High prevalence of diabetes in HIV patients

According to a new study published recently in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, people living with HIV have a higher chance to develop diabetes. Researchers have analyzed data from 2 major surveys. 8,610 HIV-positive patients were involved in Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) and about 5,600 people in the general public who participated in a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Of the MMP participants, 75 percent were men and nearly 60 percent were age 45 or older. About 25 percent were obese; about 20 percent also had hepatitis C (HCV); and 90 percent had received antiretroviral therapy within the past year.

Of NHANES participants, about half were men age 45 years and older; 36 percent were obese; and fewer than two percent had hepatitis C.

The study revealed that patients with HIV have a higher prevalence of diabetes compared to the general population and diabetes among the HIV-positive adults increased with age, obesity and longer HIV-positive status. It does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship. The researchers also stated that now due to ARV medications, people with HIV are living longer and aging might increase their chances to develop chronic diseases such as diabetes.