Anthropometric characteristics and changes with HIV and ART in a randomly selected population in the Drakenstein region Western Cape Province

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background - Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has extended life expectancy and enhanced the well-being of HIVpositiveindividuals. Since there are concerns regarding HAART-mediated onset of cardio-metabolic diseases inthe long-term, we evaluated the anthropometric profile of HIV-infected individuals in the Drakenstein District(Western Cape, South Africa). - Objective of study - The primary objective of this study was to document the anthropometric characteristics within and HIVinfected population in the Drakenstein region of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. - Methods - HIV-positive patients (n=44 males, n=102 females; 20-40 yrs.) were recruited for three groups: 1) control (HIVnaïve),2) HIV-positive (HAART ≤ 0-36 months), and 3) HIV-positive (HAART ≥ 36 months). Participantsunderwent a) anthropometric (triceps skin fold [TSF], and b) bioelectrical impedance measurements (body cellmass [BCM], fat free mass [FFM], protein, muscle mass (MM), mineral, total body potassium (TBK) and calcium(TBCa), glycogen, and fat mass [FM]).- Results - Our data reveal that HIV-positive males on HAART ≤ 0-36 months displayed a trend for lower body cell mass(BCM), fat free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), triceps skinfold (TSF) and protein content (vs. control). Femalesexhibited reduced BCM (p=0.001) and lower protein (p=0.003), muscle mass (p=0.001), glycogen (p=0.001), FM(p=0.0005) and FFM (p=0.002) content. However, with longer-term treatment (HAART ≥ 36 months), femalesdisplayed higher BCM (p=0.0001), protein (p=0.01), muscle mass (p=0.0003), glycogen (p=0.0001), FM(p=0.00003) and FFM (p=0.0002) vs. the 0-36 months treatment group. Their waist-to-hip ratio also increasedvs. the naïve female group (p=0.02). By contrast, males on HAART ≥ 36 months did not show any significantincreases vs. the HAART ≤ 0-36 month's group. - Conclusions - This study demonstrates observed striking gender-based anthropometric differences in South African HIVpositiveindividuals on HAART. While both genders initially exhibit muscle wasting, HIV-positive females showa strong improvement with longer-term treatment vs. males. However, higher abdominal fat accumulation infemales with longer-term treatment potentially increases their risk for the future onset of cardio-metaboliccomplications.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University