C-reactive protein predicts 96-week carotid intima media thickness progression in HIV-infected adults naive to antiretroviral therapy.

: This is a 96-week prospective cohort study of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive HIV-infected adults and matched healthy controls to assess progression of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and its relationship to inflammation. Median common carotid artery (CCA) CIMT increased significantly but similarly in both groups [CCA: 0.02 (interquartile range: 0-0.05); P < 0.01 within HIV-infected adults vs. 0.01 (0-0.05) mm; P < 0.01 within controls; and P = 0.83 between groups]. Change in bulb CIMT yielded similar results. Independent predictors of CCA CIMT progression in HIV-infected adults were higher systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Independent predictors of bulb CIMT progression were higher non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Other inflammation markers were not associated with CIMT progression.