Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Control in People With and Without HIV

Background: Management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and other modifiable factors may mitigate the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PWH) compared with people without HIV (PWoH).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 8285 PWH and 170 517 PWoH from an integrated health system. Risk factor control was measured using a novel disease management index (DMI) accounting for amount/duration above treatment goals (0% to 100% [perfect control]), including 2 DMIs for hypertension (diastolic and systolic blood pressure), 3 for dyslipidemia (low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglycerides), and 1 for diabetes (HbA1c). CVD risk by HIV status was evaluated overall and in subgroups defined by DMIs, smoking, alcohol use, and overweight/obesity in adjusted Cox proportional hazards models.

Results: PWH and PWoH had similar DMIs (80%-100%) except for triglycerides (worse for PWH) and HbA1c (better for PWH). In adjusted models, PWH had an elevated risk of CVD compared with PWoH (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.31). This association was attenuated in subgroups with controlled dyslipidemia and diabetes but remained elevated for PWH with controlled hypertension or higher total cholesterol. The strongest HIV status association with CVD was seen in the subgroup with frequent unhealthy alcohol use (HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.04-4.34).

Conclusions: Control of dyslipidemia and diabetes, but not hypertension, attenuated the HIV status association with CVD. The strong association of HIV and CVD with frequent unhealthy alcohol use suggests enhanced screening and treatment of alcohol problems in PWH is warranted.