Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in HIV patients on combination antiretroviral therapy in Ghana

Background Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the development of cardiometabolic risk factors in some populations. However, few studies have investigated the role of BDNF and cardiometabolic risk factors in HIV patients despite the plethora of evidence linking HIV infection with the dysregulation of circulating BDNF levels. We investigated the association between serum BDNF and cardiometabolic risk factors in HIV patients in a primary hospital in Ghana. We recruited 450 participants, comprising 150 combination antiretroviral (cART)-treated HIV patients, 150 cART-naïve HIV patients, and 150 non-HIV controls. Data on sociodemographic parameters and medical history were collected using a structured questionnaire. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to measure plasma glucose levels, lipid profiles, and BDNF. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined using the joint interim statement criteria. Results Compared to untreated HIV patients and uninfected controls, the proportion of participants having MetS was high in cART-exposed HIV patients (26.8% vs 21.1% vs 52.1%, respectively, p