Nonconcordance between subclinical atherosclerosis and the calculated Framingham risk score in HIV‐infected patients: relationships with serum markers of oxidation and inflammation

Objectives

HIV‐infected patients show an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk resulting, essentially, from metabolic disturbances related to chronic infection and antiretroviral treatments. The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate the agreement between the CVD risk estimated using the Framingham risk score (FRS) and the observed presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV‐infected patients; (2) to investigate the relationships between CVD and plasma biomarkers of oxidation and inflammation.

Methods

Atherosclerosis was evaluated in 187 HIV‐infected patients by measuring the carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT). CVD risk was estimated using the FRS. We also measured the circulating levels of interleukin‐6, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), and paraoxonase‐1 activity and concentration.

Results

There was a weak, albeit statistically significant, agreement between FRS and CIMT (κ=0.229, P<0.001). A high proportion of patients with an estimated low risk had subclinical atherosclerosis (n=66; 56.4%). In a multivariate analysis, the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in this subgroup of patients was associated with age [odds ratio (OR) 1.285; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.084–1.524; P=0.004], body mass index (OR 0.799; 95% CI 0.642–0.994; P=0.044), MCP‐1 (OR 1.027; 95% CI 1.004–1.050; P=0.020) and oxidized LDL (OR 1.026; 95% CI 1.001–1.051; P=0.041).

Conclusion

FRS underestimated the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV‐infected patients. The increased CVD risk was related, in part, to the chronic oxidative stress and inflammatory status associated with this patient population.