Metabolic syndrome and its components in HIV-infected individuals.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in HIV infected individuals assisted in a specialized health center in a municipality in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study comprising 249 individuals (130 men and 119 women), aged 18 to 73 years. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program, as recommended by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology.

RESULTS

Among the individuals who participated in the study, 20.9% had metabolic syndrome - 18.5% of the men and 23.5% of the women, with no statistical association between genders. Twenty seven percent of the individuals had two components of the syndrome. Components most frequently found were those related to lipid profile (low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides), followed by elevated waist-circumference, altered blood pressure and altered fasting blood glucose. There was a significant association between gender and elevated waist-circumference.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome found in this study possibly reflects the quality of the health services delivered. We highlight the importance of investigating the presence of metabolic syndrome among HIV-infected populations, thus contributing for their survival.