Population-Based Study of Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease Among HIV-Infected Persons

Preventing coronary heart disease (CHD) is critical to further extending survival among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons. Previously published findings of CHD risk factors in HIV-infected persons have been derived from facility-based cohort studies, which have limited representativeness for the HIV-infected population. State-specific, population-based surveillance data can assist health care providers and public health agencies in planning and evaluating programs that reduce CHD among HIV-infected persons. We describe CHD risk factors from the 2007-2008 Oregon Medical Monitoring Project, a population-based survey of HIV-infected persons receiving care that included both patient interview and medical record review. Among the 539 HIV-infected patients interviewed, the mean age was 45.5 years. Diagnoses from the medical record associated with CHD risk included preexisting CHD (5%), diabetes (11%), and hypertension (28%). Current smoking was reported by 46%; college graduates were less likely to smoke compared with those with lesser education (21% versus 53%, respectively; P <.0001). Obesity was present among 17%. Among the 65% of the survey group with lipid values available, 55% had high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) <40 mg/dL and 42% had triglycerides ≥ 200 mg/dL. Among the 15% of the survey group with either preexisting CHD or diabetes, 42% had a non-HDL <130 mg/dL (target goal) and 38% smoked. Risk factors for CHD among HIVinfected persons, particularly smoking and dyslipidemia, should be managed aggressively. Ongoing surveillance is warranted to monitor changes in CHD risk factors in the HIV-infected population.