Pattern of Plasma Lipid Profile among HIV Positive Patients on Anti-Retroviral Therapy

There are improvements all over the world in the management of HIV/AIDS. However, adverse reactions of drugs used in the treatment are still being observed. Patients on treatment with anti-retroviral drugs are to take these medications for life. Prolonged intake of these drugs needs to be investigated. This study was therefore set up to investigate some associated body derangements involving prolonged anti-retroviral medications such as dyslipidemias. This research was conducted on 260 patients who were HIV positive. Patients who were obese, those on lipid modifying drugs and those who are diabetic or hypertensive were excluded from the study. Parameters of lipid profile except low density lipoprotein – cholesterol were analyzed by the use of commercial kits manufactured by Randox Laboratory, Alden, USA, low density lipoprotein – cholesterol was calculated by the use of Friedewald equation. The plasma HDL-c is significantly higher in female (2.77±1.22) subjects than male (2.36±0.92) subjects (p=0.015). There were no statistically significant differences among the groups considering duration of therapy. Greater percentage of our study population had taken ARD for a period less than 5 years. And there was no significant trend observed in the parameters of lipid profile. The study found no significant association between the parameters of lipid profile and duration of therapy. The greater percentage of our studied population had only taken therapy for less than five years. A regular check on lipid profile may throw more light on this subject.