Cardiovascular risk factors and markers of myocardial injury and inflammation in people living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya: a pilot cross-sectional study

• Published in: BMJ open 2022-06, Vol.12 (6), p.e062352-e062352
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Hassan Adan, Mohamed, Jeilan, Akuku, Isaiah G, Lee, Kuan Ken, Alam, Shirjel R, Perel, Pablo, Shah, Jasmit, Ali, Mohammed K, Eskander, Sherry, Chung, Michael H, Shah, Anoop SV
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult cardiology; Blood pressure; Cardiovascular Medicine; Cross-sectional studies; Diabetes; EPIDEMIOLOGY; HIV; HIV & AIDS; Human immunodeficiency virus; Hypertension; Risk factors
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062352

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and explore associations with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hscTnI) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Kenya.DesignPilot cross-sectional study.SettingData were collected from community HIV clinics across two sites in Nairobi, Kenya, from July 2019 to May 2020.ParticipantsConvenience sample of 200 PLHIV (≥30 years with no prior history of CVD).Outcome measuresPrevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and its association with hsTnI and hsCRP levels.ResultsAcross 200 PLHIV (median age 46 years, IQR 38–53; 61% women), the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol >6.1 mmol/L) and hypertension were 19% (n=30/199) and 30% (n=60/200), respectively. Smoking and diabetes prevalence was 3% (n=5/200) and 4% (n=7/200). HscTnI was below the limit of quantification (3 mg/L), intermediate (1–3 mg/L) and low (160 mm Hg (aOR 4.68, 95% CI 1.55 to 14) compared with