIV positive cases were studied. Pregnant and lactating women, patients on drugs other than HAART known to cause metabolic abnormalities and those having diabetes or hypertension were excluded. Cases were evaluated for MetS by using National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel-III. RESULTS: 47 cases were on HAART and 23 cases were not on HAART. Fasting Blood Glucose ≥100 mg/dl was present in 28.6% cases, out of whom 27.7% were on HAART and 30.4% were not on HAART (P = 0.8089). 12.9% cases had BP ≥130/≥85 mm Hg, out of whom 14.9% were on HAART and 8.7% were not on HAART (P = 0.4666). 42.9% cases had TG ≥150 mg/dl, out of whom 44.7% were on HAART and 39.1% were not on HAART (P = 0.6894). HDL cholesterol was low (males <40 mg/dl, females <50 mg/dl) in 50% cases, out of whom 55.3% were on HAART and 39.1% were not on HAART (P = 0.2035). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of MetS was 20%. Majority of patients had only one component of MetS (32.9%). Low HDL was present in 50%, followed by raised triglycerides in 42.9%. Waist circumference was not increased in any of the patients. There was no statistically significant difference between those on HAART and those not on HAART in distribution of risk factors and individual components of MetS.