Serum Adiponectin and Metabolic Alterations in HIV Patients on HAART: Evidence from Rivers State University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Alterations in adiponectin levels among HIV-infected individuals receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have been associated with cardiometabolic risk. However, adiponectin and metabolic parameters among people living with HIV on HAART remain insufficiently investigated. Aim: To evaluate adiponectin concentrations and some selected metabolic indices associated with obesity and lipid metabolism among HIV-positive individuals on HAART at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 50 HIV-infected adults on HAART and 39 apparently healthy HIV-negative controls. Demographic data were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were determined using standard procedures. Serum adiponectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fasting glucose by the glucose oxidase method and lipid profile parameters enzymatically, with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol calculated using the Friedewald equation. Derived cardiometabolic indices were computed using standard formulae. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with statistical significance set at p < .05. Results: There were no significant differences (p > .05) between HIV-infected individuals on HAART and HIV-negative controls in adiponectin, fasting glucose, lipid profile parameters, or most cardiometabolic indices. However, lipid accumulation product (LAP) (50.282±16.93 vs 46.35±19.37), visceral adiposity index (VAI) (0.92 ± 0.40 vs. 0.76 ± 0.93), body roundness index (BRI) (8.72 ± 0.69 vs. 6.66 ± 0.70), and weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) (8.30 ± 0.51 vs. 5.55 ± 0.51) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) among HIV-infected individuals on HAART compared with HIV-negative controls. Conclusion: Adiponectin levels and most metabolic paramaters did not differ significantly between HIV-infected individuals on HAART and HIV-negative controls. Nonetheless, elevated adiposity-related indices (LAP, VAI, BRI, and WWI) among HIV subjects on HAART suggest a potential subclinical cardiometabolic risk. Routine monitoring of these indices in HIV care is recommended, and larger population-based studies in Port Harcourt are warranted to further elucidate these findings.