Association between lipid and glycemic profile and total body and trunk fat in children and adolescents diagnosed with HIV

Abstract

Introduction: Metabolic alterations and body fat redistribution are common in people living with HIV using antiretroviral therapy and increase the risk of premature cardiovascular diseases.

Aim: To verify the presence of difference in the lipid and glycemic profile in relation to different total body and trunk fat phenotypes in children and adolescents diagnosed with HIV+.

Method: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 62 children and adolescents diagnosed with HIV+. Lipid and glycemic profiles were obtained from blood samples. Total and trunk fat mass (FM) was obtained by DXA. Analysis of covariance was used to verify if there is difference in the lipid and glycemic profile between total body and trunk fat phenotypes.

Results: In males, in the covariate-adjusted model, it was observed that boys with high total FM had higher triglyceride values (mean: 164.9 mg/dl^-1 ±31.2) compared to those with low and adequate total FM. In females, in adjusted models, it was observed that girls with high total FM had higher total cholesterol (mean: 181.6 mg/dl^-1 ±13.8) and LDL-C values (mean: 111.8 mg/dl^-1 ±12.0), compared to those with low and adequate total FM. Girls with trunk FM had higher total cholesterol (mean: 181.6 mg/dl^-1 ± 13.8), LDL-C (mean: 71.3 mg/dl^-1 ± 9.6) and blood glucose values (91.6 mg/dl^-1 ± 2.2).

Conclusion: Boys with high total FM had higher triglyceride levels, while in females, it was observed that girls with high total FM and high trunk FM had higher total cholesterol, LDL-C and blood glucose values. High body fat in children and adolescents living with HIV is related to metabolic changes in the lipid and glycemic profile, with specificities of sex and fat location.

Keywords: Adolescents; Body composition; Children; HIV; Lipid profile.