Incidence of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Among HIV Patients Receiving Dialysis

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is increasing in incidence in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is not known whether the morbidity and mortality rate of ASCVD is similarly increasing among patients with HIV end-stage renal disease (ESRD), who are living longer since the initiation of newer therapeutic regimens in 1997. Methods: We conducted a population-based study of 8,312 HIV ESRD patients enrolled in the US Renal Data System from 1987 to 2001. We determined the incidence of fatal and nonfatal ASCVD events stratified by date of dialysis therapy initiation. Results: There were 3,112 HIV ESRD patients (77.9% men; mean age, 39.6 ± 9.6 years) who initiated dialysis therapy before 1997 and 2,371 patients (71.5% men; mean age, 41.3 ± 9.7 years) who initiated dialysis therapy after 1997. Cumulative incidences of ASCVD for those initiating dialysis therapy before 1997 compared with after 1997 were 10.6% versus 13.5% at 12 months, 18.8% versus 27.6% at 24 months, 26.2% versus 42.4% at 36 months, and 33.7% versus 65.9% at 48 months (P < 0.0001 by log rank). Those who initiated dialysis therapy after 1997 had a greater risk for developing ASCVD (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.29 to 1.92) than those who initiated dialysis therapy before 1997 after adjusting for demographics and ASCVD risk factors. Conclusion: There is an increased risk for ASCVD in patients with HIV who initiated dialysis therapy after 1997. This may reflect the long-term complications of multidrug regimens, as well as improved survival from these regimens leading to prolonged exposure to ASCVD risk factors.