Highly active antiretroviral therapy and coronary heart disease: the need for perspective
Egger, M.; Junghans, C.; Friis Moller, N.; Lundgren, J.D.
AIDS 15(Suppl 5): S193-S201
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0269-9370 DOI: 10.1097/00002030-200100005-00023Document Number: 258851
This article presents a brief overview of cardiovascular epidemiology, with an emphasis on coronary heart disease (CHD), and discusses the metabolic complications associated with the lipodystrophy syndrome. Data from cardiovascular cohort studies are analysed to estimate the relative and absolute CHD risks that are likely to be associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy-induced lipodystrophy syndrome. Using data from prospective studies of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection, these risks were put into perspective by comparing the benefits in terms of acquired immune deficiency syndrome-related complications prevented with the risk of coronary events. The limitations of this approach are discussed.