People living with HIV at higher risk of peripheral artery disease

Scientists from Denmark have published a study in the journal AIDS, in which they claim that people living with HIV are at increased risk of peripheral artery disease.

Peripheral artery disease can lead to problems with the heart, blood vessels and blood circulation. At the same time, a low CD4 cell count and diabetes can both dramatically increase the incidence of the disease and lead to serious complications. 

Disease of the peripheral arteries is characterised by the formation of atherosclerotic (fatty) plaques in the abdominal aorta, pelvic artery and lower extremities, which impacts blood transfer leading to problems with the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. Early symptoms are cramps in the calves during training and a feeling of heaviness in the legs.

The study was conducted with the participation of 844 people:

• The average age was 50.
• 86% were men.
• 95% had an undetectable viral load.
• One in four smoked (the rest were former smokers).
• 40% had high blood pressure.
• 45% had high cholesterol.
• 34% were overweight and 10% obese.
• 7% had CD4 cells below 350 and 15% of participants were in a state close to AIDS.
• They had been living with HIV for an average of 13 years, and taken ART for an average of 10 years.

The study showed that within two years, 30 particiapnts had developed a peripheral artery disease that then passed without symptoms, An analysis adjusted for age, gender, smoking showed that the diagnosis was associated with diabetes and a low CD4 cell count. Scientists also identified a trend of the disease with each decade of antiretroviral treatment.

Summing up, the researchers noted that the basic prevalence of peripheral artery diseases was two times higher in people living with HIV than in the general population. Scientists believe that further HIV-negative research is needed to clarify HIV-related risk factors.