Abstract:
Background: Mortality in HIV/AIDS patients have increasingly been attributed to non-
communicable causes. Since the dawn of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection and antiretroviral drugs, there
has been conflicting data on the role of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) use across the
globe with no data in Ghana. We studied the prevalence and determinants of isolated
systolic hypertension in HIV/AIDS patients on ART. Method: This cross-sectional study
involved 200 HIV/AIDS patients who received treatment at the HIV/AIDS clinic of the
GA South Municipal Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic),
pulse and anthropometric (weight and height, waist and hip circumference) data were
obtained using standard protocols. Other relevant data were obtained with the aid of a
pretested questionnaire. Results: Age, Blood Pressure, Pulse Pressure, BMI and WHR
were significantly associated with duration of ART use. The mean systolic blood pressure
was significantly high in patients who have been on ART for over 2 yrs. Males were
significantly older than females (p=0.003). 4%, 0.5%, and 5.5% of the participants had
grade 1, 2, and ISH respectively. Gender was significantly associated with ISH (p=0.021).
Females are less likely to develop isolated systolic hypertension. Those within the age
group; 30-39 yrs (OR: 7.05, 95% CI: 4.10-12.13, p<0.0001), 40-49 yrs (OR: 3.42, 95% CI: 0.36-
32.10, p<0.0001) 50-59 yrs (OR: 6.13, 95% CI: 0.62-61.03, p<0.0001) are at risk of developing
ISH. Conclusion: Isolated systolic hypertension was prevalent in 5.5% of HIV/AIDS
patients on ART. Age and gender were the significant determinants of ISH. Efficient and
easy accessible measures should be adopted to prevent and control ISH in HIV/AIDS
patients on ART especially males and young adults.
