Over the past 10 years, the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically improved morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Since the introduction of HAART however, unexpected metabolic abnormalities, including lipodystrophy, dyslipidaemia and dysregulation of glucose metabolism, are reported with increasing frequency in HIV-infected persons. Such metabolic disorders, if not treated, may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected patients. In this paper, the prevalence, mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for the disorders of glucose metabolism in the context of HIV-infection are discussed.