Background: Hyperglycemia and new-onset diabetes mellitus have been reported to occur in HIV-infected patients treated with protease inhibitors.
Objective: To determine the effect of protease inhibitor therapy on serum glucose in a predominantly minority patient population.
Design: Retrospective record review.
Setting: Clinical HIV program of an urban Veterans Affairs medical center.
Patients: All HIV-infected patients receiving a protease inhibitor over a one-year period from September 1996 through August 1997.
Results: One hundred seventeen patients not previously known to be diabetic received protease inhibitors; seven (6%) developed symptomatic diabetes mellitus. Eight other patients had one or more serum glucose values >150 mg/dL. Mean random glucose values for patients who did not develop diabetes were higher during therapy than prior to initiation of protease inhibitors.
Conclusions: Urban minority HIV-infected patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy including a protease inhibitor may be at increased risk for the development of hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. Risk factors for diabetes mellitus should be identified and blood glucose monitored in all patients receiving protease inhibitors.