Risk equation model for HIV-positive patients accurately predicted CVD

BRUSSELS — An updated equation used to measure the risk for cardiovascular disease in patients with HIV was developed by researchers, according to data presented at EACS 2013.

A prospective study used information on 32,663 patients with HIV from 20 countries in Europe and Australia who were unaffected by cardiovascular disease (CVD) upon entry into the Data Collection on Adverse Effects of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) Study. Predictions based on the D:A:D models were compared with a CVD prediction model used in a study in 2008.

During the period of observation, 1,010 CV-related events occurred, 493 myocardial infarctions, 308 strokes, 165 invasive procedures and 44 deaths from other CVD. Researchers found that the D:A:D models statistically predicted risk more accurately than those used in the 2008 study. The D:A:D models also more accurately predicted 5-year risk of CVD in key subgroups.

“With the current models, we wanted to take a more holistic approach, rather than our previous models that looked into the separate components of cardiovascular disease risk. We now looked into a global cardiovascular assessment,” Nina Friis-Moller, MD, PhD, of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, said during a presentation. “The intention is that the models can be used on an individual level in a clinical context to inform doctor-patient discussions on cardiovascular disease risk and interventions. [D:A:D models] are also able to be used on a population level, for research purposes or estimations of predicted risk at population levels.”

For more information:

Friis-Moller N. Abstract # PS1/3. Presented at: 14th European AIDS Conference; Oct. 16-19, 2013; Brussels.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.