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Metabolic abnormalities and body composition of HIV-infected children on Lopinavir or Nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy
  1. Stephen Arpadi1,2,
  2. Stephanie Shiau1,2,
  3. Renate Strehlau3,
  4. Leigh Martens3,
  5. Faeezah Patel3,
  6. Ashraf Coovadia3,
  7. Elaine J Abrams2,4,
  8. Louise Kuhn1,2
  1. 1Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
  2. 2Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
  3. 3Faculty of Health Sciences, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
  4. 4Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
  1. 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

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.

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