Changes in Lipid Profiles and Other Biochemical Parameters in HIV-1 Infected Patients Newly Commenced on HAART Regimen

Abnormalities of lipid metabolism are common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and tend to be accentuated in those receiving antiretroviral therapy, particularly with protease inhibitors (PIs). However, there is a dearth of information on serum lipid profiles and biochemical parameters among treatment-naive HIV-positive patients in our environment. We found that after 24 months of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), there was a significant increase in serum lipids. After 24 months of HAART, renal impairment was associated with a low increase in mean HDL and a high increase in triglycerides (TG). In conclusion, abnormality of serum lipid is common and showed female preponderance among treatment-naive HIV patients in our environment. Patients with HIV infection on HAART should be screened for lipid disorders given their high prevalence as observed in this study, because of its potential for morbidity and mortality in patients on HAART.