Evaluation of HDL/Monocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Diseases in People Living with HIV

Abstract

This study investigated the correlation between absolute monocyte count and HDL levels, aiming to understand their role as a risk indicator for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in people living with HIV (PLHIV). The research involved a search for scientific articles in the PubMed and EBSCO databases using the PICOT strategy (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time), along with a table summarizing key information from selected articles based on specific criteria. This was followed by a detailed discussion correlating the findings. Results indicated that the HDL/Monocyte ratio has potential as a CVD marker due to its association with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, despite limited studies validating its use in PLHIV. The observed correlation between HDL levels and inflammatory markers, especially MCP-1, reinforces its promising potential for future investigations. This is supported by its potential for clinical management, given that it is a simple, cost-effective method. However, further targeted studies are necessary to investigate the applicability and sensitivity of this marker in PLHIV. The study also proposed exploring complementary strategies to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for controlling chronic inflammation from HIV infection, preventing other related diseases in PLHIV.