Hypertension among persons living with HIV/AIDS and its association with HIV-related health factors

HIV continues to pose a significant public health challenge worldwide, with more than 37 million individuals living with the virus [1]. Although antiretroviral medications have markedly reduced mortality rates, a cure for HIV remains elusive [2]. Nevertheless, the incidence of cardiovascular disease-related mortality has notably risen among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) [3, 4]. Hypertension, a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality [5‐7], is emerging as a growing concern among this population [3, 8]. Sub-Saharan African countries, which bear the highest global burden of both HIV and hypertension, are particularly affected [1, 9].

The prevalence of hypertension among PLHIV has surged, largely attributable to increased life expectancy resulting from expanded access to antiretroviral medications [10, 11]. A study conducted in Kenya estimated the prevalence of hypertension among PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy to range from 6 to 50% [12]. Similarly, investigations in Burundi and Zambia reported prevalence rates of 17.4% and 18.4%, respectively [13, 14].

Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain the heightened risk of hypertension in HIV-infected individuals, including microbial translocation, chronic inflammation, immune reconstitution, lipodystrophy, adipocytokines, neuroendocrine responses, and HIV-related renal disease [15‐20]. Epidemiological factors contributing to the increased prevalence of hypertension among PLHIV are manifold. The improved survival of PLHIV receiving antiretroviral therapy is associated with a heightened risk of developing traditional hypertension risk factors, such as advancing age, lifestyle-related risk factors, and comorbid medical conditions [13, 21, 22].

Certain HIV-related health factors have also been linked to hypertension among PLHIV. Some studies have suggested that the use of specific antiretroviral medications, notably those in the protease inhibitors (PIs) and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) classes, may increase the incidence of metabolic syndrome and weight gain, thereby elevating the risk of hypertension [12, 14, 23, 24]. Furthermore, a study conducted in Ethiopia identified associations between hypertension among PLHIV and the duration of HIV infection and the duration of antiretroviral medication use [22]. While certain studies have suggested a connection between CD4 count and hypertension, others have not found a significant association [3, 7, 25].

Given the substantial burden of both HIV and hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a pressing need for further research examining the interplay between these two conditions in this region. Consequently, our study aims to determine the prevalence of hypertension among PLHIV at the Infectious Disease Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana, while also exploring its association with some HIV-related health factors.

Mean age was 47.9 years and majority of participants were female (77.1%). 42% of study participants had been on antiretroviral medications for > 10 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 17.4% (63/362). Univariate analysis showed no difference in HIV-related health factors between participants who had hypertension and those without hypertension.

Age, history of comorbid medical conditions (diabetes, hyperlipidemia), BMI category were statistically associated with hypertension. Table 1 summarizes the results of univariate tests.

Results of the multivariate logistic regression showed that adjusted for socio-demographic factors and traditional risk factors for hypertension, no HIV-related health factor was associated with hypertension. Table 2 provides a summary of results of the multivariate logistic regression.

From our study, we observed a prevalence of hypertension among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) at 17.4%. This prevalence aligns closely with findings from studies conducted in Burundi and Zambia [13, 14]. Slightly lower prevalence rates were reported from studies conducted in Ethiopia (14%) and Tanzania (8%) [26, 27]. Conversely, Dzudie et al. reported a higher rate of 23.9% in Cameroon [28], and a separate study from Nigeria found a prevalence rate of 24.9% [29]. Other studies reported hypertension prevalence rates among PLHIV to be 27% and 53% in Uganda and South Africa, respectively [30, 31]. Within the general population of Ghana, hypertension prevalence has been reported to range between 13% and 27.3% [32, 33]. These findings suggest that the prevalence of hypertension among PLHIV in Ghana is in line with that observed in PLHIV populations in other Sub-Saharan African nations, and the general population in Ghana. A systematic review study estimated the global prevalence of hypertension among PLHIV to be approximately 25.2%, with studies from the USA and Malaysia reporting higher prevalence rates compared to our study’s results [34‐36].

In our analysis, factors significantly associated with hypertension in our sample population included age 50 years and above, Body Mass Index (BMI) falling within the overweight and obese categories, and a history of comorbid medical conditions such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. These risk factors have long been established as traditional associations with hypertension and cardiovascular disease [37‐41]. A hypertension awareness and screening study conducted in Ghana also identified increasing age and elevated BMI as significant factors associated with hypertension in the general population [36].

Of note is the finding that factors such as the duration of HIV diagnosis, HIV type, viral load, duration on antiretroviral treatment, antiretroviral adherence rate, and antiretroviral regimen were not significantly associated with hypertension in our study. Similar findings have been reported in several studies investigating the association between hypertension and these HIV-related health factors [13, 42]. In contrast, some studies have reported associations between hypertension and antiretroviral medication regimens based on Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) and Protease Inhibitors (PIs) [14, 43]. Given the concerns surrounding incident hypertension attributed to antiretroviral medications among PLHIV, this finding carries important implications for clinicians, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in HIV control programs in Ghana. However, it is important to acknowledge that our study's cross-sectional design leaves room for residual confounding, and findings may differ in studies employing alternative designs, such as cohort studies or randomized control studies(RCTs). As such, this finding does not negate the need for ongoing monitoring of PLHIV on antiretroviral medications and the implementation of hypertension screening protocols in facilities providing care to PLHIV.

In light of these findings, it is imperative to consider the adoption and implementation of integrated chronic disease management models, as demonstrated in Uganda and South Africa, which have yielded positive results in the diagnosis and management of hypertension among PLHIV [44, 45]. Sensitization of care providers responsible for PLHIV to the increasing burden of hypertension and other cardiovascular disease risk factors is also crucial in reducing cardiovascular disease-related mortality.

Our study has some limitations. Firstly, this was a single-site study with a cross-sectional design which lacks the ability to establish causality. The study was limited to the HIV clinic attendants who were on antiretroviral treatments, and findings may not be the same among PLHIV who are not clinic attendants or are not on antiretroviral treatment. The comorbid medical conditions used as part of the study were diabetes and dyslipidemia. This fails to consider other medical conditions that are associated with hypertension.

Hypertension remains highly prevalent among PLHIV although no HIV-related health factor was associated with hypertension in this study. Hypertension was however associated with some traditional risk factors for hypertension. Given the significant prevalence of hypertension among PLHIV, there is a need for an integrative disease management approach in managing both diseases. Further studies among PLHIV on antiretroviral medication using a prospective cohort study design is needed to further study the association between hypertension and HIV-related health factors.