ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia are increasing problems in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence and predicting factors for lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed on HIV-infected patients receiving ART in January 2006. Clinical assessment for lipodystrophy and blood tests for lipid profile were obtained. RESULTS: There were 56 patients with a mean age of 42.3 years and 71.4% were male. Lipodystrophy was detected in 66.1%. Baseline characteristics between patients with and without lipodystrophy were similar except for age, history of receiving d4T and undetectable HIV-RNA (p < 0. 05). There was a high prevalence of dyslipidemia (53.6%). By logistic regression, undetectable HIV-RNA (odds ratio (OR) 6.4, p = 0.016) and receiving d4T (OR 7.4, p = 0.022) are predicting factors for lipodystrophy. CONCLUSION: Lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia in HIV-infected Thai patients receiving ART are common. Clinical monitoring for these abnormalities during ART is highly recommended.