Missed Opportunities for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in an HIV Clinic

Abstract

Background. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of death among people living with HIV (PLWH). PLWH have a high prevalence of ASCVD risk factors, including hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), elevated BMI, smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet. Methods. Setting-Urban Ryan White funded clinic in Columbia, SC providing care to about 2200 PLWH. A retrospective chart review was performed on a sample of patients ≥40 years old. Patients were eligible if they did not have a known diagnosis of ASCVD, had ≥ 3 visits in the last 3 years, and at least 1 visit in the past 12 months. Data regarding demographics, comorbidities, lab values, medications, and recent blood pressures were abstracted. Data were collected on assessment and intervention for smoking, weight loss, diet, and exercise. Objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the prevalence of ASCVD risk factors among patients without known ASCVD; (2) estimate the proportion of patients who received appropriate pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions. Results. Charts were reviewed in random order until 100 charts had the required variables to calculate the 10-year ASCVD risk (Figure 1). These complete charts were similar in demographic characteristics to the clinic population. Of the complete charts, 66% met BMI criteria for being obese or overweight; but 85% of clinic patients have an undetectable HIV viral load, there were multiple missed opportunities for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, including interventions for smoking cessation, diet and exercise, and guideline based anti-HTN and statin therapy. (Figure Presented) .