Pancreatic Insufficiency in HIV: Is It Possible?

Abstract

Pancreatic involvement in AIDS is very important and common, but there are few studies in the literature concerning the pancreas in AIDS. Therefore, our research involves an important issue in the pancreatic field. The objective of the study was to evaluate the profile of HIV-infected patients with probable exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and its relation to the degree of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This is a cross-sectional study carried out at Faculdade de Medicina do ABC in partnership with the basic health care unit Vila Guiomar in Santo André. We selected 118 individuals divided into four groups (a control group and three other groups composed of AIDS patients, separated according to CD4 levels); participants had an interview, completed a questionnaire, and had laboratory and imaging tests. The only clinical variables with significant differences among the studied groups were the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence of opportunistic infections, the administration of chemoprophylaxis, and weight loss. There were no differences in the amylase, lipase, and steatocrit dosages among the groups. Levels of fecal elastase 1 were lower in the HIV patient groups (2, 3, and 4) when compared with the control group, although all of them showed average levels that were much higher than the cutoff point (200 μg/g). Only nonalcoholic individuals showed a relationship between diarrhea and alterations in elastase levels. A relationship between the use of HAART and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in different phases of HIV infection could not be verified.

Association between serum amylase levels and CD4 cell counts in newly diagnosed people living with HIV: A case-control study

“…However, there was no independent association of CD4 cell counts with serum amylase levels in the logistic regression model. While Chehter et al [ 16 ] demonstrated that serum amylase levels did not differ significantly among the groups separated according to CD4 cell counts in PLWH. Riedel et al [ 8 ] showed that CD4 cell counts of <50 cells/µL were a risk factor for increased serum amylase levels by multivariate regression analyses.…”

Increased risk of prediabetes among virally suppressed adults with HIV in Central Kenya detected using glycated haemoglobin and fasting blood glucose

“… 1 Chronic systemic inflammation and toxicity related to antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been linked to pancreatic insufficiency and peripheral insulin resistance. 2 , 3 With increased life expectancy following early initiation of ART, PLHIV are also experiencing age‐associated metabolic conditions, including T2D and cardiovascular disease. 4 We sought to characterize the prevalence of prediabetes, T2D and associated risk factors for hyperglycaemia among ART‐experienced PLHIV in a rural and urban environment in Central Kenya.…”