Incidence and prevalence of hypertension among HIV-TB co-infected participants accessing treatment: A five-year prospective cohort analysis

Abstract

Introduction Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). This study determined incidence and prevalence of hypertension among PLWH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Method We prospectively followed-up 642 HIV and tuberculosis (TB) co-infected study participants from 2005-2013. We defined hypertension as two consecutive elevated systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure measurements above 139/89 mmHg or current use of antihypertensive therapy. Results Of 507 participants analyzed, 53% were women. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] age, body mass index (BMI), and CD4 count was 34 (28.0-40.0) years, 22.7 (20.5-25.4) kg/m2, and 145 (69.0-252.0) cells/mm3, respectively. Incidence [95% confidence interval (CI)] of both systolic and diastolic hypertension overall, in men, and in women over 40 years was 1.9 (1.4-2.6), 5.9 (3.6-9.6), and 5.0 (2.7-9.3) per 100 person-years (PY), respectively. Risk of developing hypertension was higher in men [(adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 12.04, 95% CI: 4.35-33.32)] and women over 40 years (aHR 8.19, 95% CI 2.96-22.64), and in men below 40 years (aHR 2.79, 95% CI 0.95-8.23). Conclusion Higher incidence rates of hypertension among older men and women accessing ART highlight opportunities to expand current integrated HIV-TB care models, to include cardiovascular disease risk screening and care to prevent premature death.