HIV Res Clin Pract. 2026 Dec 31;27(1):2725472. doi: 10.1080/25787489.2026.2725472. Epub 2026 Sep 4.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Data on arterial stiffness among adolescents with HIV remain limited, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the HIV burden is high.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess arterial stiffness among adolescents with HIV, compare these measures with already published measures, and investigate factors associated with arterial stiffness.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study among adolescents with HIV aged 10-17 years was conducted. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was measured to assess arterial stiffness using the SphygmoCor System (AtCor Medical), defined as a cfPWV ≥ the 90th percentile. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, followed by multivariable linear regression, was performed to determine associated factors.
RESULTS: Among 416 adolescents with HIV in Tanzania (mean age 14 years; 53% male), 9.6% (95% CI: 7.0-13.0) had a cfPWV ≥ the 90th percentile. The mean cfPWV in this cohort (4.77 ± 0.65 m/s) was lower than the estimates reported in several cohorts of adolescents with HIV in high-income countries and comparable to that reported in some cohorts in sub-Saharan Africa. Considering age, body mass index, and blood pressure as a priori confounders in multivariable analyses, higher cfPWV was independently associated with shorter sleep duration (β -0.04 per hour; 95%CI: -0.08, 0.0; P = 0.046), prolonged sleep latency ≥ 15 min (β 0.18; 95%CI: 0.05, 0.31; P = 0.006) and current use of a protease inhibitor antiretroviral regimen (β 0.3; 95%CI: 0.00, 0.61; P = 0.049).
CONCLUSION: Early screening for arterial stiffness among adolescents with poor sleep behaviours, prior exposure to protease inhibitor-based regimens, and traditional CVD risk factors such as high BMI and blood pressure may provide an opportunity for early intervention through targeted lifestyle changes.
PMID:42696521 | DOI:10.1080/25787489.2026.2725472