Metabolic abnormalities and body composition of HIV-infected children on Lopinavir or Nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy
- Stephen Arpadi1,2,
- Stephanie Shiau1,2,
- Renate Strehlau3,
- Leigh Martens3,
- Faeezah Patel3,
- Ashraf Coovadia3,
- Elaine J Abrams2,4,
- Louise Kuhn1,2
- 1Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- 2Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- 3Faculty of Health Sciences, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- 4Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Correspondence to Dr Stephen Arpadi, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 W. 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA; sma2{at}columbia.edu
- Accepted 15 October 2012
- Published Online First 5 December 2012
Abstract
Background Few studies have assessed metabolic and body composition alterations in perinatally HIV-infected African children on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We compared metabolic profiles and regional fat of children on ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (lopinavir/ritonavir), lamivudine and stavudine to those switched to nevirapine, lamivudine and stavudine.
Methods This study evaluated metabolic and body composition outcomes in 156 HIV-infected children completing a randomised trial that assessed the continued use of lopinavir/ritonavir-based ART or switch to nevirapine-based ART in Johannesburg, South Africa (2005–2010). Fasting total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides total and regional body fat (BF) were measured. A clinical assessment for lipodystrophy (LD) was conducted.
Results 156 children (mean age 5.1±0.8 years, mean duration of treatment 4.2±0.7 years, mean time since randomisation 3.4±0.7 years) were enrolled. 85 were randomised to the lopinavir/ritonavir group and 71 to the nevirapine group. The lopinavir/ritonavir group had lower mean HDL (1.3±0.4 vs 1.5±0.4 mmol/l, p<0.001) and higher mean TC (4.4±1.0 vs 4.1±0.8 mmol/l, p=0.097), LDL (2.6±0.9 vs 2.3±0.7 mmol/l, p=0.018) and triglycerides (1.1±0.4 vs 0.8±0.3 mmol/l, p<0.001). The lopinavir/ritonavir group had more total BF by mean skinfold sum (43±11.1 vs 39±10.1 mm, p=0.031) and BF% by bioelectrical impedance analysis (17.0±7.0 vs 14.1±8.0%, p=0.022). Thirteen (8.4%) met criteria for LD.
Conclusions Unfavourable alterations in lipid profile and triglycerides, and differences in fat are detectable in young HIV-infected South African children receiving lopinavir/ritonavir-based regimens versus those switched to nevirapine-based regimens. Interventions to mitigate these alterations are warranted to reduce long-term cardiovascular disease risk.
