Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Factors in Patients Living with HIV Followed at the Ambulatory Treatment Center (CTA) of Fann National University Hospital in Dakar

Introduction: The efficacy of antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV (PLHIV) has been associated with an important increase in metabolic disorders, such as hypertension (HTA). This work allowed us to estimate the prevalence of hypertension in PLHIV and to describe associated factors. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive and analytical study was carried out based on the records of people living with HIV followed at the Ambulatory Treatment Center (CTA), from January 1st 1998 to 31st, December 2014. The WHO criteria were used to diagnose hypertension. Data entry was performed using ESOPE software and data analysis was done using Epi Info software version 3.5.3. A multiple logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors associated with hypertension. Results: During the study period, 3624 patients followed at CTA were included of which 1184 patients (32.7%) had hypertension. The average age was 47. 3 years ±10.5 years, with a sex ratio of 0.7. The most common opportunistic infections at diagnosis were tuberculosis (14.9%) and oral candidiasis (15.3%). The HIV infection was advanced (stage 3 or 4 of WHO classification) for 39% of cases. Overweight and obesity was found in 19.1%. Only 17.6% were treated by protease inhibitors. Higher average age (OR:1,05; IC [1.04 - 1.05], p = 0.000001), higher average BMI (OR:5,3; IC [3.3 - 8.5], p = 0.00001), WHO clinical stage I-II (OR:1,4; IC [1.2 - 1.6], p = 0.00003), and ARV treatment (OR:2,5; IC [1.7 - 3.7], p = 0.000001) are associated with the occurrence of hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension was high among PLHIV and associated factors were: advanced age, high BMI, WHO clinical stages I and II and antiretroviral therapy. Hence, the interest of a systematic screening of hypertension and others cardiovascular risk factors particularly in patients under ARV antiretroviral therapy.