Longitudinal Changes in Spirometry in South African Adolescents Perinatally Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Who Are Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy

Background: Despite increased access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), lung disease remains common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected (HIV+) adolescents. There is limited information on changes in lung function over time in perinatally HIV+ adolescents on HAART. The objective was to investigate the progression of spirometry findings over 2 years in HIV+ adolescents on HAART in a prospective cohort, the Cape Town Adolescent Antiretroviral Cohort (CTAAC).

Methods: HIV+ adolescents aged 9-14 years, with at least 6 months of HAART, and a comparator group of healthy HIV-uninfected (HIV-), age-matched controls were enrolled in CTAAC. Spirometry and bronchodilator testing were done at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months. Mixed-effect models were used to compute longitudinal changes in lung function.

Results: Five hundred fifteen HIV+ adolescents, mean age 12 (standard deviation [SD], 1.6) years, 50.4% male, and 110 HIV- adolescents, mean age 11.8 (SD, 1.8) years, 45.6% male, were tested at baseline; 477 (93%) HIV+ and 102 (93%) HIV- adolescents at 12 months; and 473 (92%) HIV+ and 97 (88%) HIV- adolescents at 24 months. Only 5.4% of the HIV+ adolescents had HIV viral load >10 000 copies/mL at baseline. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were lower in the HIV+ compared to the HIV- adolescents and tracked with no deterioration or catch-up over 2 years. Previous pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) or lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) was significantly associated with reduced FEV1 and FVC (P < .05 for both).

Conclusions: HIV+ adolescents had lower lung function over 2 years than HIV- adolescents. This study highlights the need for lung function surveillance and prevention of LRTIs and PTB in HIV+ adolescents.