Lipid and Lipoprotein Profile in HIV-Infected and Non-Infected Diabetic Patients: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study Design, Southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Lipoproteins are complexes of lipids and proteins that are essential for the transport of cholesterol, triglycerides, and fat-soluble vitamins. The linkage between chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus and HIV infection increases the complication of the diseases and worsens the clinical outcome of the patients. PURPOSE: To assess and compare lipid and lipoprotein profiles among HIV-infected and non-infected diabetic patients, and to identify independent predictor variables for abnormal lipid and lipoprotein profiles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study design was used to carry out the research, and a convenient sampling technique was used to include 96 adult diabetic patients (48 HIV-infected and 48 non-infected diabetics). Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected by interviewer-administered questionnaire. Five milliliter blood sample was collected and processed for lipid and lipoprotein profile measurement. Multivariate and bivariate logistic regressions were used to identify independent predictor variables for abnormal lipid and lipoprotein profiles. RESULTS: The prevalence of diabetic dyslipidemia was 41.7% and 37.5% in HIV-infected and non-infected diabetic patients, respectively. Hypercholesterolemia was more commonly detected among HIV-infected diabetic patients than non-HIV-infected, 25.0% versus 18.8%, respectively. Similarly, hypertriglyceridemia was more commonly observed in HIV-infected (31.3%) than non-infected diabetic patients (20.8%). About 25.0% HIV-infected diabetic patients had combined hyperlipidemia (hypercholesterolemia plus hypertriglyceridemia); and about 4.2% had hypoalphalipoproteinemia or isolated low HDL-C. Being female and long duration of diabetes mellitus were independent predictor variables for abnormal lipid and lipoprotein profiles in HIV-infected patients. Similarly, being female and high blood pressure were independent predictor variables in non-HIV-infected diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: High prevalence lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities were detected in HIV-infected diabetic patients even though the abnormalities were also common in non-HIV co-morbid diabetic patients. Hence, proactive screening and treatment of blood glucose, lipid, and lipoprotein abnormalities are critically important and should be part of comprehensive HIV care.