Increased risk of dysglycaemia in South Africans with HIV; especially those on protease inhibitors.

AIMS: To compare dysglycaemia prevalence (impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or diabetes) in HIV-infected persons, stratified by antiretroviral therapy (ART), with a community-based survey (CBS) in Cape Town, South Africa.

METHODS

Three groups of HIV-infected adults without known diabetes were conveniently sampled from community healthcare centres; ART-naïve, first-line ART (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) plus dual NRTIs), and second-line ART (lopinavir/ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor plus dual NRTIs). The CBS recruited a representative cross-sectional sample from urban townships. Participants reporting ART use or known diabetes were excluded. All participants underwent oral glucose tolerance testing. Multiple logistic regression determined independent associations with dysglycaemia.

RESULTS

The samples comprised ART-naïve, first-line ART, second-line ART and CBS participants (n=393, 439, 108 and 880, respectively). Mean age was 34-40years. Dysglycaemia prevalence was as follows: CBS 18.0%, ART-naïve 21.6%, first-line ART 26.0% and second-line ART 37.0%. Diabetes was similar across groups, but IGT was 3-4-fold higher in second-line ART and CBS compared with ART-naïve and first-line ART groups. In contrast, IFG was 14.3-21.2% across HIV groups but only 1.5% in the CBS. Increased risk of dysglycaemia was associated with older age, female gender, and HIV status (ART-naïve: OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.65-3.24; first-line ART: OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.80-3.38; second-line ART: OR 4.10, 95% CI 2.54-6.61). Diabetes family history and central obesity were not related to dysglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of the increased risk of dysglycaemia in HIV-infected participants, screening for diabetes should be instituted in ART programmes.