Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been associated with HIV infection. However, it is uncertain
whether increased CVD rates are associated with HIV-related factors (e.g., HIV-infection or
highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) may worsen dyslipidemia) or reflect differences
in the prevalence of underlying risk factors for CVD. Furthermore, the association between
initiation and duration of HAART exposure and CVD risk, including which specific drugs within
the HAART classes may contribute to the increased risk, is unknown. The primary objectives of
the study are therefore:
1. To estimate the absolute and relative incidence rate (IR) of CVD claims-based diagnoses
among a cohort of adult patients from a large managed care population with a claims diagnosis
of HIV, AIDS, or AIDS-related complex (ARC) during periods of exposure to:
- Any HAART compared to no HAART exposure
- HAART class [i.e., NRTIs, NNRTIs, PIs, and Other (i.e., fusion inhibitors)] compared to
no HAART class exposure
- Specific NRTI medications compared to no specific NRTI exposure