The significantly greater inflammation in the HIV-positive group than in the risk-matched HIV-negative group was evident across a variety of subgroups, such as individuals not having any coronary calcium, nonsmokers, those not taking statins, and those having an undetectable viral load.
And in a multivariate regression analysis, HIV positivity remained significantly associated with greater arterial inflammation after potential confounders, such as coronary calcium score and statin use, were controlled for. "So [HIV positivity] seemed to be adding independently to these things," Dr. Grinspoon noted.
In the HIV-positive group, arterial inflammation did not differ with use of various classes of ART drugs patients were taking, for example, between users vs. nonusers of protease inhibitors.
In an analysis of immune and inflammatory factors in the HIV-positive group, monocyte activation, as indicated by higher soluble CD163 levels, was significantly correlated with inflammation (P = .03). In contrast, C-reactive protein, d-dimer, and measures of HIV severity were not.
Dr. Grinspoon reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.