Introduction: Alterations of serum lipid profiles have been reported widely among Human Immuno deficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients on Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART). However, there are few data on serum lipid profile among treatment naïve HIV positive patients in our environment.
Objectives: To describe the pattern of lipid profile among treatment naïve HIV positive patients and changes following HAART initiation.
Methods: One hundred and thirty HIV positive patients seen in HIV center in an urban area in Nigeria and 44 matched individuals were recruited. Data were collected on socio demographic characters, baseline lipid profiles and CD4 count. Values of lipid parameters were retrieved after 12 months on HAART.
Results: The mean Low density lipoprotein(LDL) was 2.26+ 0.9 mmol/l among the test group compared with 0.96+0.39 mmol/L among the control, p value=0.000. The mean High density lipoprotein (HDL) was also significantly lower, 0.8+0.6 mmol/L reaching a dyslipidemic level, in the HIV positive group than the control, p value = 0.00. Tuberculosis/HIV co infected patients had a significantly elevated mean LDL, p=0.002.
Conclusion: Abnormality of serum lipid is common among treatment naïve HIV patients seen in Nigeria. The NNRTI regimen is associated with elevation of HDL and some stabilization of TC and TG.
Keywords: lipid profile HIV.