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Adipose tissue

Increased Life Expectancy in HIV Patients Linked to Higher Incidence of Metabolic Disorders

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology has revealed that the increased life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWHIV), due to the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, has led to a higher incidence of metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and adipose tissue redistribution. Researchers at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde investigated the HOMA-AD index and its correlations with metabolic, inflammatory, and obesity-related parameters in PLWHIV. The study involved 80 participants divided into five groups, including PLWHIV, PLWHIV+preT2D, PLWHIV+T2D, PWT2D, and Controls. The researchers found that the HOMA-AD index and inflammatory markers were strongly associated with insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, and adiposity, and that the HOMA-AD index improved T2D detection in PLWHIV.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 80 participants with HIV were divided into five groups, including PLWHIV, PLWHIV+preT2D, PLWHIV+T2D, PWT2D, and Controls.
  • The researchers measured clinical history, anthropometric data, and blood samples to assess biochemical parameters, including adiponectin, hs-CRP, IL-6, IL-18, and IL-8 levels.
  • The HOMA-AD index and inflammatory markers were strongly associated with insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, and adiposity in PLWHIV.
  • The HOMA-AD index was found to improve T2D detection in PLWHIV, with an AUC value of up to 0.9.
  • Moderate correlations were identified between HOMA-AD and METS-IR, TyG-WHtR, QUICKI, and inflammatory markers hs-CRP, IL-6, and IL-18.
  • A cutoff point of HOMA-AD 1 was associated with a significantly increased risk for T2D in PLWHIV (OR = 15.4; 95% CI: 2.79-79.5).

Statistics:

  • 80 participants were included in the study.
  • The participants were divided into five groups: PLWHIV, PLWHIV+preT2D, PLWHIV+T2D, PWT2D, and Controls.
  • The HOMA-AD index had an AUC value of up to 0.9 in PLWHIV.
  • AUC values for the discrimination of T2D in PLWHIV reached up to 0.9 using HOMA-AD, TyG-WHtR, QUICKI, and METS-IR.
  • Moderate correlations were identified between HOMA-AD and METS-IR (R = 0.58), TyG-WHtR (R = 0.53), QUICKI (R = -0.90), DAI (R = 0.45), and VAI (R = 0.44).

Sources:

  • Frontiers in Endocrinology. HOMA-AD, inflammation, and adipose tissue dysfunction as key drivers of immunometabolic risk in people living with HIV and type 2 diabetes. 2025;16:1669148.
  • AIDS Weekly. Studies from Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde in the Area of HIV/AIDS Described (HOMA-AD, inflammation, and adipose tissue dysfunction as key drivers of immunometabolic risk in people living with HIV and type 2 diabetes). November 3, 2025; p 127.

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