The Association Between HIV Infection and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Meta-Analysis
Atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of mortality globally, and this is worse in people living with HIV (PLHIV). While the administration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in this population has significant benefits, it is essential to acknowledge that it also has some undesired effects. This study...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Angelina Nieuwoudt Kay-Lee E. Strauss Wendy N. Phoswa Kabelo Mokgalaboni |
| author_facet | Angelina Nieuwoudt Kay-Lee E. Strauss Wendy N. Phoswa Kabelo Mokgalaboni |
| author_sort | Angelina Nieuwoudt |
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| description | Atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of mortality globally, and this is worse in people living with HIV (PLHIV). While the administration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in this population has significant benefits, it is essential to acknowledge that it also has some undesired effects. This study investigated the impact of ART on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in PLHIV as a marker of early atherosclerosis. A literature search was conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost databases from 1 January 1987 to 30 May 2025. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Data were analyzed using a meta-analysis web tool and reported as the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Twenty-seven studies, which included 3250 PLHIV on ART and 1542 who were ART-naive, were relevant. The mean age was 41.26 in ART and 39.91 years. The results showed a higher CIMT in PLHIV on ART compared to the ART-naive group, MD = 0.03 mm, 95% CI (0.02 mm to 0.04 mm), <i>p</i> < 0.0001; I<sup>2</sup> = 96.9%. Subgroup analysis showed that the inclusion of studies conducted on male participants only, those with a sample size of one hundred, and those with a moderate risk of bias contributed to heterogeneity. The results suggest there is an increased risk of atherosclerosis in PLHIV on ART. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
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| spelling | doaj-art-53cfbef888e84fd8a795fdefd517b4e42025-08-20T03:13:58ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-06-0117789410.3390/v17070894The Association Between HIV Infection and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Meta-AnalysisAngelina Nieuwoudt0Kay-Lee E. Strauss1Wendy N. Phoswa2Kabelo Mokgalaboni3Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Roodepoort 1710, South AfricaDepartment of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Roodepoort 1710, South AfricaDepartment of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Roodepoort 1710, South AfricaDepartment of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Roodepoort 1710, South AfricaAtherosclerosis remains a leading cause of mortality globally, and this is worse in people living with HIV (PLHIV). While the administration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in this population has significant benefits, it is essential to acknowledge that it also has some undesired effects. This study investigated the impact of ART on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in PLHIV as a marker of early atherosclerosis. A literature search was conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost databases from 1 January 1987 to 30 May 2025. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Data were analyzed using a meta-analysis web tool and reported as the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Twenty-seven studies, which included 3250 PLHIV on ART and 1542 who were ART-naive, were relevant. The mean age was 41.26 in ART and 39.91 years. The results showed a higher CIMT in PLHIV on ART compared to the ART-naive group, MD = 0.03 mm, 95% CI (0.02 mm to 0.04 mm), <i>p</i> < 0.0001; I<sup>2</sup> = 96.9%. Subgroup analysis showed that the inclusion of studies conducted on male participants only, those with a sample size of one hundred, and those with a moderate risk of bias contributed to heterogeneity. The results suggest there is an increased risk of atherosclerosis in PLHIV on ART.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/894antiretroviral therapyatherosclerosiscarotid intima-media thicknesscardiovascular riskhuman immunodeficiency virus |
| spellingShingle | Angelina Nieuwoudt Kay-Lee E. Strauss Wendy N. Phoswa Kabelo Mokgalaboni The Association Between HIV Infection and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Meta-Analysis Viruses antiretroviral therapy atherosclerosis carotid intima-media thickness cardiovascular risk human immunodeficiency virus |
| title | The Association Between HIV Infection and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Meta-Analysis |
| title_full | The Association Between HIV Infection and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Meta-Analysis |
| title_fullStr | The Association Between HIV Infection and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Meta-Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Association Between HIV Infection and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Meta-Analysis |
| title_short | The Association Between HIV Infection and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Meta-Analysis |
| title_sort | association between hiv infection and carotid intima media thickness in the era of antiretroviral therapy a meta analysis |
| topic | antiretroviral therapy atherosclerosis carotid intima-media thickness cardiovascular risk human immunodeficiency virus |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/894 |
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