Lipid abnormalities in HIV/hepatitis C virus‐coinfected patients

Background Among HIV‐infected patients, hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is associated with increased rates of lipodystrophy and insulin resistance. Its impact on HIV‐associated dyslipidaemia is less clear. Methods The lipid profiles of all HIV‐infected patients and a subset of HCV‐infected patients seen at the VA Medical Center in Dallas from January 2003 to March 2004 were analysed. Demographic data, HCV serostatus, and HIV treatment history were recorded. Lipid profiles of HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients were compared with those of HIV‐monoinfected and HCV‐monoinfected patients. Results A total of 359 HIV‐infected patients, 91 (25.3%) of whom were HCV coinfected, and 112 HCV‐infected patients were included in the analysis. Among the HIV‐infected patients, HCV coinfection was associated with a reduced risk of hypercholesterolaemia [9.9% vs 24.8%; relative risk (RR)=0.333; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.158–0.699; P