Prevalence and Factors Associated with Dyslipidemia Among People Living with HIV/AIDS on Follow-Up Care at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background

Despite its importance as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia remains poorly characterized in the African population.

Objective

To assess the prevalence and factors associated with dyslipidemia in people with HIV/AIDS in follow-up at Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods

A hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the charts of 288 people living with HIV/AIDS who had received Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment for at least six months at Zewditu Memorial Hospital from July to September 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from the patient’s charts. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 25.

Results

The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 55.2% in people living with HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dl in men and <50 in women was 46.9%; total cholesterol ≥200 mg/dl was 22.6%; triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl was 18.8%, and low-density lipoprotein ≥130 mg/dl was 4.9%. Sex [Female adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.595, 95% CI: 0.37–0.956], age greater than 40 years (AOR = 1.026, 95% CI: 1.005–1.048), body mass index >25 kg/m² (AOR = 1.767, 95% CI: 1.099–2.84), viral load >50 (AOR = 0.477, 95% CI: 0.27–0.842), and CD4 <500 (AOR = 1.938, 95% CI: 1.18–3.183) were identified as determinants of dyslipidemia.

Conclusion

There was a high prevalence of dyslipidemia among study participants compared to several studies published in a similar population. Being male, older age, higher BMI, low CD4 count, and viral load of < 50 copies/mL were associated with dyslipidemia in people living with HIV/AIDS. Therefore, lipid profile measurements at baseline must be part of routine care to prevent the devastating effects of dyslipidemia.

Keywords:

• antiretroviral therapy
• dyslipidemia
• HIV/AIDS
• Ethiopia

Data Sharing Statement

All data supporting the findings are adequately included within the paper.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of the School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University with a reference number (ERB/SOP/335/13/2021), and permission was obtained from the medical director’s office and ART clinic of ZMH. The ethical standards outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for research with human participants were followed by this study. Before data collection, the purpose and significance of the study were explained to each study participant. The participant’s name was not given at the time of data collection, all other personal information was completely obscured, and confidentiality was maintained throughout the study period.

Informed Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before the actual data collection began, and study participants had the decision-making capacity to participate in the study.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, for facilitating the current study. We are grateful to Mr. Awgichew Kifle, a consultant biostatistician, for his approval of the current study’s statistical test findings interpretation. This study was conducted as part of the thesis work of the first author, Alemayehu Assefa.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or all these areas; took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.