Use of aspirin and statins for the primary prevention of myocardial infarction and stroke in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

This retrospective, cross-sectional study evaluated whether HIV-infected patients received aspirin and statins for the primary prevention of myocardial infarction and stroke. Among the 258 patients included, 50.4% (n = 130/258) of the patients had a high risk of myocardial infarction and 14% (n = 36/258) of stroke. Overall, 43.1% (n = 56/130) and 50% (n = 18/36) of the patients were prescribed aspirin for the primary prevention of myocardial infarction and stroke, respectively. Among the patients who required statin therapy, 42.5% (n = 34/80) and 37.1% (n = 13/35) of patients received it for the primary prevention of myocardial infarction and stroke, respectively. The patients who had hypertension (odds ratio 3.8, 95% confidence interval 1.5–10.9) and diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 2.6–12.4) were more likely to receive aspirin. Interventions are needed to improve provider awareness of the use of aspirin and statins in the primary prevention of myocardial infarction and stroke in HIV-infected patients.
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research