Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Long-term antiretroviral therapy has modified the clinical course of HIV infection to a chronic
condition associated with increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases
(NCDs). Information is scant, from sub-Saharan Africa, on the prevalence of NCDs and
associated factors among individuals on ART.
METHODOLOGY
We consecutively enrolled individuals with HIV infection who were ART naïve and those on
ART for �5 years (LTART) attending health facilities in Dar es Salaam. Participant’s blood
pressure, anthropometric measurements, and fasting blood glucose were recorded. Partici-
pants with impaired fasting blood glucose underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. A
venous blood sample was sent to the lab for biochemical tests. Chi-square test was used to
compare proportions, Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to determine
associations between variables
RESULTS
Overall, 612 individuals with HIV infection were enrolled, half of whom were ART naïve.
Females comprised 71.9% and 68.0% of participants in the LTART and ART naïve study
arms, respectively, p = 0.290. The mean age (±SD) was 44.9 ± 12.7 years and 37.5 ± 11.8
years among LTART and ART naïve participants, respectively, p<0.001. Hypertension was
documented in 25.2% in those on LTART compared to 6.9% among ART naïve subjects,
p<0.001. Impaired glucose tolerance was found in 22.9% and 4.6% among LTART com-
pared to ART naïve subjects, p<0.001. Diabetes mellitus was detected in 17.0% of those on
LTART compared to 3.9% ART naïve participants, p<0.001. Hypercholesterolemia was
found in 30.4% of individuals on LTART compared to 16.7% of ART naïve subjects,
p<0.001, and hypertriglyceridemia was found in 16.0% of participants on LTART compared to 9.5% of ART naïve, p = 0.015. LTART use, age �40 years, history of smoking, and body
mass index were independently associated with NCDs.
CONCLUSION
Hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and
hypertriglyceridemia were associated with long-term use of antiretroviral drugs.
