ABSTRACT
Background: The study was planned to detect an association of HIV infection and sub-clinical atherosclerosis in the form of increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) Methods: 50 HIVpatients and 50 matched healthy controls were studied. The HIVpatients were further sub classified into those on ARTor not on ART. All of them underwent carotid doppler to identify subclinical atherosclerosis in the form of presence of either pathological intima-media thickness (IMT) or atherosclerotic plaque. Mean IMTwas calculated in various groups and the statistical analysis done. Results: The mean IMT in the test group (HIV), ART, Non ART, control groups was 0.746 mm (SD 0.181), 0.817 mm (SD 0.167), 0.58 mm (SD 0.068) ,0.572 mm (SD 0.101) respectively. There is significant difference in the mean IMT of HIV Vs control groups, ART Vs Non ART sub groups. There is no significant difference in mean IMTof Non ARTVs Control group. Conclusion: HIV patients have higher prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and significantly higher mean IMT as compared to Healthy controls. The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis is even higher in ARTtreated HIVpatients.